Well you guys. The comments on last Friday’s post were really all over the place and I’d like to take a little more time to sit with it all and get my thoughts together so that I can respond in a meaningful way.
For today, thanks for being here and I hope that this recent eats round up gives you some ideas and inspiration for your own meals. There are some new and different things here…and lots of good food!
BREAKFAST
Half of a Dave’s Killer plain bagel with butter and cream cheese, two eggs scrambled with cottage cheese, Wild Brine sauerkraut and grapes.
Plain 4% greek yogurt, honey, banana, blueberries, strawberries, granola and peanut butter.
Trader Joe’s frozen steel cut oatmeal with mashed banana and blueberries mixed in and topped with raspberries and peanut butter.
LUNCH
Blue Harbor tuna with plain greek yogurt and mayo and chopped sweet pickles. I put the tuna on top of some multi-seed flatbread crackers from Aldi. Apple and cheese slices on the side.
Butternut squash and apple soup with avocado toast on sourdough. I got the soup at The Fresh Market and it was super creamy and rich.
Ham sandwich on whole wheat with mayo, avocados, cheddar and tomatoes.
One of my favorite lunch salads in a long time. This one was so delicious! Chopped romaine, hearts of palm. olives, pistachios, deli turkey, tomatoes, avocado, cottage cheese and creamy Italian dressing.
Snack plate with a hardboiled egg, half of a mashed avocado, some Spanish cheese slices from Trader Joe’s apples and crackers.
Peanut butter, honey and banana sandwich on wheat with potato chips. I recently welcomed Ruffles back into my life for the first time in many years and they are so good! I have been on a big kettle chip kick but the Ruffles are a reminder of how good “regular” potato chips are too!
Salad with spinach, arugula, hearts of palm, chickpeas, dried cranberries, pears, avocado, pistachios and feta. White balsamic dressing on top from Whole Foods.
DINNER
My first time breaking out the slow cooker this year! I made Julie’s Easy Cheesy Crockpot Chicken Corn Chili minus the corn because I didn’t have any. It was super simple and delicious. I topped it with extra cheese, plain greek yogurt, cilantro and avocado.
Grilled bone-in ribeye, sautéed mushrooms and onions, roasted asparagus and baked potato with butter and sour cream. I prepared everything on this plate except the steak along with a big green salad for a dinner with some friends last weekend.
Honey balsamic glazed chicken, roasted acorn squash with butter and maple syrup and steamed green beans tossed with butter and seasoned with the Trader Joe’s lemon pepper grinder.
This was my favorite dinner of recent weeks…cabbage rolls! My grandmother used to make cabbage rolls when I was growing up and I have been craving them for months now. I actually made these on Halloween but I’m just getting around to posting the photo now. I used Leslie Ann’s recipe because it was a lot simpler and straightforward than many. My tomato sauce got a little dry on top because I left them in the oven warming while we were out trick or treating. Regardless, they still tasted amazing! I ate this + a couple more straight out of the pan.
I was telling my mom that I was making cabbage and she thought it sounded so good that my dad put them on their dinner menu the next week! I served them with roasted potatoes and sprinkled everything with parmesan. It would have been nice to have had a green salad too but that just wasn’t going to happen on this night! 🙂
Thai delivery from Aroy Thai after getting Finn down one night. I had red curry with extra veggies and tofu. This was so tasty!
And finally, only one random bowl creation for this round of recent eats…can you believe it? 😉 This is one of my favorite combinations…pine nut couscous (from a box), shredded rotisserie chicken, sautéed spinach, avocado and hummus.
ETC
This cheese plate was the appetizer on steak night. Isn’t it beautiful!? I love putting together cheese plates. They’re just the perfect combination of visually appealing and crowd pleasing.
And this bourbon pecan pie was the dessert on steak night. Let me tell you, I thoroughly enjoyed the leftovers for the next two nights.
QUESTIONS
Have you made any soup, stew or chili recipes yet this fall? If so, which ones!?
Favorite type of pie?
Have you ever tried cabbage rolls?
Hi Jen! I made Julie’s chili last night…always a hit at my house! I made a more traditional ground beef chili last Sunday. It’s cooling off in Michigan so these types of dinners always hit the spot with the added benefit of leftovers for days! 🙂
All I want to say, Jen, is that I’m sending you my love and support right now. I never comment – and I never read comments – but I did this time based on your post. Although we’ve never met, you know you have been a huge influence in my professional life, and I respect and admire you on ALLLLL the fronts. Being a mom is hard, being a dog owner is hard, heck being a person is hard in 2020! I give you credit for sharing your life as you do. <3
I can only support that! Jen, thank you for being so open about your life, for taking the time to photograph food, life, Finn and the dogs.
I enjoy your kind words, your food inspiration and the (mostly) lighthearted content that is especially needed this year.
I just want to third these two lovely comments. So grateful you are here and for the vulnerable, open-hearted way you always show up, Jen.
