Practical tips, reliable recipes, & family-friendly food ideas

Kristen

Food is a priority. For my family, that means we invest a lot of time and energy into what we cook and eat. Why? Because we find great joy and satisfaction in flavorful meals that we can share together and we care about what we put into our bodies. Since I can remember, I have committed a good part of my weekend to developing upcoming weekly family meal plans (including recipe research), writing and organizing my grocery list, shopping for groceries and then processing them when I get home. I started MENUbility in the hopes that the things I do for my family will provide you with new ideas for dinner, time-saving tools, and the encouragement you need to prepare and enjoy family meals together.

Lemony Chia Breakfast Bread

Posted on May 30, 2016

Who doesn’t love to wake up to a citrusy, lemon breakfast bread on a bright and sunny morning? My first experience with this delicious recipe was when my mother-in-law brought it to our house as her contribution to a family celebration. She posted the original recipe on her blog as a French Lemon Yogurt Cake. I couldn’t get enough of it! However, as I typically do, I started to experiment with.. Read More

Easy Vegetarian Chili & Cheesy Chile Cornbread

Posted on January 22, 2016

Few things can warm you up on a blustery Winter day like good, old fashioned chili and cornbread. I remember eating my  mom’s chili growing up, which I would classify as more of a “Cincinnati-style” chili. It was a rich and spicy tomato-based chili with ground beef, kidney beans, and short spaghetti noodles. The noodles were my favorite part. I didn’t care much for the beans, so I would ask.. Read More

Healthy Family Dinner Ideas for Fall

Posted on September 27, 2015

As we transition into Autumn, I’m focusing on a mix of Healthy Family Dinner ideas, some of which include and others that exclude meat. I try to balance out our weekly dinners with a few meat-free meals.  Not all our vegetarian meals are light, but taking a break from meat in lieu of plant-based proteins definitely has us feeling like we’re eating a little healthier. One dish I’m excited to share with you is.. Read More

Savory Sweet Potato Recipe: Corn and Sweet Potato Hash with fresh Tomatoes, Peppers and Basil

Posted on September 27, 2015

This savory sweet potato recipe is one of those brilliant, yet rare, moments when you unearth a hodge podge of random produce without a plan and improvise those things into a tasty hash. The ingredients, part roasted and part raw, are comforting and fresh, smoky and sweet, earthy and vibrant. The first time this hash was made, it was served as a side to grilled chicken. The 2nd time, I incorporated.. Read More

Easy Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas

Posted on September 27, 2015

We are one taco-lovin’, chips-&-salsa-eatin’, quesadilla-crazy family, but every once in a while I need to change up the format of our favorite mexican flavors. This easy rotisserie chicken enchilada recipe did not disappoint. On Sunday, our local grocery store sells rotisserie chickens for $4.99 so the recipe is as affordable as it is tasty.  You can enjoy the chicken as-is, or you can use it as a starting point for.. Read More

Summer Family Dinner Ideas (No.3)

Posted on July 30, 2015

Hello friends! I’ve made it through a month of birthday and holiday celebrations.  Now it’s time to detox (just a little) and get back on track with good, clean eating. Fortunately, healthy options for summer family dinner ideas are as abundant as the fresh summer produce in North Carolina.  In my backyard, tomato plants, peppers and herbs are thriving.  Soon, these plants will provide us with the best tasting and most convenient.. Read More

Healthy Family Meals for Summer (No. 2)

Posted on July 13, 2015

How is it the middle of July already?! We recently returned from a trip to visit my lovely and amazing in-laws at their beautiful home in Lake Lure, NC.  They are so gracious to host one of my family’s most beloved traditions: going to their Lake Lure home for the 4th of July.  The whole weekend is packed with delightful food, time on the water, naps on the “sleeping porch”, wine tastings (juice.. Read More

Baked Pasta Recipe: Baked Alfredo Florentine

Posted on July 13, 2015

This dish was inspired by a baked pasta recipe on Cooking Light that was promoted as one of it’s best or most popular dishes. After reading the reviews, I thought the “idea” sounded more promising than the recipe itself. Too many reviewers said the recipe lacked flavor and I agreed that it seemed to be missing something. Confident that, with a few tweaks here and there, this baked pasta recipe could be.. Read More

Crock pot Chicken Recipes: Verde Chicken Tacos

Posted on July 13, 2015

I’m almost embarrassed to post this as a recipe. Why you ask? Because it’s so insanely simple and easy.  I’ve made it dozens of times.  We share this dinner with friends quite often and the recipe is one of my “most requested”. I do feel like the it’s more of a dirty little secret, though. Hopefully, you’ll agree it’s the best kind of secret to share!  I hope you add it.. Read More