Dinner Divas Weekly Menu Plan - Week 13

TGIF! You have no idea how happy I am that it's Friday...what a week it's been! Work was really busy, it's been super hot and humid, plus it rained a couple of days. All of that equals up to one tired mama haha. Other than hitting up the local farmers market for some fresh produce, I plan to chill at home with my boys and cook up some delicious food. 

Speaking of food, this weeks' summer menu plan theme is Sandwiches and Picnics! We've included some fabulous recipes that are easy to cook, quick, and don't heat up your kitchen. Those are definitley my kind of recipes! 

One Pot Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Spinach

Weeknight dinner just got easier with this flavor packed One Pot Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Spinach!

This past weekend my youngest son graduated from high school. {If you follow me on Instagram then I'm sure you saw a few photos!} He is my baby. My baby is no longer in high school. It sounds so weird to say that! The past four years have flown by and I'm so proud of him, but I'm still coming to terms with the fact that my babies aren't babies anymore. It's really hard being a parent sometimes! Please tell me you agree and that I'm not alone?!

Chicken Shawarma Mini Flatbreads

These fresh and delicious Chicken Shawarma Mini Flatbreads are packed with flavor and quick and easy to make. Perfect for game day, lunch, or even a light dinner, you'll definitely be making these again and again!

Although Fall is knocking on our doors, I haven't given up on summer yet. The temps have still been pretty warm here in Michigan and although I'm excited to start wearing my boots and sweaters, I'm still hanging on to summer by a thread. This year I splurged and bought myself a beautiful dining set for my deck, and that's been one of my favorite spots these last few months. I eat out there, have my morning coffee, and even do a little work. It's just the perfect spot to sit and relax and take in the nature around me.

Along with my pretty dining set I've got my trusty grill. I don't know about you, but I will grill up until the time it snows. I'm not afraid of a little cold air! Food seems to taste more delicious when it comes from the grill, plus clean up is a cinch. 

One Pot Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach Alfredo

This rich and creamy One Pot Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach Alfredo cooks in one single pan and 
can be on the table in 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal!

It's hard to believe but school is starting soon! How did the summer go by so fast? Wasn't it just June? I'm having a hard time grasping the fact that school does in fact start next Monday, AND my baby is a senior. Seems like just yesterday he was a freshman! My oldest will be starting his junior year in college in just a few short weeks, and suddenly I feel old. Very, very old. My babies aren't little babies any more!

Anyway, sorry for getting all sappy and what not. I'll pull myself together now, simply because I've been dying to share this recipe with you. One Pot Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach Alfredo is creamy, full of flavor, hearty, and just plain delicious. If you've got one big pan and about thirty minutes or so to spare, then this meal is for you!

BLT Bread Salad #SundaySupper

This delicious and hearty salad is a deconstructed version of the classic BLT sandwich. The good news is 

that this is a healthier version, so you can feel good about it feeding it to your family!

I ate a lot of BLT's growing up and it's still one of my favorite sandwiches today. What could be better than toasted bread, crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes and soft lettuce? In my mind, not much! To be honest, everything is just better with bacon, am I right? My family eats bacon often, whether it's served with pancakes for breakfast, on a sandwich, or in this salad. I can't seem to get enough of it!

Grilled Cheese Angus Burgers with Caramelized Onions

Grilled cheese and a juicy burger combined? YES! These Grilled Cheese Angus Burgers with 

Caramelized Onions are flavorful, hearty, and perfect for your next summer BBQ!

I love a good, juicy burger, and so do my boys. One thing I’m trying to do more of is to make different burger recipes. Not just a traditional burger or slider with your favorite toppings, but something a bit out of the box. I like to be creative, but I also need to be sure it’s something my kids will eat as well. My oldest has a palate like mine and will try anything, but my youngest is picky.

