Well, friends – it has been a weird week, huh? I hope some of you will find my updated healthy pantry staples list with recipes ideas post helpful, either now or in the future!
At least the weather has been gorgeous this week… I hope it has been okay where you are, too. Here it’s really starting to look like spring – gorgeous flowers popping out all over the place. Riese and I have been really enjoying them on all our walks!
We’ve still been cooking up a storm this week.
In addition to eating lots of leftover turkey chili (I decided to share that recipe next Wednesday instead of today, so stay tuned!) and chicken soup from the weekend, we’ve also been enjoying…
Meatloaf (yum, I love meatloaf) – with garlic roasted potatoes and some sautéed bok choy. We ate at our dining room table instead of at our kitchen island and it felt a little more fun/fancy. 😉 This was a Blue Apron recipe, but if you want a meatloaf recipe to try, here’s one of my faves: Turkey Dijon Mini Meatloaf Muffins.
We had shrimp and black bean lettuce wraps another night. Again a Blue Apron meal, but here is some lettuce wrap inspiration: Healthy Lettuce Wrap Recipes – it includes a shrimp variation!
One night we decided to get take out to support one of our favorite local restaurants. Matt and I were both craving a run and some fresh air, so we loaded Riese into the stroller with lots of snacks, ran to the restaurant, placed the dinner order, then ran around for 25 minutes while waiting for it to be ready.
We then picked dinner up and headed back home to eat! It was fun and lifted all of our spirits – and the food was good too. 🙂
It was from Kaizen in Del Ray; I had the salmon with rice and soy green beans. Really flavorful!
Last night was taco night – my fave! These had ground beef (cooked with some Mexican seasoning), black beans, cilantro, tomato, and cheese. So good!! I went back for one more. 🙂
Lunches have mostly been leftovers or easy things like chicken + hummus wraps, but I did make big grain salad bowls for us one day. They had mixed greens, orzo, chopped grapes, chickpeas, leftover chicken, yellow pepper, pumpkin seeds, feta cheese, and homemade balsamic vinaigrette.
Riese had a deconstructed version minus the lettuce.
If you like grain salad bowls, this post is for you: Mix + Match Grain Salad Bowl Recipes.
We also had my old friend High Protein Oatmeal (<- recipe) this week. I had forgotten about that recipe! Yum.
I’ve been really missing my workout dates/fitness classes this week, but I’m appreciative that there are so many online options available right now!
I’ve done a few at-home yoga videos this week during Riese’s naptime (I can’t bring myself to get up early to work out when it’s just me alone in the basement…), which has felt good. One was a YouTube video (I just googled “30 minute vinyasa flow yoga”) and the other two were the 30 minute “yoga fire” video via the ClassPass app. I’ve been using a laundry basket to prop up my phone in front of me for the videos; keepin’ it classy.
As for Riese, we’ve been spending a decent amount of time outside since the weather has been so good – either in our backyard, or taking walks, or in nature areas not near others. Yesterday she also “helped” me clean/vacuum our car. I turned the floor mats into a hopscotch – she was into it. Oh and yes, her shoes are most definitely on the wrong feet, and she is wearing pajama pants.
She’s also been enjoying some of our usual favorites on repeat, like our “organize the silverware” game. 😉 (Santa jammies obviously had to continue even after Christmas – so cozy!)
ALSO. I got her this hedgehog toddler apron + chef’s hat set (Amazon affiliate link) and I’m obsesseddddd (and so is she). So cute right?! She really wanted an apron like we have for when she helps us in the kitchen!
Matt also found this cool kinetic sand (affiliate link) kit (Amazon affiliate link) for Riese a few weeks ago at a craft store… it’s amazing because it doesn’t make a mess (it sticks together, and you can still shape it and build with it like wet sand, but somehow it doesn’t get everywhere like normal sand so you can use it indoors). Highly recommend! I have NO idea how it works but it’s so freakin cool.
I’ve been thinking of putting together a post sharing all of Riese’s current toddler favorites – games, books, toys, activities, etc. – any interest? Let me know if it would be useful!
And that’s all I have for you today! I hope you guys are all doing okay out there… I’d love to hear how you’re holding up if you want to share. Sending love and healthy wishes to all. <3
