One of the things we strive for when planning our menus is making everything fit together into one nice, neat little package. We look to use ingredients in different ways throughout the week so that we’re benefiting from the ability of do-aheads and being able to buy in bulk. We also benefit from a well-stocked pantry. We have something we’d like to share with you. The little man here is pretty excited about it. We’ve been asked by the folks at Alexia Foods to participate in... more

This month’s Eat Well, Spend Less posts were all centered around saving money and eating healthy during the crazy summer full of travel, camping, vacations and the everyday schedules. Whether you’re planning to head to the lake or go somewhere tropical, we have the tips to make it as hassle free and doable as possible. Here on Food for My Family, I offered up the little nuggets of wisdom I have on eating healthy amidst summer schedules. With the kids out of school and in summer sports,... more

Welcome to the June edition of the Eat Well, Spend Less series. This month we’re focusing on meal and snack time during the summer, whether it’s during air travel, on a road trip, camping, in the heat or just while juggling the craziness of the summer schedule. Here on Food for My Family, I’ll be sharing some tips for healthy and frugal meals and snacking when you’re out doing fun summer activities like the zoo, the ballpark or sitting watching the kids on the soccer field. Summer... more

One of the things we strive for when planning our menus is making everything fit together into one nice, neat little package. We look to use ingredients in different ways throughout the week so that we’re benefiting from the ability of do-aheads and being able to buy in bulk. We also benefit from a well-stocked pantry. Don’t fall off your chair. After a self-imposed menu hiatus while traveling and dealing with the crazies, the menu is back. This week I’m celebrating the return... more

Grilled scallops are covered in fresh rosemary and placed atop a pillow of creamy Gruyère polenta. This is backyard barbecue at the next level. For the seafood haters, we’ll have grilled lamb chops to grace the polenta, too. Don’t you fret. There’s this panic that’s sort of lurking in the background, almost like a lump in my throat. The house that never seems to be picked up is, and yet I still focus on all the things that still need to be and should be done like vacuuming... more

For the polenta: 4 3/4 cups water 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 sprig rosemary 1 cup cornmeal polenta 3 tablespoons butter 5 ounces Gruyère, shredded For the scallops: 1 pound fresh sea scallops 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper Preheat grill to 600° F. Place water, salt and rosemary sprig in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high and remove rosemary sprig. Slowly pour cornmeal into... more

Summer is here. Cool off and take refuge from the sun with some homemade ginger ale, perfect for sitting by the pool, with rum as a cocktail or with dinner on the patio. (Note to self: finish patio construction.) Most days, my mornings are hectic. I get up to the sound of Ole’s alarm going off. I push him until he gets up, and then I sit in bed thinking about how responsible it would be of me to get up with him and start my day. Instead, I try to savor the low spot in the middle of our... more