Summer break started for us about a week ago. It’s a whole different ball game here in Arizona with 100+ degree weather and indoor activities are a absolute must with the girls! I sat down with them and made a list of crafts we could do together over the next two months. Things that are easy, inexpensive and fun. I’ve been wanting to paint plain canvas tote bags to use as reusable shopping bags for a while (because my old ones are just about finished, and truly, they’re not the cutest), and the girls were super down. I think what they came up with was prettier than anything I could have created by myself. :)
I watered down basic acrylic craft paint with one part paint to three parts water. It goes on smoother, dries quicker, and makes for a way easier clean up. It also ended up being a fun lesson in abstract painting. We walked around the house first and pointed out the art and patterns that looked more abstract and they looked closely and the paintings and made notes about how to get the look.
So cute, right? These new bags are making grocery trips so much more appealing lately, and I’ve desperately needed a bit of a kick in that department! If I have a menu for the week and a written out list, things are great. But life gets in the way and sometimes I end up at the store stocking up on the basics and come home feeling like I have nothing to make a complete meal. I came back from the store a last week and Heather pulled a jar of peanut butter out of the bag and said “Um, we have like three jars of peanut butter in the pantry already!” Oops.
It took only a few minutes of poking around on Cook Smarts to fall in love with the concept after they reached out to me. The first thing that jumped out was the shopping lists. Cook Smarts sends you four recipes on Friday for the following week (you can use their set menu plan or customize your own) and a shopping list of everything you need for the meals. It’s broken up into categories like “produce” and “spices”. You can print the list or email it to yourself, which is a huge selling point for me because then I always have my list with me on my phone. Their site is super easy to use and beautifully photographed and organized- which always helps.
I decided to jump right into the week Cook Smarts was currently on and make the
Three Tomato Spaghetti with Kale and Apple Salad. I’m so, so impressed with how easy and simple the recipe was. Not only did it take exactly how long they said it would (35 minutes) to cook, but it was insanely simple and most importantly- delicious! Like really,
really good. The dressing on the salad was perfection and the whole family ate it up! I can’t wait to try more recipes. Two other meals this week are
Batterless Chile Rellenos and Chicken Fajita Bowls–
I’m so in.
There are also
the cutest little videos on every recipe with some cooking tips- like how to dice a shallot or the best way to slice cabbage. When you sign up, you can choose to try a starter account and then you can try out three meal plans for free, and starting at about $6 each month, you can have access to an absolute mountain of delicious and easy recipes.
I texted a few of my friends about Cook Smarts after discovering how customizable the meals are. Every single recipe has a gluten-free, paleo, and vegetarian option – seriously so convenient for families with food restrictions! My sister’s family has gluten allergies and we cook a lot of meals together, so this feature has been coming in handy for me lately!
Cook Smarts is generously sponsoring today’s give away of a $250 gift certificate to Whole Foods and an adorable reusable grocery tote. To enter, just sign up for a FREE Cook Smarts account and leave a comment here with which recipe is calling your name!
Contest ends next Friday at midnight.
PS – for 30% off your first meal plan, use the code LGNCOOKS. (Code expires on June 12)
Definitely the panko crusted fish tacos! I might even make them tonight!
Thanks for a lovely giveaway.
The curried fried rice looks delicious!
I would love to try the apple fennel turkey burgers.
Love those bowls you used for the paints! I also love trying out new recipe websites. Those Panko Breaded Chicken nuggets look really tasty and our girls would gobble them up. Thanks for the tip!
I love the recipe for the Butternut Squash Curry. I have everything for it already and I'm going to make it tonight!
I also love that they include the nutrition facts, great kitchen tip videos as well as reviews from people have already made it.
Good find!!!
These sneaky sponsored posts are the pits. It would be nice if you'd at least put a disclaimer at the beginning…the craft bags was a sly way to slide in this product.
The apple fennel turkey burgers look amazing.
Curious where you go the bags. I've been looking online for exactly the same thing and was surprised by the price.
Um, the Moroccan Spiced Chicken and Carrots? I'm DROOLING. Yum!
Also, your girls are absolutely adorable!
Also, also: I really appreciate how you pair a tutorial or inspiring, related content when you do a sponsored post; doesn't feel like a commercial (ugh!) and shows the how the product actually has value in a real-life kind of way. So, thanks, really.
Butternut squas curry – can't wait to try it on Monday; thanks!
I like the fennel and apple turkey burgers! I could use some help meal planning.
Apple, fennel, and turkey burgers sounds AMAZING!!!! It sounds summery and different. The perfect blend for my family!!
The panko fish tacos look delicious! Also very excited that vegetarian and gluten free options are available!
The pesto spaghetti… maybe over t
his weekend!
Panko-Crusted Fish Tacos
Panko-Crusted Fish Tacos
Apple fennel turkey burgers would be a nice change of pace.
Pulled pork sandwiches…yum!!
Jennifer
Jenellendesign at hotmail dot com
Apple fennel turkey burgers sound tasteeeee. :)
Fish tacos? i could sell those!
Pesto pasta. mmmm yes!
Butternut squash curry!
This is a timely post, as I have been in a major cooking rut lately. I just signed up and had my grocery list emailed to me.So easy! Looking forward to the panko crusted tilapia tacos. Something different…yay!
I think we would love BATTERLESS CHILE RELLENOS!
Quino avocado tomato salad!
Quino avocado tomato salad!
Panko fish tacos please:)
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Three tomato spaghetti looks yum!
Sushmita Prabhakar
sushmitaprabhakar@gmail.com
Steak fajitas look great!
Mmm Butternut squash curry please!
The apple fennel turkey burgers! Ground turkey was on sale so I picked up a few packages with no specific intention in mind and this would be a great new recipe to try with them!
The chicken thai stir fry is calling me!
The balsamic pork chops sound great to me!
The butternut squash curry sounds super yummy!
What an amazing idea. I am stuck in such a dinner rut!
Just signed up. With a newborn in the house this is great. Curious about the portabella pizzas, have never made them that way before.
Signed up for the Cook Smarts account and the Panko Crusted Fish Tacos are calling me.
neiddyruiz@gmail.com
Butternut squash curry is calling my name!
Fish Tacos! Always!
Indian Spice Roasted Vegetables sounds amazing!
The butternut squash curry sounds great!
Saw the great paint colors and had no idea how they would look on the bags….they look fabulous!!!
Hmmmmm….I'm feeling the Sesame Teriyaki Salmon!
Yum! The grilled chicken with French vinaigrette looks amazing!
It's summertime, so the Apple Fennel Turkey Burgers are calling my name!
Thanks for hosting this giveaway and leading me to this site- looks chock full of great recipes! The sesame teriyaki salmon is on my list for this week!
Ah the Moroccan spiced chicken and carrots looks wonderful! :) I'd love to win this giveaway!
the apple fennel turkey burgers sound delish! i signed up for the free trial and am seriously considering subscribing. eating gluten-free isn't easy, but this looks so helpful!
Butternut squash curry, sounds like absolute perfection!