My love of reading... Cookbooks?

So, I have this weird thing, well for me because I don't know other people who do this. I love to read cookbooks. I am super super weird. I am not talking your Betty Crocker (No offense Betty, I do use your recipes). I read cookbooks written by people, who share why they came up with a recipe, what fun story or situation got the creative juices flowing. I also love love love those cookbooks churches or a PTA will do because mom's cook for scheduling around families. While I love Betty Crocker, Better Homes and Garden and so forth. I love a recipe a mom has tried and knows is a crowd pleaser on days when, there is school, homework, PTA meetings, soccer practice, and ballet. That isn't to say I don't like to cook a nice meal other than the major holidays. I just love knowing a recipe is a keeper is quick, easy, and will be a crowd pleaser.

I have a few that I am loving. You have heard me talk about Catherine the founder of Weelicious and she has written 2 books. I love them and use them weekly. I am currently reading Best Lunch Box Ever by Katie Sullivan Morford. 1/3 of the way in and it is a keeper for me. Another blog I follow Momables and the fabulous Laura Fuentes is currently working on her book.

When it comes to packing lunches, meals, anything with food. People have their tastes, some stick with what works other people want to change it up ever so often. I love these books and I have a huge respect for the moms who put work into them. I am trying to change up our whole family and what we eat. I like change and for me, I want to try something new. My husband is a man who loves to stick with what works, I agree to a point. When I am staring down the tortillas for tacos for the 5th time in a month, I need a change.

My kids are who I typically experiment on and lately my luck has been running pretty good. My son has expanded his palette. He has his dad in him and don't mess with the fruits and veggies, if you follow me on Instagram where I post pictures of my lunches, you see the theme. I am hoping that changes but for the most part I think he is stuck in what he likes there and won't change.

So let's hear it. Do you have a favorite cookbook or blog, if so what ones? Do you stick with the norm or change it up with your meal plans? How do you handle your picky eaters?

Has it really been 17 days?

I am sorry, between the sickness that is still sort of plaguing us, the holiday bustle, and the holiday clean up. Here I am, I didn't abandon you at all!

So now becomes that lull between Christmas and New Years for us parents. We have been RUNNING on fumes pretty much since Thanksgiving. Baking, wrapping, and attending Winter Programs at our kids schools. My brain is mush, so I am doing some freezer cooking for school lunches :) Easy, doesn't require much thought, and you will be thankful in the coming week. The first day back to school hits you like a ton of bricks, you can prepare all you want. However, the moment that 6 AM alarm goes off, you get mad that you have to get up and go out in 20 degree weather to drive to school.

This week I am freezing. Click on the link to be taken to the source. Some of the Weelicious recipes are from her cookbooks. I will link to those below.

Weelicious Crispy Chicken Bites (Just video, recipe is in her cookbook

Weelicious Graham Crackers

Weelicious Polenta Cut Outs

Weelicious Breakfast Poltenta Cut Outs

For After School Snacks I can never ever go wrong with Momables DIY Frozen Uncrustables easy peasy for my almost 9 year old.

Also, to get you back into the running from school to activities Momables DIY Bistro Boxes will help make the adjustment easier

DIY Protein

Chicken & Hummus

Fruit and Cheese

Goat Cheese and Veggie


As I said above Weelicious which is owned by Catherine McCord has published 2 cookbooks. I own both and they are wonderful. Her first Weelicious Fast, Fresh, and Easy recipes and her most recent Weelicious Lunches I have them both on Kindle Edition and just love them.

Momables is another site I some how stumbled across in the past year and as you can see I love her site too. I am still finding new fun recipes each visit. Her philosophy is to pack the night before and spare the morning stress. I didn't always do this, but really it helps. She is in the beginning stages of her first cookbook which I am so excited and can't wait to read.

I believe the first week or three need to be easy and less stress for Parents and Kids is the BEST WAY TO GO

* Disclosure - Weelicious, Catherine McCord, Momables, and Amazon did not compensate me for this post. These are my own thoughts and views of each recipe and website.