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Survival and Sanity Wk 29-30

You ever have one of those weeks where time evaporates, laundry multiplies on its own, and your partner disappears for seven days like they’re on a side quest you definitely didn’t authorize? Yeah. That was my week. Which means today’s meal plan is brought to you by: Survival Mode But Make It Edible™.

This is a reserve-based, spoon-friendly, chronic-illness-approved, “I have three brain cells and two are fighting” kind of schedule. Six meals involve actual cooking (mostly crockpot because we respect our energy). The other nights? Reserves. Frozen. Pantry. Leftovers. Whatever doesn’t require you to stand upright for more than four minutes.

If that’s your vibe too, welcome home.

THIS WEEK’S MENU

Cooked Meals:

  1. Tuesday Crockpot Salsa Chicken Bowls
  2. Thursday Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Pork Roast + Potatoes
  3. Sunday Crockpot Honey Teriyaki Chicken (No weird sauces, promise)
  4. Tuesday Lemon Herb Chicken & Rice (No Creamy Stuff!)
  5. Thursday Crockpot Tuscan Chicken & Potatoes (Light, Brothy Version) (Not creamy — just herbs, garlic, broth, and sunshine.)
  6. Sunday Sheet Pan Italian Chicken & Veggies

Reserve Nights (1–2):

  • Frozen pizza, frozen enchiladas, freezer soup, freezer breakfast burritos, rotisserie chicken + bag salad… whatever you have in the stash.

And boom — another week fed, fueled, and officially handled, even if we handled it while lying horizontally with one sock on and exactly zero energy left. Reserve-based meal planning is basically the cheat code for spoonie life: cook when you can, stash when you can’t, survive the rest of the time on whatever doesn’t require opening the oven.

If you make any of these recipes, tell me which one your family inhaled first. Mine always pick the salsa chicken because apparently we’re a Taco Tuesday household… regardless of the actual day. Til next time gang, take care of yourselves, and each other!

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🍁 Two-Week Fall Comfort Menu + Reserve Snapshot Wk 27 & 28

Fall is for fuzzy socks, warm dinners, and absolutely not overcomplicating your grocery list. This round of my two-week reserve-based meal plan is all about cozy, comforting food that doesn’t require you to play kitchen martyr. We’re talking about meals that fill the house with that “mmm, someone’s cooking something amazing” smell — without requiring you to stand too long or juggle twelve pans.

Like always, the plan mixes a few cooked meals with reserve-based options — things you can pull together fast from your pantry or freezer when energy or spoons are running low. The goal: flexibility without frustration. You deserve to eat well, even on the days that don’t go as planned.

So grab your list, sip your coffee, and let’s make sure the next two weeks taste like comfort and sanity.


🥘 Cook Meals

  1. Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie — Creamy, cozy, and low-effort. Add frozen veggies, shredded chicken, broth, and biscuit topping.
  2. Sheet Pan Sausage & Potatoes — Chop, toss, roast. One pan, minimal cleanup, maximum yum.
  3. Beef Tips with Gravy + Mashed Potatoes — Comfort classic. Slow simmer or use the crockpot if you want to make it even easier.
  4. Tuscan Chicken with Spinach and Garlic Butter Rice — Quick skillet dinner that feels fancy without being fussy.
  5. Loaded Baked Potato Night — Bake or microwave potatoes, then set out toppings like cheese, butter, and green onions for a build-your-own vibe.
  6. Simple Spaghetti or Noodle Bowl Night — Customize with what you have on hand — sauce, veggies, or even leftover meat.

🥫 Reserve Meals

  1. Breakfast for Dinner — Eggs, toast, or breakfast sandwiches. Always hits the spot.
  2. Soup Starter Night — Toss frozen veggies, broth, and leftover meat or rice in a pot and call it done.
  3. Wraps or Sandwich Night — Turkey, ham, or whatever deli meat is handy.
  4. Ramen Remix — Doctor up instant ramen with egg, spinach, or leftover veggies.
  5. Snack Board Dinner — Cheese, crackers, fruit, pickles, whatever looks good on a plate.
  6. Emergency Frozen Meal — Whether it’s pizza, burritos, or something store-bought — no guilt, no dishes.

Til next time gang, take care of yourselves, and each other.

