1 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:08,320 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. I'm Kelsey Nixon and this is Kitchen Prescription, 2 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:10,399 Speaker 1: the podcast you listen to when you don't know what 3 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:13,239 Speaker 1: to make for dinner. Today's episode one hundred and nine. 4 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:18,479 Speaker 1: Systems saving me this December. Happy holidays everyone, I hope 5 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:21,439 Speaker 1: you all had the best Thanksgiving, spent with really good 6 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:25,080 Speaker 1: food and connecting with the people you love most. We 7 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:28,600 Speaker 1: had a house full of family that felt like it 8 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 1: was bursting at the scenes at times. It was perfectly chaotic, 9 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:37,680 Speaker 1: extremely delicious, and I'm confident that core memories were made 10 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:40,519 Speaker 1: for my kids, which honestly, that's what was most important 11 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:44,159 Speaker 1: to me. I spent time reflecting personally a little bit 12 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 1: on what I am particularly grateful for this year, and 13 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:51,200 Speaker 1: among other things, I want to pass along a heartfelt 14 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 1: and sincere thank you to all of you as part 15 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:58,920 Speaker 1: of our podcast and recipe club community. This small business 16 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:01,840 Speaker 1: that I run, it helps, you know, It helps overwhelmed 17 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:03,959 Speaker 1: parents get weeknight dinner on the table for their families, 18 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:07,760 Speaker 1: and it's something I'm incredibly passionate about. And while I 19 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,760 Speaker 1: love providing the recipes and weekly meal plans and cheat 20 00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:13,240 Speaker 1: sheets and things like that, what I truly care about 21 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:16,400 Speaker 1: is supporting you as you establish a ritual to connect 22 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:20,040 Speaker 1: with your people more often, your support. Whether you listen 23 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: to this podcast, you follow me on Instagram, you are 24 00:01:24,680 --> 00:01:27,840 Speaker 1: members of Recipe Club, you buy our recipe binder. It 25 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: just allows me to continue to grow this company and 26 00:01:30,959 --> 00:01:33,840 Speaker 1: help more and more people. So thank you, thank you, 27 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:37,600 Speaker 1: thank you. Now that we have officially passed the torch 28 00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:40,759 Speaker 1: from November to December, I want to chat a little 29 00:01:40,760 --> 00:01:44,400 Speaker 1: bit about the systems that are saving me this December. 30 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,800 Speaker 1: But before we do that, let's discuss a few recipes 31 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 1: you can throw on your meal plan for the week. 32 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:53,920 Speaker 1: These are a few of the dishes that I always 33 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 1: rely on during extra busy months. Think of five ingredient 34 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:03,200 Speaker 1: recipes were almost a recipes not required, Like I'm so 35 00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: comfortable that I can kind of make it without having 36 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:08,440 Speaker 1: to even reference a recipe. They're just really easy, because 37 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 1: easy is what I need during one of the busiest 38 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 1: months of the year. So first up, I love that 39 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:16,040 Speaker 1: it's soup season. We are going to have my Italian 40 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 1: sausage and white bean soup. I just made it for 41 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 1: a church event. I doubled the batch and transferred it 42 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 1: to a slow cooker and took it and everybody was 43 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 1: commenting on how delicious it is, so I made it 44 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:31,320 Speaker 1: for everybody else, but I hadn't made it for a family, 45 00:02:31,360 --> 00:02:33,440 Speaker 1: So I thought, you know what, I am going to 46 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:37,119 Speaker 1: make this for my family. So it's on the meal plan. 47 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 1: I'm going to serve it with some really good bread 48 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:41,480 Speaker 1: and call it a day. Next is my bacon wrapped 49 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:43,959 Speaker 1: chicken and veggies. This is where I take like