Chief Family Officer

FAFSA and CSS Profile Roundup + another Menu Plan for Two

2025-10-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

How is it already the end of October?! I'm torn between wanting the time to fly by so my kids come home for Thanksgiving break, and wanting the time to slow down so they don't keep growing up so fast. But I guess parenting is always paradoxical, witness my favorite Gretchen Rubin quote, The days are long but the years are short. If you celebrate, I hope you have a great Halloween! Check out my Halloween Pinterest board for craft, food and costume ideas. (No, we haven't gotten Stella a costume, but she did have to wear her raincoat recently!)

It's that time of year again, so here's a roundup of FAFSA and CSS Profile-related links:

Top 10 Financial Aid Application Pitfalls: Don’t Lose Out on BIG SAVINGS!

Understanding IDOC: How to Upload and Track Your Documents

Verification Explained: What to Do if You're Selected

Decoding the CSS Profile

FAFSA and Divorce: Which parent holds financial aid responsibility?

3 Big 26/27 FAFSA mistakes that can cost you thousands of dollars

9 Things You Should Know About the CSS Profile

And a bonus pro tip from yours truly: Consider timing your FAFSA submission with when your bank account balances are at their lowest. For example, if you're a homeowner in Los Angeles County, you might submit the FAFSA right after you pay your monthly bills and your property taxes. You can even pay your property taxes in full, instead of the two installments. This can be particularly valuable if you're on the threshold of qualifying for certain forms of aid, e.g., California's Middle Class Scholarship, which has a cut-off of $250,000 for income and assets.

MENU PLAN FOR TWO - Oct. 27 - Nov. 2, 2025

Monday - Vegetable Beef Soup

Tuesday - Pili Pili Shrimp with Braised Cannellini Beans

Wednesday - Slow Roasted Miso Salmon

Thursday - Cheesy Gnocchi with Corn and Pesto

Friday - Pan Bagnat

Saturday - Sunday - dinner out

If you don't have a New York Times subscription to access their recipes, you might be able to get one through your local library - Angelenos can 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!

Book Recommendations + A Pescatarian Menu Plan

2025-10-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

Partly because I've been traveling a fair amount, and partly because books are a form of escape for me to stop dwelling on how much I miss my kids, I've been reading a lot. So here's a roundup of books I've recently read/listened to and enjoyed (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!):

Stella didn't love this little dog park - she looked at me like "can we go now?" 😂😂

Maisie Dobbs* - I was enjoying this series anyway, but it's earned a special place in my heart like all books that give me an insight into me that I can't stop thinking about.

Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success* - I haven't finished this yet but I already love it for the insight it's given me about myself (hmm, do I sense a theme to this post?) and for the positive view it provides of the universe.

A Gentleman in Possession of Secrets* - The Lord Julian books* are one of my favorite series of all time, and the most recent installment just made me eager to read the next one.

Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries* - I enjoyed Maddie Day's Country Store mysteries*, and her Cozy Capers series is similarly pleasant.

Aunties series* - I love Jessie Q. Sutanto's quirky Vera Wong series*, and her 3-book Aunties series is delightful in its complete absurdity (not unlike the uncomfortably hilarious Finlay Donovan series*).

The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance* - I love watching sports so it was fascinating to explore just how much of athletic excellence is genetic.

Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space* - I was in elementary school when the Challenger blew up and I remember my dad telling me about it when I woke up. We had been so excited to see Christa McAuliffe in space, plus Ellison Onizuka was a Hawaii boy, so the mission felt special to us and its loss was devastating. Even though I was so young, I remember the villainizing of the O-rings and the disgust at the failures throughout what was supposed to be a multi-step safety check. It was good to replace the blurry info from my childhood with a clear understanding of why it went so wrong. (It's also helping me understand the challenges that SpaceX faces right now, since I recently read that they were experimenting with different tiles.)

Sealed with a Hiss* - I enjoyed the latest book in Rita Mae Brown's Mrs. Murphy series* as much as the first.

What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures* - This was a book on climate change that sought to be positive, which I appreciated, and it gave me a new perspective on climate change and possible solutions that I haven't gotten from other sources. I learned about Earthjustice, whose motto is "Because the earth needs a good lawyer." Through them, I've already sent a dozen emails to various government authorities urging them to do what's right instead of what's profitable.

Disasterology: Dispatches from the Frontlines of the Climate Crisis* - From What If We Get It Right?, I learned the term "disasterology" and listened to the audiobook by that name. Disasterology is a branch of emergency management, and this was a pragmatic, informative view of what actually happens after a disaster (and how they can be prevented in the first place).

MENU PLAN FOR TWO - Oct. 13 - 19, 2025

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - Hoisin Glazed Salmon

Wednesday - Anchovy Pesto Mozzarella Grilled Cheese

Thursday - Sheet Pan Ratatouille with Crispy Chickpeas (still getting around to this)

Friday - Lentils with Burrata and Breadcrumbs

Saturday - Sushi Bake

Sunday - Baked Polenta Squares (maybe this week 😂)

If you don't have a New York Times subscription to access their recipes, you might be able to get one through your local library - Angelenos can 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!

Link Roundup + A Menu Plan That's Mostly Vegetarian

2025-10-06T22:23:00.000-07:00

I'm finally at the point where I'm still missing the kids but I can also appreciate how nice it is that it's just two of us and Stella. Meals are a lot easier, and I'm doing a lot less marketing. However, I'd like to get more projects done (like steam cleaning the carpets), so I'd better get going - after all, it's already October! Have a wonderful 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!):

I put boots on Stella in the hope that she wouldn't get so sandy at the park ...
she didn't love it! 😂

Tips for successfully completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile.