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🍗 Two-Week Reserve-Based Crockpot Menu: Chicken, Sausage & Beef Edition (Wk 27&28)

Because ovens are rude and we deserve ease.

Let’s be real — chronic illness, neurodivergence, parenting, and general life chaos don’t care that dinner still has to happen.
So here’s a two-week, reserve-based crockpot plan that keeps you fed without a meltdown.

You’ll cook just three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday) and still have enough food for reworks, leftovers, and “oops, I forgot to defrost something” days.


🐔 TUESDAY: Chicken Day

🥣 Salsa Crockpot Chicken

The OG lazy girl dinner. Don’t mess with perfection.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 jar (16 oz) salsa
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • Optional: 1 cup frozen corn or a can of diced tomatoes (drained)

Instructions

  1. Dump it all in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low 6–8 hours or high 3–4.
  3. Shred it up and mix before serving.

Serve With: Rice, tortillas, or potatoes.
Reserves: Use leftovers in quesadillas, nachos, rice bowls, or over pasta.


🍽️ Chicken & Veggie Bowls

Healthy-ish. Easy. Zero oven time. We love that for us.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs chicken (breasts or thighs), chunked
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 zucchini, sliced
  • ½ onion, sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Toss it all in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low 5–6 hours or high 3–4.
  3. Stir before serving to coat everything evenly.

Serve With: Rice, quinoa, or in wraps.
Reserves: Toss leftovers into scrambled eggs or pasta for a second meal.


🌭 THURSDAY: Sausage Day

🍝 Sausage & Peppers Pasta

A classic one-pot wonder — but make it a slow cooker.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups broth
  • 8 oz pasta (add later!)
  • Italian herbs, salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Add everything except the pasta.
  2. Cook on low 5–6 hours or high 3–4.
  3. Stir in uncooked pasta 30–40 minutes before serving (add a splash of broth if needed).

Reserves: Bake leftovers with cheese or thin it out for soup.


🥔 Sausage, Potato & Pepper Hash

Like a diner breakfast but without having to move.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 ½ lbs potatoes, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • Garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper

Instructions

  1. Grease crockpot lightly with oil or spray.
  2. Toss everything in and mix well.
  3. Cook on high 3–4 hours or low 6–7, stirring halfway through.

Serve With: Fried egg on top or a warm roll.
Reserves: Wrap leftovers in tortillas for breakfast burritos.


🥩 SUNDAY: Ground Beef Day

🌶️ Lazy Chili Mac (No Beans)

It’s comfort food that won’t fight your stomach.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb cooked ground beef
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 2 cups elbow noodles
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Add everything except noodles to the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low 4–5 hours.
  3. Stir in noodles 30 minutes before serving.

Reserves: Serve leftovers over baked potatoes or tortilla chips.


🍚 Beef & Rice Bowls

Your freezer meal hero.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb cooked ground beef
  • 1 ½ cups uncooked rice
  • 3 cups broth
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt, pepper, paprika

Instructions

  1. Combine everything in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low 4–5 hours or high 2–3.
  3. Fluff before serving.

Reserves: Wrap in lettuce or tortillas, or top with fried eggs.


That should last us into November, wow it flies by, til next time gang, take care of yourselves, and each other.

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Two-Week Spoonie Menu: The “We Survived the Plague” Edition Week 25 & 26

We got hit hard this round — hubby brought home some sort of mutant cold that ran through the house like a toddler through a toy aisle. Everyone took turns coughing, whining, and refusing soup (because of course). The good news: we’re on the mend, and I’m finally feeling ready to cook again… in moderation.

So, this week’s menu leans heavy on reserves, comfort, and low-effort dinners that still taste like you tried. Three cook days (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday) with flexible leftovers and built-in sanity savers. Nothing fancy, just survival-mode delicious.

Week 25

Sunday – Crockpot Salsa Chicken

  • Cooking Method: Crockpot
  • Ingredients:
    • 2 lbs chicken breasts
    • 1 jar (16 oz) salsa
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1 tsp chili powder
    • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Directions:
    1. Place chicken in crockpot, pour salsa over it, sprinkle with spices.
    2. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
    3. Shred chicken and serve over rice, in tortillas, or with a salad.

Monday – Reserve Meal

  • Leftover salsa chicken over rice or salad.

