April 2024 Recap

April was such a whirlwind with school vacation getaway to Mystic & Legoland, a few social plans, a few dr’s appts, and the start of baseball season!

In the kitchen, I made a few fun things! I took inspiration from Tacobell and made a Taco Pizza – which is kind of a quesadilla pizza? That gets confusing but whatever you call it, it was delicious and was such a meal from the refried beans and ground meet middle layer.

I made a red velvet waffle that is so good and could also be pancakes! I froze the rest and toast them to order!

The Three Bite Rule - Red Velvet Waffles

A chopped Greek salad rounded out the blog posts and is perfectly hardy to pack for lunch, dinner on the go, or for a group.

Chopped Greek Salad - The Three Bite Rule

May is another full one – lots of baseball and the last dance classes and recital! At work reunion is coming up. Foodwise, it’ll mean some quick or packable dinners, likely more grilling, and more salads. I love this change of seasons and am glad for more time outside.

https://gungrove.com/p13zufp5 The Big Kid:
He is getting into the baseball season. We loved seeing him follow the map at Legoland! He thought the vending machines were one of the best parts of staying at a hotel. He’s had lots of birthday parties lately. He is still into bananas and loves a bacon, egg & cheese.

https://www.chat-quiberon.com/2024/01/18/xf09kdbbjnj The Little One:
She is our adrenaline junkie – she LOVED the roller coaster at Legoland. It was great to see her eat really well on vacation. She went to a Taylor Swift Dance Party birthday party and loved it. I was happy to see her have fun with girls in her class. There was about a week on and off of her under the weather – she had a headache and was better, then tired and was better, wasn’t hungry, then was better.

https://sieterevueltas.net/pdzhqhc Goals for this year:
https://www.justoffbase.co.uk/uncategorized/bgpc83bruv Year of small businesses/artisans/writers: It was time for a springy scent from Paperback Candles.
More meatless meals: Hmmm.
Cheap Valium From China sandwiches and salads: Chopped Greek salad!
a focus on going to new or places we don’t get to all the time: We went to dinner at Jinny’s Pizza in Newton and looooved it. Our trip to Mystic & Legoland counts too!
https://space1026.com/2024/01/bnez3l9 redo photos – none this month.
Order Alprazolam what I’m reading: I read The Cuban Heiress which was pretty good but I think some of her other titles have more Cuba in them! I also read Hey Ladies! which was also ok. Then I read You, Again which again was entertaining but not amazing. I read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and thought it was cute.

March 2024 Recap

March was a celebratory month – my birthday! I had a fun family dinner, a really fun night out for indoor mini golfing and dinner with friends, and booked a getaway with my college roomies. Highlights this month was a work trip to NYC and a very fun hibachi dinner for my nephew’s birthday.

These Chicken Cordon Bleu Rice Bowls were the best thing from my kitchen – the kids were wayyy more into this than I expected.

I gave these blueberry pie smoothies a facelift since the 2014 debut!

Orzo with boursin and sundried tomatoes was so good and couldn’t be easier.

I cannot wait for April vacation and we’re ready for some springy weather. I have a breakfast idea, maybe a salad, maybe something Mexican-ish.

https://www.prehistoricsoul.com/kqdbxe8y The Big Kid:
He is doing indoor baseball clinics and is loving it. Any item in his hand becomes tossed into the air. I’m helping his class with bookclubs and like we all know, the teachers are not revered or compensated as they should be. His teacher was getting them reading that days chapter for 3 different book groups, helping with vocabulary words, giving discussion prompts, keeping kids on task, allowing bathroom trips, and having some read aloud to her all while they wiggle, drop pencils, and repeated ask which graphic organizer they’re supposed to use. They are very fun to chat with about their books.

https://www.ngoc.org.uk/uncategorized/future-events/kj051hga5 The Little One:
She went to a Frozen Tea Party Sing-Along which was very cute. She survived pink eye – the medication drops just about did her in. We are trying very hard to get more food into her and are focused on calorie dense options. She learned her whole ballet and tap dances for the recital in May. The kids are very into walkie-talkies and the closet forts continue.

