We are still in the heart of summer…yet I’m getting excited for fall. I’m totally not over the beach, the pool, cookouts or hot days, BUT I can’t help but get excited for my very favorite time of year: pumpkin season. Summer is lazy, but fall feels charged to me. Like the air is packed with anticipation. I’m not wishing away these last days – please let summer drag on (and we’ve had amazing weather this year!) – but fall, I’m just letting you know I’m thinking about you <3
First up on the menu: scrambled eggs, cherries and cinnamon toast!
Smoothie in a bowl topped with GH Blueberry Lemon Buckwheat granola. This smoothie was packed with summery fruit and is the only way to get Mazen to eat berries. He turns his nose up at all of them!
Next I had a frozen waffle (I’m still debating buying a real waffle maker – convince me!) with eggs and peach.
This breakfast was interesting – leftover quinoa and millet mixed with yogurt, mashed banana and sunflower butter. Mazen hated it, and I didn’t think it was all that great. Oats > quinoa.
But this breakfast was! Eggs, toast, fruit, drippy sunbutter, coffee.
First up: leftover soup! Topped with yogurt and served with a cranberry spritzer. Soup for lunch is the best because there is no prep or cleanup!
Matt brought home a loaf of Cheddar Garlic, which made an unbelievably delicious salad topper along with hot smoked salmon and garden tomatoes!
I had a friend over for lunch and we hard-boiled some eggs, toasted up some cinnamon swirl bread and used up leftover grilled veggies on our salads.
Lunch has become the best time to have play dates these days because M is still taking epic afternoon naps. Most days he sleeps until 4:30 or 5, so our time to go out afterwards is shortened to just a playground trip or yard playing. He doesn’t go down until about 2 though, so 11-2 is a great time to hang out. Thus, we had several friends over for lunch this week.
I used up some leftover Cook Smarts tofu in this giant salad along with leftover grilled eggplant, corn, tomatoes, spiced pecans and greens. I made a homemade dressing some of the Oliviers & Co. products – I think that was the secret!
We all agreed it was one of the best salads of the summer!
Lastly, here are more Cook Smarts leftovers – chicken kebobs tucked into pitas with orzo and yogurt. Easy peasy.
We made two Cook Smarts meals this week, and this one was so good! Balsamic Chicken Kebobs over orzo salad with arugula and a lemony dressing. Loved it! Mazen loved the grilled red peppers but wouldn’t eat the orzo. Go figure!
Matt and I have been on a calzone kick. He used his homemade pizza dough recipe and stuffed cheese, pepperoni and a few veggies inside. Simple salad on the side. Bursting with cheese, this was so good.
The next night we made Cook Smarts BBQ Tofu Sandwiches
BBQ marinated tofu with pickled cucumbers on GH buns with corn on the cob.
This soup was the result of me cleaning out the fridge. I combined lentils, chicken broth, potatoes from the market, carrots, celery, okra, peppers, eggplant and more into and pot and let it simmer for 30 minutes. The result was something a little more appropriate for January, but it tasted great! Especially topped with cheese and yogurt.
Lastly, we had this easy dinner because Matt had been at the market late and had snacked, and I was on my way to an evening meeting where there was more food!
No Bull Burgers with cheese and salads. Mazen actually liked the No Bull Burgers for the first time in about 9 months! I REALLY hope I can get him to eat them more often!
That’s all I got friends!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
I am super jealous of the those cherries you featured! I can’t believe I’ve gone the whole summer without having fresh cherries! Craziness! Those BBQ tofu sandwiches look delicious as well!
Eva says
buy a real waffle maker!!!!!!!! make delicious fresh waffles any time!
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out says
I need to get some No Bull Burgers- yours always look amazing!!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
I had to laugh on convincing you to buy a waffle maker. I got all gung ho on one when I saw some TV chef do a massive waffle week and they made EVERYTHING into waffles. So I bought one and I like to fancy myself a decent cook but I ended up throwing that dang thing out 6 months later. Almost nothing I made in it turned out, always oozed over the side no matter how little I used (and this was a top of the line maker too). I know it was probably user error but my patience had no time for that foolishness! LOL I’m sure your experience would be much different.
Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner says
I honestly don’t use my waffle maker that much, but it’s fun when I know I have to do a group breakfast. I make lots in advance and freeze them, them pop them in the toaster and keep them warm in the oven for a tasty brunch. Served with strawberry sauce and maple syrup…everybody loves waffles!