Luckily for me this burger creation was loved by both kids. I mean, this is a pretty fabulous burger, if you ask me. Two of my favorite things – grilled cheese and cheeseburgers – are combined to make one amazing dish. Topped with some melt-in-your-mouth caramelized onions, this meal is pure perfection.

One Pan Lemon Chicken & Rice

This Lemon Chicken & Rice is a simple and delicious one pan dinner! It comes together quickly so 

there's more family time at the table, less time in the kitchen. 

This summer I've really been pushing for high protein, quick and easy weeknight meals that are also full of fresh veggies. After all, the farmers markets are overflowing with gorgeous produce right now so we need to enjoy it while we can! I like the easy aspect of cooking as well, because I want to spend as much time outside as I can, whether it's doing fun things with my family or just relaxing and reading on the deck. Isn't that what summer is all about? 

My newest quick dinner creation is this One Pan Lemon Chicken & Rice. No need for a separate pot to cook the rice, everything is done in this one skillet. Less mess, less clean up, less time in the kitchen. Perfect meal, right? I certainly think so, and my kids agree!

Easy Gazpacho

Take full advantage of the seasons bounty by making this delicious and healthy Gazpacho soup. It's the simplest 

recipe you'll ever make. Packed with flavor and full of vitamins and nutrients, it's like summer in a bowl.

Strolling through my local farmers market there are so many gorgeous fresh fruits and vegetables to choose from this time of year. Sometimes I just find myself standing there in awe, staring at the colorful array of produce just begging for me to bring it home. Anyone else feel that way this time of year? This is just one reason why I love summer so much.

After a recent trip to the market, and going a little bit crazy with my purchases, I found myself with an abundance of veggies. I tossed around several ideas of what to make, and came to the conclusion that Gazpacho soup was what I needed. It is full of flavor, so light and refreshing, and packed with vitamins and nutrients. Bathing suit friendly? YES!

Simple Egg and Guacamole Toast

This Simple Egg and Guacamole Toast is sure to become your new favorite breakfast! 

Quick to make and full of flavor, it's a hearty and satisfying way to start your day.

I'm always up for a quick, delicious and hearty breakfast during the week. Even though I'm usually pressed for time, it IS the most important meal of the day so I try to eat at least a little something. I've been a huge fan of avocado toast for a long time, and my newest guacamole toast creation has become my go-to breakfast on busy weekdays. 

BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizzas

These simple and tasty BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizzas come together in no time at all. 

Perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a snack, they're a treat the whole family will love! 

Let's celebrate, it's officially summer! No more school for the kids! We can stay up late and sleep in! {Well the kids can, not me} No more packing lunches every day! You know what though? Even though there aren't any more lunch boxes to be packed, lunch still needs to be made. What a bummer, huh? I was hoping to let that one slide, but the kids didn't really agree. Haha! 

I like to serve different things for lunch, not the same ole', same ole'. That can get pretty boring and eventually the kids get a little antsy for something new. These BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizzas are our new favorite. They are simple to make and super delicious, which makes them the perfect summertime meal.

Blueberry & Toasted Pecan Mixed Greens Salad with Orange Vinaigrette

Fresh blueberries, toasted pecans, and salty feta cheese are the perfect mix of ingredients to top this mixed greens salad. 

The light and lively orange vinaigrette is like the icing on the cake!

I love a good salad, especially this time of year when fresh fruits and veggies are becoming abundant. Blueberries are a favorite around my house, whether baked into a dessert, on top of a yogurt parfait, or just eaten by the handful, the kids and I sure do go through a lot of them! 

I eat salads often but am always trying to change things up a bit so they don't get boring. Adding fresh fruit is a great way to perk up your salad and give it tons of flavor. This Blueberry & Toasted Pecan Mixed Greens Salad with Orange Vinaigrette has quickly become one of my new favorite salads, and I'm pretty sure I ate it 5 days in a row for lunch! You get a crunch from the toasted pecans, a little salty bite from the feta, a sweetness from the blueberries, and then there's the vinaigrette. Oh yes, this orange vinaigrette is amazing! I can see it being a staple in my frig all year long.

