COVID-19 Meal Planning – June

June

Here is the June Meal Planning Wrap-Up. I can’t believe it has been 4-months of tracking what we have eaten for dinner. There are many things on repeat and a few new recipes here and there that we have tried. All in all – there has been a lot of eating at home.

  • June 1 – Leftovers
  • June 2 – BBQ Chicken, Corn, and Broccoli
  • June 3 – Spaghetti
  • June 4 – Mexican at our favorite restaurant (**This was our first eating out in a restaurant experience and we were 2 of the 4 patrons.**)
  • June 5 – TAKE-OUT (Longhorn Steakhouse)
  • June 6 – Orange Chicken
  • June 7 – Sheet Pan Lemon Shrimp
  • June 8 – Breakfast for Dinner (pancakes and sausage)
  • June 9 – Everyone was on their own as we all had things to do.
  • June 10 – Picnic Basket Delivery (Fajitas)
  • June 11 – Picnic Basket Delivery (BBQ and fixings)
  • June 12 – Leftovers
  • June 13 – Fried Chicken from Smithfield BBQ & Chicken and fresh veggies from Farmers Market
  • June 14 – Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Fruit
  • June 15 – Pork Chops, Rice and Green Bean Casserole
  • June 16 – Chicken Pot Pie
  • June 17 – Leftovers
  • June 18 – Pork Tenderloin
  • June 19 – TAKE-OUT (Mexican)
  • June 20 – Leftovers
  • June 21 – TAKE-OUT (Smithfield BBQ & Chicken)
  • June 22 – TAKE-OUT (Cracker Barrel)
  • June 23 – Leftovers
  • June 24 – TAKE-OUT at Elizabeth’s (Anna’s Pizza)
  • June 25 – Crabcakes
  • June 26 – Leftovers
  • June 27 – Leftovers
  • June 28 – Spaghetti
  • June 29 – Beef Tips
  • June 30 – Taco Salad

Since this “staying home” is looking to be the normal, I’m going to change up my Meal Planning to sharing new recipes or highlighted some of our favorites instead of the monthly wrap up. I would love to hear what is on repeat at your house or if you see something on these last 4-months that you want more information on how we prepare it, let me know.

Favorite Things – Part 2

Shop Local

Shopping local = support local businesses to me. Whether it is our local Mexican restaurant, dry cleaners, shops, farmers market, etc. – anytime we can support a local business is a win in my book. Here are some of my current favorites:

  • All She Wrote Notes – I met Maghon Taylor years ago when she can and lead a calligraphy class for my Bible Study gals. I have followed her ever since and like to think of her as a friend now. It has been fun to watch her go from this side business she did at night to a gal making it a full-time gig. She has written a book (the second is coming soon), partnerships with some great companies and she keeps spreading happiness.
  • May Designs – My first purchase was their journal books and I loved them. If I had to guess I probably bought from them 10 years ago. In more recent years, I have bought a number of their tumblers. They are FANTASTIC. They are not only the type that will keep hot hot and cold cold, but they can go in the dishwasher!!! That’s a huge win in this house. Love both sizes and are fun to pick out colors, monograms, etc. Since COVID-19, they started making masks. When we knew masks were going to be the thing – I quickly ordered and these were some of the first masks we got. They are great – a pocket area for a filter, comfortable, easy to wash.
  • Busy Bee Gifts – My friend Courtney shared with me last summer the Posh Paper Crate with me and I had to sign up. A monthly subscription of cute paper goods. I’ve had everything from a notebook, monogram notecards, recipe cards, file folders and more. It’s a surprise every month and a fun package to open.
  • Picnic @ Home – A favorite catering company I have used for years (The Picnic Basket) changed their thinking with COVID-19 and started contactless delivery of dinners. We have had them bring dinner several times. From beef ribs to fajitas and BBQ pork sandwiches – everything has been delicious. They drop off the meal at the door and all you have to do is heat it up (about 30 minutes) and dinner is served. If you are in the Raleigh-Durham area, give them a try.

What are your favorite Small Businesses?