I love these posts and the level of quality always provided in your recipe posts! I meal plan each week and almost always include a recipe from your blog, so THANK YOU! This week I have plans to make your sweet potato lentil stew and butternut quash soup 🙂
Thank you so much Remi! I need to add that sweet potato lentil soup to my menu ASAP! Thanks for reminding me. 🙂
No judgment here on anything. I had to rehome a dog in my late 20’s. It was AWFUL but it was also the best thing for both of us. Even though I visited her in her new home, I still have dreams about her.
Not that I think you are rehoming Benji, but even if you are, you gave him SO MUCH. And as for what you eat every day, I eat the same thing all the time. I always think you’re like a crazy culinary experimenter. For example, so far today, I have eaten 3 pieces of cheese, a handful of grapes, and a piece of leftover chicken. As well as about 6 dove chocolates. And for dinner, I’ll probably have a glass or two of wine.
I’m going through a breakup now that has gutted me and I’m refinancing my house and trying to navigate single mom life with 2 teenagers. I have the most amazing boys – but honestly Jen, I’m terrified every day. Am I doing well enough in my career, am I being a good enough mom, am I feeding my kids well enough, are they getting enough social interaction during the pandemic, are they learning algebra or do I need to get a tutor??
To say nothing of me and my own development. This past relationship has shown me that I still have significant issues even though I’m dedicated to being a kind and loving partner. And at this point, I’ll probably end up alone, and I need to be on board with that. I have very definite boundaries of who I’m willing to let into my life, and being a mom is always my top priority.
Single momhood ain’t for punks. I can see how dedicated you are to Finn and your family, and frankly – you are crushing it!!!. Sending you a big hug and a thank you for sharing parts of your life with us. xoxoxox
Pamela – I respect you so deeply. These comments that you leave are honest, open and vulnerable. They help me and I know they help so many other women too. I have always felt such a kinship towards you and I feel lucky to have connected to you in this space.
I can completely relate to where you are right now. I have thought many times in the last three years that maybe I’ll just be single forever and that’s okay because I love my job and my child. But we have to keep opening our hearts as we are able to and believe that if we keep doing our best that things will work out. I feel a lot of fear too. The pressure is high as a single parent to balance nurturing your children while also managing your career and taking care of yourself.
Please don’t beat yourself up for your “issues.” We all have them and it doesn’t make you unloveable or undeserving of having a partner…and doesn’t mean you have to settle.
I appreciate you so much and wish we could sit and have that glass of wine together. xoxo
Girl! You rock.
I think you do a wonderful job.
My parents adopted a dog that has severe anxiety, he was abused about 5 years before they got him, pretty significantly at that. They’ve really struggled, but If you want any ideas please email me. I’m happy to share what worked and what doesn’t. I know each dog is different too.
it’s easy to cast judgement when you arent walking in someone’s shoes, and you haven’t lived through the same things. You do a good job. I appreciate your honesty throughout everything.
Thanks for the good post!
Thank you so much Samantha. I am grateful for your kindness. I am continuing to work with the rescue and his trainer to help Benji feel more secure but always open to hearing what’s worked and hasn’t worked for others.
I think about what you wrote so much. No one knows what it’s like to live in another person’s body, heart and mind. And when it comes to blogging, none of you live in my house and know what’s truly going on. Not that I have a secret life that I’m not sharing but everything is so layered and different than what people assume. We could just all benefit by being a lot more kind and gracious.
My rescue dog wears a muzzle when we walk. I know there are plenty of people who see that and think “that poor dog, if only his people would put effort into training him, he wouldn’t have to wear that.” But the thing is, I can focus on training him because he wears it. His anxiety translates into aggression toward unfamiliar dogs. Before he wore the muzzle, I had to be constantly vigilant, always worried some dog might break out of its yard and come up to him. Now, I can relax a little, and my relaxing helps him relax. If another dog is approaching, I can now focus on my guy and the behavior modification work we are doing rather than managing safety. My point with that is to encourage you to give yourself permission to use the tools and strategies that are out there and don’t feel like you’re a failure for using them—even when there’s a stigma. Also, my dog sees a vet who specializes in behavior issues, and it has been really worth it to come up with a comprehensive plan to 1) manage his issues and 2) recondition his response. It’s been a slow process, but really gratifying to be able to see him finally relax.
I just had to comment after reading the comments on your earlier post.
I love your blog. I find you to be honest and open about your life and I have a lot of respect for you. Thanks for all that you have done and continue to do not only on your blog but in real life as I am sure you are bringing joy to all people you meet.
Had to comment after that last post. I am in the trenches with a 6 month old puppy and can completely relate to how insane having a dog can be …so many emotions, so much work, and so many choices to make. Hang in there, and definitely forget about comments from people who don’t know you or your life AT ALL. Obviously do what’s best for you and Finn. I absolutely love reading your posts, love seeing what you’re eating, and have never noticed you deleting posts or editing… I have a life that keeps me too busy to stalk someone that hard 😉 keep doing you, you’re wonderful, and I’ll be sure to keep reading!! Xoxo
Love this post. Your blog has been a comfort to me over the years and I want to share my gratitude for you motivational, down to earth and inspirational posts. Keep doing what you’re doing <3
~love and light
I made some pozole last week that was AMAZING.