Mexican Torta Sandwiches + 5 Minute Salsa

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. 

All opinions are mine alone. #YesYouCan #CollectiveBias

This hearty and delicious Mexican sandwich and simple salsa come together quickly 

when you are pressed to get dinner on the table! 

As we transition from Winter to Spring the first thoughts that come to mind {other than warmer weather!} is food. It's almost time to finish off the comfort foods and move forward with fresh veggies and fruits, lighter meals, and breaking out the grill! Although the type of food we eat may change, the fact that I need quick meals for my family doesn't change one bit. We are still busy. There are still sports, school work and other activities going on. That seems to be a constant throughout the year!

Even though I want fast meals, I still want them to be delicious and nutritious. That's why I love pairing my favorite canned foods with fresh produce and baked goods to create a simple and satisfying meal for my family. 

Shepherd's Pie

Looking for some classic comfort food? This traditional Shepherd's Pie is warm and delicious and made in one skillet 

for easy clean up. The best part is it can be on your dinner table in about 45 minutes!

We are all fans of quick and easy weeknight meals, am I right? Between work, school, sports, and everything else in between, there are days when there isn’t a lot of time to get dinner on the table. I try to pre-plan as much as I can on the weekends, because making home cooked meals for my family as often as I can is very important to me.

One of my favorite types of dinners are one pot meals. They are quick and easy, and there isn’t a lot of clean up involved. Which means more time for other things. Like my sons basketball games. Or catching up on laundry. Or binge watching my favorite show. (Shh, that one is our little secret!)

Quinoa Salad with Apples, Pecans and Dried Cranberries #SundaySupper

This easy, delicious and healthy quinoa salad is full of flavor and makes a great side dish or main dish meal!

Since the start of the new year I've really been focusing on my healthy habit goals. One of those goals was to eat more fruits and vegetables, and another was to eat more whole grains. An easy way for me to fulfill the veggie goal has been eating salads. I LOVE salads, and more often than not I have a side salad with my dinner. Luckily, my kids like salad too, so it's been a great way for us all to up our veggie intake.

I've recently been experimenting with quinoa and recipes to make with it. Quinoa is a wholesome grain that's a great source of fiber and protein. It has a mild taste and a bit of crunch, so it's perfect in many dishes. This Quinoa Salad with Apples, Pecans and Dried Cranberries also has spicy arugula and super flavorful and nutty Gouda cheese in it, and it's quickly become my favorite winter salad.

White Chicken Chili

This easy, super flavorful White Chicken Chili hits the spot on a cold winter's night. What's even better is that 

it can be on your table in less than 30 minutes! And who doesn't love a quick weeknight meal?

After going on and on last week about how much I love soup in the winter, I just had to share one of my favorite chili recipes. Don't get me wrong, I love traditional beef and bean chili, but I absolutely adore this White Chicken Chili. Simple ingredients, super flavorful, and a little bit of kick. Now that's MY kind of dish!

I had a terrible, mean, nasty cold bug last week and this chili totally hit the spot for me. So much so that I made a double batch and ate it for lunch several days in a row. It was warm and comforting on my throat and the spice was good for opening my head up. 

Brownie Batter Overnight Oats

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. 

All opinions are mine alone. #CarnationSweepstakes #BetterBreakfast #CollectiveBias

This easy make-ahead breakfast recipe is chocolaty, delicious, and tastes just like a brownie. 
Plus, it's nutritious! Sounds perfect, right?

The first month of 2016 is already behind us and I can confidently say that I'm doing great on my goals for the year. I've been working hard to implement small changes in my life to make a healthier me, and so far so good. One of the biggest challenges for me has been eating breakfast during the week. I used to only have coffee and call it good, and my first true meal of the day was lunch. We all know that's not good for our bodies, as we need nourishment to get our day off to a great start.

