Roundup: Sandwich for a group, FREE gym pass, facial care and camps + Updates on federal student loan changes and rates

Hello! Apologies that my one-week break turned into a three-week break! When I came home from my trip, I got Covid and it knocked me for a loop for a while. But I'm finally feeling close to normal and able to do all my usual things ... including applying for jobs and looking for a dog to rescue. My nest will start emptying in less than two months, and I start to cry if I think about it too much. Rachel Macy Stafford's honesty about her trepidation about her own empty nest has been a huge comfort, and I definitely need to find something to distract me since another home reno is not an option. 😂😂 I hope you have a great week!

Here's a great sandwich to make for a group - I have subbed chiffonaded spinach for the lettuce and it's been delicious. 

Students aged 14-19 can get a FREE High School Summer Pass at Planet Fitness. 

Consulting firm McKinsey has a list of skills citizens will need in the future world of work.

Joe Messinger has an update on the proposed changes to federal student aid.

Slickdeals has details on how to get two FREE L'Oreal facial care at CVS.

Money Saving Mom has details on FREE Apple Store camps this summer.

The College Financial Lady reports on the new federal student loan interest rates. I particularly appreciate her explanation for why it almost always makes the most sense for students to borrow the direct loans available to them each year before any other loans.

WEEKLY MENU PLAN - June 23, 2025

After a few weeks of winging it, depending on how I was feeling, I'm excited to get back to planning out my menus. But I'm going to stick to mostly tried-and-true recipes to make things easy on myself as I get back into the swing of things.

Monday - Breakfast (Sausage, Eggs, Pancakes)

Tuesday - Chirashizushi with salmon

Wednesday - Chilaquiles Brunch Casserole

Thursday - Ramen* with Ajitsuke Tamago

Friday - Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Ragu

Saturday - Baked Sushi

Sunday - Charcuterie Board

(For locals: To access NYT recipes through the library, go here.)

Please let me know if there's something you'd like to see in the roundup. And don't forget to sign up for my monthly periodic email newsletter! 

Weekly Roundup: FREE Meat from ButcherBox + No Menu Plan

I'm headed out of town for the longest trip I've taken alone since before my kids were born, so I have no menu plan for this week, and there won't be a post next week. I'll be back in two weeks, which somehow will be June. 😱 Be well! (I've marked affiliate/referral links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

New ButcherBox members get a FREE box ($169 value) when you use my referral code* plus FREE ground beef for life. I've been a ButcherBox member since the beginning of the pandemic, and even though I go to the grocery store all the time, I still get regular deliveries because the prices are reasonable and the meat is high quality.

Dan Pink shared about the Pottery Class Paradox.

A professional organizer's advice for efficiently stocking a side-by-side fridge.

My favorite chocolate maker is trying to navigate the tariffs.

As a college counselor, I'm obviously a huge proponent of going to college. But it's not for everyone, so here's some advice on how to get paid to learn a trade.

Joe Messinger reports on proposed massive changes to federal student financial aid.

For those (with students) who are thinking of transferring colleges, here's a guide.

Please let me know if there's something you'd like to see in the roundup. And don't forget to sign up for my monthly periodic email newsletter! 

Weekly Roundup: Colleges still accepting applications, Grace Burrowes & her latest book + Avoiding decision fatigue

There's less than a month until my son graduates from high school and I no longer have "school-age children." The time has truly flown by, although as Gretchen Rubin says, The days are long but the years are short. I hope you have a great week! (I've marked affiliate/referral links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

Do you know a student who wants to go to college next year but didn't apply during the fall/winter or is unsatisfied with their current options? NACAC (the National Association for College Admission Counseling) has a list of schools that are still taking applications.

Grace Burrowes, one of my favorite authors, wrote about hearing loss and its impact on mental acuity.

And speaking of Grace Burrowes, her latest Lord Julian book* is now available (in print at least) and since it's my current favorite series, I'm super excited.

WEEKLY MENU PLAN - May 12, 2025

I realized this past week that one thing my menu plan saves me from is decision fatigue. I can change my mind and often do, but somehow knowing that there's already a plan prevents that heavy feeling of "ugh, what's for dinner?"