So I am also a long time lurker – I do not think I have ever posted but I wanted to say that I love your blog! I read as soon as you post and I often update my husband about what you have going on (he thinks I am crazy since you don’t even know me, but whatever!). My kids are older (16 to 26), but I love following you and hearing about your life with Finn and the pups. I am also a super repetitive eater – you got nothing on me! I love seeing all of your creative ideas – it has sparked many new ideas for me. And I love that you embrace your sweet tooth – balance is incredibly important and I am always so impressed how you are able to do that intuitively (I am hoping that someday I can get there, but I still need a lot of structure to stay in line). Thank you so much for all that you do and share with us!
Hi Jen, like many of your shyer readers who read religiously but never comment, I felt it was time to say something. Having looked at last Friday’s post, I couldn’t stop thinking about how difficult it must be to have your decisions scrutinised by strangers. The idea that you owe your readers anything, made me so uncomfortable, when you give so much FOR FREE, every week. I felt some of the feelings that the less thoughtful comments expressed, showed a complete lack of respect for just how much your blog and your openness has helped so many of your readers.
Having seriously struggled with disordered eating in my late teens, I wanted to tell you now how much your blog helped me heal my relationship with food. Once I discovered Intuitive Eating, (which saved my life!!) I found that there were few female role models within my own community who ate a big spectrum of fun and nutritious foods, without judgement and without an emphasis on weight loss. You provided me with that role model that my real life community couldn’t provide and that I so desperately needed, and checking in with your blog every week, reminded me that I too could be Strong, fit and HAPPY and eat all the things that my body desired, whether it was a big old salad or a delicious slice of cake. Unlike soo many other blogs , your approach to food and fitness goes hand in hand with enjoyment of life, and doesn’t encourage deprivation and punishment. And I just need to say THANK YOU. I am now a happy healthy woman, with a career I love, teaching Pilates, which I found joy in once I started nurturing and respecting my body.
You are so kind and graceful in the way you communicate on the internet, and I hope that the majority of your readers can too show you this same kindness going forward. It’s not my place to say, but if judgemental comments do become detrimental to your blogging experience but you still would like to share, perhaps it could be worth setting up a patreon or something similar as i’m sure there are lots of people that would be willing to pay to get your great posts every week, in an environment where you could share without being so exposed, just a thought!
Sending love and THANKS ALWAYS
Alice xxx
I second all of this! This blog is truly life changing for a disordered eater. Happy you are healthy, Alice!
Thank you for always giving me amazing food inspiration!! And also, reiterating what others have said, being so open and honest and sharing your life with us readers. We are constantly cheering you on!!
I always love these posts and have gotten so much inspiration from you over the years. Just one example – your Mexican Quinoa from 5+ years ago is still a staple at my house. Please keep these up!
You do an amazing job! I agree with all of these lovely comments. The unkindness shown in that post was upsetting and completely uncalled for. If the blog isn’t serving someone any longer, they are free to peruse elsewhere:)
Add me to the list of longtime readers, first time posters. I too feel the need to let you know how admired you are by so many.
Your blog was literally life changing for me in regards to improving my relationship with food. I spent years in a cycle of obsessive calorie counting, bingeing, self abuse every time I ate something “bad”, refusal to enjoy foods I actually love to eat.. that list goes on and on. Your posts on intuitive eating led me to the healthiest and happiest “me” EVER! You taught me through this blog how to ENJOY all the foods and appreciate them as fuel for my body. Bonus- you also taught me the incredible benefits of strength training and yoga. I lead a much more balance life- literally because I started trying to eat more like you (I don’t find your eating to be repetitive- on the contrary, I feel like you eat a very large variety which is why it’s easy and fun to emulate you).
You ROCK, girl. Your recipes are bomb, your baking skills are on point, your body is sick, your face is gorgeous and (most importantly) you seem like you have a beautiful soul. Try and remember that 99% of the people that read your blog feel this way about you- even if they don’t regularly post. IMHO, if someone doesn’t enjoy reading your blog, they can choose to look elsewhere. You don’t need that negative energy near your posts anyway.
Thank you for being you, for being healthy and balanced and for leading your life in a way that’s truly graceful. You are such an inspiration in every way.
I’m excited to read your new post but realized I’d made a mental note to leave you a comment and never did. I love your recent eats posts! I’ve also followed for years and I love how real they are – and sometimes that means eating the same stuff all the time. I’ve also always appreciated the balance you’ve managed to maintain between sharing your life with us while protecting it at the same time. You’ve shared some really intimate moments over the years, mixed up in light and fun fitness stuff, and it’s all felt genuine and that’s what’s so great about your blog! In short, eff the haters and I’m here for your sourdough toast and yogurt bowls 🙂