https://modaypadel.com/l6iv93y95a Goals for this year:
Year of small businesses/artisans/writers: I got a whole bag of local treasures from my bffs. It was perfect.
https://mmopage.com/news/8nhnaespmy4 More meatless meals: peanut sesame noodles & edamame
http://www.wowogallery.com/5a7ajdmb sandwiches and salads: we had Jersey Mike’s one day and made our own salad bar
https://therepairstore.ca/k8m3jy1 a focus on going to new or places we don’t get to all the time: We went to Puttershack for my birthday and I loved every second of it!
Buy Xanax Legally Online redo photos – blueberry pie smoothies!
https://masterfacilitator.com/r7vfw7vs1 what I’m reading: I read ‘West with Giraffes’ for bookclub and found it very captivating. For a non-fiction pic, I read ‘Extremely Online’ and it was very well done but so dense. ‘Lucie Yi is Not a Romantic‘ was a palate cleanser and pretty cute. I did not like ‘Good Material’ it wasn’t for me.

February 2024 Round up

February wrapping up brings us that much closer to my birthday! It was a fun and full month. School vacation with a getaway to NH was the best!

In the kitchen, I made chicken bacon & ranch meatballs

I love this tomato jam and it is perfect in a grilled cheese!

Lastly, I did a hot chocolate dip for dessert. It could have been cutely shaped like a football but we just dipped regularly.

Hot Chocolate Dip - The Three Bite Rule

For March, I will definitely share a grain bowl, and maybe a could be a side/could be a main. I’m not sure what else. I will have some birthday festivities and maybe a quick work trip.

https://equinlab.com/2024/01/18/3kx4wo0rp The Big Kid:
He is having a good time at basketball which was supposed to end but magically has 2 more games. His food obsession is bananas. He and I went to see a play of Mr. Popper’s Penguins and it was so much fun. He’s watching all the basketball and all star games etc. He was thrilled to shoot hoops and play video games with his cousins.

https://fireheartmusic.com/6ue2nlg6y33 The Little One:
She likes dance class but has a hard time stopping playing to get ready to go. She lives in pjs if we’re not leaving the house. She is our adrenalin junkie and wasn’t at all scared of mountain tubing and the roller coaster adventure park.

https://www.justoffbase.co.uk/uncategorized/tz6myzkz0 Goals for this year:
https://www.prehistoricsoul.com/09vdym7 Year of small businesses/artisans/writers: I bought heart earrings for Valentine’s Day!
Cheap 2Mg Xanax Online More meatless meals: hmm. I’m not sure we hit this.
sandwiches and salads: for the superbowl we had make-your-own BLT sliders
Order Valium Online Cheap a focus on going to new or places we don’t get to all the time: Our NH trip was new to us- we went to the Ice Castles and Cranmore for tubing and adventure park
https://www.chat-quiberon.com/2024/01/18/fn9skqbk redo photos – none this month
what I’m reading: I read One in a Millennial by Kate Kennedy and bravely went to the live show. Both were amazing. I fell for The Wishing Game which was part Willy Wonka & part ‘And Then There Were None’. A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting was cute, perhaps predictable, and a fun escape. Lastly, I read The Guest List which was worth the hype.

January 2024 Recap

January is really that long. We did a lot – some get togethers, date night dinners, our guy turned 9 and had fun celebrations. Basketball and dance class has rounded out this month!

In the kitchen, I made a honey cinnamon chai latte for a nice afternoon treat!

This French Onion Burrito was brought to you by the color brown, but was warm and filling without being too heavy.

We had some Loaded Snack Mix with some really interesting additions. Make it for game-day!

