Officially Back to School, A Menu
featuring Focaccia, Pesto & White Bean Pasta Salad, Balsamic Steak Salad, and more
Rejoice!
The time for structure, cooler weather, and pumpkin spice is just around the corner.
Something I’ve come to learn about myself is that I am a creature of the spring and fall—seasons I like to deem as “transition seasons”.
Whether it’s returning to school, slowing down from the busy travel season, or reorganizing/decluttering/cleaning, it’s a time where we all seem to get back on track collectively.
And what’s not to love about that?
That said, this week, and those to come, are dedicated to precisely that: returning to your regularly scheduled routine.
Access to hundreds of individual recipes (sauces, marinades, breads, grains, meats, etc.) and 70+ weekly dinner menus can be found below:
This week’s back-to-school menu is sponsored by Thrive Market—my go-to source for some of my favorite snacks & pantry staples (including Bob’s Red Mill, Maldon Sea Salt Flakes (i.e., Flaky Salt), GoMacro, Chomps, and more).
In the past few years, I’ve used Thrive Market as a resource to access some specialty ingredients and products that are a bit harder to find in traditional grocery stores, especially when living in certain regions with limited access. Looking for that specialty protein bar that you like to snack on? Check Thrive Market. How about that one protein-rich pasta that you’d like to try, but can’t find anywhere? Have you tried Thrive Market?
Not only does Thrive Market carry a vast selection of products and ingredients, but they utilize the power of direct buying to deliver quality products to Thrive Members at a lower cost (I love a steal!).
If you’re not a Thrive Member yet, you can use the following link for 30% off your first order (plus a free gift!).
Now, in honor of the back-to-school season, this week’s menu includes a few dishes that can be utilized for school lunches as well (e.g., a Basil & Cannellini Bean Pasta Salad & Focaccia).
However, since I know school lunches (and breakfast) are comprised of much more than a leftover pasta salad and focaccia, I’m including some of my favorite snacks from Thrive (which I’ve recently purchased myself).
My Tried & True Snacks / Lunch Additions
Chomps — I love the Chomplings because they’re mini
Annie’s Berry Patch Fruit Snacks — a favorite of mine growing up
Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers — great for serving with Boursin…
Ithaca Hummus — created by a former restaurant industry worker/sous chef, btw!
GoMacro Bars — I consume these on an almost daily basis, when I’m looking for something quick to snack on, especially when I’m on the go
Plantain Chips — my nutritionist MIL recommended these & I love them
Purely Elizabeth Granola — great for breakfast, especially when added to yogurt
Frozen Waffles — ah, yes, my unexpected guilty pleasure, frozen waffles