Dan Pink's summary of the best productivity advice.

Get a FREE Nestle Toll House Cookie Taco kit on 10/7, 11/6 and 12/4.

If you have a second grader in California, CalKIDS might have at least $500 in FREE scholarship money for them.

My new favorite phone game is Travel Town* - it's a matching game that I find very satisfying, and a fabulous distraction from missing my kids.

MENU PLAN FOR TWO - Oct. 6 - 12, 2025

Monday 10/6 - Leftovers

Tuesday 10/7 - Gochujang Potato Stew (been meaning to make this for a while)

Wednesday 10/8 - Sheet Pan Ratatouille with Crispy Chickpeas (didn't get to this last week either)

Thursday 10/9 - Crispy Black Bean Tacos

Friday 10/10 - Tuna Noodle Casserole

Saturday 10/11 - Dinner out

Sunday 10/12 - Baked Polenta Squares (not sure what I'm going to serve them with yet, probably veggies and a runny egg)

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!

Link Roundup, Financial Aid and Another Menu Plan for Two

2025-09-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

I'm gradually catching up on all the things I put off while the kids were home, including going through my saved links, so below you'll find a roundup from the last couple of months. Have a fabulous week!

This is my favorite thing that Stella does!

I enjoyed this post about why your teen still needs you to "tuck them in" at night.

Some advice on dealing with negative self-talk at work.

How AI might be affecting your banking.

It might be good to join multiple, varied social groups.

Why you should have a trust even if estate taxes won't apply.

I'm not sure how I feel about the 6-to-1 grocery shopping method.

What "natural flavors" really means.

What it's like to work on Tasktabbit.

How to warm corn tortillas so they don't break (I needed this last week!).

Your library card might give you free access to state parks.

It's that time of year - to file the FAFSA and apply for financial aid. Here is some helpful info:

Understanding the Student Aid Index (College Financial Aid Advisors)

The Documents You'll Need for Financial Aid (College Financial Aid Advisors)

Assets on the FAFSA (The College Financial Lady)

Building Your College List: Key Financial Questions to Ask (Capstone Wealth Partners)

MENU PLAN FOR TWO - Sept. 29 - Oct. 5, 2025

Monday 9/29 - Garlic Alfredo Spaghetti Squash (didn't get to this last week)

Tuesday 9/30 - Salmon Chirashizushi

Wednesday 10/1 - Sheet Pan Ratatouille with Crispy Chickpeas

Thursday-Sunday 10/2-10/5 - 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!

Recipe Roundup + Menu Plan for Two

2025-09-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

I'm overdue for this recipe roundup, which covers new recipes I tried over the last few months (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!):

Crispy Tofu Tacos (NYT) - This was unusual but also easy and very much something I will make again. The recipe says it makes 8-10 tacos, which is accurate - what it doesn't say is that 2 tacos makes a nice serving, so the recipes serves 4-5. Next time I will go with street taco tortillas and double them, or use flour tortillas (regular taco-sized corn tortillas just fell apart).
Epic Chunky Beef and Mushroom Pie (RTE) - I would make this again, although I thought it needed more salt than the recipe called for (or maybe I didn't season the beef enough before I browned it). As the recipe suggested in an aside, I made the stew the night before, and I think the wait time deepened the flavor considerably.
Copycat Raising Canes (TikTok) - I made this with my son and it was fantastic, although we ended up with at least twice as much sauce as we needed.
Gochujang Potato Stew (NYT) - I would totally make this again, and highly recommend doubling the amount of beans for extra protein and body.
Chicken Mushroom Pie with Duchess Potatoes (RTE) - This was a time-consuming, high-effort recipe, and I didn't even bother piping the potatoes! It was delicious, but I don't think it's worth the effort to make again.
Lemon Chicken with Potatoes and Chickpeas (Smitten Kitchen) - This was kind of the opposite of the chicken pie, i.e., easy and low-effort. And my kids liked it so I'm definitely making it again.
Quick Asian Caramelised Beef Noodles (RTE) - I like how easy this dish is, although it takes longer for me than the recipe says (maybe because I use these delicious ramen noodles*).

If you don't have a New York Times subscription to access their recipes, you might be able to get one through your local library - Angelenos can go here.

MENU PLAN FOR TWO - Sept. 22 - 28, 2025

I'm making the adjustment to cooking for two, and while I miss my boys, I have to admit dinner time is easier now. 😝 I might decide to take off a night or two, but having a plan makes it less likely that I will.

Monday 9/22 - Baked French Toast (we have a loaf of challah that needs to be used up), bacon, eggs, fruit

Tuesday 9/23 - Sticky Miso Salmon Bowl

Wednesday 9/24 - Baked Polenta with Mushrooms

Thursday 9/25 - Garlic Alfredo Spaghetti Squash

Friday 9/26 - Gochujang Potato Stew

Saturday 9/27 - Curry Rice (didn't get to this last week)

Sunday 9/28 - Penne with Brussels Sprouts, Chile and Pancetta

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!

A Big Transition, Link Roundup & A Week Menu Plan for 2

2025-09-16T15:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry to disappear for a month but it's been ... hard. Last month, we delivered our younger son to his college, and a few days ago, we dropped our older son off at his off-campus apartment so our nest is now truly empty. It's weird how empty the house feels, and I'm so glad that Stella is a part of our lives now. Her arrival allowed me to spend extra time with both kids, and she's good company, not to mention a good reason to get out of bed early every day. (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!)

