Hy-Vee Hot Meals & Hello Shouting: A Summer Week in the Nest ☀️🍗

Hey friend!

This week we had a night when we got home later and had the plan to cook a meal that was going to take about 45 minutes, but by the time we would be able to sit down and eat it, it would be 8pm—and we were hungry! So we went rogue and decided to see what Hy-Vee had in their kitchen. We ended up getting a couple $6 two-piece grilled chicken meals, and it was so good and so nice to have someone else cook for the night. I love living close to Hy-Vee—it’s like my very own pantry.

When we got to the café part to sit down, there was another family with a little girl about the same age as Charlie. The entire time we were eating, Charlie and the girl were saying “HI! HI! HI!” back and forth. After several minutes, they’d say “bye” and pause…only to start up again with their greetings. It was so funny and sweet. Kids are the best—no barriers, no strangers, just vibes.

🍴 Weekly Meal Ideas
Here’s what’s on our menu this week—fresh, colorful, and all about that summer produce life:

• Monday – Grilled chicken skewers with cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and bell peppers

• Tuesday – Chicken Pesto pasta (chickpea pasta adds a little protein boost)

• Wednesday – Summer grain bowls: quinoa + grilled peaches + avocado + greens + balsamic drizzle

• Thursday – Teriyaki salmon with cucumber-rice salad

• Friday – Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps with crunchy carrots

• Saturday – Veggie stir fry with rice noodles & peanut sauce

• Sunday – Sheet pan shrimp + sweet corn + baby potatoes + lemon-herb butter

🍫 Viral Recipe: Brownie Balls

No-Bake • Dairy-Free • Refined Sugar-Free

✨ Why it’s viral:

• Tastes like a brownie, but made with nourishing ingredients

• No baking required

• Kids and adults both love them

• Freezer-friendly snack!

⏱ Time-Saving Tip: Double Up on Protein
The next time you're roasting chicken or browning ground turkey, double it. Save half for wraps, rice bowls, or soup later in the week. Prepping once and using it twice is basically your secret superpower.

💛 A Little Encouragement
Sometimes the “easy way out” (hello, $6 Hy-Vee chicken) is the right way. Nourishment isn’t just about a home-cooked meal—it’s about giving yourself space to rest, laugh, connect, and shift plans when needed. You’re doing a great job, even when the dinner plan goes out the window.

🌽 What’s in Season (August Produce Picks)
Snack on these or throw them into your weeknight meals—enjoy all the flavors:

🍓 Fruits

• Peaches

• Plums

• Cherries (early August)

• Blackberries

• Blueberries

• Raspberries

• Melons (Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Honeydew)

• Apples (late August varieties)

• Pears

• Grapes

• Figs

🥕 Vegetables

• Sweet Corn

• Tomatoes

• Zucchini & Summer Squash

• Cucumbers

• Bell Peppers

• Green Beans

• Eggplant

• Okra

• Carrots

• Beets

• Radishes

• Lettuce (early August)

• Herbs (Basil, Dill, Cilantro, Parsley, Mint)

Want to share a dinner win (or fail!) with me? I’d love to hear it—just reply to this email.

Best,

Cara