This past week seemed like a blur, though a very long one. Being out of town for 4 days at a conference and away from my family felt like much longer. I attended the School Nutrition Association annual conference on behalf of the Corn Refiners Association. It was a great conference and I enjoyed being in Kansas City.
I had never been to Kansas City before and I was impressed by the city, especially the food. And I’m not just talking barbecue (though I certainly did have some before I left). One of my favorite meals was at The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange. I was dining alone and was seated at the chef’s counter so I could watch all of the action in the kitchen (see pic below). The next evening I joined a group from USFoods at The American. The Chef’s tasting 4 course menu was amazing – very creative pairings and flavors. I also had an herb as part of a salad that I’ve never had or even heard of before – lovage. Ever heard of it? Had it? It is wonderful. As one of my dining companions described it, it is has the zippiness of arugula and a flavor like celery. I couldn’t agree more!
I enjoyed getting back in touch with myself. There is something about traveling alone that can be exhilarating. As a wife, mom and business owner my personal needs are often on the backburner. It was nice to have some extra time to enjoy good meals and go for a run without worrying about childcare. By the end of it though, I was anxious to get home to my family. Every time I saw children close to the age of mine, my heart would pang with longing to see their faces and love on them. And I wished my husband was with me to enjoy some of the incredible food. Nothing beats coming home to family.
So here is the plan for this week:
Monday: Pinto Beans over Brown Rice with Sauteed Spinach
Tuesday: Balsamic Chicken over Whole Grain Pasta with Zucchini (3rd times the charm?)
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Grilled Cheese & Chicken Sausage Waffles with a Berry Salad
Friday: Evening Out
Saturday: Grilled Pork Chops with a Quinoa Pilaf and Zucchini
Sunday: Simple Supper
Have a wonderful week. For more menu planning inspiration, go to Menu Plan Monday on I’m an Organizing Junkie!
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