Sunday Morning Coffee Chat ☕ | Real Talk on Meal Prep, Feeding Teens, and Trying New Flavors

Let’s talk meals, meal prep, and the everyday juggling act of feeding our families. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just trying to survive another week of dinner planning, this one’s for you.

Last week, I asked:

👉 What two meals did you make and love?

It’s such a small question, but the answers are gold. When you share in the comments, it sparks inspiration for the rest of us stuck in that dreaded “what’s for dinner” loop. So, let me kick things off by sharing what’s on my menu this week!

🍽 What’s on My Menu This Week

Here’s a peek at my family’s dinner plan:

• Slow Cooker Ribs – Ribs were on sale, so I tossed them in the slow cooker with sauce and plan to broil them tomorrow for that sticky, caramelized finish. My son LOVES ribs, so this one’s a win!

• Salmon Burgers – Thursday is going to be a scorcher here in Nova Scotia, so I’m saving this lighter meal for then. Simple to prep—just mix salmon, seasoning, mashed potatoes and serve with salad or veggie dip.

• Chicken Drumsticks – Pulled these out of the freezer. I’ll coat them in seasoning and roast them up. Crispy, juicy, and budget-friendly.

• Cheeseburger Pasta – This one’s pure comfort. Perfect for early in the week when it’s not too hot. A favorite for everyone.

• Friday? Leftovers or Boxed Pizza. Let’s keep it real. Boxed pizza is quick and easy, and my youngest actually prefers it. I’ll throw a salad on the side and call it balanced.

🍳 What’s for Breakfast? Freezer Staples That Save the Day

While sipping my coffee this morning, I was thinking about breakfast. Do you prep yours ahead?

Having breakfast options in my freezer has been a game-changer. Here’s what I keep stocked:

• 🥞 Frozen homemade protein pancakes

• 🍳 Salmon egg cups

• 🥓 Homemade sausage patties

• 🧁 Muffins

• 🥚 Ham and egg rolls

Add to that a couple of days with steel cut oats (until the weather gets too hot) and some fresh-made eggs with greens and mushrooms—topped with pumpkin seeds and nutritional yeast for that nutty, cheesy punch. Plus a little fruit to satisfy my sweet tooth and keep me full.

Oh—and boiled eggs. Always. Every Sunday I boil at least six. They’re cheap, protein-packed, and make for easy grab-and-go fuel.

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👩‍🍳 Culinary Adventures: My New Flavor Journey

This week, I found myself inspired to start something new—a culinary journey around the world.

It all started with Chef Deema and her Middle Eastern spice blends from A Spice Affair. These are authentic blends passed down from her mother, and they’re like a passport for your taste buds. I’m diving in .

I just got a new order and cannot wait to use these 

• 🥙 Shawarma

• 🍛 Butter Chicken

• 🌯 Chili Lime Wraps

• 🧆 Montreal Burger & Maple Grillhouse

• 🧅 Caramelized Onion seasoning

I’m excited to experiment with dishes from Indian, Mediterranean, Asian, and more. The spice blends go a long way (4–8 meals per pack!), and I’ll be sharing every step with you.

Thinking of turning this into a mini cooking class—would you be interested?

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🧑‍🍳 Cooking for Teens: The Real Story

Feeding teenagers isn’t for the faint of heart. Let me tell you—my youngest is 17 and, well… picky is an understatement.

He’ll eat broccoli soup and quiche one day, and turn his nose up at rhubarb the next. But hey, I’m not here to stress. I make the food, and if he doesn’t want it, he knows how to use the toaster.

My oldest son, though, is a full-blown foodie. He raved about my chili lime taco wraps, begged for them again, and said my Smashburger sauce was “Gordon Ramsay level.” Now that is the kind of praise that keeps a mama cooking.

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🥗 Quick 15-Minute Meals (Because Life Happens)

Let’s talk about those chaotic nights—sports, beach runs, late work days. If you’ve only got 15 minutes, here are my go-to meal prep lifesavers:

Must-Haves for the Fridge:

• 🥗 Bagged salad

• 🥕 Veggie trays & homemade dips

• 🐓 Rotisserie chicken

• 🥔 Potato or macaroni salad

• 🥚 A carton of eggs

• 🍝 Dry pasta & sauce

• 🧊 Frozen chicken strips or burgers

Easy 15-Minute Ideas:

• Chicken wraps using leftover chicken or frozen strips

• Eggs any style (omelets, Westerns, poached)

• Pasta with jarred or homemade sauce

• Loaded baked potatoes in the microwave

• Nachos with pre-cooked meat and cheese

• Smoothie bowls with hidden fruits & veggies

Bonus: Make something once, eat it twice. Roast a big chicken one night, then use leftovers for wraps, soup, or salad the next day.

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👩‍👧 Picky Eaters? Try These Tips

I’ve been there. Here’s what worked for me:

• Serve veggies raw with dip—especially when they’re “starving.”

• Separate the veggies from meals like shepherd’s pie or meatloaf. It avoids complaints and still gets the good stuff in.

• Sneak veggies into smoothies or muffins. Rhubarb in a smoothie? They’ll never know.

• Don’t stress over refusals. Keep healthy options available, and they’ll come around.

Thanks for joining me for our Sunday Morning Coffee Chat on meal prep and family meals. Let’s keep sharing, inspiring, and most of all—feeding our families with love.

Until next time,

Kelly ❤️