a 50 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 1: chicken cutlet and I wrap it with a simple strip 51 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 1: of bacon, and I do that on one half of 52 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 1: my big sheet pan, and then on the other half 53 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:55,840 Speaker 1: I do whatever veggies, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, potatoes, things like that, 54 00:02:55,880 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 1: so that I can kind of do an entire dinner 55 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:01,440 Speaker 1: on one sheet pan and it's really good. Sometimes I'll 56 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:03,639 Speaker 1: do like a little creamy mustard sauce to go with it, 57 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:07,240 Speaker 1: but super simple, like it could be five ingredients, but 58 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 1: I usually toss a few other things in there, but 59 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 1: very simple. And then finally we are doing for another 60 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 1: like neighborhood event. We're doing a brunch and we're getting 61 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:18,840 Speaker 1: together with a bunch of our friends, and I'm going 62 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 1: to make my cheddar scallion strata, which is my favorite 63 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 1: recipe for savory brunch. So good, you guys like so 64 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 1: good if I had to kind of forgotten about it. 65 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:31,040 Speaker 1: That happens with recipes sometimes, like they're a hit for 66 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 1: a while and then you forget about them. So anyways, 67 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:36,040 Speaker 1: I'm going to make that this week. And those are 68 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 1: three really simple ideas. You can find and print them 69 00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:41,240 Speaker 1: all in Recipe Club individually or in our weekly meal 70 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:43,520 Speaker 1: plan with an easy to follow shopping list broken down 71 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:46,800 Speaker 1: by recipe. You guys know, Recipe Club is an amazing 72 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 1: ad free recipe resource. No banner ads, nothing like that, 73 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 1: no pop ups, but it's got hundreds of recipes developed 74 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:56,280 Speaker 1: specifically for weeknights, and really the magic comes in the 75 00:03:56,320 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 1: simple dinner system that it provides. You get weekly meal 76 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:02,520 Speaker 1: planning email, a site that's specifically designed to help with 77 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 1: dinner time decision fatigue, recipes that are family tested, clearly written. 78 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:09,360 Speaker 1: It's an incredible resource. It helps thousands of families get 79 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 1: dinner on the table each week, and we would love 80 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 1: for your families to be one of them. So we 81 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 1: are continuing our holiday savings and our entire site is 82 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 1: fifteen percent off, and if you're a Recipe Club member, 83 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:23,839 Speaker 1: you will get an additional discount at twenty percent off 84 00:04:23,839 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 1: of everything from memberships to bundles with our recipe binder 85 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:29,919 Speaker 1: great for gifting, so keep that in mind as you 86 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:33,600 Speaker 1: are finalizing your gifting list for the holiday season. All right, 87 00:04:33,680 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 1: let's jump into the back half of the podcast and 88 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:46,440 Speaker 1: chat about these systems I swear by. We all know 89 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:49,040 Speaker 1: that December is wild and crazy. It seems like there 90 00:04:49,080 --> 00:04:52,240 Speaker 1: are enough activities, events and traditions to fill every single 91 00:04:52,360 --> 00:04:54,320 Speaker 1: day of the month. And some of you probably do 92 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:56,919 Speaker 1: that and want to do that. But I'm also heading 93 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:00,520 Speaker 1: into this month feeling a bit fatigued. If I'm being honest, 94 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:03,640 Speaker 1: you might even be able to hear it in my voice. 