The Kitchen Chalkboard

Grocery Shopping online. Have you tried it?

I’m a huge online shopper and purchase my groceries online every week. It’s to the point where my children go into a grocery store and are amazed at all the food they have in there. We go to the food store that infrequently.

I was aware of the fees for delivery but what about food costs? Are the prices inflated? I was curious and set out on a mission. After comparing various online retailers with brick and mortar stores, I can now answer the question, is it cheaper to grocery shop online? Want to learn more?

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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What to Cook For a Friend in Need

by Kristen 2 Comments

Life is full of ups and downs. Thankfully we have wonderful friends that are there for us when we need them.

And sometimes, even if we don’t care to admit it, we need help. And what better way to help someone in need than to cook them a meal?

After I had my second baby, I was lucky enough to have a bunch of friends bring dinners to my house. I didn’t ask for it, they simply organized a meal train and food just started showing up. It was quite possibly one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. With all of the craziness surrounding the birth of a new baby, cooking dinner was the last thing on my mind.

Perhaps you have a sick neighbor, or a friend that was recently in the hospital, or a friend that had a baby. Life is busy enough, add any of these situations to the mix and worlds get turned upside down.

Anyone of them would probably love a homecooked meal. But just how do you go about bringing food to a friend? And most importantly, what do you make? I’ve got you covered.

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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How to Fill Your Meal Plan With Dinners That Make Your Family Happy

What the heck am I cooking this week?

Do you ask yourself this question regularly? The struggle is real. I used to scroll through Pinterest and try to figure out just what the heck I was going to make each week. That is hard enough in and of itself. Add in trying to find meals that everyone would eat and didn’t take all day to prepare and I was overwhelmed. Then I figured out how to fill your meal plan with meals your family will love.

It’s super easy — anyone can do it.

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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The Ultimate Guide to Meal Planning

Is your late afternoon hectic? Maybe you are racing around to take your kids to activities or getting home from a crazy day at work. The hours between 4-7 can be nuts. You get home and stare at the refrigerator and think, what the heck am I going to make for dinner? I hear you and I’m here to help.

I used to do the same thing and we wound up eating a fair amount of takeout food. Until I started meal planning. Ever since then, I saved money and time. Dinner is no longer something I worry about. I still think about it obsessively because I love food (wink) but I do not worry about what’s for dinner.

Now you may have wanted to meal plan before and never got around to it. Or you just don’t know where to start. I get it! I am here to help. Read on to find the step-by-step instructions on how to meal plan and stick to it. I’ve done this method for years and it works.

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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Easy Sheet Pan Chicken, Pears, and Potatoes

I had the wonderful pleasure of my mom staying over while my husband traveled a week or so ago. It was so nice to have quality time with her and my kids were in heaven. She’s not too adventurous when eating so I always try to be thoughtful about what I’m going to serve her. This dish immediately came to mind because it completely fits the bill — simple, flavorful and didn’t take too long to prepare. Time to talk about Easy Sheet Pan Chicken with Potatoes and Pears.

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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Mother’s Day Kitchen Gifts

Struggling with what to get your mom, wife, or grandma for Mother’s Day? Are they someone that loves to cook, bake or eat? I’ve got you covered. Check out our list of the best Mother’s Day Kitchen Gifts.

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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How to Organize Your Recipes in 2019

I have been watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix obsessively and now have this unrelenting need to get organized and downsize. As I was purging closets and deciding what “sparks joy,” as Kondo advises one to do, I started thinking about the kitchen. (All roads to lead to the kitchen with me). How to organize recipes came to mind.

My first foray into organzing recipes was to simpy create a folder on my computer and bookmark the recipe. Two clicks and it was saved. This method is great for it’s simplicity. It falls down a bit when you are looking for a recipe and you have no idea what it is called. You have to be online to access the website and rely on the recipe still being in the same location it was when you found it. I found, over time, websites shut down or recipes were placed behind a paywall making it difficult to access. There had to be a better way so off I went to find the best way to organize recipes.

I tried the Paprika Recipe Manager, Pepperplate, Pocket, and Pinterest. There are pros and cons to each one but to me there is standout method.

Which one is right for you?

Let’s go the Chalkboard.

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Winter Meal Plan

Winter has been all over the place here. It’s below zero one day then 60 degrees the next. It’s not a typical winter but I am still craving typical winter meals. This winter meal plan consists of hearty and cozy family-friendly dinners that won’t have you in the kitchen all evening.

Check out our Winter Meal Plan.

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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Spinach Salad with Truffle Vinaigrette

I have long been singing the praises of truffle oil. My obession with Truffle Popcorn has not waned. I am trying to convince everyone and their mothers to buy it. It has so many purposes! So my best friend throws out the challenge, what are some ideas for a Weight Watchers friendly Truffle Oil recipe? Challenge accepted.

Enter the Shari Salad. Clocking in at five Weight Watchers Freestyle Smart Points this salad with its truffle oil vinaigrette is a great addition to your meal plan. Hearty and filling with different flavors and textures, this recipe with a few ingredients, is anything but boring. Try this Weight Watchers Friendly Truffle Oil Recipe with some grilled chicken or a good steak.

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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Chicken Meatball Soup with Pasta