Welcome to another week of summer! Are you enjoying your last few weeks of August before fall madness begins? I’m trying to enjoy my last one week! It just dawned on me the other day that (Lord willing) this is my last “normal” week before baby arrives.

That means this is the week to finish odds and ends. This is the week to really bump up nutrition and make sure I’m getting plenty of probiotics and broth. This is the week to spend as much time with my kiddos as I can.

There is still a lot to be done in the kitchen. This is prime preserving season. I think I’ll have to skip canning peaches this year. At least I still have quite a few jars from last year. And I’ll still do a little baking with them this week. Maybe I’ll get in one round of corn freezing this week. We’ve still got zucchini from our garden to use up. I think we are done with blueberries and beans at least.

If you missed last week’s recipes there were some delicious treats! Check out the blueberry cake, chocolate zucchini scones and sweet cherry coconut milk ice cream. There are more fun recipes coming this week. Be sure to check back so you don’t miss them.

Here is our menu for the week. I’m trying not to bombard myself with kitchen projects. But somehow that always happens. Hopefully I can keep up. What’s on your menu?

**************MENU***************

Sunday
L – grilled cheese, broccoli, chips
D – cp pork roast, carrots, potatoes
*make fruit snacks, make chocolate sauce, make mayo, make coconut milk ice cream

Monday
D – mac ‘n’ cheese, sauteed zucchini, fruit baked chicken, beans, fries
*make gf bread, make graham crackers, soak beans

Tuesday
D – pork and bean soup, zucchini cake
*skim cream, make zucchini cake, make mayo

Wednesday
D – zucchini salmon cakes, roasted cauliflower, corn on the cob
*make ice cream, freeze zucchini

Thursday
D – hot taco rice, beans, fruit
*make peach plum cobbler, clean

Friday
D – pancakes, bacon, broccoli, peaches
*clean

Saturday
D – grilled burgers, grilled corn on the cob, chips
*make fruit snacks, clean, make graham crackers

It’s August!!! I feel like I’ve been waiting for August for a long time. Today is 37 weeks. That means 18 days to go!  Even this close to meeting my little miracle it seems surreal.

Our weekend was filled with blueberries. We had fun blueberry picking as a family. Most of them are in the freezer already. But some will be used for baking projects this week. And lots of fresh eating of course. Blueberries are my favorite fruit. So this is always a great time of year.

I’m thankful that our week won’t be too busy. I’m looking forward to getting a few more things done around the house and spending lots of time with my kids.

If you missed the new recipes last week be sure to check them out – cherry jam, classic vanilla ice cream and gluten free dairy free double strawberry shortcake. Be on the lookout for more fun recipes this week!

Last week I attempted to create a gluten free bread recipe four times…and failed. I think I’ll give it one more go today. Then I’ll have to take a break from bread baking. We’ll see how this one turns out. Even if it doesn’t work now I’ll figure it out someday…when I have more time.

 Here is our menu for the week. I’m trying to keep the meals simple so I have the time and energy to keep up with baking and preserving all of the fresh produce. What’s on your menu this week? What are you doing in the kitchen?

***************MENU***************

Sunday
L – cp applesauce chicken, carrots, rice
D – zucchini pizza bites
*make gf bread, make blueberry bread pudding, make soaked pie crust

Monday
D – sloppy joes, broccoli, fried potatoes
*make blueberry pie

Tuesday
D – squash soup, blueberry scones
*make blueberry scones, skim cream, soak flour, freeze blueberries

Wednesday
D – macaroni and cheese, beans, peaches cp roast chicken, baked potatoes
*make blueberry buckle, make ice cream, make crackers, soak flour, freeze beans, freeze blueberries, make broth

Thursday
D – egg muffins, peas, blueberries, toast OR chicken pesto pasta, peas
*make crackers, make chocolate zucchini muffins, strain/freeze broth

Friday
D – out to eat
*clean

Saturday
D -grilled brats, zucchini fries, baked potato wedges
*clean, make blueberry buckle

I’m almost there. By the end of the week it will be August. Baby is due in August. That means it’s really getting close!! We’re down to the last 3 1/2 weeks and all of the final preparations.

We had one final family outing to the beach yesterday. Now I’m ready to stay put and start nesting.

