Weekly Meal Rhythm

Hey Mama,

Want to know a secret? We RARELY, if ever, eat out anymore. Or do takeout. Perhaps once a month, if that.

But it never used to be like that around here. We would go out or order in at least once a week or more. It was really hard on our budget—and on top of that, we weren’t fueling our bodies well with all the fast/convenience food that we were consuming.

So how did it all change? I scrapped weekly menu planning and instead, we started using a weekly menu rhythm. It saved so much mental energy, and cut down on decision making. It made grocery shopping easier, as instead of shopping for specific recipes, I purchase the same basic staples, and simply mix up the proteins and fruits veggies to whatever is on sale. And my kids, LOVE it. They like knowing what’s for dinner each night, it has saved a lot of the mealtime arguments of “but I don’t like that…”. They know what’s on the menu, and they know that if they don’t care for it, the next night will be different.

So here’s what a weekly dinner rhythm looks like for our family.

◦ Monday—Breakfast for Dinner

◦ Tuesday—Tacos/Burritos/Mexican

◦ Wednesday—Pasta/Italian

◦ Thursday—Stir Fry/Asian

◦ Friday—Copycat/Homemade Fast Food

◦ Saturday—“Fancy” Family Meal/New Recipe

◦ Sunday—Slow Cooker Meal

Mondays are Breakfast for Dinner because my husband often has meetings Monday night, and I could get a hot breakfast meal on the table more easily than other dishes. Wednesdays are pasta because we often have something going on in the evening and pasta is quick to make. Sundays are Slow Cooker because by the time we all get home from church, Mama is tired, and it’s REALLY nice to walk in to a meal already made. And the other nights are family favorites that can be made in endless varieties (blackened chicken, garlic like salmon, or steak tacos) and are “assembly style” meals that even our pickiest eaters can find something to appreciate.

Never tried a weekly rhythm? I’d encourage you to give it a try for a month! See if you can eat out one less meal this month!

#MealPlanning

#LetsEatIn

#KidsInTheKitchen

#KidsCook

#DebtFreeLifestyle

#BabySteps

#Values

#GatherRoundTheTable

#Rhythms

#LargeFamilyLogistics

What They Really Need…is a Mud Kitchen?

You don’t need that fancy mud kitchen, Mama. They can love playing outside just as much with some old pots and pans.

It’s true, we might someday purchase a mud kitchen. But right now, it’s not in the budget. Nor is a bigger backyard, or many of the other beautiful outdoor toys I see hear on the ‘gram.

But you know what? My kids aren’t on Instagram—and they think our backyard is amazing. And this kid here never tires of scooping and pouring rocks and mud into those little pans.

And do you know what they get most excited about? When I join them for a few minutes in their play. They don’t need more toys, Mama. And they don’t need you to spend precious minutes and hours scouring the Internet for great deals. What they want…what they need, is you. Their Mama. Content where you’re at, and choosing them, over and over again.

What small blessings are you grateful for in this moment?

#MomTruth

#MudKitchen

#BackyardFun

#1000HoursOutside

#DebtFreeLifestyle

#FamilyTime

#Values

#Priorities

#PerfectlyImperfect

Gathering ‘Round the Table

Who’s gathering around your table today, Mama?

More important than decorations, or perfectly matching cups and dishes, are the souls that gather there.

What kinds of words are being spoken? What stories are being told? Who among those gathered there needs a word of encouragement that only your lips can provide? Who needs to know that you truly see them—and love what you see?

How do you make time around the table a special time of gathering together?

Praying for you today as you make your table, however humble it may be, a life giving place for those who gather there.

#MakingDisciples

#ScreenFreeMoments

#Priorities

#Mealtime

#Snacktime

#KitchenTable

#MasonJars

#KidsAroundtheTable

#IntentionalMotherhood

#IntentionalParenting

#ConversationStarters

Surprisingly Simple

Alphabet Magnet Boards for the win over here. What surprisingly simple toy keeps your kids engaged for more time than you ever thought it would?

#Simplify

#Simplicity

#Toys

#LearningToys

#Alphabet

#Homeschool

#UrbanHomeschool

#ParentingTips

Simple Valentines Celebration with Kids

Hey Mama,

We had a simple Valentine’s breakfast this morning. Steve and I gave each kid a new (to them) book, and the kids gave valentines to each other (and gave each other long envied Pokémon cards from each other’s collections—now THAT’S love). Breakfast was food we had on hand. Bananas. Walnuts. Chocolate croissants from the supermarket.

Our after school snack was one of our easiest favorites—“Melties”. Graham crackers topped with a few chocolate chips and popped in a warm oven for 3 mins. To make them “special” for today, I placed the chocolate chips in the shape of a “V”. Presented them to each child with a “Happy V-Day” and we sat and dunked them in cold milk together.

