Last week was busier than I prefer. Especially at the Christmas season, I prefer to slow things down a bit and enjoy the Holidays with my family. Lucky for me, the calendar is a bit more open this week and I am looking forward to relaxing as much as my family of 7 will allow. Here's what we have going for dinners this week: Monday, December 3 https://heartysmarty.com/southwest-black-bean-burgers-with-oven-fries/ Tuesday, December 4 https://heartysmarty.com/barbecue-chicken-chopped-salad-gluten-free/ https://heartysmarty.com/hearty-corn-bread/ Wednesday, December 5 https://heartysmarty.com/roasted-butternut-penne/ https://heartysmarty.com/apple-and-bacon-spinach-salad-with-balsamic-vinaigrette/ Thursday, December 6 https://heartysmarty.com/vegetable-beef-stew/ Friday, December 7 https://heartysmarty.com/whole-wheat-pizza-crust/ Saturday, December 8 https://heartysmarty.com/hearty-sweet-potato-quinoa-skillet/ Sunday, December 9 https://heartysmarty.com/slow-cooker-thai-peanut-chicken/ https://heartysmarty.com/mandarin-chicken-kale-salad/

This sweet and savory dish will impress everyone at your next family dinner. It’s festive, tasty, and TENDER! With both slow-cooker and Instant Pot directions it is so EASY! This is a fool-proof recipe, folks.  To complete the meal, I serve this with garlic mashed potatoes and Kale Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette. Update 2/9/2022: I concocted a dynamite recipe for homemade Catalina Dressing. If you prefer not to use the bottled stuff, this recipe takes just 5 minutes to whip up and it works GREAT in this chicken. Enjoy! Instant Pot (or Slow-Cooker) Cranberry Chicken Instant Pot or Slow Cooker

Like most families in the United States, we eat a pretty traditional dinner for Thanksgiving: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and rolls. To be honest though, I’m never all that excited for the those things. It’s the side dishes I get jazzed up about! Well, and the pumpkin pie of course. Below is a list of the appetizers and sides we love to eat on Thanksgiving Day. I hope this finds you on time as you are doing your last minute meal planning for the big day. Happy Thanksgiving! Citrus Zest Cranberry Sauce OK. I recant what I said about the

Breakfasts during the week are crazy simple around here. They have to be. In a family of five children trying to get ready for school in the morning, there's just no time for a complicated spread. One of my go-to breakfasts are fruit and yogurt parfaits. They are versatile, filling, and the kids can make them on their own. We often top ours with Hearty Granola to round them out. Enjoy! Fruit and Yogurt Parfait Easy, filling and kid friendly breakfast for busy mornings 6 Cups Greek Yogurt (assorted flavors to your liking)3 Cups Strawberries (fresh or frozen)3 Cups Blueberries

For those who aren't huge fans of smoked salmon, this is the same sandwich as my Gourmet Smoked Salmon Sandwich but with ham instead. Gourmet Honey Ham Sandwich on Everything Bagel 4 Everything Bagel (Thomas Bagel Thins)4 oz. honey ham (sliced)4 oz. Swiss cheese (sliced)¾ Granny Smith Apple (sliced thin)2 Cup Arugula (loosely packed)Herb Cream Cheese Spread5 ounces Original Cream Cheese1/8 Cup Green Onions (chopped)1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder1/4 teaspoon French’s Dijon Mustard1 teaspoon Parsley dried1 teaspoon Dill Weed dried1 teaspoon Lemon Juice1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce Prepare Herb Cream Cheese by mixing all ingredients in a mixing bowl using a handheld

This week is busy with basketball practices, birthday celebrations, ballet rehearsals, a baby shower and a BYU football game. Here is what I'm feeding my family to fuel all our activities: Monday, November 5 https://heartysmarty.com/barbecue-chicken-chopped-salad-gluten-free/ https://heartysmarty.com/tart-lemon-squares/ Tuesday, November 6 https://heartysmarty.com/black-bean-vegetable-enchiladas/ Wednesday, November 7 https://heartysmarty.com/pesto-pasta/ https://heartysmarty.com/apple-and-bacon-spinach-salad-with-balsamic-vinaigrette/ Thursday, November 8 (Birthday Dinner Request) https://heartysmarty.com/hearty-breakfast-bagel/ https://heartysmarty.com/hearty-green-smoothie/ (Salsa Party Contribution) https://heartysmarty.com/peach-salsa/ Friday, November 9 https://heartysmarty.com/whole-wheat-pizza-crust/ Saturday, November 10 https://heartysmarty.com/hearty-corn-chowder/ Sunday, November 11 https://heartysmarty.com/instant-pot-teriyaki-orange-chicken-with-walnuts-and-green-onions/ https://heartysmarty.com/sweet-pea-and-bacon-ranch-salad/  

Whenever I make this pizza, I don't have to arm-wrestle the kids for a slice. I usually get as much as I want, because it is not their favorite. Maybe that's why I love it so much? Whatever the real reason, I LOVE this pizza! The rosemary crust combined with sweet pears, caramelized onions, crunchy walnuts and creamy feta is a satisfying blend of flavor and texture. Top it all off with fresh, meaty arugula and this pizza is a winner! I hope you like it, but I won't be offended if you don't. Try everything once, right? Gourmet Rosemary

Nothing says "Home" better than a warm batch of chewy caramel popcorn. As with most treats I make, I found a way to reduce the amount of sugar and fat in this recipe without sacrificing flavor or texture. Don't ask. Don't tell. Am I right? As a kid, this was one of my dad's favorite treats to make for us. We would help pop the corn while he made the caramel glaze. Then, he would pile it high in a mountain of sweet, chewy goodness on the countertop. Naturally, I do the same with my kids. We all gather around

We are returning from Fall Break this week feeling rejuvinated and ready to get back on a schedule. Here's what's on tap for dinner this week: Monday, October 22 https://heartysmarty.com/hearty-tuna-sandwich/ Tuesday, October 23 https://www.melskitchencafe.com/the-best-chicken-enchilada-soup/ Wednesday, October 24 https://heartysmarty.com/roasted-butternut-penne/ https://heartysmarty.com/kale-salad-with-lemon-vinaigrette/ Thursday, October 25 https://heartysmarty.com/hearty-vegetable-chili/ https://heartysmarty.com/hearty-corn-bread/ Friday, October 26 https://heartysmarty.com/whole-wheat-pizza-crust/ Saturday, October 27 https://heartysmarty.com/hearty-pumpkin-chocolate-chip-muffins/ https://heartysmarty.com/hearty-immune-boosting-smoothie/ Sunday, October 28 https://heartysmarty.com/hearty-hawaiian-haystacks/

One of my favorite breakfasts in the morning is a smoothie with a bagel. Whole wheat bagels offer a good dose of dietary fiber to start my day, but they don't have the best flavor. If I top it with mashed avocado and some of Trader Joe's Everything but the Bagel Seasoning, (aff.link) all of a sudden I have a delicious and nutritious breakfast. Avocado Everything Whole Wheat Bagel 1 Whole Wheat Bagel (toasted)1 medium Avocado (mashed)2 tsp Everything but the Bagel Seasoning Slice and toast bagel. Scoop avocado onto bagel and mash with the back of a fork. Sprinkle