What a blur. August includes our beach vacay, our little one turning 8, and all the summer we can pack in. This year’s back-to-school time feels bigger with the start of middle school and a more established 3rd grader.

I made a chicken, bacon, ranch chicken salad to shake up lunch time.

I gave Mexican Street Corn a facelift from 2015

End of summer meals need inspiration and also a little something special. We had a few summer favorites on repeat too many times so I’ll hold off, you add them to your menu, mmm-k?

September is a little up in the air as we await the sports schedules for ice hockey and field hockey. We like routines so we will be glad to be in a groove. I’m hoping to squeeze in a few more fun things and maybe summery food & drinks!

The big kid: He’s ready for middle school, though he’d prefer to continue summer. His arm fracture really cramped his style, but he was a trooper. The beach week was so fun for him – golfing on the beach and he’s our fisherman. He tried scallops and like them, but then a whole serving was too much.

The littler one: She looooves the beach. She’s our fish, and was very into beach gymnastics. She is very happy for fish and chips. Her birthday was really special – she had a party with friends and the ice cream truck! Then the family had a pool party with crispy fish tacos- her fav. She’s excited for school.

Goals for the year:
Year of new footwear – none right now
Side dish emphasis  – we had a very fun pasta salad
Soups & salad – while reducing lettuce, salads were also.
More drinks – not really
What I’m reading – I read Bookclub for Troublesome Women for bookclub and was into it! I read Aftertaste and it was shocking…it was so different than my others, in a good way. I read Last Night in Brooklyn and didn’t love it but have been obsessed with her other titles. On vacation I read Yesteryear and it lived up to the hype, but was so twisty-turny!

August meal inspiration is here. My kiddos seem to feel like we’ve been eating the same ones on repeat – probably because they’ve been crowd pleasers until now that they’re over it…here is what has worked, and where we’re drawing some inspiration for the end of summer.

We’ve had a lot of Chicken Ranch Burgers with one packet of ranch seasoning and one package of ground chicken then drizzled with ranch until you heart is content. This is also a vacation meal since it requires so few ingredients.

We have had a lot of Greek-inspired salads with some grilled chicken or rice bowls, especially while reducing our lettuce intake, and also since some of the fam likes the other parts of salad better.

Peanut Sesame noodles are on our regular rotation with edamame or dumplings since they’re quick and good hot or cold.

We’re due for some dressed up dogs – corn relish dogs are so good, and work for anyone who wants it on the side. Or, make some pickle de gallo and chop it extra to be topping after you’ve had it as dip!

Something bruschetta-related seems timely. We eat a lot of caprese salads so tomato/basil are flavors we all like, maybe we’ll go with bruschetta as a side instead of an app!

Pesto Pulled Chicken is really great as a sandwich, wrap, or sliders and is a variation on a piece of grilled chicken. It also packs well if you’re eating by the pool or in shifts before the start of sports seasons!