Repeat Meals: Finding Comfort in the Familiar
Some weeks call for repetition, and that’s okay. Lately, my staples have been:
✔ Cream of wheat – A warm, filling breakfast that’s quick and easy.
✔ Salads – Whatever greens I have on hand, topped with whatever works.
✔ Rice with sardines – A budget-friendly, protein-packed meal that’s simple but satisfying.
✔ Over-medium eggs over rice – A perfect mix of protein and carbs, easy to make, and delicious with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Repetition can feel mundane, but it also simplifies meal planning and keeps things stress-free.
New Meal This Week: Pan-Fried Salmon with Rice & Green Beans 🐟
I wanted something a little different, so it was pan-fried salmon served with rice and green beans. It felt nourishing, filling, and was a nice break from my usual staples.
Sometimes, trying a new meal—even a simple one—keeps things exciting and adds variety without complicating things.
Homemade Staples: Oat Milk, Veggie Bouillon, Brown Sugar & DIY Cappuccino Mix
Rather than running to the store, I leaned into making what I needed:
🥛 Oat Milk – Smooth, creamy, and a great dairy-free alternative for coffee, cereal, or baking.
🥕 Vegetable Bouillon – A concentrated homemade mix that adds depth to soups, grains, and sauces.
🍯 Brown Sugar – A quick blend of white sugar and molasses gave me the brown sugar I needed without a store trip!
☕ French Vanilla Cappuccino Mix – A cozy, homemade alternative to store-bought cappuccino mixes—perfect for a warm treat without the extra cost or additives!
Making these basics at home not only saved money but also made me appreciate the little things.
Sweet Finds: Freezer Treasures & Simple Desserts
Sometimes, the best treats are the ones you forgot about. This week, I dug out:
🫐 Frozen Blueberry Perogies – A simple icing dip turned these into the perfect sweet snack.
🍏 Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars – I had completely forgotten about these, but they were a freezer win!
Pro tip: Regularly check your freezer—you never know what gems you’ll find!
Black Bean Burgers: A No-Bun Solution
I whipped up homemade black bean burgers and paired them with a creamy yogurt sauce. Instead of buns, I used lettuce wraps—it was quick, fresh, and just as delicious. Sometimes, skipping the extra effort (like making bread from scratch) is the best way to stay on track.
Real Life Balance: Yes, We Had Store-Bought Pizza
We do our best to cook from scratch and minimize processed food, but we aren’t perfect—and that’s okay. We ended up having store-bought pizza, and honestly? It was easy, it was tasty, and it gave us a break. Eating intentionally doesn’t mean perfection—it means balance.
Takeaways from These Weeks:
✔ Simplicity is key—leaning on staple meals reduces decision fatigue.
✔ Making pantry basics at home is a game-changer.
✔ Freezers hold treasures—dig through yours before heading to the store.
✔ It’s okay to adjust meals to your energy level—lettuce wraps instead of buns? Perfectly fine.
✔ Eating processed food sparingly is totally fine—we do our best, but life is about balance.
How do you balance homemade meals with convenience? Let me know in the comments!