Favorite Things – Part 1

Over the next several posts, I will share some of my favorite things. Some of these are COVID-19 purchases and others are just things that I have purchased over the first part of 2020.

Amazon Finds

I think we all have gotten in the habit of the easy shopping Amazon provides. With a few clicks, you have ordered and then the box arrives on your door step. From essentials to random items – Amazon has it all.

  • OtterBox Defender Cell Phone Case – I have used this style case for some time. It does the job for me in keeping my cell phone safe from the accidental drops and daily use. I opted for a fun pink polka dots case this time. Easy to find in the purse.
  • Cricket Static Hair Brush Fast Flo – My all time favorite hairbrush. I think I originally bought one at Ulta and then have replaced it several times by a quick Amazon order. I even have a smaller version that is perfect for my purse.
  • Conair Instant Heat Travel Hot Rollers – Speaking of hair, I ordered these a couple months ago when I knew there was not hair appointment in the future. I was already 2 months into the new haircut and knew it was going to probably be another 2 months. Had to do something…I’ve used hot rollers before, but these are great because they are larger and give you body not curly curly hair. They have been great.
  • Fitbit Band – I have ordered a variety of bands for my Fitbit through the years. This one has become a favorite for Mom, my sister, and me. A little dressier than some, but still functional.
  • CINEMA SECRETS Pro Cosmetics Professional Brush Cleaner Spray – So, I have seen several Instagram “friends” post about this make-up brush cleaner….so I thought I would give it a try. My make-up brush has never been cleaner and softer. I have tried many other tricks, but they never have been this clean.

What are your Amazon finds? Do you have favorites that you have on repeat? We order coffee (K-Cups) monthly, my new favorite elderberry gummies, and trash bags. I would love to hear of any of your favorites from Amazon.

COVID-19 Meal Planning – May

May

I’m delayed on posting the May list of meals, but here you go. It has been another fun month of dinner at home.

  • May 1 – TAKE-OUT (Mexican)
  • May 2 – TAKE-OUT (Chick-fila)
  • May 3 – Mom’s Birthday and her request for TAKE-OUT (Maggiano’s)
  • May 4 – Chicken & Rice
  • May 5 – Taco Salad
  • May 6 – Roast, Potatoes, Carrots
  • May 7 – TAKE-OUT (Mellow Mushroom)
  • May 8 – Crab Cakes and Boiled Shrimp over Salad
  • May 9 – Leftovers
  • May 10 – Mother’s Day; Ham and Fixings
  • May 11 – Shredded BBQ Chicken, Mac & Cheese
  • May 12 – Spaghetti
  • May 13 – Leftovers
  • May 14 – Leftovers
  • May 15 – Leftovers
  • May 16 – TAKE-OUT (Smithfield BBQ & Chicken)
  • May 17 – TAKE-OUT (Oceanic)
  • May 18 – Spaghetti and Tossed Salad
  • May 19 – Chicken, Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
  • May 20 – Taco Salad
  • May 21 – TAKE-OUT (Blue Water Grill)
  • May 22 – Leftovers
  • May 23 – TAKE-OUT (Longhorn Steakhouse)
  • May 24 – Orange Chicken, Rice and Green Beans
  • May 25 – Memorial Day TAKE-OUT (Firebirds)
  • May 26 – Fried Pork Chops, Corn and Broccoli
  • May 27 – TAKE-OUT (Olive Garden)
  • May 28 – Leftovers
  • May 29 – I have no idea and we couldn’t remember. Nor did we write it down. This was the first time we didn’t write it down.
  • May 30 – TAKE-OUT (Mellow Mushroom)
  • May 31 – Beef Stew, Potatoes, and Carrots

No new recipes this month – these were all good standbys in our family. We did our fair share of Take-Out which was a nice break from cooking every night. We just needed a break.

I’ll commit to posting June’s list quicker and there will be some new recipes to share there. We have enjoyed a couple new recipes that will be on repeat.

Recipe Cards

Sharing recipes – quick and easy

Have you been following along on my meal planning posts? If you have, you have seen that some of the recipes are saved in Forever. These are 4×6 recipe cards ready to go and at my finger tips no matter where I am.