I’m still trying to keep up with my kitchen work…and I’ve got lots of great recipes coming your way! I might try to go blueberry picking later this week. After that it will be time for blueberry projects. We’re also in the process of freezing the beans from our garden.

My daughter has swimming lessons again all week. I hope my swollen body can handle another week of sitting in a hot pool room.

If you missed any recipes from last week be sure to check them out! I shared my recipes for zucchini salmon cakes, strawberry slushies and soaked gluten free cereal. I just finished our batch of cereal this morning in my yogurt. I hope I have time to make another before baby arrives. It’s so good!

Amazingly we don’t have any afternoon outings this week. What a nice treat. But we’ll keep plenty busy. Here is what’s on the menu. What are you eating this week?

********************MENU********************

Sunday
L – cp beef roast, vegetables
D – balogna sandwiches, watermelon, peas, chips, strawberry slush
*make/can salsa (two kinds), make df ice cream

Monday
D – spaghetti, broccoli
*make graham crackers

Tuesday
D – beef and vegetable stir fry over rice
*skim cream, make gf bread

Wednesday
D – sweet and sour meatballs, beans, mashed potatoes
*freeze beans, make ice cream, make pudding, make gf bread

Thursday
D – salmon cakes, peas, french fries
*clean, make gf bread

Friday
D – BLTs, broccoli, fruit
*clean

Saturday
D – out to eat
*freeze blueberries

July is over half way done! Today I have reached 35 weeks.  That means less than five weeks to go (32 days to be exact). Time sure is flying.

Even though things seem to be moving quickly I sure seem to be slowing down. But I’m still doing my best to get the last few odds and ends done and keep up with things in the kitchen. I have a pretty ambitious agenda this week. I may end up scrapping half of it. We’ll see how I’m feeling.

My daughter has swimming lessons all week. So that will fill some of our time. We also have a playdate to look forward to.

We are already done with cherry season in our house. It always goes so quickly. I did manage to make two cherry pies last week (one “regular” and one gluten/dairy/rice free). Now it’s time to start freezing beans!  Blueberries will be coming soon. I might even try to can a batch of salsa this week since our pantry stash is almost gone. Zucchini is starting as well. I’m trying my best to keep up with the produce preservation.

If you missed any of last week’s posts be sure to check them out! I shared my pre-baby house makeover, pectin-free strawberry jam and blueberry and cherry yogurt. Plus don’t forget that there are a few days left to enter the coconut oil giveaway!

Here is what’s on the menu for the week. I’m still trying to put whatever I can in the freezer. Hopefully it will be enough to get us through the first few weeks after baby arrives. What’s on your menu this week?

********************MENU********************

Sunday
L – cp roast chicken legs, potatoes, carrots
D – misc. leftovers, chips w/ salsa and guacamole, fruit salad, milkshakes
*freeze beans, make gummies, make/freeze breakfast cookies, make/freeze coconut flour squash scones

Monday
D – 7 layer dinner (make double batch), fruit
*freeze casserole, make zucchini scones

Tuesday
D – pork chops and apples over quinoa, broccoli
*soak flour, make blueberry cake, skim cream

Wednesday
D – (keep warm) – cp chicken, lentil and vegetable soup, zucchini bread
*make ice cream, freeze soup, make zucchini bread

Thursday
D – (prep ahead) – cp salsa chicken, fruit
*make crackers

Friday
D – pancakes (make double batch), sausage, broccoli, fruit
*freeze pancakes

Saturday
D – grilled chicken burgers, green beans, roasted potatoes
*make/can salsa, soak flour

I’m getting a late start to my menu posting today. Our power was out most of the night. It’s finally back and I’m getting on with my to-dos now.

Last week was insanely busy both at home and with all of our outings. I’m sure this week will be busy as well. But hopefully I don’t push myself too hard. This is the only week I have to go blueberry picking. I’m trying to decide if it fits in our schedule and if I’m physically up for it.

Yesterday was cherry picking day. We got almost  40 lbs. We’ve dealt with about half of them so far. The other half will be today.