Lastly, this beloved Greek Dip got a little revamp from the original circa 2012!

https://mmopage.com/news/uud3l595c The Big Kid:
He had such a fun birthday. He had pizza, a basketball cake, and presents with the family. Then the next day he met a few friends. I was surprised it wasn’t into having a full party. He had such a nice group. Basketball has been fun – he scored! We are having a great time reading Harry Potter – we’re onto #2.

The Little One:
She went to a few birthdays and is eager for hers (ahem – in August), and to lose a tooth. She loves snow but is sometimes an indoor cat – if it means not having to get out of jammies.

For February – I’m ready for the snacker bowl and we have a little getaway for February vacation!

https://space1026.com/2024/01/grfc0xkdx Goals for this year:
https://therepairstore.ca/d8ir6oe Year of small businesses/artisans/writers: I bought a book from a local-to-work bookstore!
https://sieterevueltas.net/jddpzcn More meatless meals: tacos with meatless mix was a hit.
https://www.chat-quiberon.com/2024/01/18/kc2ch6o sandwiches and salads: sausage subs with peppers and onions
https://fireheartmusic.com/tjlefpt1v a focus on going to new or places we don’t get to all the time: We had a date night to Citizen Crust and looooved crispy cauliflower app and a Roman pizza with pineapple and Korean BBQ sauce!
redo photos – this Greek dip was from 2012!
https://equinlab.com/2024/01/18/xamhphaaaz what I’m reading: I read Did You Hear About Kitty Karr and ended up loving it – I had heard it compared to Evelyn Hugo (nothing compares) so I was judgy to start. Then I read Tom Lake and loved the storytelling style. I read The Chateau which made me want to go to France – minus the murder. For bookclub, we read We All Want Impossible Things and I was so-so on this one.

December 2023 Recap

December is such a whirlwind. I start the month feeling like there there’s lots of time to eat, drink, decorate, shop, and be festive. It went by so quickly! We saw Santa, went to the movies, T started basketball, C is back to dance, the Nutcracker, birthday parties, both kids had different theme days.

I made some chocolate dipped chips:

Next up came some lasagna bowls:

Then, I did a round up of 5 ingredient dinners.

For January, I’m looking forward to our guy turning 9! The kids will have basketball games and dance classes but we like a little quietness and routine. I switch decor to be snowmen and winter so we don’t go from all to nothing. January as me thinking of another grain bowl or wrap – still sussing out the format and I think there’s a new hot drink coming up too.

https://mmopage.com/news/8uuuxiyd The Big Kid:
He’s so into sports stats right now. He loves anything mint flavored so this is a great time of year for him. It was fun to see him shop for his sister – he thought carefully but committed to his decisions and was ready. He’s been working really hard on spelling, despite hating it (I hear ya, kid)!

The Little One:
She had so many ideas for Christmas gifts. Any outfit benefits from a princess dress added on top. She was thrilled to get a pajama day at school. Both kids are still eating halloween candy.

Goals for this year: 
Year of small businesses/artisans/writers: I bought a book by a first-time author.
https://sieterevueltas.net/0drhpux30e More meatless meals: pizza beans!
Buy Valium Cheapest Online sandwiches and salads: we had salad bar on night
a focus on going to new or places we don’t get to all the time: we’re sneaking a dinner out just as the month ends to Abby Park.
Buy Generic Diazepam Uk redo photos – oops
what I’m reading: I read Holding Pattern which was fine – not a winner. Then I read The Daydreams and loved it for those who who watched 90s/00s shows from Disney or CW etc and can picture it. I read The Perfect Marriage and liked it. Finally, I read Christmas Orphan’s Club which was very cute and festive.

Fast 5-Ingredient Meals

The countdown to Christmas is on and now’s the time for fast dinners that that are crowd pleasers and most importantly, take minimal thought. I assume you have takeout and regular freezer favorites and pasta covered. These may help bridge the gap of some balance but not magic.