Monday - Spinach Artichoke Dip (didn't get to this last week)

Tuesday - Maple and Miso Sheet-Pan Salmon with Green Beans

Wednesday - Roast Chicken (also didn't get to this last week)

Thursday - Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake (I'll double this recipe and stick a pan in the freezer)

Friday - Turkey Ricotta Meatballs

Saturday - Enfrijoladas

Sunday - Slow Cooked Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta 

(For locals: To access NYT recipes through the library, go here.)

Please let me know if there's something you'd like to see in the roundup. And don't forget to sign up for my monthly periodic email newsletter! 

Weekly Roundup: Happy Mother's Day! + Paying for College & This Week's Menu Plan

Apologies for disappearing for two weeks! I was running late with a post and then I rushed out of town to handle a family emergency (everything is fine now). I ended up being out of town every weekend in April, which is kind of crazy because I haven't been much of a traveler since I was much younger. But my younger son has committed to a college in the Pacific Northwest, so there will be more travel in my future. 😊 And I'm getting ready to work with another group of students on their college applications! 

Sunday is Mother's Day, so Happy Mother's Day to all the moms! 💐 But I know this can be a hard day, if not always, then some years. So if that's you this year, please know that you are not alone.

(I've marked affiliate/referral links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

Different factors and strategies to consider if you're trying to figure out how you'll pay for college this fall.

Do you have misconceptions about liberal arts colleges? (Full disclosure: I'm a huge fan of them.)

Lemon Elderflower Cordial Slices are one of those things I'm glad exist but that I won't make.

Maybe I'll make a cheesecake board for Mother's Day.

WEEKLY MENU PLAN - May 5, 2025

Monday - Ramen*

Tuesday - Salmon Chirashizushi

Wednesday - Roast Chicken (I use my air fryer* for this so it's super easy)

Thursday - Salmon Takikomi Gohan

Friday - Spinach Artichoke Dip

Saturday - Baked Beef Tacos

Sunday - Dinner out

Please let me know if there's something you'd like to see in the roundup. And don't forget to sign up for my monthly periodic email newsletter! 

Tips for Saving Money by Cooking and Eating at Home + Weekly Menu Plan

I have to admit that I'm a little freaked out by what's going on with the national economy right now. I've been thinking a lot about saving money, and how the best way to do it, at least for us, is to cook and eat at home. We do it a lot anyway, but there are ways to do it more cheaply than I usually do. Read on for my best tips, and have a great week! (I've marked affiliate/referral links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

SAVING MONEY BY COOKING AND EATING AT HOME

- MENU PLAN. It's my hands-down, #1 tip for saving money by cooking and eating at home. It's why I've been posting a weekly menu plan at the bottom of my weekly posts here. Here are some of my best tips for menu planning.

- Prep for some easy meals. This could be in the form of freezer meals, pantry meals, or meal prep (where you prep a week's worth of meals after doing your grocery shopping).

- Shop the sales. Stock up when your tried-and-true favorites are discounted so you're never paying full price. (For example, I like Rao's marinara, which is on sale at Costco right now so I just bought half a dozen jars. It's easily the lowest price for Rao's that I'll find.) Better yet, plan your menu around sales for perishable items. If ground beef is on sale, have beef tacos. If the sale is on chuck roast, pop a roast in the slow cooker. If you have the freezer space, buy enough for multiple meals and prep your meals before freezing. The Family Freezer has tips on freezing meals for the slow cooker.

- Keep a price book. I'm not sure how well this will work if prices keep going up, but a price book helps you keep track of how much you spend on something so you know when something is a stock up price. I've written more about price books (with a free template).

- Be realistic about your adjustments. If you hardly ever cook, then commit to cooking three times a week. If paying extra for pre-cut vegetables means you'll actually cook and eat them, then go ahead and do it. It'll still be cheaper than eating out (or even take-out).

- Plan for meals out. You don't have to cook every meal for yourself. And knowing that you can eat out can help you stick to your cooking goals.

What's your best tip?