I’m still working on stocking my freezer for while I’m in the hospital and after I come home. So I’m basing our meals around what I want in the freezer. It’s hard to do that in combination with preserving fresh produce (hopefully we’ll stock up on blueberries this week and our beans are just getting started!) and making time for baking and new kitchen projects.

Today I am at 34 weeks. Only 39 days to go! That’s not much. I better keep working.

If you missed it don’t forget to enter the coconut oil giveaway!!! 

Here is our menu for the week and all of my extra projects so far. I’ll probably keep adding to the list. What’s on your menu?

***************MENU***************

Sunday
L – grill burgers, chips w/ dip, lettuce salads
D – cp ham roast, potatoes, carrots
*make suckers, freeze cherries, make cherry cobbler, make hot fudge

Monday
D – cp ham and pea soup, muffins
*freeze muffins, freeze soup, make/freeze granola bars, freeze cherries

Tuesday
D – chicken, broccoli and noodle casserole, fruit
*make/freeze breakfast cookies, freeze casserole

Wednesday
D – (prep ahead) – cp tomato soup, grilled cheese, muffins
*freeze soup, skim cream, make cherry ice cream

Thursday
D – chicken nuggets with honey mustard, peas, french fries
*make/freeze scones, make chicken broth

Friday
D – leftovers
*strain/freeze broth, make chicken broth, make cherry pie

Saturday
D – grilled salmon, chips w/ dip, grilled zucchini
*strain/freeze broth

July is in full swing. We had a fun holiday weekend. But it sure was tiring. It seems that my energy is dwindling by the day, so I’m trying to make the most of each day to get done what I can. We’re definitely counting down now. Forty six days to go!

This will be a very busy week. I also have a lot to do in the kitchen. I hope I can keep up.

We just defrosted our second freezer. Hopefully today I can get it re-organized. Then both freezers will be ready for stocking! Cherries are in season here in Michigan. If time allows we’ll go picking soon. Before I know it blueberries and peaches will be ready. 

Aside from my kitchen work and running around I need to start making all of my pre-baby to-do lists. I need to plan the menus for when I’m gone so my little guy can be easily fed by someone else. I need to write down all of the last minute items so the house is set. It seems like I keep thinking of one more thing to add to the list.

 Be sure to check back this week as I have a really delicious recipe and a giveaway!! You don’t want to miss them. And if you missed last week’s recipes I had TWO new ice creams – red, white and blue swirl and blueberry pie.

Here is our menu for the week. I hope I can manage all of my extras. I want the freezer stocked by the time baby comes. What are you eating this week?

This post is linked to EatGR Monday Mingle.

***************MENU***************

Sunday
L – cp chicken meatloaf, potatoes, carrots
D – chicken and broccoli quinoa, fruit
*make fruit snacks, make/freeze granola

Monday
D – tacos (double batch of meat), applesauce
*make chicken broth, soak beans, soak flour, freeze taco meat, make fruit leather

Tuesday
D – squash, bean and sausage soup, soaked gf zucchini bread
*strain/freeze broth, make broth, make/freeze bread, soak beans, cook sausage, make/freeze egg casserole

Wednesday
D – (prep ahead) – crockpot chili (double batch), gf df corn muffins
*freeze chili, make/freeze muffins, skim cream, make brownies

Thursday
D – zucchini cakes (with salmon added), baked potatoes, peas
*make ice cream, render lard, make hot fudge

Friday
D – gf df zucchini waffles, sausage, broccoli, fruit salad
*make/freeze granola bars

Saturday – guests?
B – waffles, scrambled eggs, fruit
L – ?
D – ?
*make cherry pie

 Happy Independence week. I really can’t believe we’re just a few days away from July already. Somehow our summer “vacation” has become very busy. Time seems to be flying by. At least we’ve been making time for fun things like our trip to Michigan’s Adventure last week.

Thankfully this week isn’t too chaotic. We are celebrating my niece’s second birthday. We have to pick up milk from the farm. We’ll do our usual trip to the library and farmer’s market and a few other little outings. Of course we’ll be celebrating the 4th at the local parade and craft fair.

I haven’t decided yet it there are any special treats I’ll make for the 4th. We’ve got some new ice cream in the freezer…check back tomorrow for the recipe!  And if you missed last week’s recipes be sure to check them out at as well – chocolate covered toffee and honeyed-dew. Both would be great for a summer celebration! Or there are some classics like red, white and blue parfaits, cheesecake, buster bars or holiday “Oreos.”