I found myself crying a little bit while reading Jen Hatmaker's First Day of School PSA: College Version. I loved the little anecdote of the college moms sitting next to each other on the plane with wine and napkins. 😂 I needed the reminder that my kids will be fine. My job is to be there to cheer them on, and to take care of myself - not to confuse their lives with my life. I've always tried to do that, but there's less separation when they're living under your roof. It's going to be bizarre not taking into account what they want for dinner, or their schedule, and so on.

But we'll adjust, all of us. I just realized that for the last month, I've been re-reading my favorite series, Donna Andrews' Meg Langslow cozy mysteries,* because it's so comforting. I could do with a little cosseting. I've been splurging on Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and going for long(ish) walks with Stella (her legs are short - we can't walk that much, although I now have a pet sling* so I can "wear" her when she gets tired). And I'll be cooking more meatless meals (the boys love their meat).

I wish I had some words of wisdom for all of us about transitions and phases of life, but all I have is a roundup of links below 😂:

An article about why we spiral - "Big responses to small experiences can help us see what lies beneath the surface."

Everything you ever wanted to know about jellyroll pans.

The new best way to wash produce.

Good tips for buying frozen shrimp - I didn't know about the origin/processing thing.

If you want to make tofu from scratch, Just One Cookbook has you covered.

Ever heard of junk journaling? Apparently there are lots of meet ups.

I love oysters but have always been afraid of shucking them myself. I'm still afraid, but this LAT article makes it sound doable.

I'm about halfway through Tamsen Fadel's excellent How to Menopause* - I wish I'd had it in my late 30's. I wouldn't have had symptoms but it would have been useful to know all the info that she shares before they started.

MENU PLAN FOR TWO - Sept. 15 - 21, 2025

It's weird just cooking for two. The first couple of days, I didn't cook at all. We ate leftovers and stuff from the freezer. In fact, I predict that at least one of the meals below won't get made because we're having leftovers (or better yet, a spontaneous date night), and that's more than ok with me. You might notice a lot more tofu and a lot less meat ... because I can! Also, I'm reverting back to one-week menus til I get the hang of cooking for two.

Monday 9/15 - Breakfast for dinner

Tuesday 9/16 - Salmon Chirashizushi

Wednesday 9/17 - Beef and Mushroom Pie

Thursday 9/18 - Crispy Tofu Tacos

Friday 9/19 - Gochujang Potato Stew

Saturday 9/20 - Curry Rice (Japanese style)

Sunday 9/21 - 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!

Roundup: Zojirushi Rice Cooker for $67, How to Use Your 529 & FREE Chipotle

2025-08-05T10:44:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's August and that my son leaves for college in just a few weeks! In the meantime, I'm trying to enjoy every moment I get of my full house. It helps that the boys both love Stella, who has been the perfect addition to our family and lures them away from their video games. She's even improved my social life, because I've been walking with friends almost every morning. 😊 I hope you have a great fortnight! (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!)

This is my favorite pose of Stella's - when she puts her nose down between her paws! 😆

Target shoppers* can get a Zojirushi Fuzzy Logic 5.5 Cup Rice Cooker for just $88.19 (40% off) - or get it for as low as $67.02 if you're a verified student (20% off with Target Circle* offer) and Target Circle Card* holder (an extra 5% off). My family has had Zojirushi rice cookers my entire life, and I use mine all the time (which is very similar to the one currently on sale).

With all of the wildfires here in California, it's a good idea to know how to protect yourself from the smoke. FWIW, we have a couple of these Coway Air Purifiers,* which we got after a wildfire some years back. And these are my favorite masks* (I still wear them on airplanes when going to visit my parents), and these are the masks my kids prefer* (I make them wear them too 😂).

The College Financial Lady explains all the things you can use a 529 account to pay for.

If you're a Chipotle Rewards member, you should check your account - you might have an offer for a FREE item every day through August 11.

Believe it or not, a lot of schools are starting soon (my cousins went back today!), but there's still a month left for teens to take advantage of Planet Fitness's FREE Summer Pass for 14-19 year olds.

TWO WEEK MENU PLAN - Aug 4 - 17, 2025

Monday 8/4 - Miso Soba Salad (delayed a day after I found 50% off chicken thighs at Whole Foods on Sunday morning 😂)

Tuesday 8/5 - Crispy Rice with Spicy Salmon

Wednesday 8/6 - Copycat Raising Cane's

Thursday 8/7 - Gochujang Potato Stew (didn't get to this last week)

Friday 8/8 - Spinach Artichoke Dip

Saturday 8/9 - Breakfast for Dinner: French toast, Sausage, Eggs, Fruit

Sunday 8/10 - Duchess Potato Chicken Mushroom Pie

Monday 8/11 - Sliders

Tuesday 8/12 - Parmesan Crusted Salmon

Wednesday 8/13 - Tempura

Thursday 8/14 - Calamari

Friday 8/15 - Meatball Heroes

Saturday 8/16 - Mac & Cheese

Sunday 8/17 - 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!