WEEKLY MENU PLAN - April 14, 2025

Monday - Chili (although I will use ground turkey and add some ground chipotle)

Tuesday - Poke Bowls

Wednesday - Breakfast (blueberry muffins, eggs, spam)

Thursday - Chicken Alfredo Bake (making a double batch so I can freeze a pan)

Friday - Dinner out

Saturday - Crispy Gnocchi with Sausage and Broccoli

Sunday - Slow Cooker Pot Roast

(For locals: To access NYT recipes through the library, go here.)

Please let me know if there's something you'd like to see in the roundup. And don't forget to sign up for my monthly periodic email newsletter! 

Weekly Roundup: Food Allergy Research, Saving Leftover Tomato Paste, ROI on College

Happy April! I'm taking my son on several admitted student visits this month, which is exciting and overwhelming at the same time. And that's just me, so I imagine it's even more so for him 😂 With that in mind, I'm trying not to pressure him in any way. (But it's hard.) (I've marked affiliate/referral links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

A conversation with the founder/CEO of the nonprofit that provides the most funds for food allergy research (and I'd never even heard of them until reading this).

A clever way to save leftover tomato paste. (For years, I've flattened the leftover paste in a zip top baggie and frozen it so I can break off pieces, but the premeasurement is a great idea.)

There are many things I will just admire and never make myself, even though I could, and these Delft sugar cookies (that look so much like the iconic china) are at the top of that list.

One way of looking at ROI (Return on Investment) when it comes to paying for college.

WEEKLY MENU PLAN - April 7, 2025

I'm clearing out my pantry, so I'm still focusing on using ingredients I already have this week. What's your favorite pantry meal?

Monday - The Most Amazing Canned Tuna Pasta (that's really what the recipe is called 😂)

Tuesday - Poke Bowls

Wednesday - Creamy Asparagus Pasta with Peas and Mint

Thursday - Meatball Heroes

Friday-Sunday - Dinner out

(For locals: To access NYT recipes through the library, go here.)

Please let me know if there's something you'd like to see in the roundup. And don't forget to sign up for my monthly periodic email newsletter! (I sent one out last week and one lucky reader received a $50 restaurant gift card 😄)

Recipe Reviews + Weekly Menu Plan

It's time for another recipe roundup, in which I review new-to-me recipes that I've made recently. Let me know if there's a recipe I need to try! (I've marked affiliate/referral links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

Lemon Garlic Salmon Tray Bake - This was fine, but it wasn't my favorite salmon dish and I don't think I'll make it again. I love the tray bake concept though.

Broccolini, Sausage and Orzo Skillet - I thought I had orzo but didn't, so it was a good thing some of the comments mentioned subbing rice for the orzo. I used basmati and diced (rather than sliced) the sausage, and it came out great.

Carrot Risotto with Chile Crisp - I found this too spicy, but my husband loved it. If you can stand the heat, it's a great meatless main.

Nigella's Chocolate Guinness Cake - The cake was oddly flavorless, although the texture was nice. The cream cheese frosting made the cake pleasant, but I won't be making this again. I prefer Hummingbird High's Chocolate Stout Cake.

Lemon Tiramisu - If you buy lemon curd instead of making it from scratch, this recipe would be super easy. I did make the curd from scratch, and it was still easy, but I used a lot of dishes. It's a very lemony dessert, but delicious if you like lemon (one of my kids said it was too lemony for him and only ate a bite). I used three boxes of Natural Nectar ladyfingers* for one recipe.

Hot Butterscotch Cake with Butterscotch Sauce from Nagi Maehashi's Delicious Tonight* - I thought this was good but not great, so next time I'll try her Self Saucing Butterscotch Pudding instead.

WEEKLY MENU PLAN - March 31, 2025

I want to clear out my pantry some, so I'm focusing on using ingredients I already have this week. What's your favorite pantry meal?

Monday - Tuna Zucchini Casserole

Tuesday - Salmon Chirashizushi

Wednesday - Quick Asian Caramelised Beef Ramen Noodles

Thursday - Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket

Friday -  Vegetarian Skillet Chili

Saturday - Dinner out

Sunday - Dinner out

Please let me know if there's something you'd like to see in the roundup. And don't forget to sign up for my monthly periodic email newsletter! (I'm sending one out today!)