Scattered Sundays

I have a confession that just can’t wait for monthly confessions.

It’s embarrassing too.

I’ve started watching a new show some evenings, and um…it’s one I used to make fun of other people for watching. Like, really make fun of them. Relentlessly.

A few years ago, you all recommended I start watching The Good Place, and I loved it! And somehow…that um, transitioned to me watching the show that makes me die a tiny death to publicly admit.

My name is Sarah, and I have been binging Veronica Mars. I’ll stand here patiently while you point and laugh. I deserve it.

We haven’t had a coffee table since Jack was mobile. And therefore unstable and bound and determined to truly hurt himself. Instead, we’ve rocked a storage ottoman for 10 years.

Our current footstool was a one-person situation and eventually Troy and I got sick of fighting over it and we bought this new one off of Amazon.

I’ve been a parent for 10.5 years now, and I somehow never once saw this coming. Rookie mistake.

We had our first frost this week. What in the actual hell? Our average first frost date is around November 8th. My weird “no fires in the woodstove before November 1st” rule might just be broken this year!

Of course, the day we had an hour-long hail storm is the day Bennett went to preschool in shorts and a tshirt. Bennett is incredibly particular about his clothing and currently has one pair of pants that he likes. One.

He calls them “cozy pants” and they’re a fleece pair that are a hand me down from Target. And naturally, they don’t sell them anymore. I’ve spent days scouring Goodwill and other stores trying to find suitable replacements. None measure up and he’s having 20-minute meltdowns every morning over pants.

Have I mentioned how much I really hate when kids are three? May his brain and soul return to his body soon.

You can chalk this up to first-world luxuries, but I found something that has changed my life. It’s this little rubber insert thing for your car’s cupholder. 

My car’s cupholders have gone in the way of most American products – bigger and bigger! My taller water bottles (like these Liberty bottles) and my reusable to-go cup for the blended iced coffee I make every morning are too narrow for my cupholders and move around. I constantly feel like they’re going to tip over going around corners.

And being a weird Type-A nut job, the rattling of the bottles/cups drove me bananas.

I tried using a beer coozy (klassy), a piece of foam, rubber bands, etc., but nothing worked. Troy found some inserts on Amazon and it is like all my problems were solved. All my little insignificant first world problems.

Jack a four-day weekend which morphed into a hike with him and my nephew. It was a perfect Northwest fall day with crisp temps, colorful leaves, and lots of sunshine. This time of year makes my heart so full.

wearing his favorite cozy pants, AKA the only freaking pair he’ll wear

I’ve been asked to give an update on our newest chicken BB Egg. She definitely was not a rooster like her coopmate Kylo Hen. She’s been fully integrated with the rest of the flock and for the most part, is doing really well.

As with all chickens, there is a pecking order and she is at the bottom of it. The only time they mess with her is when we throw out treats and she is reminded she’s the newest and littlest. 

Have you had a chance to check out our American-made water bottle collection with Liberty Bottleworks yet? They’re perfect for the upcoming holidays and they support a rad local company. Just make sure you use coupon code “sustainablecooks20” to take 20% off your order!

Housekeeping

Are you part of our Instagram family? We have so much fun over there and I want you to join in!

What I’m Listening To This Week

Ok, I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s time to mention it again. My Dad Wrote a Porno is the funniest thing you can listen to in the history of the world. The end.

Reader Spotlight of the Week

Andree left this five-star review on our Vegetable Noodle Soup {Pin this recipe}:

So. Flipping. Good. My DH, who is usually meh on soups, ate it for dinner last night. Loved it. Then had leftovers for breakfast. Leftover soup for breakfast. Totally unheard of. 

On Sustainable Cooks This Week

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts – This easy side dish of Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts is so delicious and healthy. Perfectly caramelized in the air fryer, these roasted and crispy brussels sprouts are Whole30, paleo, keto, and vegan. The perfect gateway brussels sprouts recipe for anyone new to trying this amazing veggie! {Pin this recipe}

Instant Pot Orange Chicken – You’re going to love this tender, juicy, and incredibly flavorful Instant Pot Orange Chicken! This easy and healthy orange chicken recipe involves no frying, nothing sketchy – just real food ingredients that beats takeout every time. {Pin this recipe}

Roasted Frozen Broccoli – Save time and money by making Roasted Frozen Broccoli part of your weekly dinner rotation. It’s so easy to whip up this crispy broccoli for a fast and healthy side dish. You’ll be amazed at how affordable, simple, and delicious it is to roast frozen vegetables. {Pin this recipe}

The Five Most Popular Posts This Week

1. Virgin Mojito  {Pin this recipe}
2. Canning Pears  {Pin this recipe}
3. Canning Applesauce  {Pin this recipe}
4. Canning Apple Butter  {Pin this recipe}
5. Whole30 Costco Shopping List  {Pin this recipe}

Meal Plan

If you’re looking for some help with meal planning, we highly recommend Momables Momables emails you a weekly meal plan, shopping list and prep list for $10 a month. It rules.

Monday:: Out. Jack has a doctor’s appointment right after dinner. We’re finally taking Jack for his 10-year checkup…six months after he turned 10. Whoops. Let’s just call it a 10 & 1/2 well check.

Tuesday:: Butternut Squash Soup (no, we didn’t have it last week like planned and I still have everything for it) and grilled garlic bread.

Wednesday:: Grilled chicken (it’s just chicken breasts from Butcher Box with olive oil and Montreal Steak Seasoning) and a new Instant Pot side dish I’m trying out for the blog.

Thursday:: Whole30 Potato Soup and salad.

Friday:: Popcorn, leftovers, and movie night

Saturday:: TBD. Probably breakfast because we have leftover buttermilk from Jack making whole wheat pancakes this week.

Sunday:: Family dinner

What We Bought This Week

Fred Meyer: $24.79 but I rounded up to $25 for the food bank.

Costco: $81.11. Forgot to get a photo but we bought: La Croix (it’s on instant rebate right now), chocolate chips (Costco now has Kirkland Signature sustainable cocoa choc chips!!), a pepperoni pizza for dinner, butter, organic chicken breast, organic apples, and organic olive oil.

What are you having this week?

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