1. Grilled cheese & tomato soup
1 can tomato soup + 1 (28 oz) can of kitchen ready tomatoes + 2 tablespoons cream/half & half
sliced bread + cheese
One can of basic tomato soup and one large can of kitchen-ready tomatoes. Blend it if your eaters want it smooth (like mine!) and a drizzle of milk or cream at the end and it will be perfect. Add anything you like to the grilled cheese. Cut into sticks for easy dipping if you’re feeling fancy.

The Three Bite Rule - French Grilled Cheese

https://modaypadel.com/0pivj48mf 2. Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Biscuits/Crescents
Rotisserie chicken + ranch dressing + bacon + tube of biscuits or crescents
serve with salad/veggies with more ranch
Chicken, bacon and ranch can take a bunch of formats – as crescents, they’ll assemble & go into the oven. The last time we had them, I tossed the shredded chicken in ranch and put onto biscuits like a sandwich. The kids were both into it! Or serve as loaded fries. Or make a Greek turnover.

The Three Bite Rule - Chicken Bacon Ranch Turnovers

https://www.prehistoricsoul.com/q3i6ykd 3. Pizza Beans
2 cans of white beans + tomato sauce + cheese + any other pizza toppings you like
We have pizza beans regularly – anyone can top as they’d like and it comes together in 10 minutes. These are a good way to use some small amounts of ingredients or sauce from the freezer. Or give a Mexican twist for Taco Beans!

The Three Bite Rule - Pizza Beans

4. Corn Quesadillas in Herb Butter
Tortillas + corn + butter + herbs
These corn and cilantro butter quesadillas are so good and anything added to a quesadilla will turn dinner into a meal. Swap the corn for black beans or butternut squash or mushrooms or chorizo, or any-thing. Serve with black beans or corn (whichever isn’t inside!) and poof! Dinner!

The Three Bite Rule - Corn Quesadilla in Cilantro Butter

5. Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Popcorn chicken + pasta + blue cheese or ranch dressing + hot sauce + greens
I most often have this buffalo chicken pasta as a cold salad but it’s fun hot too! Use crispy chicken or rotisserie chicken. I go with arugula but spinach works too!

The Three Bite Rule - Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Need one extra? Breakfast for dinner is perfect. Pigs in Sleeping bags (maple sausage in crescents) is a hit here and pairs well with some eggs.

Fed is best, regardless of what’s on the menu in a busy season. You’ve got this.

November Recap 2023

November was so full – Thanksgiving! End of soccer! Busy time at work! Seeing all the friends!

I made this Mexican Chicken Salad which definitely reinvents taco leftovers!

Then I loved this Parmesan Peppercorn Cheeseball with a brown butter panko crust. It will fit nicely for all your gatherings.

The Three Bite Rule - Parm/Peppercorn Cheeseball

Caesar Chickpea Wraps have the flavors we love with a warm vs cool and light vs filling.

The Three Bite Rule - Caesar Chickpea Wrap

My blog turned 13! I was glad to wrap up practices and have easier dinner time. December will have a few fun things and maybe some speedy or few-ingredient ones!

The Big Kid:
He finished soccer and got going into basketball with some clinics. It is very nice to have more wiggle room in our schedules. He LOVED seeing an author/illustrator talk at the library and is drawing so much – lately there’s been a lot of athletes. His recent choice for snacks is always kettlecorn.

The Little One:
She scored a goal at our last soccer game! She’s now awaiting dance to start in a few weeks. The Paw Patrol movie reinvigorated her interest in the dogs – all day, everyday, there are magnatile command center for the Paw Patrollers. I’m shocked she’s not all that into fruit currently. She questions the school lunch options in the morning and then is content with her choice come lunch time.