My sister and I have been trying to get all of our Favorite Recipes typed up and in these easy to print cards. It’s a work in progress. We will continue to add to our collection and you are welcome to browse and try out some of our favorites. These cards are easy to print like a photo to drop in a recipe box, notebook, photo album, and share. A fun way to save these favorite for now and many years ahead…let me know if you see something you would like. Would be happy to share a copy.

How do we make these recipe cards?

First of all, there is a program called Artisan and it is used for digital scrapbooking and projects. We have content like fonts, “papers” and embellishments that we can use on each card to make them unique. Once the card is made, then we have saved them in our Collaborative Album in Forever that we share.

To learn more about Forever, visit my sister’s blog: https://www.seeingagreaterpurpose.com/photo-solutions/. She will be happy to help you with any of your photo needs.

Meal Planning – Recipes

Where do your recipes come from?

Where do you find recipes? Online, magazines? Do you have a collection of family recipes? Maybe some favorites from friends that have been passed along. And how do you store them?

These days when I’m on the hunt for a new recipe I’m searching the internet or digging through various recipe books that I have. Occasionally a friend will post something that sparks interest on Facebook and we will give it a try. Most recently, Mom printed a bunch of options off the internet and we ranked them and have tried several.

It’s so easy to keep eating what we always eat. It is what we know, what we like, ingredients we have on hand. But we all need a little variety. Leave a comment on where you search for new recipes or maybe end a link of something new you have tried.

How do you store your recipes?

Growing up I remember a corner drawer in the kitchen that was Mom’s recipes. There was a notebook with various cut outs from magazines, handwritten scribbles, two small spiral notebooks with recipes that my aunt wrote for Mom, and more. As I transitioned into my own place and began cooking, I followed in the footsteps of my sister with a binder and page protectors. We added some of our family favorites and then others that we were picking up on our own.

Now, I have a small bookshelf close to the kitchen with my many recipe books. A collection so the Southern Living Yearly Cookbooks since we got married, Forest Hills Baptist Church Cookbooks (that some refer to as the Old Testament, New Testament, and The Message), and others. But my favorites ones to pull out are those Binders. Those are the tried and true favorites.

Cookbook Shelf

COVID-19 Meal Planning – April

April 2020

Buttermilk Yeast Rolls

When I started my monthly tracking of dinners, I thought that it was only going to be March. I had no idea that it would continue. So, since I had kept up a list for March, I decided to keep it going.

  • April 1 – Pesto Shrimp Pasta
  • April 2 – Paula Deen’s Saucy Chicken & Asparagus Bake
  • April 3 – DELIVERY (The Picnic Basket Contact Free Delivery) – Braised Beef Ribs, Herb Mashed Potatoes, Side Salad
  • April 4 – TAKE-OUT (Smithfield BBQ)
  • April 5 – Leftovers
  • April 6 – Spaghetti
  • April 7 – Coke Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes
  • April 8 – Leftovers
  • April 9 – Leftovers
  • April 10 – Cheeseburgers
  • April 11 – Leftovers
  • April 12 (Easter) – Honey Baked Ham, Potato Salad, Broccoli, Pineapple Cheese Casserole, Homemade Buttermilk Yeast Rolls
  • April 13 – Baked Potatoes with Chili
  • April 14 – TAKE-OUT (Pizza)
  • April 15 – Meatball Subs and Mini Sloppy Joes
  • April 16 – Leftovers
  • April 17 – Beef Roast, Potatoes and Carrots
  • April 18 – TAKE-OUT (BurgerFi)
  • April 19 – Pork Chops and Rice
  • April 20 – Leftovers
  • April 21 – Caesar Chicken
  • April 22 – Taco Soup
  • April 23 – Leftovers
  • April 24 – Steaks, Baked Potatoes and Salad
  • April 25 – Have no idea. LOL.
  • April 26 – Beef and Pork BBQ
  • April 27 – Skillet Lasagna
  • April 28 – Leftovers
  • April 29 – TAKE-OUT (Cracker Barrel)
  • April 30 – BBQ Pork Chops

COVID-19 Meal Planning – March

What’s for Dinner?

