A For Effort

Talked about in this episode, but written down for reference here:

Amanda's pantry staples:

• Bruschetta
• Dill Pickle mini falafel
• Lemon Curd
• Mini Brie
• Hasbrowns

Megan’s pantry staples:

• Hot and Sweet Jalapenos
• Oat non-dairy frozen dessert sandwiches. 
• Dark chocolate pb cups
• Chocolate croissants and cream cheese croissants (these don’t have to raise overnight!)
• Face wash with tea tree oil 

Things the listeners love:

• Sweet potato gnocchi
• Butter waffle cookies
• Acai bowls
• All the Indian premade stuff
• Pre-made rice
• Frozen pizza dough

Amanda's favorite quick exclusive TJ's meal, is the Sundried Sunshine meal.

1. Sundried tomato chicken sausage
2. Bag of shaved brussel sprouts
3. Bag of cauliflower
4. Any other bagged veggies, sometimes I use spinach.
5. Jar of sundried tomatoes. 
6. Parmesan 

Sautee all the veggies in a pan with the oil from the tomatoes, until they’re nice, brown and crispy, basically until you salivate. Add the sausage until cooked. Then you add the tomatoes and parmesan. When that’s all yummo, you serve it with a baguette. The end. 

Megan's favorite falafel meal: 

1. Bag of frozen falafel (that dill pickle falafel is insanely good AND the perfect size)
2. Yogurt tzatziki sauce 
3. Jalapeno cilantro hummus (optional but very worth it!)
4. Spinach, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes
5. Feta cheese
6. If I’m feeling “extra” I’ll pickle a red onion

Need it REALLY FAST? Easiest one ever, no prep at all:

1. Bag of dumplings or bao. Just depends on what I’m in the mood for.
2. Bag of fried rice.
3. Bag of edamame.

Microwave the edamame. Pan fry everything else. You’ve just used 3 dishes and made and entire dinner.

From Megan: This does NOT count as a recipe, but I always keep, at minimum, 4 bags of frozen orange chicken in the freezer. I have this meal timed out down to the minute, and I can have it on the table in 30 minutes. I preheat the oven while I get the rice out, rinse it, and get it in the pot. While I wait for the rice to start boiling, I line a baking sheet with foil, pour the chicken on it, and pop it into the oven (even if the oven isn’t done preheating - it’s fine, trust me). When the rice begins to boil, I put the lid on and start the timer for 15 minutes. Then I sit back and relax.

Happy eating, friends!

Whether you have all girls or all boys, or a mix of both, this episode is sure to speak to your parent heart. All those potty jokes? All the times your daughter wants to paint your nails? All of it... we will miss it one day. For now though, let's just talk about how these beautiful kids are so different and bring so much joy into our lives! They're intense in their own ways, and those differences make it all the more fun! 

Ahhhhh, the sweet smell of brand new, colored wax; a crayon you may call it. A whiff of that can only mean one thing, school is in session. Off they go, and you are feeling all the feels. Let's talk about those feelings, friend. 

Honestly, just blame it on the frontal lobe. Its lack of development makes kids do things we scratch our heads at. But let's be real... even when it is fully "developed" we still do perplexing things. And that's where this episode comes from.

Despite what any one will say, if you live with a kid, chances are 100% that at some point in time you've felt guilt for leaving them behind to have a moment "just to yourself." Well today we are saying "NO MORE!" We are your cheerleaders when it comes to going out on dates with your partner, working out WITHOUT the kids, having that girls night, watching a show while also simultaneously watching that pile of laundry sit there.... all of it, it'll be fine. You take that moment to yourself and we'll fold the laundry for you. We got you.

So you're looking to move your family, eh?? No idea where to go?? Fear not, Brave Caregiver. We are about to lay out all the pros and cons of each locale. We may or may not have given way too much love and attention to the city.... but don't let that sway you. The golden fields of wheat of rural lands may also call you... and wherever you land, we'll send you a "house warming" gift. 

Thanks social media for reminding us every day that people are funny and we're all in this together! This week we asked you to send in your "most relatable content" from the past week, and you delivered! We're reading the tweets, memes and posts you sent us, and there was no shortage of laughter. 

This week Amanda gets a break from the podcast life, while Megan brings on her dad and her brother's best friend. The guys share their unsupervised antics and a few life-lessons learned from growing up in a small town. Cows, hay, and tornadoes... oh, my! 

This week Megan is off on a well deserved vacation and Amanda brings on her mom to co-host! Together they explore all the nuances of parenting in each decade, what was cool then, isn't cool now... or is it?? Peg leg pants?? They're back baby!! But bologna.... yeah, still not back.

Make a new friend as an adult?! Are you kidding?! Why not just ask me to try and wash my kids hair? Cause both are nearly impossible!!!!! But wait, is it really? Have you considered a simple smile and paying attention to their name? Give it a try. We dare you.