We mostly have things ready for baby. The nursery is set. I have bags packed. All the clothes and diapers are washed. I’m praying this little one keeps cooking for another 7 1/2 weeks. But at least the house is ready for when he/she does arrive. Now we just need a name!

About the only thing I don’t have ready is food. Last week I got some baked goods in the freezer. This week I’ll focus more on meals. Hopefully each week I can get something in the freezer so I have a good stock of things to pull out after baby arrives. I’ve got a maximum of 53 days left to get things prepared.

We got our last load of strawberries yesterday. A lot of them are already in the freezer. I made a batch of strawberry jam (recipe coming soon!) and strawberry blueberry jello. I’m trying to decide what to do with the rest. I might make strawberry shortcake. I might make more dried strawberries of fruit leather as well.

 I have been keeping myself very busy lately with cooking, baking and cleaning. My legs are not too happy about it. We’ll see if I can make myself put my feet up more this week to help keep the swelling and pain from getting too bad.

Here is our menu for the week. What are you eating?

***************MENU***************

Sunday
L – (quick) – misc. leftovers
D – at birthday party

Monday
D – sloppy joes, chips, lettuce salads, fruit salad
*make 2 batches of graham crackers, make strawberry fruit leather or strawberry shortcake

Tuesday
D – cp roast chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli
*make broth, freeze chicken, make “cheese” crackers, soak lentils

Wednesday
D – (prep ahead) –  chicken, lentil and vegetable soup, muffins (family), out to eat (me)
*strain/freeze broth, bake/freeze muffins, skim cream, freeze soup

Thursday
D – hamburger corn bake, fruit
*make ice cream, freeze casserole

Friday
D – grilled brats and hot dogs, grilled zucchini, coleslaw

Saturday
B – pancakes, scrambled eggs, fruit
D – baked cod, caramelized brussels sprouts, fried potatoes
*freeze pancakes

It’s summer! For real now. I already feel like it’s flying by. There is still so much to get done before baby comes.

At least we are making progress. Yesterday we bought a new pack ‘n’ play (it sure is strange to see that in our bedroom!). We ordered new monitors. I bought a going home outfit for the baby. Now most of the “baby stuff” is set. It’s all the other stuff that needs to get done.

This week will be another very busy one with an OB appointment, chiro appointment, speech therapy appointment and meeting a new pediatrician. I also need to figure out when to grocery shop. Hopefully we can find time for fun things too.

From now until baby arrives I’m hoping to prepare one meal and one snack to put away in the freezer. Last night I started soaking flour for a batch of brownies. I would have loved to make a few batches at once, but we are almost out of honey. So I’ll probably be making more of these later. After I get more honey I also need to make a few batches of graham crackers this week.

Produce is starting to come in. We’ve started freezing strawberries. But there is plenty more to come.

I’ve still been keeping up with my goal of eating seafood at least two times per week. I’m trying to grow another smart kiddo 🙂

I was finally able to meet with my doctor last week to go over thyroid labs. It was a great relief to hear that she thinks my levels are right where they should be. So I won’t worry about thyroid again until after baby is born.

My body is definitely starting to slow down. But I’m still doing my best to keep us all well fed and get our freezer stocked with nourishing foods. Here is what’s on the menu this week. What are you eating?

***************MENU***************

Sunday
L – cp roast beef, potatoes, carrots
D – leftover baked spaghetti, salad
*bake brownies, dry strawberries, make coffee cake, make lemonade

Monday
D – salmon cakes, mashed potatoes, peas
*freeze strawberries, make fruit leather

Tuesday
D – (prep ahead) – cp meatballs, potatoes, mixed veggies

Wednesday
D – (quick prep) – hot dogs, tater tots, broccoli, fruit
*soak flour, skim cream, make ice cream

Thursday
D – chicken and vegetable stir fry over rice, honeydew
*bake breakfast cookies, bake brownies, make df ice cream, cut up fruit

Friday
D – bacon, muffins, fruit salad, roasted cauliflower
*bake/freeze muffins, make graham crackers, soak flour

Saturday
D – grilled burgers, fries, grilled zucchini
*make zucchini muffins

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Happy Father’s Day!! I feel blessed to have a husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather in my life.