95 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 1: I'm already tired. My brain has already had to make 96 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:09,919 Speaker 1: way too many decisions. My cup feels nearly empty. But 97 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:12,719 Speaker 1: when you are head of magic making at your house, 98 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:16,360 Speaker 1: there is no rest for the weary. So let's talk 99 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:19,159 Speaker 1: about a couple of systems I rely on to keep 100 00:05:19,160 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 1: me going during such a busy month. We are going 101 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 1: to touch on three areas, gifting, magic making, and food. 102 00:05:26,839 --> 00:05:29,599 Speaker 1: Let's start with gifting. This has been top of mind 103 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 1: for me because we are fresh off of Black Friday, 104 00:05:31,760 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 1: Cyber Monday, and all of that madness. Okay, this can 105 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:38,120 Speaker 1: feel different depending on what chapter of life you find 106 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:42,680 Speaker 1: yourself in, but for me, with kids ages four, eight, 107 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:47,719 Speaker 1: and twelve, we are at peak present season. Because of 108 00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 1: the ages of my kids, I'm still doing like the 109 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 1: classic fun toys, like my daughter Who's Penny. She's four, 110 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:56,680 Speaker 1: she has for her gumball machine. Both of my girls 111 00:05:56,720 --> 00:05:59,159 Speaker 1: want makeup kids and they each want a doll. And 112 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 1: then I've also got to where I'm having to think 113 00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:05,280 Speaker 1: about higher ticket items like electric bikes and scooters and 114 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:08,720 Speaker 1: surfboards and air pods. And if I didn't have systems 115 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:11,680 Speaker 1: in place, or a gifting system in place, I would 116 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:13,920 Speaker 1: spend the whole month worrying about if I had enough 117 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:16,960 Speaker 1: for everybody, how much I've spent, and if everyone will 118 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:18,719 Speaker 1: have about the same amount of gifts to open on 119 00:06:18,800 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 1: Christmas morning. So this is how I manage that. First, 120 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:27,200 Speaker 1: I love the list making app Google Keep. I use 121 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:29,680 Speaker 1: it for just about everything in my life I need 122 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 1: to make a digital list for whether it's groceries or 123 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:34,960 Speaker 1: gift giving. You could totally do this just in your 124 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,599 Speaker 1: notes app as well, but I really like Google Keep. 125 00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:42,239 Speaker 1: So I create a note and it's titled Christmas twenty 126 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:44,760 Speaker 1: twenty four or twenty twenty five, like whatever year you're in, 127 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:47,920 Speaker 1: and I list every kid's name underneath with a bulleted 128 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:50,839 Speaker 1: list of what they're asking for. I'll also include like 129 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 1: my husband, my parents in laws, things like that, but 130 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:57,560 Speaker 1: as kids start to say I want this, I just 131 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:00,839 Speaker 1: add it to the list. I'll also include food after 132 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:03,960 Speaker 1: I've purchased it, the price I paid for it, and 133 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,640 Speaker 1: whether or not I'm going to wrap it or it'll 134 00:07:06,640 --> 00:07:10,160 Speaker 1: be unwrapped. We usually don't wrap Santa gifts, so I'm 135 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:14,680 Speaker 1: just wrapping the gifts that aren't Santa specific. Sometimes I'll 136 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 1: include a link as well, like if I'm still thinking 137 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 1: about something or trying to decide if I'm going to 138 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:23,080 Speaker 1: get it, and as I get each thing, I check 139 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:25,560 Speaker 1: it off the list. I actually finished all of my 140 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 1: kids shopping over this big gifting weekend, and it felt 141 00:07:29,160 --> 00:07:34,080 Speaker 1: so so good. Now, some of those gifts started to 142 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 1: arrive already because you know two day shipping. So another 143 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 1: system I swear by is hiding the gifts because I 144 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:43,960 Speaker 1: don't have a ton of storage space where I'm at 145 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:45,680 Speaker 1: right now. I don't have a basement, I don't have 146 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:49,480 Speaker 1: a big empty closet, so and I've also got curious kids, 147 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 1: so I have started putting the gifts