Marcy says
If you find a decent waffle maker on sale (we got a cuisinart for $20 a few years back) it will pay for itself! I make big batches of waffles and freeze them and my little bug loves having a 1/4 for a snack or “helping” me make them (aka getting them out of ziplock and dropping them into the toaster) for quick breakfasts.
jen says
Ditto this, plus my 3 and 1 year olds both love to chow on frozen waffle stick straight from the freezer when their teeth are bugging them. Waffles for the win!
K says
Yup, frozen waffle segments are a go to snack for the toddler that lives at my place!
Hannah @ sprints & scones says
When I was at the store this week, I thought about getting the stuff for soup! I felt too off doing it in august, but your bowl is making me regret that. It looks so yummy!!
Becky says
Get a waffle maker! I’ll share my chocolate waffle recipe with you,. which is a huge hit among the girl gang here.
Rachel says
we love our waffle maker 🙂 we make a big batch on Saturday or Sunday morning, and stick them in the freezer for quick breakfasts during the week!
Tonya says
Aww look at the babies!
and the chicken kabobs! 😉
Shel@PeachyPalate says
The kabobs look incredible! Pepper and tomatoes with the chicken? Definitely need to recreate! Yum! Scrambled eggs…possibly the best thing ever. I think they would have to be part of my “last meal ever” 🙂
Krystal says
Not a fan of these posts. If people really need to know what you eat, then it would be more helpful (and interesting!) if you explained WHY you assembled each meal…the health components, etc. I’m still a huge KERF fan though!! Been reading since the beginning and I learned SO much from you back in the day about eating real food and a healthy lifestyle.
Megan says
Have to chime in here – I love these posts! I always get a bunch of great meal ideas. To each her own! 🙂
Soliya says
I agree…especially when there are only 5 posts a week and one of them is this type of post , sponsored posts, guest posts, which Both I dislike as well. I have been a long time reader and definitively like the lifestyle, day in the life, healthy living type of posts. As the above reader said I am still a huge fan but am saddened that I’m frequently closing my browser 30 seconds after I check kerf. Thanks for listening kath!
Kay says
Agreed… I love the variety of posts compared to a few years ago, but I really, really miss all of the recipe posts that used to be so abundant on here. I typically skip these “lately” posts all together, but wanted to comment requesting more KERF original recipes!
Debbie says
I have a waffle maker, and I thought that it was going to change my life! We do use it, and my kids love the waffles (I make the 100 Days of Real Food recipe), but it is very time consuming (at least the model I have). I have frozen Vans and Wegmans organic mini waffles on hand for quick morning breakfasts. Usually use the waffle maker on the weekends 🙂
Julia says
I love my waffle maker. Pour corn bread mix in and serve chili on top of them, yum!!!
Christine says
What a great idea, yum!
Heather says
What kind of frozen waffles do you buy? I love that your waffle looks so big and fluffy! I buy earth’s best for my daughters, they taste good…but are small and flat. They’d love a big giant waffle like the one in your picture!
🙂
KathEats says
Julians brand
Kimberly says
Wegmann’s store brand are really good too (if you have one near by).
Megan @ Piece of Kake says
yum! Lot’s of delish salads!
Nicole says
We love our waffle maker, but If you don’t like “prep or cleanup”, I would advise against it and stick to the frozen kind!
blueberry says
Funny what kids like and don’t like. Looks as if Mazen likes melon even if he doesn’t care for berries. (Username does not take offense.)
Are you still taking Mazen to the gym in the mornings? I miss hearing of your workout schedule. It always inspires me to do more.
KathEats says
Username doesn’t take offense…hahahah!
Yes gym going most mornings for a bit! Shaking things up when preschool starts on t/th
Christine says
I wouldn’t waste the money or space on a waffle maker. Unless it’s an appliance that has multiple purposes it doesn’t get used enough to justify the storage space. Plus it’s messy and a pain to clean. And most important… you have an excuse to go out to brunch for waffles!
Lauren Paradis says
I love these posts! Buy a waffle maker if you are going to buy waffles anyway! I love the idea of making a big batch of homemade waffles and then freezing them! Very cool!
Leah (goodnight cheese) says
I don’t think waffle makers are worth it… for most people they become another one-use small appliance that never gets used.
