Hi friend,

Can you believe it’s already August? I swear I blinked sometime around mid-June and here we are—knee-deep in school supply shopping, lunch planning, and trying to remember where we stashed the water bottles with matching lids. 😅

But while we prep for back-to-school routines, I’m also hanging on tight to the last bits of summer. We’re still squeezing in as many pool days, park visits, and popsicles on the porch as possible—because memories matter just as much as meal prep.

This month’s newsletter is packed with:
✔️ My go-to back-to-school picks (from lunchboxes to Amazon must-haves)
✔️ Healthy after-school snack ideas
✔️ Weeknight dinners that basically cook themselves
✔️ Local La Crosse park picks we love
✔️ And of course, my favorite kitchen find this month!

🥪 Say Goodbye to the Lunch Rut

If you're stuck in a “PB&J again?!” loop, I’ve got you.
My Easy Lunch Ideas post is full of real-life, kid-tested lunches that don’t require cutting sandwiches into stars (unless you're feeling ✨extra✨). Think taco bento boxes, pizza snackers, buffalo chicken quesadillas—and tools to make lunch-packing actually fun.

→ See the Lunchbox Roundup​

🧃 After-School Snacks That Actually Satisfy

Whether they’re coming home from school or just hungry from a morning of LEGO building, these snacks are low-mess, kid-approved, and sneakily nutritious:

• ​No-Bake Energy Bites​
• ​Versatile Snack Bars​
• ​Mini Banana Muffins​

🍝 Quick Dinners for Busy Weeknights

Let’s be real—back-to-school nights are no time for a four-course meal. These are my “feed everyone fast and feel fancy” dinner recipes:

• ​Lemon Chicken Taco Dinner – homemade or store-bought, this one’s flexible!
• ​One-Pot Rigatoni Ragu​
• ​Ricotta Alfredo Sauce​
• ​Pesto Basics – fresh, freezer-friendly, and fabulous.

📚 School Must-Haves for Every Age

From preschool to packed work bags, I rounded up items to make the transition easier for everyone—including teachers and tired parents.
→ Check Out the Back-to-School Essentials​

And because back-to-school season means more time in the kitchen (for better or worse), I had to highlight my current must-have kitchen item:

✨ This 7-Piece Teak Wood Utensil Set is beautiful, durable, and makes even stirring mac & cheese feel a little luxurious.

Enjoy these last sweet days of summer—whether that’s chasing kids at the playground or sneaking in a quiet iced coffee while they’re at camp.

As always, I’m so glad you’re here. ❤️

Cheers 🥂,

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🌳 Local Love: Favorite Parks in La Crosse, WI If you’re local to La Crosse (or just planning a trip), I’m sharing a few of my family’s favorite green spaces to run, snack, and soak up sunshine before the snow sneaks in. Check out the guide →