This is our first week of summer break with no set schedule. We still have plenty going on, like doctors appointments, farmer’s market, milk pick up and even a special trip to the zoo! I must admit that I’m really looking forward to the weekend. I get a pregnancy massage!!

I’m also excited today because I am at 30 weeks (though baby is measuring over 31 already)! I’m down to check ups every two weeks. We almost have everything set for baby. Most likely tonight will be the big bedroom switch for my little guy, too. Lots of change. But it’s very exciting.

Last week I was fortunate enough to get a half dozen duck eggs. I’m trying to savor them and not eat them all in a few days. I’m still focusing on third trimester nutrients and making sure I eat seafood a few times a week in addition to drinking plenty of raw milk.

I made a lot of Father’s Day goodies last week. If you missed them check out the chocolate chunk cookies and strawberry rhubarb cheesecake. I also have a couple more recipes coming. This week I might make some kind of pie. We still have a lot of rhubarb in our garden, so most likely strawberry rhubarb. I also need to make a new batch of graham crackers.

This week I might start stocking up on strawberries. It’s hard to believe preserving season is starting. I don’t think I’ll be up for strawberry picking myself this year, but hopefully my husband and kids can get a lot for us.

There are only a few days left to enter the giveaway for The Nourished Metabolism. If you haven’t entered, now is your chance!

Here is what’s on the menu this week. What are you eating?

**********MENU**********

S (church, Father’s Day, make smoothies)
B – bagels w/ cream cheese or peanut butter, fruit, granola bars
L – cp chicken breasts w/ potatoes, onions and carrots, broccoli, applesauce
D – grilled cheese, tomato soup, salad

M (milk, A/C install, make pie crust)
D – ham and cheese quiche cups, roasted cauliflower, fruit salad

T (library, FM, make pie)
D – spaghetti, broccoli

W (Dr. A., make broth, skim cream, make ice cream)
D – cp roast chicken, rice, veggies

Th (zoo)
D – mac ‘n’ cheese, peas

F ()
D – sausage, waffles, fruit, TBD vegetable

S (pg massage)
D – grill TBD

Good morning! It’s summer break. I officially have a first grader! I’m happy to be done with all of our usual activities and be able to relax. I’m also looking forward to spending lots of extra time with my little girl before she’s in school all day in the fall.

This week we’ll keep busy with some errands and my daughter’s first camp of the summer. I also have another check-up. It’s always fun to see how big the baby is getting.

I have quite a bit planned for my kitchen work this week. Hopefully my legs will hold up. The swelling has been pretty bad again the last couple days. I’ll be making several Father’s Day treats this week. I also want to make ice cream and some snacks for the kids.

I think I can finally say I’m done with my whole house makeover. I have cleaned just about every room in the house very thoroughly. It’s not perfect. There is always more that could be done. But I’m satisfied with what I accomplished. I’ll be sharing some photos soon!

Also on my agenda for the next few weeks is planning meals/snacks for when I’m at the hospital and after I come home. Soon I’ll be working on stocking my freezer with meals. I’m sure we will get some meals after the baby is born. But with all of our food allergies and intolerances usually my husband is the only one that can eat what people bring. So I have to set up my own meals.

If you haven’t entered yet, please go enter the giveaway for two amazing books – The Nourished Metabolism and Love Your Body. I can’t say enough good things about them!

Here is our menu and agenda for the week. What are you eating?

**********MENU**********

S (church, make cheesecake)
L – cp honey mustard chicken over rice
D – grilled steak, beans, mashed potatoes

M (cheer, shopping, make gummies)
D – modified beefy enchilada bake, corn, fruit

T (cheer, farmer’s market, make crackers)
D – gf df pancake and sausage muffins, sauteed zucchini, fruit

W (cheer, Dr. E., skim cream, make ice cream)
D – salmon cakes, broccoli, french fries

Th (cheer, groceries, make muffins)
D – cp split pea soup with ham, muffins

F (cheer, make chocolates, make scones)
D – scrambled eggs, scones, peas, fruit

S (open house, guests)
D – at parties