This week on Catching up with the Kelnhofers, I am reflecting on what a crazy past year it has been – for all of us! I’m also sharing one of our favorite family cookbooks.
I know it’s on everyone’s mind. I keep seeing “it’s been a year since the beginning of the pandemic” and it is making me emotional. How are you doing? Please hit reply and let me know, I truly care about each and every one of you reading this newsletter.
So much has changed: health/work/life/childcare/school/family/celebrations/communication/social interactions/everything…! I don’t think there is a single person who has been unaffected in some way. Amidst the heartbreak and change, I feel a sense of hope for the year ahead.
Last year in March, I had just gotten a cheap double stroller (I tried finding a link, but I couldn’t find one, it’s a Graco and it was like $90 when we got it) which we’ve now worn it into the ground after a year of heavy use!
In the last year:
- It went from the twins not being able to walk or sit up, to them running and visiting a park for the very first time this past weekend (the parks were all shut down last year).
- Ben was seemingly endlessly working on potty training, and now I’m happy to say he’s fully potty trained. (it only took over a year!)
- I had an emotional experience with sourdough starter but now make bread weekly!
- Nick and I worked on (and still are) our health and lost weight.
- Meetings turned virtual and I introduced you to the SweetPhi team – who I cannot praise enough and without whom this would all not be possible.
- We moved. In a pandemic.
- We juggled schedules like no other and made/are still making it work. So much love for my supportive husband Nick.
- Dark walks with Ben
- We relied on meal delivery and InstaCart more than ever.
While life has changed as we/I know it and the pandemic is something I will never forget, and there are parts of life changes I’d like to permanently hold on to going forward for forever, I’m definitely looking forward to a future and to hugging friends and family whom I miss dearly.
A week full of great new posts!
- Mocha recipe with hot cocoa mix – another addition to our back of the box series
- Weekly meal plan – the easiest way to meal plan..complete with a grocery list.
- How to make bagels 3 ways – it’s not as hard as you think (there’s even a no-boil method using just flour and Greek yogurt!)
- The whole bowl with tali sauce – an older post that I’ve updated. It’s still as delicious as ever. The post is influenced by an amazing food truck dish we had in Portland.
- Love List – weekly favorites from around the web.
- We made The whole bowl – tali sauce. This is a vegetarian gluten free recipe and is full of delicious and nutritious ingredients. We set everything out and then let the kids pick what they want to try. The dish is described like “a hug” and I couldn’t agree more.
- I made the best side salad and vinaigrette – such a simple and refreshing dish
- My in-laws made us slow cooker corned beef and cabbage and homemade rye bread…as you can see the kids devoured the bread (ha! It was super good)
What to make:
Cooking with eggs! We always have eggs in the house and are always using them – they are the perfect way to pack protein into your day.
- Egg cups – one of my favorite make-ahead meals or snacks when I’m on the go.
- Quick pickled eggs – I probably eat these twice a week, every week. So good.
- Quiche – this is a make-ahead meal that keeps great in the freezer and a great way to sneak extra veggies into your diet.
- Frittata – another great freezer meal that you can get creative with what you put in it.
I’m loving this comment on my recipe for anything goes granola:
- Thank you for the recipe! I’ve been making granola for years but my kids have always hated it, lol. They like it for like the first day and then they refuse to eat it. I would try a different recipe every few months, and this is the first one that’s the winner!! They looove it. We’re on the fifth batch I think?
I’m talking about mealtime fatigue in an upcoming post and for nights like that, I like to have recipes like this super easy Ramen with an egg on hand for an easy, quick dinner. Check out this awesome re-creation from one of my readers 👇🏻
- Maldon Sea Salt Flakes – it’s a staple and I use them daily (on hard boiled eggs or anytime I’m cooking I add a pinch.
I’ve been a little slow at reading this month so I’m still reading the two books I told you about:
- Love at First – This is a modern romance novel, very cute! I also love that it’s set in Chicago – where I grew up.
- How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk. A new read someone recommended. It’s really good. Some of the stuff I catch myself rolling my eyes at, but then I try to ask myself why I’m having that reaction and instead try to learn something. It’s full of good tips (there are many).
Cookbook of the week:
- Let’s Cook – the Elmo cookbook. Kid you not (haha) my kids come into my office, go right to the kids cookbook shelf and grab this one. But it’s inspired them to make and try some new things so it’s fun. This book was a gift from someone (hi Laura!) and has been very well used in our house.
- New Starbucks drink – there is a new Starbucks drink that I’m in love with called a brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso, it’s so good.
- Kids being silly – I ask the kids for a picture and now they make silly faces
- Playing outside It was finally starting to warm up enough to play outside. Then it snowed.
- Dirt is not chocolate – Frankie kept picking up dirt thinking it was chocolate…she quickly learned lol.
- Difference in craft projects – want to know the difference between how Frankie and Freddie do crafts? Frankie lined up little rainbows and St. Patrick’s day crafts up, and Freddie threw them down on the floor.
EAT
- These snack bars are so delicious, easy, and only have 3 ingredients! Bonus, they’re gluten free/vegan/grain free and dairy free. All you need is dates, cashews and chocolate chips.
READ
- Very interesting (I thought) story of a food writer’s weight loss journey.
PURCHASE
- There’s no shame in my Crocs game – they’re the most comfortable slip on shoe for getting the mail, wearing around the house, in the kitchen, or wherever. I love them.
How are you? I would love to check-in and hear from you, just leave a comment below and let me know
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