profile

A Mind "Full" Mom: Family-Friendly Recipes

From breakfast to dinner to dessert, Kristen shares delicious, tried, and true recipes that are big on flavor, made with easy-to-find wholesome ingredients, and family-approved! She also sends Free Weekly Meal Plans complete with meal-prep tips and a grocery list.

Featured Post

Too Tired to Cook? This WILL Help!

Hi Reader, Sometimes the thought of making dinner makes me want to cry. In fact, I was there last night. It had been a long day, I just wanted to forgo dinner. But my stomach and my family were certainly NOT going to let me do that. So what do I do when I am simply too tired to cook? Yes, sometimes I turn to take-out. But more than often, I turn to my EASIEST of easy recipes. We are talking MINIMAL prep, simple ingredients, and NO thought required kinda meals. Because dinner does NOT and...

Hi Reader, Back-to-school season is here! Which means schedules just got a whole lot busier. Between homework, activities, and the general chaos of weeknights, getting a healthy meal on the table can feel impossible. But here’s the good news--you don’t need hours (or fancy ingredients) to feed your family well. In fact, you can make affordable, nutrient-dense dinners in under 30 minutes. I pulled together over 50 quick and easy family dinner recipes that are perfect for those nights when time...

Hi Reader, If your kids are like mine, they're always hungry. Between after-school hangry meltdowns, bedtime snack requests, and filling lunch boxes, coming up with snack ideas can feel like a full-time job. But snack time doesn't have to be stressful. I've put together a huge list of easy, healthy snack ideas, And no, we aren't talking Pinterest-perfect creations, just realistic options your kids will actually eat (and you'll actually feel good about serving). Today I am sharing: Grab-and-go...

Hi Reader, This all started with my son moving into his college apartment last year--on a limited budget, busy, and suddenly responsible for feeding himself (no more dining plan!) As a mom with a passion for teaching people to cook, I couldn’t send him off with nothing but good wishes and instant noodles. So, I put together a little “care package” for his kitchen: A meat thermometer (because food safety matters) A smaller air fryer (the college kid’s magic wand) A good sauté pan (ceramic,...

Hi Reader, I hope you are all having a wonderful week. It is the last weekend with Tate home and to be honest, I am struggling. I am so excited for the upcoming year for him, but man are we going to miss him. Now onto the meal plan...This plan includes a family-favorite Tex Mex Casserole and delicious BBQ chicken served 3 ways! Get the Meal Plan Here Happy Cooking! Kristen Browse My Recipe Index for More Great Recipes Kristen's Favorite Products Explore the Amazon Storefront Thanks for...

Hi Reader, Back-to-school season is here--and with it comes the daily question: What on earth do I pack for lunch? If you're tired of: Lunchboxes coming home barely touched Spending way too much time (and money) trying to keep things "fun" Running out of ideas by week two… I've got you covered. I pulled together 100+ easy, kid-friendly lunch ideas along with: Stress-saving tips (like when to pack lunches to skip the morning scramble) Mix-and-match combos that keep kids full and happy Creative...

Hi Reader, Back-to-school season is almost here (not me crying over here), and if your house is anything like mine, evenings are chaotic. Between homework, practices, and just trying to keep everyone fed, dinner can feel like one more thing on the to-do list. But here's what I've learned, a little prep here and there makes a huge difference. And no, I'm not talking about spending your whole Sunday cooking. I mean super simple strategies that actually work. So let's breakdown my tips! Make one...

Hi Reader, When it comes to recipes, my motto is to keep it simple, yet flavorful. And there is NO better ingredient to turn to to impart huge flavor to your meals than Basil Pesto! Whether starting with store-bought or homemade pesto(seriously so easy to make!), this simple condiment elevates recipes with it's bold, vibrant, fresh flavor. I have been using it on repeat and can't get enough! My Favorite Ways to Use Basil Pesto Add to Pasta: Use my recipe for pesto pasta for a pesto-forward...

Hi Reader, I hope you are all having a wonderful week. I have just one more month before my son returns to college, so I am trying to soak it all in--without smothering him😂 Onto the meal plan...This week's plan includes easy pesto chicken, pesto pizza, and crazy good chicken burgers. Get the Meal Plan Here Happy Cooking! Kristen Browse My Recipe Index for More Great Recipes Kristen's Favorite Products Explore the Amazon Storefront Thanks for subscribing to newsletters from A Mind "Full" Mom....

Hi Reader, Let’s face it, cooking can be a lot. Between busy schedules, picky eaters, and piles of dishes, sometimes it feels like a full-time job. But what if I told you there are a few genius tricks that can totally transform how you cook…without fancy tools or complicated steps? I’ve pulled together 10 of my favorite mind-blowing kitchen hacks that use everyday tools (like your handheld mixer or muffin tin!) to make life easier, tastier, and way less messy. 10 Kitchen Hacks You’ll Wish You...