Would love to see a day in the life of eating for Mazen! You mention a lot about stuff he doesn’t or won’t eat, but not very much about what he enjoys.
Tonya says
ha! this would be cute! but people probably wouldn’t be happy seeing a post about a handful of half eaten cheerios, a spit out berry, toast, toast, and more toast. (Not a comment on Mazen just a joke about toddler’s picky tendencies) And readers would definitely say “this is a BERF topic!”
Megan says
My two cents . . . a waffle iron doesn’t seem like it would be a good fit for you. I tend to group waffles and pancakes in the same breakfast category, and you seem to make great pancakes with your GH mix and a waffle iron isn’t as convenient as it seems. My waffle iron has gone untouched for months and I’m much more inclined to make pancakes from scratch. And I still eat frozen waffles!
Hannah @ eat, drink, and save money says
I’ve been debating a waffle maker too! I say, if you have the storage space, get it! That is the only thing holding me back. We have zero storage space and I have no clue where I would keep it.
Pat says
I use our waffle maker sporatically, but when I do, I make a lot and freeze them for later quick meals. I like that I can make different fresher recipes. They do take a bit of clean-up.
I like these posts with a round-up of your meals. They give me ideas for getting out of my meal rut. And your plates look so pretty. 🙂
jen says
You’ve probably answered this before, but I’m wondering what you do when M hates the offered meal (a la the quinoa breakfast)? My 3 yr old is starting to do this more often and I’ve always just gone the “sorry, that’s what we’re having” route, but she’s thin and I feel badly doing that too often. I try to make things I think she’ll like at least some part of, but she’s become very randomly finicky. So I’m trolling for inspiration. What do you do?
KathEats says
Copying my other response : )
It sort of depends on what it is. If it’s something I know he likes then I’m a little harder on him. He’s now to the age where he gets when I tell him “this is what’s for dinner.” I’m trying to avoid having him turn his nose up at something and coming with a preferred fallback food every time. But if I give him something new to try and he really doesn’t want to taste it, I don’t force it and usually have something else I can heat up. We always have leftovers around for this reasons. It’s why I think feeding a baby is the most stressful part of motherhood!
Casey @ Casey the College Celiac says
Your food posts always make me DROOL! How come everyone else’s food always looks better than our own? Funny how life (and our jealous tastebuds) work that way! Looks delish as always! Waffle irons…I’m eh. I have one and used it once. The waffles tasted great but it ended up being more of a waffle scramble and it was a pain in the booty to clean! I’m def a pancake girl! 😀
Katie says
I would def. get a waffle maker! I was on the fence about it too but I finally got one! So much easier than pancakes 🙂 Also I’ve tried the millet/quinoa combo for breakfast.. not a fan either. OATS for the WIN!
Bhavya says
I would really love to see a video of how you make your scrambled eggs. Mine always turns out to be pieces if I try to experiment. There is some trick which u follow..:) Please share.
Catherine says
I was wondering what you do when Mazen ends up not being a fan of what’s been made for a meal, like when you said in the past that he normally doesn’t prefer the no bull burgers. Do you make him something else that you know he’ll eat? Do you let him just eat the sides, etc.? I only ask because it’s something that my friends and I struggle with with our own kids. Thanks! And love your blog!
KathEats says
It sort of depends on what it is. If it’s something I know he likes then I’m a little harder on him. He’s now to the age where he gets when I tell him “this is what’s for dinner.” I’m trying to avoid having him turn his nose up at something and coming with a preferred fallback food every time. But if I give him something new to try and he really doesn’t want to taste it, I don’t force it and usually have something else I can heat up. We always have leftovers around for this reasons. It’s why I think feeding a baby is the most stressful part of motherhood!
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
Ooooh I love waffles but haven’t taken the plunge and gotten a waffle maker. I’m sure it would be DELICIOUS but honestly, I hate buying one-specific-use items! how many times am I really going to need to make waffles? ha
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
The Cook Smarts meals look incredible! Especially the orzo one.
We have a waffle maker from Waring and it is awesome! It makes the big, round Belgian waffles (so half of those big waffles is usually enough!), and it’s nonstick and easy to clean. I highly recommend it!