Roundup: Stella Update, Student Loans (this year and next), Books + 2-Week Menu Plan

2025-07-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

Our rescue dog Stella is settling in nicely, and she's the best thing that could have happened to our family. My boys are spending more time out of their rooms (and away from their gaming computers) so they can spend time with her, which means I'm getting more time with them. Everyone loves her and she's as adorable as can be, with the perfect personality for me. (Truth: I didn't want to rescue a dog just to save one; I also wanted to avoid getting a puppy because I wanted to skip that incredibly cute but very demanding stage.) Have a great fortnight! (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!)

If you're a parent of young adults, make sure your children give you the authority to act on their behalf should an emergency arise. I used Mama Bear Legal Forms* and their young adult package for both of my kids. It includes a Medical Power of Attorney, a Financial Power of Attorney, and a HIPAA release form. Once your child signs the forms (which you might want to get notarized), you just hold onto them and hope you'll never need them. But if, say, your child was in the hospital and unconscious, you'd be able to show the hospital staff the medical power of attorney and they could tell you about your child's condition. If your child is in college, have them also sign a FERPA waiver so the college can give you information about your student.

If you're a parent or student who needs loans to pay for college, now is the time of year to sign those promissory notes. Students should take out the Federal Direct Loan first - it will have the lowest interest rate of any student loan available. New borrowers will have to go through student loan entrance counseling so they understand the consequences of taking out loans. Anyone intending to take out a private loan should check with the college's financial aid office to see if they recommend any lenders, and definitely shop around for the lowest interest rate.

Joe Messinger has an update on the impact of the Big Beautiful Bill on federal financial aid.

Last month, author Dan Pink shared 21 books that have changed his life. I've only read two of them - Grit* by Angela Duckworth and Mindset* by Carol Dweck. Some of them I'd heard of, some of them I'd never heard of, and a few of them I'd even tried reading before but never finished. I'll be giving all of them a try, because I trust Dan Pink's advice that much (and I totally agree that Grit and Mindset were terrific).

Author Joanna Campbell Slan, who writes the Kiki Lowenstein cozy mystery series*, is giving away two FREE full-length books - a prequel to the Kiki series and the fourth book in her Cara Mia Delgatto cozy mystery series.* I read both series a couple of years ago and enjoyed them.

Through July 27, Costco members can get $3 off a 2-pack of Rao's marinara in-store only. Rao's is my favorite jarred sauce (it's also Whole 30 compliant) and this is the best price I can find.

I'm all about whole foods, but I have to admit to skepticism over 100 Days of Real Food's Bone Broth Hot Chocolate. I might give it a try just out of curiosity (and the recommended Kettle and Fire* bone broth is my go-to brand.)

TWO WEEK MENU PLAN - July 21 - Aug 3, 2025

Monday 7/21 - Cauliflower Parm (didn't get to this last week)

Tuesday 7/22 - Crispy Rice with Spicy Salmon (this was sooo good, we're having it again already)

Wednesday 7/23 - Cheesy Chickpea Melts

Thursday 7/24 - Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos

Friday 7/25 - Lentils with Burrata and Breadcrumbs

Saturday 7/26 - Sheet Pan Bibimbap

Sunday 7/27 - Crispy Tofu Tacos

Monday 7/28 - Baked Ziti (using some of that Rao's sauce)

Tuesday 7/29 - Gochujang Potato Stew

Wednesday - Saturday 7/30 - 8/2 - Dinner out

Sunday 8/3 - Miso Soba Salad

(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!

Roundup: Meet Stella! Plus Shutterfly Freebies, Dog Training Videos & a 2-Week Menu Plan

2025-07-07T16:00:00.000-07:00

Things have been changing around my home, and it started with my decision to post roundups every other week with a 2-week menu plan. And then we got a dog! Meet Stella:

She's a six-year-old Maltese that we rescued, and she's as sweet and chill as can be. The 4th of July fireworks didn't bother her, and as long as she's with someone, she's happy. My kids are both over the moon to have a dog, and I'm glad I'll have a companion when they're both off at college. So we're all adjusting to Stella's needs and creating a new routine, while I try not to think too much about how my nest will be empty in a couple of months.

If you have any advice for adapting to life with a dog, please share! 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!)

I feel a little foolish admitting this, but it wasn't until recently that I finally got a pair of gardening shears* for when I get flowers. They make cutting stems so easy that I can't believe I didn't think to get a pair earlier!

Through tomorrow (7/8), get a FREE mug, cotton tote bag, set of playing cards, and/or set of coasters with code 4FREE at Shutterfly.* And if you purchase any products that aren't free, go through Mr. Rebates* to get a 1% rebate.

I now get served all kinds of dog training videos on TikTok, but my favorite is Jamie Diaz.

TWO WEEK MENU PLAN - July 7 - 20, 2025

Monday 7/7 - Enfrijoladas (although my shortcut is to use a can of Herdez Salsa Verde-* instead of making it from scratch)

Tuesday 7/8 - Crispy Rice with Spicy Salmon

Wednesday 7/9 - Quick Asian Caramelised Beef Ramen Noodles

Thursday 7/10 - Baked French Toast (I have some brioche rolls in the freezer I'd like to use up), Sausage, Eggs, Fruit

Friday 7/11 - Miso Chicken with Rice

Saturday 7/12 - Roasted Cauliflower and Sardine Pasta

Sunday & Tuesday 7/13-15 - Dinner out

Wednesday 7/16 - Lemon Chicken with Potatoes and Chickpeas

Thursday 7/17 - Tortitas de Espinaca

Friday 7/18 - Chicken Tinga Tacos

Saturday 7/19 - Anchovy Mozzarella + Pesto Melts

Sunday 7/20 - Cauliflower Parm

(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!

