We are almost halfway into December. How is everyone holding up? We’re doing fairly well over here, though I always expect things to be more relaxed with more downtime than we end up having. I find I’m keeping pace by only allowing myself to focus on what is the priority at the moment.

For example, last week was all about Kaitlyn’s play (keeping the kids healthy) and ordering any remaining gifts that needed to be here in a timely manner. This week is all about prepping for a little Christmas shindig we are hosting this weekend and doing our donation day, where the girls and I fulfill as much as we can on our local food bank’s wish list. Then next week I will dial in on actual Christmas- the menu, the activities, getting the house ready for guests, etc.

It doesn’t sound like a whole lot, but when it’s layered on top of the fun home repairs that have popped up (new furnace coming today!) and the usual stuff of activities (we should be done after this week), laundry, and feeding everyone, it can feel like a lot. Speaking on feeding everyone, I do find that is one area I stay consistent in, no matter the time of year. I think it’s primarily because working off a meal plan keeps me so much more sane. I’m balancing the weeks with some of our favorites, and some of my easy go-tos (slow cooker meatballs, I’m looking at you). So in case you’re looking for some cold weather dinner ideas, here’s a look into what we’ve been eating lately.

Winter Dinner Ideas

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• fried eggs and cream cheese on a bagel with fresh herbs from the counter garden
• easy egg salad with cucumbers and microgreens
• easy oven baked bean burritos
• grilled sirloin steaks with roasted broccoli and baked potatoes
• grilled chicken thighs with turmeric rice and collard greens

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• spinach and ricotta stuffed shells, but as roll ups
• beef vegetable soup
• Mississippi pot roast over mashed potatoes with roasted broccoli (from my easy crockpot dinners for the family post)
• lemon oregano chicken thighs over rice with easy garlicky green beans

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• slow cooker red beans and rice
• wellness shots
• mom’s spaghetti and meat sauce
• teriyaki salmon bowls with Japanese bbq sauce
• shepherd’s pie

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• chicken noodle soup with lemon and dill
• fried eggs and herbs over a medley of sauteed veggies
• egg and cheese wraps using Cut Da Carb wraps
• David’s famous chili
• chili lime marinated steak fajita salads

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• the best pizza I’ve ever made that deserves its own post using bread machine pizza dough and the fresh basil, garlic, and fennel seed blend from Half Baked Harvest Everyday and an Italian chopped salad
• immunity-boosting golden soup with fresh thyme and rosemary from the counter garden
• easy shrimp pad Thai