On the Menu: Zesty Chicken Meatballs I Made with My Mom
Sunday Meal Prep | Week of May 11th
Happy Sunday, friends.
I’ve been traveling the past two weekends for two back-to-back destination weddings. I’m actually on the Big Island in Hawaii right now (my first time here!) and it’s so stunningly beautiful. Life has been so busy lately that I didn’t even clock how special the location of this wedding would be.
Travel can throw off even the best routines, but a few simple habits help me feel like myself, enjoy the trip, and get back on track when I’m home:
Prioritize breakfast. Find a protein shake (watch the sugar and modify!) or a couple of eggs to start the day strong. The hotel buffet is usually bloats-R-US, so beware.
Move your body. I got in one strength session, took a few swims, and hit my step goals the other days. Wedding dance floor action counts too.
Stick to meal timing on travel days. I pack a meal to fit the time of my travel so I’m not just snacking my way through the airport. So if you fly at lunch, bring lunch.
Don’t overthink it. Enjoy the trip. It’s not about restriction—it’s about finding that middle ground so you can have the best time.
I also always order groceries before I get home. I missed my usual prep time today, and won’t be making those zesty chicken meatballs (you should tho!), but I planned ahead: rotisserie chicken for Caesar pasta salad, pre-washed greens, eggs, yogurt, and a frozen pizza for the kids (#relatable?). On weeks like this, I turn to easy staples over takeout. It helps me recalibrate and get back in my groove.
And to all the moms reading—Happy Mother’s Day. Truthfully, I’m a little sad not to be with my kids today, but they’re with my mom, and I’m glad they get those special moments together. If you feel like treating yourself and need some inspiration, here’s the a little mother’s day guide I shared a couple of weeks ago (I also found this cute and colorful necklace at the hotel gift shop—my little Mother’s Day gift to myself):
Speaking of moms…my mom helped me make tonight’s chicken meatball recipe and I have to say it’s f*ing delicious. My mom is a better cook than me, and she makes a mean meatball! These are extra zesty and herby, but simple and light for spring. My kids also loved them with the polenta and tomato sauce. Don’t sleep on this one. (And the recipe is easy enough for dad to make, just saying…)
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Here are a few meal prep-adjacent things I’m loving these days:
Cleaning favorites
Because who doesn’t want to buy cleaning supplies on Mother’s Day. I just restocked a couple of nontoxic (of course) cleaning products I thought I would share:
Biom: I am into these all-purpose cleaning wipes. Freya makes so much mess and these are the easiest way to clean them up. I love the canister—it blends seamlessly into the kitchen.
Koala Eco: I keep coming back to these products. They work, they smell good, they’re great. This dish soap is a favorite.
A wedding-worthy summer bag (that fits your phone)
I wore this bag to my back-to-back weddings and I’m obsessed. I even caught a few of my uncles trying to figure out exactly what it was (one of them goes—is that a lady’s handbag? lol). Anyways, it’s chic.
For what it’s worth: I found mine on The RealReal brand new in the box for less than 1/2 the price (!!) —I checked and there sadly isn’t another, but it is 25% off. It also comes in gold (but not on sale), and there’s an oyster version as well, which is also fun. A much better Mother’s Day (or any day) purchase. 😘
Alright, friends, let’s cook!
This week we have a delicious line up including those zesty chicken meatballs, my favorite chicken Cesar pasta salad, a coconut miso salmon bowl, protein-packed plant-based pasta, and more. Bon appétit!