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

2025-06-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

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

2025-05-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

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

2025-05-12T23:00:00.000-07:00

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

2025-05-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

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

2025-04-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

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

2025-04-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

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

2025-03-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

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!)

College Admissions: Perspectives for Parents from a Parent-Counselor

2025-03-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year when high school seniors have been notified whether they've been admitted to a college and now they have to decide where they're going to attend. It's my second time sitting in the parent chair (my first as a certified college counselor) and I have thoughts:

1) Early admission is awesome if your student is a strong candidate. I knew my younger son was a great candidate for merit scholarships because he had excellent grades and high test scores, and I was right. He got into many schools and received fantastic merit scholarship offers that are, frankly, necessary for us to be able to afford these schools. These early notifications of admission helped all of us breathe a little easier.

However, there are good reasons not to apply early. These include wanting senior year's first semester grades to be considered as part of the application, and not submitting rushed essays.

2) Not getting in is frustrating. It's baffling who gets in and who doesn't, even to college counselors. Students (including my own children) who I thought were shoe-ins have been waitlisted or even denied admission.

One California student is suing the UC system alleging that the only reason he didn't get in was race. I don't see how he can prevail, though. He was denied admission at the five most competitive campuses, and they all review applications holistically. The lawyer in me says there's no way he can prove that the admissions committees had no reason other than race for not offering admission. Off the top of my head, I'd speculate that his essays were less than compelling and/or his activities were limited (the article mentions he founded a software company while still in high school, but doesn't mention anything else). Plus, the student's major, computer science, is consistently one of the most competitive majors to get in to.

There is no transparency in the college admissions process, so students never know why they weren't admitted. The article says the student's attorneys want to force the UCs into transparency. (So does the federal government.) I think transparency would be great, but even if they get it, I don't think they're going to find what they're looking for. Admissions officers constantly disagree about who to admit, and race doesn't have to come into it.

While I'd love to know why my kids and the students I've worked with weren't admitted to certain schools where I know they were strong candidates, I have to accept that I never will. And I can live with that, because they all got into other excellent schools and will thrive where they eventually end up.

3) You probably won't have to pay the full cost of attendance. This is almost certainly true if the cost of attendance is significantly more than your SAI (formerly known as the EFC). Even colleges that don't meet a student's full need will usually offer some need-based aid. And those merit scholarships I mentioned? They can make private schools cost less than state schools.

However, the changing DOE landscape and possible changes to federal aid availability will likely change things at the institutional level. There is a lot of uncertainty because of this. That means it's extra important to not only choose an affordable college but to make sure you understand your financial aid package and its components. This includes knowing what is required to maintain merit scholarships, how much of your package is need-based aid that might not be available in the future (contact the college's financial aid office), and what loans you might need to take out in order to graduate. (See Joe Messinger's thoughts about this too.)

4) There just isn't enough information about how to pay for college. The only reason I was prepared when my older child went to college was that I'd been educating myself for years. Affordability is as important a consideration in deciding where to apply for college as academic and social fit.

Families need to use net price calculators, take a good hard look at their finances, and have honest conversations about what's affordable. They also need to file the FAFSA in a timely manner, find out if there's any state aid available, and plan for how they're going to pay for college before their student commits to a school. Do some research - I just talked to a parent of a senior who had never heard of California's Middle Class Scholarship.

Admittedly, most people won't find this fun (I do, but I'm nerdy that way). But it's how families can make sure they can afford colleges that are a good fit for their student.

5) Make sure you understand what you're getting into if you take out student/family loans. The standard advice is to limit the total amount borrowed to what the student expects to earn in their first year after college. For example, if the student plans to be a teacher earning $60,000 right after graduation, they shouldn't borrow more than $60,000 during college. That's a total of $60,000, or $15,000 per year.

If parents are going to borrow money, they should make sure they're not sacrificing their own financial well-being to do so. You won't be able to borrow money to pay for your retirement, and you'll be paying back loans.

If you do decide to borrow money, be aware of the different types of loans available. In general, loans from the federal government will have the lowest interest rates. Direct subsidized loans will be interest-free while the student is still in college, so those should always be the first loans taken out.

With the changing economic and educational climate, I think it's worth considering taking out any subsidized loan while it's available if you think there's any chance you'll need to borrow money to pay for college. Hopefully, you'll be able to pay the loan back immediately upon graduation, so it won't have cost you anything and you'll have some extra breathing room in your finances.

6) Preparation for paying for college should start well before senior year of high school. In fact, I want to get elementary and middle school parents thinking about it, because they can open 529 accounts and save, if nothing else. (California's 529 program has offered free money for opening an account around May 29 in past years.)

Once a student enters high school, parents can start to estimate how much they can pay every month or year for college. This can help narrow choices - for instance, it might become clear that most out-of-state public colleges will be too expensive (those schools usually don't provide a lot of aid to out-of-state students). Or families might realize that a student isn't going to get a big enough scholarship at, say, USC (where the cost of attendance for 2025-26 is over $99,000 😮).

And as a student approaches senior year, families can make good use of net price calculators to guesstimate how much a particular college might cost their family. The more info a calculator asks for - such as GPA and test scores - the more accurate it's likely to be. As a student figures out which colleges are appealing, families can use net price calculators to refine their college list.

7) Some colleges understand how to use their portal better than others. If a college sends a student an email after they apply with instructions on how to create a portal account to check on the status of their application, the student should absolutely do so as it's the best way to ensure that all application materials have been received and to see the admission decision when it's available.