into the emptied 148 00:07:54,320 --> 00:07:57,560 Speaker 1: storage bins that typically store my holiday decorations, you know, 149 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:00,800 Speaker 1: the black ones with the yellow lids. I have got 150 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:05,040 Speaker 1: sneaky kids and not very much storage, so this is 151 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 1: a perfect solution for me. Finally, when it comes to 152 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:13,400 Speaker 1: wrapping those gifts, I really love this small business called 153 00:08:13,480 --> 00:08:18,160 Speaker 1: Mary Market. They sell wrapping kits, and a standard kit 154 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:21,960 Speaker 1: comes with three rolls of wrapping paper, three different spools 155 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:25,400 Speaker 1: of ribbon, and a bunch of beautiful tags. In my mind, 156 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:28,960 Speaker 1: I assign each kid a set wrapping paper, and that's 157 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:32,120 Speaker 1: how I know who is getting what, and that's how 158 00:08:32,120 --> 00:08:35,120 Speaker 1: I identify the gifts under the tree. But I love 159 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:39,640 Speaker 1: having like this simple wrapping system, and I'm convinced. I think, 160 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:41,560 Speaker 1: I don't know, it's like forty or fifty dollars for 161 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:44,520 Speaker 1: the kit, but if I were to go to Target 162 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:47,200 Speaker 1: and buy wrapping paper and ribbon, I would spend just 163 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:50,080 Speaker 1: as much. But I liked it. This literally comes in 164 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:54,760 Speaker 1: a dedicated system. So that those are three tips for 165 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:59,520 Speaker 1: systems that save me when it comes to gifting. And 166 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:01,640 Speaker 1: I really if you're not going to do anything. Just 167 00:09:01,679 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 1: make the list. Make the list first, and thin shop. 168 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:07,480 Speaker 1: I get so overwhelmed and I'm like, oh, I need 169 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:10,679 Speaker 1: something for this person, and I just start looking at everything. No, no, no, 170 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:13,320 Speaker 1: determine what it is. Even if it's a category. I 171 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 1: want to get this person's sweater. Then that just makes 172 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:20,320 Speaker 1: it so much easier. So there you have it. Okay, 173 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 1: let's talk about magic. Making of all of the things 174 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 1: that happen in December, what's most important to me is 175 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 1: the nostalgia and the tradition piece. Because that feels so 176 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:32,360 Speaker 1: important to me, it's worth putting a system in place 177 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:35,440 Speaker 1: to make sure it happens and I'm not constantly stressed 178 00:09:35,440 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 1: about the month that it's not happening. So using my 179 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:40,520 Speaker 1: same app, Google Keep, I have a note that it's 180 00:09:40,559 --> 00:09:44,199 Speaker 1: labeled Christmas Magic. And this doesn't necessarily have a year 181 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:47,000 Speaker 1: attached to it. It's just like an evergreen list. And 182 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:49,200 Speaker 1: on that list, I have written out all of our 183 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 1: family's traditions that we have ever done before, and it 184 00:09:52,559 --> 00:09:56,079 Speaker 1: includes traditions from my husband's childhood, it includes traditions from 185 00:09:56,080 --> 00:10:00,160 Speaker 1: my childhood, and the one that are non negotiables that 186 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:02,600 Speaker 1: I really want to do every single year. I put 187 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 1: at the top of the list. So it might be 188 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:07,679 Speaker 1: things like watching certain Christmas movies, or adopting a family 189 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:10,840 Speaker 1: at Christmas, or seeing the lights, or making a specific 190 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:13,720 Speaker 1: cookie recipe or like one for us as we always 191 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:16,440 Speaker 1: go to Mexican food in the month of December because 192 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:18,559 Speaker 1: that's something my husband did and it's kind of silly 193 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 1: and it doesn't mean much, but we gotta do it. 194 00:10:20,920 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 1: We gotta go to Mexican food every December. So then 195 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 1: I determine what I would feel really sad about if 196 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 