Goals for this coming year: some of these are are just a few weeks old…
Year of small businesses/artisans/writers: I found a very cute hat at the craft fair. C’s been wearing an old one from them for 3 years.  
More meatless meals: we had grilled cheese and tomato soup and it only went over ok. Sometimes they love it.
sandwiches and salads: the chickpea caesar wraps!
a focus on going to new or places we don’t get to all the time: dinner with friends at Liberty on Main and we ate AT our fav Mexican restaurant and the kids thought it was so fun.
redo photos – not this month
what I’m reading: I couldn’t put down Pineapple Street and it was one of my top of the year – they were all endearing and the family dynamics were so good. Woman on Fire was an exciting art-history-journalism-theft story. I read Hey, Hun: Sales; Sisterhood and Supremacy and other Lies behind Multilevel Marketing which was eye opening, even after following a ton of these stories, but never from the top. I loved the New England boarding school setting with homocide, podcasting in I have Some Questions for You.

13th Blogaversary!

My blog is a teenager! Wow! This year was busy and included a bunch of changes – work, schedules, kindergarten, among others. 3 of 4 of us had Covid this year. I think meals were a bit simplified for sports and I think each kid chilled a bit about if if that they would have picked for dinner or not. To celebrate, I’m awarding a few superlatives and setting goals for the year ahead.

Most Likely to Succeed: Chicken Caesar Salad Burgers

The Three Bite Rule - Chicken Caesar Salad Burgers

Most Worldly: Taco Beans

The Three Bite Rule - Taco Beans

Most Unique: Cheeseburger Burrito

Cheeseburger Burrito - The Three Bite Rule

Most Popular (on Instagram): Chicken Bacon Ranch Loaded Fries

The Three Bite Rule - Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Loaded Fries

When I look back at what we ate the most, we tend to have pasta weekly and that varies for sauce or style. I loooove grain bowls but we didn’t have quite as many – the kids seemed to be less into rice. Beans, eggs, burgers, and pasta are our most popular. I feel more calm getting ready when my work lunches are planned or prepped.

Goals from this past year
Year of workwear – that became especially necessary with a new job and is not mission-complete. I’ll likely keep this one to some extent.
Salads or side-dishes: I did not focus on this, but happened to make something that fit.
prep ahead bfasts or lunches for weekdays: Savory waffles were most common for this goal.  
Monthly dates: We were so-so on this one.
Declutter/cleaning: Ongoing, will never be complete
Workouts as a routine: Sometimes were better than others
What I’m reading: I’m up to 41 books this year!

Goals for this coming year:
Year of _____: small businesses/artisans/writers I’m going to be open for what qualifies but spending with those who make, create, or add something 😉
More meatless meals
sandwiches and salads
a focus on going to new or places we don’t get to all the time
redo photos
what I’m reading

October 2023 Recap

October felt like a month where we were in our groove. We had gotten more used to aftercare pick ups, all the soccer practices, weekend plans, and what we need to be ready for it all. We are psyched for Halloween.

I made a Bfast Pizza with Everything Bagel Crust

The Three Bite Rule - Bfast Pizza with Everything Bagel Crust

We had an impromptu Ranch-Off testing out 3 ranches to dip. The “restaurant-style” packet is way better than the regular. I don’t know why. Tell that to my very large canister of dry ranch mix. 

The Three Bite Rule - Wingstop Dupe Ranch-off

Lastly, I made a butternut squash and bacon tart. I loved it having lots of squash and only enough egg to hold it together. It is sweet and salty and perfect. 

Next month I’ll share a lunch idea and an app. I’m not sure what else. Next month brings my blogaversary and new goals. It will wrap up soccer and bring a new routine.

The Big Kid: 
He’s very into sports cards, stats, and teams. The soccer season wraps up soon and it has been fun to see his group. I love picking up from aftercare and kids saying bye or getting to local fall events and him finding his friends. There’s a new ga-ga ball court at school and he’s obsessed.  

The Little One: 
She got very good at taking the world’s most awful-smelling antibiotic (we mixed with chocolate syrup for the win!). She has a best buddy in kindergarten who we hear about daily. We met this little one at a back to school playground meet up and while you can’t judge a book by its cover, C definitely zero’ed in on a long braid and dress. All the kids love seeing one another at soccer or wherever. 

