Good Food Reads: September Friday Five

Hey all!  We’re deep in the heart of September and starting to settle into a routine.  The kids are back in school, lessons have started up in earnest and my daughter is planning for both the upcoming Homecoming Dance AND taking her first (and hopefully only) driver’s license test.  So many exciting things happening in my house right now!  Join me below for the Good Food Reads: September Friday Five; a quick run down of the five things that are working well (and keeping me sane) in my house right now!

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1. Tea- So it turns out y’all had a lot to say when I talked about coffee last week!  I just started drinking coffee in earnest THIS YEAR (I know weird, right? Took me long enough!) so I’m understandably interested in sharing what I’ve discovered.  But turns out many of you really prefer TEA.  Well, I’ve been drinking tea forever, so I’m definitely on board with a good cup of tea.  I recently bought this Electric Kettle and it has revolutionized the tea drinking of my entire family!  We are particular to this Good Earth brand of Sweet and Spicy Tea, but I would love to hear what kind of tea you’re drinking!

 

2. Instacart– This is NOT an affiliate link, nor is this Instacart link in anyway linked to my own account. I get NOTHING for telling you about my best mom hack this year. Instacart is a company where you order online and your order is delivered within 1-2 hours (predetermined).  In my area I can get delivery from two local grocery stores, the local Co-op, Fresh Thyme, Total Wine, Costco, CVS, and Petco.  You do have to pay attention to prices, (for example, since I have a membership at Costco it is cheaper to actually go there) but most of the grocery stores charge everyday in-store prices.  Hosting a dinner party?  Groceries can be delivered while you are cleaning your house.  Need to bring wine to your friend’s gathering?  Instacart will deliver the Total Wine order that you placed while getting ready! I do pay a yearly fee for delivery, and there is a small service charge, but my time is worth everything right now, and being able to order my groceries and have someone else shop for me while I am doing laundry, working a shift, or giving my kids some much needed time is mom GOLD.  Do any of you use Instacart?  What has your experience been?

 

3. Freezer Meals– This is the time of year that I try to get my act together.  Having meals that are both good and delicious available in my freezer is a huge help on those nights where I work late but dinner still needs to get on the table!  Check out these Freezer Meals by Pinch of Yum.  This is the first freezer meals round up I’ve seen where I actually want to EAT all of them!  Lyndsay breaks down EVERYTHING from the best, most tasty freezer meals to whether you need to thaw the meals before cooking, to the best storage containers.  I’ve already made the BBQ Korean Beef multiple times and it is a big hit in my house.

 

4. Google Calendar– Google’s calendar system has kept me organized for the past few years.  I work shift work, have 2 children plus all of their various activities and school commitments, and a husband that works full time.  I also now have an editorial calendar for this blog.  I need a calendar system that is easily accessible, syncs all of the various calendars together onto one calendar, is visible to all of the parties involved and is easy to update.  Google Calendar fits the bill! I have everything color coded by person, all iphones (mine, my husband’s, and my oldest child’s) synced, and keep it religiously up to date.  One glance tells me exactly where I am supposed to be, tells my family where they need to be, and best of all- IT’S FREE! Just go to Google and set up an account.  You can thank me later.

 

5. Soup– Along with freezer meals (See above), soup has been a lifesaver.  Easy to make, easy to store, easy to bring to work, soup has been front and center on my table this fall.  A few of my recent favorites are Instant Pot Thai Butternut Squash Soup, Instant Pot Chipotle Black Bean Soup, Instant Pot Chicken Salsa Verde Soup, Instant Pot Bean and Bacon Soup, Easy Garden Vegetable Soup and Sausage and Tortellini Soup.  Clearly I use my Instant Pot quite a bit!  And this Immersion Blender is the one I use for making my pureed soups silky smooth.  I’m still coveting this NINE quart dutch oven by LeCreuset (it’s HUGE).  What is your favorite vessel for making soup?

 

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