1: we didn't do it, and then I take those and 197 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:33,640 Speaker 1: I physically put them into our family calendar. It's not 198 00:10:33,679 --> 00:10:36,120 Speaker 1: a guarantee that they're going to happen, but it helps 199 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:38,840 Speaker 1: to increase the likelihood that they will happen if I 200 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 1: actually put those activities in our family calendar. It's so 201 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:46,920 Speaker 1: easy to get overwhelmed in your brain, to fill up 202 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:49,560 Speaker 1: so quickly, and so if I just sit down at 203 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:51,160 Speaker 1: the beginning of the month and I put all of 204 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:55,440 Speaker 1: those things in, then I usually fare better. All right, Finally, 205 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:59,200 Speaker 1: let's talk about food in December. Having regular dinners is 206 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 1: always hardest to during the months that are extra busy. 207 00:11:01,559 --> 00:11:04,480 Speaker 1: We know this. Of course, as a result, I rely 208 00:11:04,600 --> 00:11:07,840 Speaker 1: on a lot of five ingredient recipes and shortcuts, like 209 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:13,680 Speaker 1: using my favorite jarredmyre and arasauce, pesto, rotisserie chicken, things 210 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:16,800 Speaker 1: like that. And I also find that in December, I 211 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:20,800 Speaker 1: this month in particular. We usually always are here through Christmas, 212 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:22,480 Speaker 1: and then we leave the last week to go beat 213 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:27,120 Speaker 1: with family, and so really it's only three solid weeks, 214 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:30,520 Speaker 1: so I almost am never spending the final week here 215 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:33,800 Speaker 1: in my home, and so I will plan meals for 216 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:36,839 Speaker 1: the entire month rather than just one week at a time. 217 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:39,720 Speaker 1: It's almost like there's so much to do that I 218 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:43,040 Speaker 1: just want to literally make all the decisions in sitting 219 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:47,320 Speaker 1: down at one point. So I'll still review my weekly 220 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:50,400 Speaker 1: calendar meal plan, but I like looking at the whole 221 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 1: month first. We also have a couple of classic dinners 222 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:55,520 Speaker 1: we always like to do in December, like our reindeer ribs. 223 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 1: I make this pork loin with cranberry barbecue sauce. We 224 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:00,720 Speaker 1: have an annual Red and Green Day where everything on 225 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:03,679 Speaker 1: the plate is red and green. It's easy to schedule 226 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:06,079 Speaker 1: those in when I'm thinking about it from a monthly standpoint, 227 00:12:06,160 --> 00:12:08,280 Speaker 1: rather than a weekly one, so I like to do that. 228 00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:11,920 Speaker 1: When it comes to parties and hosting, I swear by 229 00:12:11,960 --> 00:12:15,440 Speaker 1: having a signature appetizer, a signature cookie, and a signature 230 00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:18,360 Speaker 1: salad that I kind of have on standby and will 231 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:22,440 Speaker 1: plan to bring if I'm asked. So that is my 232 00:12:22,720 --> 00:12:26,520 Speaker 1: Italian sausage stuff mushrooms. That is the appetizer. I'm most 233 00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:32,199 Speaker 1: famous for my gingerbread cookies, which are my favorite flavors, 234 00:12:32,280 --> 00:12:35,360 Speaker 1: but without the hassle of rolling out actual gingerbread men. 235 00:12:36,160 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 1: And my maple glazed and kale butternut salad that's my 236 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:41,240 Speaker 1: go to for a salad if I'm asked to bring something. 237 00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 1: Remember that we also have a whole very nicely organized 238 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 1: section and recipe club dedicated to Christmas recipes, and I 239 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:54,360 Speaker 1: intentionally included enough that it gives you options, but not 240 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 1: too many that your brain's getting explode. So I think 241 00:12:57,600 --> 00:13:02,600 Speaker 1: there's twelve classic Christmas recipe in there. Remember, no ads, 242 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:05,560 Speaker 1: so simple, no longer blog posts, no drawn out stories. 