A Black Hills getaway + fresh family meals for your week

🌲 This Week at Home

We packed up the car and headed west for a little getaway to the Black Hills with some family and friends. The winding roads, the smell of pine, and the wide-open skies—it all felt like a deep breath. Charlie loved exploring new places, especially running around with cousins and picking up rocks along the way. In the evenings, we sat around the table, swapping stories and enjoying food and each others company. Trips like these remind me that slowing down and making memories together is often the best nourishment of all.

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🍴 Featured Recipe

One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken & Rice
A bright, wholesome dinner that’s simple, filling, and family-friendly.

Ingredients
• 1 lb chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (optional, if you like)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Juice & zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Optional: fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Season chicken with salt & pepper, then sear until golden brown (about 4 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.

2. In the same pan, sauté onion (and garlic, if using) until fragrant.

3. Stir in rice, broth, lemon juice/zest, thyme, and oregano. Place chicken back on top.

4. Cover and simmer on low 20–25 minutes, until rice is tender and chicken cooked through.

5. Fluff rice, sprinkle with parsley, and serve warm.

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🗓 Weekly Meal Ideas

Here’s a no-stress lineup for the week:

• Monday – Sheet Pan Fajita Bowls (peppers, onions, chicken, tortillas on the side)
• Tuesday – Taco Tuesday: Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa Tacos
• Wednesday – Veggie Stir Fry with Rice & Coconut Aminos
• Thursday – Baked Salmon with Roasted Potatoes & Green Beans
• Friday – Pizza Night (try BBQ chicken pizza this week!)
• Saturday – Grilled Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries
• Sunday – Cozy Lentil Soup with Fresh Bread

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🍦 Quick Snack or Treat – Cottage Cheese Ice Cream (TikTok Viral!)
Yes, cottage cheese is having a moment! Blend 1 cup cottage cheese with 2–3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, a splash of vanilla, and your favorite fruit (strawberries or blueberries are popular). Freeze for a couple of hours, then scoop it out like ice cream. Creamy, sweet, protein-packed—and toddler approved

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💛 Encouragement

Sometimes the best meals aren’t the fanciest—they’re the ones where everyone’s gathered around the same table, laughing, reaching for seconds, and just being together. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a trip to the Black Hills, those are the moments that fill us up the most.

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🍓 What’s in Season?

Right now you’ll find these at their peak:

• Fruits: Peaches, blueberries, watermelon, cantaloupe
• Veggies: Sweet corn, zucchini, cucumbers, green beans, tomatoes

Best,

Cara