Anyone else feel like all we do is eat, do dishes, take the garbage out and laundry? How are these things all needing attention more? I think since we started the Stay-at-Home Order that I have done more cooking, cleaning, and laundry.

For those that know us well, you know that while we enjoy cooking and eating at home – we tend to eat out for convenience and ease. Well, that changed drastically in March. And I wanted to keep notes on what we did…I really only thought it would be maybe a couple weeks. I was wrong.

I shared my monthly dinner meal plans with several friends and thought that I would share here too. Maybe it will help you get out of a rut if you are tired of everything. Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite meal too.

March 2020

  • March 12 – Beef Tips, Rice, Green Bean Casserole
  • March 13 – Spaghetti, Tossed Salad
  • March 14 – Taco Salad
  • March 15 – Pork Tenderloin, Fresh Green Beans, Rice
  • March 16 – Stew beef, Potatoes, Carrots
  • March 17 – Hamburgers, Chips & Dip
  • March 18 – TAKE-OUT (Mexican)
  • March 19 – Italian Chicken, Green Beans, and Potatoes
  • March 20 – Leftovers
  • March 21 – TAKE-OUT (Two Guys Grille)
  • March 22 – Beef Tips, Rice
  • March 23 – Sloppy Joes
  • March 24 – Swiss Chicken, Broccoli
  • March 25 – Baked Potatoes with Chili
  • March 26 – Chicken Spectacular
  • March 27 – TAKE-OUT (Mellow Mushroom)
  • March 28 – Leftovers
  • March 29 – Franka Stew
  • March 30 – Chicken Spaghetti
  • March 31 – Beef Tips

You see that there are some repeats…some of these were made to share with others…and we at leftovers for lunch too. I’m not perfect at meal planning, but I tried to have a plan.

COVID-19 – The New Normal

We are all in this together

On March 10th, I got the rug pulled out from me – well, not quite, but it did feel a little like that. We had just finished set-up for a major work event and started rehearsal when we got the call to cancel the event. Within days, we were told that the company would be moving to a full-time remote work schedule and then the Stay-at-Home Order came.

Who would have thought that we would be where we are today? I have been working remotely full time for over 2 months, my outings consist of the grocery store, the occasional Chick-fila pick-up, and a few other errands. Other than that, we have been HOME. Very different for me and probably many of you too. For a gal that likes to go, we have stayed put.

We are all in this together. With everyone’s help in following guidelines put in place, I hope that we will be back to a “normal” sooner than later. But patience is our best medicine. We will get through this and be on the other side soon.

So, why not pick-up a little blogging while there is more time. I probably could have, should have started this back up weeks ago, but I’m just now there. So, here we go again….

Travel Essentials

I have traveled quite a bit over the last several months. A little business, personal, professional development conference and another fun trip with my sister. Seems like my suitcase has just stayed in my bedroom and either be in a stage of being unpacked or repacked.

I love hearing what are the “must haves” when traveling from people. I think I’m getting better at not over packing, but having just what is needed. It takes some organization, but I have come home so many times from trips with all the extras that I never touched, that this summer I have tried being intentional about packing.

So, here are so of my essentials as I travel…

  • Earphones – I love these Bose SoundSport Headphones because they work with my cell phone.
  • Pens – My current favorite “cheap” pen is the Papermate InkJoy Medium Point
  • Journal/Notebook
  • Swell Bottle – Airport tip…My first stop once through security is the Starbucks for a little treat and a cup of ice water to pour into my bottle for later.
  • DoTerra OnGuard Hand Santizer
  • Extra tote bag – I have loved this DayTripper Scout bag. It has been perfect to stick in my suitcase for a tote once I reach my final destination. Whether I need a pool bag, tote for around the city, or whatever – this is perfect.
  • Suncreen – R+F Essentials Body Screen has been my go-to product for the last several years. Smells great, no greasy residue, and the best part – no burning in the sun.

What are you always traveling with?