243 00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:07,920 Speaker 1: It is just the recipes you need so that you 244 00:13:07,960 --> 00:13:12,040 Speaker 1: can make those classic Christmas recipes. All right, let's finish 245 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:14,160 Speaker 1: how we always finish with my weekly give me five. 246 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:16,840 Speaker 1: These are five things that made my life easier or 247 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:19,440 Speaker 1: more enjoyable this week. And we have got a bit 248 00:13:19,480 --> 00:13:25,640 Speaker 1: of a holiday twist, so let's start with We're going 249 00:13:25,679 --> 00:13:28,640 Speaker 1: to talk about gifting from our kitchen really quickly, because 250 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:31,480 Speaker 1: this is something I like to do it, but there 251 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 1: are years it does not happen. When I say gifting 252 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:37,320 Speaker 1: from my kitchen, I mean making something that we take 253 00:13:37,640 --> 00:13:41,680 Speaker 1: to neighbors, teachers, friends, things like that. My kids really 254 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:43,599 Speaker 1: want to do it this year, and I want to 255 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:45,800 Speaker 1: do it, but if I don't plan it, then it's 256 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:47,600 Speaker 1: not going to happen. So a couple of these things 257 00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:49,439 Speaker 1: are because we are going to do this this weekend. 258 00:13:49,679 --> 00:13:51,760 Speaker 1: So I've got everything ready to go. So we are 259 00:13:51,760 --> 00:13:55,320 Speaker 1: going to make my gingerbread cookies, those cookies I just referenced, 260 00:13:55,640 --> 00:13:59,680 Speaker 1: and to take all of the cookies, I found these 261 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:04,520 Speaker 1: real cute gingerbread bags at Target. They're cheap. They're brown 262 00:14:04,559 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 1: bags that are decorated to look like gingerbread houses. Now 263 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:11,920 Speaker 1: we could buy gingerbread, or we could buy plain brown 264 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:14,559 Speaker 1: paper bags and do this ourselves, but they were, like, 265 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:18,199 Speaker 1: I don't know, fifty cents each and they're so cute. 266 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:21,520 Speaker 1: So I got those bags and those are definitely something 267 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: that made my life easier this week. I have, don't 268 00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:25,680 Speaker 1: worry about that. I got some cute red and white 269 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:28,120 Speaker 1: striped tissue paper and that's what we're gonna put the 270 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:31,480 Speaker 1: cookies in. I like that. It's a gingerbread themed bag 271 00:14:31,520 --> 00:14:35,240 Speaker 1: with gingerbread cookies inside. Will include our family holiday card 272 00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 1: and it'll be great, okay next because we're going to 273 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:44,440 Speaker 1: make a ton of cookies. This product has been on 274 00:14:44,440 --> 00:14:46,720 Speaker 1: this Gimme five list at least three times this year, 275 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:48,360 Speaker 1: and I'm sorry I had to put it on again 276 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:51,880 Speaker 1: because it's just that helpful. And is the extra large 277 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:54,720 Speaker 1: baking sheets from norder Quare. It's called the Big Sheet, 278 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:59,440 Speaker 1: and it is it basically will It fits in a 279 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:03,520 Speaker 1: standard but you can fit a third more cookies on it, 280 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:07,080 Speaker 1: so you can make more cookies at the same time. 281 00:15:08,080 --> 00:15:09,960 Speaker 1: But I don't just use it for cookies. I use 282 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:11,720 Speaker 1: it for all of my sheet pan dinners now, and 283 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:13,400 Speaker 1: you guys know that I'm a huge fan. I'm a 284 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:15,560 Speaker 1: sheet pan dinner. But what I like about it it 285 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:21,040 Speaker 1: has more space, so I get things crispier. I can 286 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:24,040 Speaker 1: feed my family a five a little more easy with 287 00:15:24,120 --> 00:15:27,000 Speaker 1: one sheet pan rather than two sheet pans, so it's 288 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:32,040 Speaker 1: a must. I love it so much. It's as of recording. 