But there was one college my son decided not to attend, and he couldn't submit his decision in that original portal - they wanted him to create a university portal using a university email account, and that required multi-factor authentication ... in other words, a lot of effort just to say "no thank you." Needless to say, I could easily understand why students don't tell colleges they're not coming even when it's the right thing to do. (My son sent an email to the admissions office, asking them to withdraw his application. They haven't confirmed receipt, but I consider his responsibilities fulfilled.)

8) Colleges send a lot of emails. Email is the primary way colleges contact students, and they send important emails like requests for additional documents, decision notifications, financial aid award notifications, scholarship info and even info like reimbursement of travel expenses if you visit the college.

But colleges also send lots of emails that say "check this out" and "about our ___" and "did you know?" All of these emails go to the same email account that the important emails get sent to. One of the colleges my son got into in November sent a dozen emails that said "haven't heard from you yet, are you coming, not coming or do you need more info?" What he needed was time, to decide which of the schools that admitted him is the best fit.

Understandably, it's hard for a student to keep track of all these emails. So I highly recommend not just creating a free email account that's used just for college, but also forwarding those emails to a parent's account so the parent can help make sure students catch all the important emails.

9) It's hard to let the student drive the college decision process, but it's important to do so. I'll admit, I've struggled from the beginning with striking a balance between telling and listening. I have a lot of information to share, but he doesn't necessarily want to hear it. In all honesty, I'm still not quite sure how we came up with the list of colleges he ended up applying to, but I think it was a good mix of me saying "consider these schools" and him coming back with "I like these two but not the rest." At least, I hope that's how he remembers it, too.

Now I'm struggling not to pressure my son to tell me what he's thinking. He has over a month to make up his mind, and we still have three schools to visit. So I have to keep reminding myself that he can't make up his mind yet, and he doesn't have to tell me what he's thought so far.

Just as important, I keep reminding myself not to tell him what I'm thinking. We discuss facts, which is how we've eliminated several schools from his list - their cost of attendance (to us) is significantly higher that of other colleges he's gotten into. But my husband and I are both refraining from expressing opinions. Our son is the one who will be spending the next four years in college, and where he goes needs to be his choice.

Do you have questions or advice about college admissions?

Weekly Roundup: Financial Aid Considerations, Crescent Roll Nests + Weekly Menu Plan

2025-03-24T17:00:00.000-07:00

Happy spring! I feel like this week's roundup is extra random and wide-ranging, but I think you could say that about my whole life right now. 😂 I just finished an audio book about language* and started a new one about trees,* I'm working on a financial aid presentation for parents of elementary school students, baseball season starts this week, I'm trying to find a new foundation, and I just asked my eye doctor to squeeze me in because I think my vision has changed again. Whew! I think I'm going to go make some crescent roll nests and have some fun. 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!)

Things to consider for parents and students as the Department of Education is dismantled.

Some things to know if your child is Asian-American and wants to attend a competitive college.

Be careful when you renew your California driver's license if you want to have a Real ID.

Practical reasons not to get an EV. (I'd get range anxiety for sure.)

How to make crescent roll nests.

I just learned that most can lights are adjustable so you can make the light warmer or cooler.

MENU PLAN - March 17, 2025

My son in college is home this week (yay!), so I'm planning a menu but again will be very flexible to accommodate whatever he wants. 😊

Monday - Baked Pasta + Garlic Bread

Tuesday - Lemon Garlic Salmon Tray Bake

Wednesday - Steak, Mushrooms, Yorkshire Pudding (I always use the recipe in The Joy of Cooking* and we didn't get to this last week)

Thursday - Broccolini, Sausage and Orzo Skillet

Friday - Ramen*

Saturday - Charcuterie Board

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 before the end of this month!)

Weekly Roundup: Happy St. Patrick's Day! + State Financial Aid and Things Making Me Happy

2025-03-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

We've entered the time of year when the temperature and weather change a lot. In the last couple of weeks, it's been around 80 and also in the 40's, and it's been sunny and it's poured. The ambiguity feels like a reflection of my life, what with the whirlwind travel to check out colleges right now and the various decisions to be made in the coming months. I hope you're feeling a bit more stable than I am, but if you're not, know that you're 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!)

Happy St. Patrick's Day! If you need some celebration ideas, check out my St. Patrick's Day Pinterest board, where you'll find recipes and crafts.

My husband got me a new bluetooth mouse* and I love it! It feels good, and the purple, green and yellow colors make me happy 😊 (My last mouse was boring black 😂)

If you're a California resident and are or have a student in college, be sure to check the California Student Aid Commission to see if you're eligible for any state financial aid.

I use parchment paper all the time, but even I learned something new about parchment vs foil vs wax paper.

If you've been wanting to make money from a hobby, Sidehusl has some suggestions on how to do so.

MENU PLAN - March 17, 2025

My son in college will be coming home sometime this week, so I'm planning a menu but will be very flexible to accommodate whatever he wants. 😊

Monday - Corned Beef (from ButcherBox*), Cabbage, Nigella's Chocolate Guinness Cake

Tuesday - Roasted Chicken with Fish Sauce Butter

Wednesday - Takeout from our favorite Japanese restaurant

Thursday - Chicken Piccata Orzo

Friday - Enfrijoladas

Saturday - Shrimp & Vegetable Tempura

Sunday - Steak, Mushrooms, Yorkshire Pudding (I always use the recipe in The Joy of Cooking*)

(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: A Book Roundup + This Week's (All Too Familiar) Menu Plan

2025-03-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

It's almost mid-March, which means my son's admitted student days are ramping up. It's a busy time for seniors trying to decide where to go to college. Fortunately, my son has crossed a few schools off his list, but we've still got a quite a few to check out. Here's hoping for some warm weather, and a great week for everyone! (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!)