Alex @ True Femme says
Go for the waffle maker!! My sister got one when she was in college and I was so happy when she brought it home and made waffles for us 🙂 Also, you should check out the book Waffles: Sweet & Savory Recipes for Every Meal by Tara Duggan. The cover makes my mouth water!
Karen says
So apparently I’m not the only one waiting for the calendar to turn to September! And I’m even a teacher!! However, September also signifies when I can “legally” start my pumpkin obsession…pumpkin bread, pumpkin oats, pumpkin lattes! Funny…last fall my goal was to like pumpkin, and now I can’t imagine fall without it! I continue to enjoy your blog, Kath! Thank you for sharing your life and your positive relationship with food.
Kelly says
Two words, Pumpkin Waffles. You could make them if you buy a waffle maker. Plus nothing beats homemade waffles. I own a Cuisinart and it works great.
Jenny says
Get the waffle maker! I love ours. Did you know you can make eggs in a waffle iron? We add veggies and bacon crumbles. Portable protein for the win!
Liz says
Random mom question: when Mazen sleeps that late in the afternoon, does he have trouble going to bed at night? And what time is he getting up in the morning? I’ve got an early bird, so most days she’s up around 6:30am, then takes a three hour nap from 11:30am-2:30pm, then bed at 7pm. I’m grateful for the long nap and nighttime sleep, but I miss being able to get together with friends around lunchtime!
KathEats says
Surprisingly he goes down ok. Usually 3 hours after wake up time, so if he sleeps till 5:30 we can count on an 8:30 bedtime. He gets up about 7/730 AM and naps around 2, sometimes as late as 3 and sometimes with bedtime as late as 9. It sucks because we’ve lost our evenings, but it’s great because his naps are awesome and we can take him out socially and he can easily stay up later.
Cheryl says
We eat all varieties of soup all through the summer
michelle says
I love these posts! What do you guys snack on during the day? I’m in a snack rut with my toddler!
KathEats says
I’m not much of a snacker, but I’ve been making some homemade bars. Just developed some cheerios balls with coconut butter and made Anne’s Fannetastic Apple Oat Bars, which are delicious. Popsicles made with yogurt + fruit blends and lots of watermelon.
Nicole says
Do you have a recipe for the apple oat bars or where I can find them? I tried checking on google but didn’t find it there. Thanks!!
KathEats says
Here they are! http://www.fannetasticfood.com/recipes/baked-apple-cinnamon-oat-bars/
Michelle says
Would love the cheerio ball recipe! And good for you not being a snacker! My total downfall!
KathEats says
Recipe coming in a post in the future!
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
Hi Michelle! I happened to notice your comment because I just posted mine below yours…you might get some ideas from my Blog bitesforbabies.com 😉
Kori says
I’m in the same boat as you. Autumn is my absolute favorite season, but you never know if awful winter will take over too quickly, making autumn short-lived. I love summer too, so I’m trying to soak it up before the air turns crisp and leaves begin to change. But I’m so excited to fall fashion, food, and pumpkin everything. 😉
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
I love how you are so blunt about how Mazen hated that breakfast quinoa, lol! I’ve been done there and done that many a times, lol! I have to say (even though I don’t eat meat) that those kebabs look amazing!
Jeri says
I have a waffle iron and love it. I don’t use it as much as when my kids were a little younger. However, when I do make them on the weekend, the ones that are leftover get put in a freezer bag so that anyone can get up and make breakfast before college or work. Really trying to cut out processed foods, but have fallen off that wagon. But pancakes and waffles make it easier.
Kimberly says
Buy a waffle maker! My husband gave me one for Christmas about 6 years ago and waffles have become a weekend ritual ever since. On Saturday mornings I make a double batch of mix (using white whole wheat flour, coconut oil, butter, succanat, vanilla extract…) and keep it in the fridge for use on Sunday and Monday morning as well. After apple picking last week, I added fresh apple cider in the place of buttermilk/milk. In the fall, you can add pumpkin and spices. A basic recipe is so versatile! Hope this helps to convince you!
Lindsay says
Oh man, your food has me inspired for the week ahead! With my hubby deployed, I’ve been making more “take out” runs then I would like to admit, but at least they are usually to the Whole Foods hot/cold bar! I am trying to re-invest myself in cooking in the month ahead! I say go for the waffle maker, we really love ours, and I enjoy making a bunch to freeze and have for breakfast topped with almond butter, yogurt and fruit!