That’s it. No huge purchases. Just re-fashioning what we had on hand to make the ordinary feel a bit “special”. And that effort was recognized and appreciated—and it was enough.

Don’t be afraid to keep it simple, Mama. Mark the day. Love on your kids. But don’t blow your budget. Don’t feel like you have to compete with all the Insta-ideas floating around. Love on those Littles, and make them the priority, not all the fancy trappings. Spend time WITH them. Keep it simple.

#SimpleValentinesDayCelebration

#ValentinesDayWithKids

#Simplify

#Simplicity

#MomTruth

#IntentionalMotherhood

#IntentionalParenting

#ValentinesIdeaa

#ValentinesIdeasForKids

February Picnics

Hey Mama,

Yesterday and today the temperature is in the 60’s—almost unheard of here in mid-February in Northeastern NJ. And so we put some of the chores aside to make time for a picnic (the first of 2022!) and lots of outside play in the sunshine.

Remember why you do what you do—and take time to love on the people you’ve been called to. You can always come back to the chores after you’ve taken some time for play.

How do you take “breaks” to spend time with the people you love? 💕

#Rest

#Sabbath

#Unplug

#IntentionalParenting

#IntentionalMotherhood

#MindfulMotherhood

#MomTruth

#OutsidePlay

#1000HoursOutside

Perfectly Imperfect

Your house doesn’t have to be perfect, Mama. Neither does your kitchen.

It doesn’t have to have the latest appliances, or granite counters, or fancy coffee pots. It doesn’t have to have new flooring, or fresh paint, or impeccable decorating.

It’s what you can’t see that counts, Mama. Is it full of love? Is it full of laughter? Is there dancing in your kitchen? Are conversations shared over meals? Are little ones learning to cook or bang on Tupperware or pots there while older ones work on homework? Are there moments of connection over steaming cups of tea or coffee?

Your home isn’t a canvas for the latest styles of decorating…it’s a canvas for the life of your family. The life you’re creating between the walls is far more important than the age of your fridge. Or Instagram-worthy cabinets and counters. So clear the clutter, and clean the canvas, Mama…but then use that time and space for what He’s called you to—investing in the people right in front of you. Turn on some music tonight, and have a dance party in your kitchen.

#Simplicity

#KitchenDanceParty

#IntentionalMotherhood

#Values

#Minimalism

#MindfulMotherhood

#PerfectlyImperfect

Elevate the Everyday

Want an easy win, Mama? Invite your kid(s) to a homemade sundae bar. Fill a muffin tin with whatever leftover odds and ends you have on hand. (I used crushed cookies, mini marshmallows, M & Ms, white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips and broken pretzels). Scoop some ice cream into mason jars or drinking glasses, and let them add their favorite toppings.

Ask them what the best (or weirdest!) part of their day was, and savor a few moments of togetherness before you start your task list.

Connecting with your kid doesn’t have to be complicated…it just takes pausing a moment, and maybe making the ordinary feel “special”.

What’s an everyday thing that you make “special” with a simple twist?

#IntentionalParenting

#SlowDown

#MomMoments

#Connect

#ElevateTheEveryday

#KidsInTheKitchen

#SnackIdeas

#EasySnacks

#ConversationStarters

Point Them To Him

Did you take the opportunity to point them to Jesus today, Mama?

This time of year is so very busy—there’s only 4 days until Christmas! But in the midst of all the busyness—the presents to wrap, food to prepare, last minute shopping and cleaning and tidying–I’m here to gently encourage you…take a few quiet moments and point them to Jesus.

It could be a simple Christmas book. A story read out of your favorite children’s Bible. Coloring a nativity picture. Cuddling on the couch and looking at the tree while you listen to a Christmas song about the baby King. Watching a movie that points to Him.

This season, Mama, these gifts, they’re all about Him. The King of Kings, come as a baby to live among us. And all the good things of this season…they’re all gifts from His gracious and loving hands. As you prepare and celebrate over these next four days, make sure that you’re taking a moment each day to point them to Him. You’ll have eternity to be thankful that you did.

How do you take time to pause and reflect as a family during this season?

#PointToJesus

#MindfulMotherhood

#SlowDown

#Priorities

#Values

#PurposefulParenting

#RaisingDisciples

Slow Afternoons

Hey Mama. How are you doing as we head into the colder months?

Here’s a gentle reminder that some days are for finishing All. The. Things…and some days, it’s ok to snuggle on the couch and just read aloud The Grouchy Ladybug or whatever your family’s current favorite is. Because some days, they need snuggling and reading waaay more than accomplishing and “doing” all the things. Even the older ones. Here’s to read alouds and slow afternoons.

How do you know when it’s time to slow down? Do you have any rhythms for slowing down as a family?

#SlowAfternoons

#ReadAlouds

#YoureNeverTooOldForReadAlouds

#IntentionalParenting

#SoulCare