Last week, I mentioned a couple of audiobooks I've listened to recently, but here's a more comprehensive book roundup:

Mrs. Jeffries Mysteries* by Emily Brightwell - Set in Victorian England, this cozy mystery series is my favorite source of comfort right now (well, after chocolate chip cookies). I've been flying through the series, so it's a good thing there are 41 books!

Lord Julian Mysteries* by Grace Burrowes - I mentioned this series in my end-of-year roundup, but it truly is one of my favorite series of all time and the latest installment* came out a few weeks ago.

The Bletchley Riddle* by Ruta Septys and Steve Sheinkin - This is a YA novel that was fun, and also incredibly educational. It's set me on a path to learn more about Bletchley Park, where the British broke enemy codes during World War II.

The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race* by Walter Isaacson (audio) - I enjoyed listening to this book about a Nobel winning scientist who helped develop the technology that resulted in the first Covid vaccines.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks* by Rebecca Skloot (audio) - I remember hearing about this book when it was published 15 years ago, but I only recently got around to reading/listening to it. It's about the woman whose cells became an important tool in medicine, but it's also about scientific ethics, racism, and so much more.

My aunt recently fell and broke her pelvis, so she's laid up. I sent her the first book* in the Mrs. Murphy Mysteries,* which I hope she enjoys. (I've taken to sending books as a get-well gift, with or without flowers 😄)

MENU PLAN - March 10, 2025

This week's menu plan looks an awful lot like last week's because ... I'm not sure what happened, but I just didn't stick to it. 🤣

Monday - Zhang Spam Musubi from The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp*

Tuesday - Some kind of fish from the farmers market

Wednesday - Quick Jambalaya

Thursday - Quick Asian Caramelised Beef Ramen Noodles

Friday - Jacques Pepin's Easy "Soufflan"

Saturday - Instant Pot Birria Tacos

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: Outback Meal Deal, Audiobook Recs + Weekly Menu Plan

2025-03-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

It's March, which means that by the end of the month, one of my kids will no longer be a teenager! I don't know how that has happened, but I realized I need to start thinking seriously about what project I will take on in the fall to occupy my mind and my time when my second child goes off to college. For obvious reasons, I'm leaning toward a college counseling career but I'm definitely open to suggestions. 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!)

You can get a pretty decent three-course meal for just $14.99 at Outback right now.

I had no idea you could make a living as a background actor in Los Angeles.

Rachel Macy Stafford's suggestion to "plant a pause" has resonated with me (like most of what she writes).

Recently, I've listened to some audiobooks that I want to recommend: Be Ready When the Luck Happens* by Ina Garten and Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old* by Brooke Shields. Both are compelling memoirs that make me want to live my best life.

MENU PLAN - March 3, 2025

Monday - Salted Salmon or something else from the Japanese market (I'm going to be near it so I'll pick up something for dinner)

Tuesday - Some kind of fish from the farmers market

Wednesday - Quick Jambalaya

Thursday - Quick Asian Caramelised Beef Ramen Noodles (using ground turkey)

Friday - Jacques Pepin's Easy "Soufflan"

Saturday - Instant Pot Birria Tacos

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: Recent Recipe Reviews + This Week's Menu Plan

2025-02-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

I feel like I've finally recovered from the trip up to Portland - I forgot to mention last week that in addition to the stress of driving around in snow, there was the stress of a canceled flight, the cancelation of the first admitted student day event (at least the second one went on as planned), and the hotel that had our reservation but no room for us (someone had accidentally put a guest in the room designated for us, which had two beds, and apparently there was no other room with two beds available). Everything worked out fine in the end, but I feel like it took me the whole week to finally feel back to normal. 😂 (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!)

I've tried some new (or at least, new-to-me) recipes lately and these were the keepers:

Lentils with Burrata and Breadcrumbs (What's Gaby Cooking) - This was a huge hit with my husband but not my teenager. I used a package of pre-cooked, vacuum-packed lentils from Trader Joe's and basically started with step 2 of the recipe.

Anchovy, Mozzarella + Pesto Grilled Cheese (Fishwife) - I used sourdough, whole milk mozzarella from Trader Joe's that I grated myself, and Bear Pond Farm pesto* which is nut-free and on sale right now. I will definitely make this again. Three anchovies was just right for me, and I recommend brushing the olive oil on the bread as a first step and using medium to medium-low heat.

Five-Ingredient Creamy Miso Pasta (NYT) - This was good, and the leftovers reheated nicely. But it's even better with some heat, so I recommend adding some crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper when you add the miso and butter.

Tofu and Green Beans with Chili Crisp (NYT) - My husband, who loves chili crisp, liked this. Our son and I did not. It was just way too spicy for me. However, I did love the sheet pan concept. And I think that if I increased the honey content and/or decreased the quantity of chili crisp, this could end up becoming a favorite.