You've heard me talk about the importance of breakfast several times already over the past few weeks (sorry for the repetition!), but it is something that I feel really strongly about. With two teenage boys, I have to practice what I preach so that they'll follow in my footsteps, and I'm hoping you'll see the importance and do the same. That's why I'm taking the 7-Day Breakfast Challenge! Starting today, I'm focusing on my first meal of the day and planning to enjoy a nutritious breakfast for 7 days straight. Want to join me?

Meatball Sliders with Peppers & Onions

Get dinner on the table fast with these simple yet delicious Meatball Sliders with Peppers and Onions! Loved by adults just as much as kids.

It's only the first week of school and the schedule is already packed! School activities, football practices, back to school parent meetings, and the first football game of the season. Let the craziness begin! My biggest challenge, as I've mentioned before, is getting good quality, delicious meals on the dinner table for my family, without having to turn to takeout.

Lucky for me, just as I was starting to plan my weekly meal schedule I discovered Farm Rich. What perfect timing! You see, Farm Rich has very similar values to ours. They know that we are busy families, and they try to offer tips and recipes and great tasting food that can help simplify our everyday lives. They like to call it "Real-Life Good." Be sure to sign up for the Farm Rich email newsletter to receive exclusive offers and promotions!

Crunchy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders with Spicy Orange Dipping Sauce

These chicken tenders are moist and tender inside from a quick buttermilk bath, and crunchy on the outside from a surprise breading! Served with a spicy orange dipping sauce, this is a delicious and quick meal!

We eat a lot of chicken in our house. I mean, A LOT. Grilled chicken, baked chicken, chicken sandwiches, chicken kabobs, and most importantly, chicken tenders. Both of my sons have loved chicken tenders since they were tiny tots, and my almost 16 year old would easily choose them over most anything for dinner every single night. 

The trick to chicken tenders is making them healthy and not deep frying them. I mean, I'm all for eating them every day, but not when they've been deep fried! This new recipe is just that, healthy. Oven baked and juicy on the inside, they get a delicious crunchy crust from a surprise breading. Are you ready for this? The tenders are breaded in granola! Golden Girl Original Granola to be exact. Golden Girl Granola is holding a recipe contest for bloggers. We were challenged to make an entree with one of their flavors of granola (I chose the Original), and I thought using the granola like breadcrumbs would be a perfect idea! 

Overnight Raspberry Coconut Oats

Looking for a simple yet healthy breakfast? It doesn't get any easier than these overnight raspberry coconut oats! Mix everything up before bed, and breakfast is ready to go when you get up in the morning!

If you're like me, there are days when it's hard to find time to eat breakfast. Rushing to get ready for work, to get the kids ready to go wherever they need to be, to run here and there and everywhere....you get the point. We are all busy. But we all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. We need the nutrition and essential proteins and fiber to give us energy to start our day. It also helps weight control, and improves our performance. Who wants to go to a morning meeting feeling sluggish and out of it? It's better to have a good breakfast and knock that meeting out of the park!

One of the best things we can do for ourselves is plan our breakfasts ahead of time, like the night before. Whether that means prepping ingredients for a morning smoothie, or making a batch of pancakes or waffles over the weekend that can easily be reheated on a weekday morning, it's good to have things in the frig that are ready to go. This new recipe for Overnight Raspberry Coconut Oats is just that! Prep everything the night before in a bowl or jar, cover, and in the morning it's ready to eat! Easy peasy, right?

Spring Minestrone Soup

Packed with Spring veggies, beans, and pasta, this soup makes a great weeknight meal. 

Although the weather is getting warmer and everyone is firing up their grills, my mind has been thinking about soup. In my opinion, no matter what the weather, there isn't much that a big bowl of homemade soup doesn't cure. Got a cold? Have some soup. Have a bad breakup? Have some soup. Just need a quick weeknight meal? Soup is the answer!