The Salad I Can't Stop Making Right Now & Weekly Meal Ideas

and More!

May 16, 2025

The asparagus salad I’m loving right now

Get the Recipe: Spring Salad with Asparagus, Pistachios, and Parmesan

Asparagus is everywhere right now, and this is one of my favorite ways to use it.

This week on the blog, I’m sharing a spring salad I’ve been making for years. It’s simple, and full of texture: raw asparagus, super tender butter lettuce, crunchy roasted, salted pistachios, and shaved Parm. And maybe best of all, no cooking involved!

It’s also one of those recipes that works well for families with young kids and/or picky eaters because you can easily serve it deconstructed. It gives kids the opportunity to decide which, if any, of the ingredients of the salad they want to try.

And if your kid ends up with just a plate of Parmesan curls or decides not to try any of the salad, that counts! They’re exposed to the foods because they see them on the table, and they see you eating them.

I’ve been enjoying the salad at lunch with either leftover Dijon Mustard Salmon or Anna’s Orange Ginger Glazed Salmon. I don’t reheat the salmon. Personally, I can’t eat reheated fish, but I do like cold salmon as part of a salad sometimes.

Here’s the salad recipe in case you missed it at the top: Spring Asparagus Salad

Are you familiar with the term Gummy Bear Mom?

Check out this piece by Holly Perez. I was honored to be included in the conversation.

Signs You’re a Gummy Bear Mom—Plus Why It’s Cool (and Healthy!) to be One

Our latest social media post

If you’re not on Instagram or Facebook, check out our latest social media post all about teaching kids about nutrition.

Curious about the best way to teach kids about nutrition?

🍎Teach children about where food comes from?
🍎 Encourage curiosity. Ask children to notice what food looks, smells, feels, sounds, and tastes like.
🍎 Give children opportunities to interact with and be exposed to different foods.
🍎 Teach children basic food cooking and preparation skills.
🍎 Read picture books about food, including foods from different cultures
🍎 Show them what balanced meals look like with the food you serve.

In short...A lot more modeling and experiences, and a lot less telling.

Curious to learn more? Read Anna’s blog post: Teaching Kids About Nutrition.

And check out our preschool and elementary school workbook and curriculum for parents and teachers! .

Our latest podcast episode

In case you missed our latest podcast episode, here’s the link: 5 Pillar Feeding Framework.

What I’m cooking this week/Meal ideas

DINNERS

Dijon mustard salmon, asparagus, butter lettuce salad, and couscous
Just Bare brand chicken nuggets, mixed green salad with mustard vinaigrette, whole roasted sweet potatoes
Black bean taco soup, chips and guacamole, sliced strawberries
Pasta with Brussels sprouts and bacon, bagged salad kit, baguette, and butter
Tofu, veggies, and rice with spicy peanut sauce

LUNCHES

Leftover taco soup, chips and salsa, strawberries and raspberries
Yogurt, granola, berries, hummus, carrots, and cookies
Leftover pasta with bacon and Brussels sprouts, carrots, and red peppers with hummus, pretzels
Leftover tofu, veggie rice bowl with peanut sauce; yogurt, apple slices, cookies
Boursin cheese and cucumber sandwich, Greek yogurt, berries, cookies (My grandmother made me Boursin cheese and cucumber sandwiches when I was a child, and I still love them!)

BREAKFAST

Greek yogurt, granola, berries
Cereal and milk, berries
Oatmeal with brown sugar and bananas

What’s a food you loved as a child that you still love today?