Tuesday – Crockpot Italian Chicken & Veggies

  • Cooking Method: Crockpot
  • Ingredients:
    • 2 lbs chicken thighs
    • 1 cup baby carrots
    • 1 cup potatoes, diced
    • 1 cup zucchini, sliced
    • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
    • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Directions:
    1. Place chicken and veggies in crockpot.
    2. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and a little salt & pepper.
    3. Cook LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours.

Wednesday – Reserve Meal

  • Leftovers from Tuesday; can toss with pasta or eat as-is.

Thursday – Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies (not crockpot)

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 lb sausage (turkey or chicken)
    • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
    • 1 zucchini, sliced
    • 1 cup baby potatoes, halved
    • Olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder
  • Directions:
    1. Toss all ingredients with olive oil and seasonings.
    2. Roast at 400°F (205°C) for 25–30 minutes, turning once.

Friday – Reserve Meal

  • Leftovers from Thursday.

Saturday – Reserve Meal

  • Quick scramble, salad, or grain + protein from reserves.

Week 26

Sunday – Salsa Chicken (repeat, make extra for Monday)

Monday – Reserve Meal

  • Leftover salsa chicken.

Tuesday – Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken & Rice

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 lbs chicken thighs
    • 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
    • 1 cup broccoli florets
    • 1 cup carrots, sliced
  • Directions:
    1. Place chicken in crockpot, pour sauce over.
    2. Cook LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours.
    3. Add veggies in last 30 minutes of cooking.
    4. Serve with rice.

Wednesday – Reserve Meal

  • Leftovers from Tuesday.

Thursday – Crockpot Creamy (Light) Chicken & Mushrooms (dairy-light)

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 lbs chicken breasts
    • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
    • 1/2 cup chicken broth
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • Salt & pepper
  • Directions:
    1. Place chicken and mushrooms in crockpot, pour broth over.
    2. Season with garlic powder, salt, pepper.
    3. Cook LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours.

Friday – Reserve Meal

  • Leftovers from Thursday.

Saturday – Reserve Meal

  • Quick grain + protein + veggie, or scrambled eggs + toast + veggies.

Reserves / Backup Meals Ideas

These are quick, simple, and interchangeable for non-cooking days:

  • Rotisserie chicken + microwavable veggies
  • Pre-cooked frozen grains (rice, quinoa) + frozen veggies + protein
  • Eggs scrambled or hard-boiled + toast + fruit
  • Canned tuna or chicken salad (without mayo)
  • Salad kits with added beans, eggs, or cooked meat

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Survival & Sanity Menu (Weeks 19 & 20)

It’s been hot, it’s going to stay hot, and short of moving into your freezer with the ice cream, there’s not much we can do about it. What we can do is make sure dinner doesn’t turn the kitchen into a sauna you never asked for. This week’s menu is built to keep the oven off, the heat low, and your sanity intact — because sweating over a stove in August should be considered a human rights violation.

We’re talking meals that are light on effort, big on flavor, and won’t have you washing a sink full of dishes in what feels like the Sahara. Whether you’re a crockpot devotee, a “throw it all in a skillet and call it good” person, or someone who just wants to avoid boiling anything for more than three minutes, there’s something here to help make this endless summer suck a little less.


Week 19

TuesdaySalsa Chicken (Crockpot)
Chicken breasts, jar of salsa, packet of taco seasoning—dump, cook, shred, serve. We love this over rice or wrapped in tortillas.


ThursdayMeatballs in Grape Jelly BBQ Sauce (Crockpot)
Yes, it sounds weird. Yes, it’s delicious. Serve over buttered noodles for maximum comfort.
SundayPasta with Meat Sauce
Brown ground beef, add jarred marinara, simmer, and serve over pasta. Garlic bread optional but encouraged.


Week 20

Tuesday Sausage & Potato Skillet
Toss smoked sausage slices, chopped potatoes, and your choice of veggies in olive oil and seasoning. Fry until golden.
ThursdayCrockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Pork roast + BBQ sauce in the crockpot all day = sandwich heaven. Serve with chips or a quick salad.
SundayBreakfast for Dinner
Eggs, sausage, and toast—simple, quick, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Til next time gang, take care of yourselves, and each other!