MENU PLAN - February 24, 2025

Monday - Carrot Risotto with Chile Crisp

Tuesday - Some kind of fish from the farmers market

Wednesday - Baked French Toast, Sausage, Fruit

Thursday - Ramen with Ramen Eggs (I like this miso ramen* but my family prefers the same brand's char siu ramen)

Friday - Chili Lime Fish

Saturday - Creamed Beef (I always serve this over rice instead of toast)

Sunday - Chicken Pasta Salad

(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: Appealing Financial Aid Awards, Jen Hatmaker's Take on Empathy, Getting a KitchenAid Stand Mixer Serviced

2025-02-17T16:30:00.000-08:00

After spending my entire adult life avoiding having to drive on snow, I found myself doing exactly that up in Portland when I took my son to another admitted student event. I was so happy to be back in Southern California, where the only snow is on the mountains. Hopefully your weekend was a little less stressful than mine! (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!)

It's that time of year when financial aid awards arrive, and you stare at them wondering how you can possibly afford to send your kid to college. Did you know that you can appeal the award? Here are some tips on how to do so.

This Jen Hatmaker post about getting along with folks you have fundamental differences in philosophy with provides some real food for thought.

David Lebovitz offers some suggestions for egg substitutes.

If you have a KitchenAid stand mixer, Kitchn has an adjustment tip for you. If you've ever thought about getting your stand mixer serviced, you can pay $35-$45 for a shipping kit to send your mixer to them for servicing (which is an additional cost, usually $75 to $225). Some of this info is here, and some is from an email I got when I inquired about servicing. My 4.5-quart mixer* was a wedding present and has been well-used - now that it's over 20 years old and sounds just a little funny, I've been thinking it's time to have it looked at or replace it with a larger one.* I'm torn since I'm wondering if I'll do less baking when both kids are off to college. 😢

MENU PLAN - February 17, 2025

Monday - Dinner out

Tuesday - Some kind of fish from the farmers market

Wednesday - Stuffed Manicotti (I didn't get to it last week)

Thursday - Anchovy, Mozzarella and Pesto Grilled Cheese

Friday - Chicken with Mushroom Gravy

Saturday - Crispy Black Bean Tacos

Sunday - Five-Ingredient Creamy Miso 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: Post-Super Bowl Freebies, Avocado Tip, Freezer Meals + Menu Plan

2025-02-10T10:30:00.000-08:00

I went skiing yesterday for the first time since I was in college, so I'm aching all over today (but especially in the calves). At the same time, I'm so proud of myself for going outside of my comfort zone and doing something I wasn't sure I could do and that I was a little scared to do ... and I'm reminded of how important it is to keep pushing our comfort boundaries. And I was thinking that we ask our kids to do it all the time - at the start of each new school year, trying out for a sports team, and especially for my kids right now, going off to college. But as adults, we need to do it too! (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!)

Today at Starbucks, you can get a free tall hot or iced coffee if you're a Rewards member. Note that the offer might not be available at all stores, like those inside supermarkets.

Also today only at Carl's Jr., you can get a free Alix Earle Hangover Burger if you're a My Rewards member.

Too late for the Super Bowl, but if you're local, you can always get avocados so here's a Kitchn tip: use a potato masher to make your guacamole.

I consider myself reasonably well-educated when it comes to food allergy safety, but I was surprised (and horrified) to learn that at least in Italy, cross-contact due to pasta cooking water is possible if not common.

Last week, I made a triple batch of meatballs so I now have some meatballs in the freezer. But I realized that I haven't been stocking my freezer much, and I miss the ease of being able to easily produce a meal. So that'll be something I'll be looking to do more of in the next few weeks.

MENU PLAN - February 10, 2025

Monday - Tofu and Green Beans with Chili Crisp (didn't get to this last week)

Tuesday - Salmon Chirashizushi

Wednesday - Stuffed Manicotti (using this RTE recipe as a guide, but I'm skipping the beef; I'll make two pans and freeze one)

Thursday-Sunday - Dinner out (we have plans for the long weekend!)

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 Money, LAUSD Choices, Best Tote? + Weekly Menu Plan

2025-02-03T11:20:00.000-08:00

I've been having fun with my family the last couple of days because the basketball trades have been surprisingly wild. It's not that I love the NBA but my kids do and I'm always interested in what they're interested in. I was thinking this morning as I passed a truck with a forklift about how excited my kids would have been to see it when they were toddlers, and how I developed an interest in heavy machines back then. So times change but they also stay the same! (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!)

Just like 2023, my biggest shopping app earner in 2024 was Ibotta*, and right now they're offering a free $5 to new users. (That might be an ongoing offer, but they just promoted it so I'm not sure.)

In terms of ease of use, I like Microsoft Rewards because you can earn totally free money just by clicking a lot.

If you're local and missed LAUSD's Choices application deadline, their late application is now open. You can apply to up to six programs, and if you apply to a program that's already full, you'll be added to the wait list. Depending on your goals, consider calling a school's magnet coordinator to ask the likelihood that you'll get called off the wait list. For more info about the Choices program, check out my other site, LAUSD Magnets.

The LA Times addresses whether your garden is safe if it was contaminated by ash from the fires.

The Kitchn explains how to tell if your container is microwave-safe.

This tote* is the first product I've fallen in love with on TikTok, and I'm so bummed that it's a "frequently returned" item. What do you think?

MENU PLAN - February 3, 2025

Monday - The Most Amazing Canned Tuna Pasta

Tuesday - Salmon Chirashizushi

Wednesday - Tofu and Green Beans with Chili Crisp

Thursday - Enfrijoladas

Friday - Meatball Heroes

Saturday - Salmon Takikomi Gohan

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!