289 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:34,520 Speaker 1: It's on a really good sale on Target, so I 290 00:15:34,720 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 1: am going to get two more. But anyways, so great 291 00:15:37,400 --> 00:15:41,040 Speaker 1: love those extra large baking sheets. Okay I mentioned this earlier, 292 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:44,480 Speaker 1: but the Merrymarket wrapping kit. If you are looking to 293 00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:49,240 Speaker 1: simplify your gift giving or your gift wrapping this holiday season, 294 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:51,680 Speaker 1: take a look at those wrapping kits. I think they've 295 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:53,920 Speaker 1: got three or four. There's like a Santa one, there's 296 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 1: a Gingerbread one. They are so cute and it is 297 00:15:57,280 --> 00:15:59,280 Speaker 1: just it just shows up as a little system, which 298 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:02,160 Speaker 1: I just love it. I love it so much. And 299 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:05,920 Speaker 1: then I've also got on here a peppermint lip mask. 300 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:09,920 Speaker 1: So a couple of years ago this brand Linage La 301 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:13,920 Speaker 1: n E I g E. I believe it's outspelled like 302 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 1: I felt like I saw it everywhere. They became famous 303 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:18,360 Speaker 1: for a lip mask, and it's something that you put 304 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 1: on your lips before you go to bed. Now you 305 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:22,280 Speaker 1: could put it on during the day, but I always 306 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:24,360 Speaker 1: understood the lip mask is something you did while you 307 00:16:24,440 --> 00:16:28,160 Speaker 1: were sleeping. And they have the cutest it's red whites 308 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:31,720 Speaker 1: World peppermint lip mask and it is the perfect amount 309 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:33,960 Speaker 1: of peppermint that just kind of tingles on your lips 310 00:16:33,960 --> 00:16:36,840 Speaker 1: but not too much. Oh my gosh, I'm loving it 311 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:40,160 Speaker 1: so much. It is perfect for holiday, like great for 312 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:44,000 Speaker 1: a favorite things. It's so great I'm going to put 313 00:16:44,040 --> 00:16:47,920 Speaker 1: in people's stockings. I love it. Peppermint lip Mask by Linage. 314 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:51,560 Speaker 1: Can't recommend it enough. And then finally, one of the 315 00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:54,120 Speaker 1: traditions we have as a family is we always get 316 00:16:54,160 --> 00:16:57,480 Speaker 1: a new game, a new family game, every holiday season, 317 00:16:57,960 --> 00:17:00,880 Speaker 1: and typically we're doing it the minute and we play 318 00:17:00,920 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaker 1: it on Christmas Eve. But this year I thought ahead 319 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:06,680 Speaker 1: and I got a holiday themed game, and I wanted 320 00:17:06,680 --> 00:17:07,879 Speaker 1: to get it early so we could play it at 321 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:10,119 Speaker 1: least a few times throughout the month. And so it 322 00:17:10,160 --> 00:17:13,520 Speaker 1: is called Santo Cookie Elf and it is from the 323 00:17:13,600 --> 00:17:18,560 Speaker 1: same people who make the game that's Taco Cat, Goat 324 00:17:18,600 --> 00:17:22,760 Speaker 1: Cheese Pizza. You guys would recognize the box so many reviews. 325 00:17:22,800 --> 00:17:25,639 Speaker 1: There's like fifty thousand plush reviews of this game online 326 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:28,840 Speaker 1: and it's a really fun card game. It can be 327 00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 1: played by everyone in the family. And this is the 328 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:34,400 Speaker 1: first time I'm seeing this holiday version. So I stagged 329 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:36,320 Speaker 1: that and I'm excited to pull it out this weekend 330 00:17:36,320 --> 00:17:38,959 Speaker 1: for my family to play, and we'll play it throughout 331 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:41,639 Speaker 1: the holiday month and then I'll just pack it with 332 00:17:41,800 --> 00:17:45,679 Speaker 1: our holiday decorations and it'll be something we can pull 333 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:48,479 Speaker 1: out every year. So there you have it, Five things 334 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:52,600 Speaker 1: in my life easier, more festive this year. I really 335 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:55,600 Speaker 1: appreciate you guys listening today. Make sure you're subscribed to 336 00:17:55,640 --> 00:17:57,919 Speaker 1: the podcast so that you never miss an episode. Remember 337 00:17:57,960 --> 00:17:59,919 Speaker 1: I created this entire podcast so that you could have 338 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: a quick twenty minute listen while you map out your 339 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:04,560 Speaker 1: own meals for the week. Listening to a podcast while 340 00:18:04,560 --> 00:18:06,720 Speaker 1: a meal plan has been part of my own simple 341 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:09,119 Speaker 1: dinner system for as long as I can remember, so 342 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:10,960 Speaker 1: I try and put out a perfect fit for that 343 00:18:11,119 --> 00:18:13,360 Speaker 1: each week. Thank you so much for listening today. I'm 344 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:15,720 Speaker 1: so glad you're here. Until next time with happy cooking, 345 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:19,280 Speaker 1: happy holidays. I'm Kelsey. I'm forward chatting with you all 346 00:18:19,560 --> 00:18:21,960 Speaker 1: next week.