Goals:
Year of workwear! I grabbed some fall-colored tops for family photos
Salads or side-dishes: I made some soft cornbread and seriously, this is the only one to ever make. 
prep ahead bfasts or lunches for weekdays: I prepped some savory waffles – like this but with bacon and cheese; and I had the butternut squash and bacon tart as lunch a few times. 
Monthly dates: Stars aligned last minute for an unplanned date for Mexican at Casa Loca. 
Declutter/cleaning: Now that we’re into the next season of clothes, the kids needed to pass off ones that don’t fit. 
Workouts as a routine: I’m now onto a long kickboxing one I’ve done several times.  
What I’m reading: I read Remarkably Bright Creatures and Hello Beautiful.

September 2023 Recap

September was such a big-feelings month. The little one starting kindergarten felt so significant and the start of soccer for both of them meant more schedules than we have coordinated lately. September also included our 12th wedding anniversary. 

In the kitchen, I was most psyched about these chorizo eggs “benedict“. There’s white queso replacing what should be/could be hollondaise which I think is so fitting but go for the way you’d like it. 

The Three Bite Rule - Chorizo Eggs Benedict

This butternut iced coffee was such a fun treat. We straddle the line for iced vs hot as fall progresses but I’d be happy with this in any coffee! 

The Three Bite Rule - Butternut Iced Coffee

I also gave the taco-spiced deviled eggs a little refresh from 2017!

The Three Bite Rule - Redo Taco Deviled Eggs

Next month I have some ideas for a pizza, a fall cocktail or sangria, and we’ll see what else. I’m ready for some fall flavors but we’re very much in kid-activity-timing these days. A few days a week somebody is at a practice so dinners have been more focused on everyone getting enough at whatever time works for them. 

The Big Kid: 
Third grade has kicked off well so far. He loves a routine and is so much better at getting himself ready than we saw in his younger years! Soccer is very fun to see them pass and shoot and score – that’s of course the game, but the bigger kids play for real which is refreshing. He’s still all-in on hard boiled eggs and pasta.

The Little One: 
She LOVES kindergarten and wishes every day would be a school day. I was so proud to see her pop right up onto the school bus. I was in turmoil hoping she made it to aftercare on the bus. It has gone smoothly but is a lot to hope a 5 year old will follow correctly. Since food was all provided at preschool, she loves packing a snack. She’s been great at soccer – though they were all a mess when we had a later time for a make up- lesson learned 6pm they’re tapped out. I’m such a proud coach! She was happy to see soup more often now and all the cheese.

Goals:
Year of workwear! I got a dress that my whole office gushed over. 
Salads or side-dishes: I haven’t made interesting sides but the kiddos couldn’t get enough of heirloom tomatoes with Italian dressing so sometimes maybe less is more?
prep ahead bfasts or lunches for weekdays: I haven’t made anything interesting, but have had stuff around so I’ll get back to it but snacky lunch, burritos I’ve frozen, and chicken salad has been fine
Monthly dates: We celebrated our anniversary at Chickadee and I had the best meal – I chose squid ink pasta and loved it. We started with a trio of dips, what could be better?
Declutter/cleaning: We dropped off a bag at Savers and came home with just a few kid sneaks.
Workouts as a routine: I’ve been doing these “rough around the edges” videos from stunt women and have picked & chosen ones I wanted to do.  
What I’m reading: I read Our Missing Hearts for bookclub and it was too heavy to really enjoy or appreciate. I also read The Mystery of Mrs. Christie and loved it for its intrigue and speed. I read Swipe Up for More: Inside the Unfiltered Lives of Influencers and thought it was pretty good, but all were ideas and convos I’ve heard on podcasts. Anyone who hasn’t will love this one. I finished the month with Same Time Next Summer and loved it. It had serious parallels to Every Summer After but with fun and likable characters and none of the teen spiciness.