Back to School Meals

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Goodbye, Summer. Hello, Grand Strand Plus Other News

Can you believe that we just got home from Virginia, and we’re packing up and taking off again? Our destination is a quick trip to South Carolina’s Grand Strand. We’re staying at MiMa’s cottage, and it’s our last beach trip of the summer. Truthfully, we’re just going down for the fried shrimp and the outlet shopping.  I’m kidding, sort of.

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Before we go, I wanted to share a few things with you to wrap up the month.

We are officially back in school.  Sleeping in is a thing of the past. I try to be up at 6 a.m. every day. I really need that morning time to sip my tea, and, well, just sit there for 30 minutes.  Afternoons are now rushed.  That time of the day from afternoon pickup to getting dinner on the table is not smooth sailing. I really try to plan meals that are simple and easy. I hope you checked out the four back-to-school meals I shared on Monday. Out of those four, the pasta, broccoli, and tofu meal is the easiest, and is the family favorite.  As a proud mom, I had to share my son's first day in first grade. His little sister didn't want to leave the classroom. She starts preschool next week.  Yea!


I have a first grader.
Speaking of food, I ate like a queen when I was in Roanoke, Virginia, and at the Homestead Resort.  I would hate to count up the calories I consumed in one day, but my attitude is that a vacation is about indulging; not calorie-counting.  You can head over to Skimbaco to get a taste of my indulging habits, and I also have a new favorite craft brew. 


Scrumptious cheesecake at the Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, Virginia

If you are a blogger reading this, then you know that as a blogger you make some fabulous online friends blogging.  People who don’t blog really don’t understand this, but trust me, it happens, and it’s wonderful.  You exchange email pleasantries from time to time, and you catch up with each other by reading your respective blogs.  As you all know, I don’t have much talent other than checking into a luxury hotel, but the DIY bloggers in the blog world are so talented.  You know who they are:  You pin their work on Pinterest like crazy.

Check this baby out!

Sutton Place Designs
My blogging friend Ann of On Sutton Place sent me her handiwork from her Etsy shop in the form of this vintage grain sack tote.  Apparently, I have some luck because I won her giveaway by linking up this post about what a llama taught me aboutblogging.

To see a blogging friend’s own beautiful work was awe-inspiring.  She is so talented.  She gave up her job in education this year to nurture her own business.  She is on her way to a successful year.  The vintage French grain totes are $65.  As the holidays approach, Ann also has some cute items that would make great gifts.  I’m fond of her tea towels and lavender sachets.  If you visit her, please tell her that I sent you. 

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

And for my local Triangle friends, mark your calendars for the First United Methodist Church-Cary 20th Annual Children’s Consignment Sale beginning Friday, September 14-15.  You can find all the details on the sale’s website, and they are still seeking consignors this year.  I just spent $160 at Target on Friday for some basics like socks, underwear, boy’s jeans, toddler Champion sneakers in fuchsia, and some school snacks. Raising children can certainly put a dent in your wallet, so definitely check out the sale if you are in the area.  The proceeds support the church’s missions.



If you are new to this blog, and this post was helpful to you, or if you enjoyed this post, I would love it if you could share it via Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It helps others learn about the Hines-Sight Blog, and it is the only way people learn about this blog since I do not advertise.  I also have a Facebook page, and Twitter account, and would enjoy interacting with you there as well.  I am also on Pinterest. 


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Goodbye, Summer. Hello, Grand Strand Plus Other News
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Simplicity on Monday: Four Quick Meals for Back-to-School Nights

We’re back in school.  My son started first grade today.  That means I need to plan simple meals throughout the week.  By simple, I mean few ingredients, little prep time, and a cooking time under 20 minutes.


Here are four meals that have passed the Hines Simplicity Test and are ready for our menu rotation.


Sloppy Joe Loaves

¾ pound ground beef or turkey                               2 tablespoons brown sugar
¼ cup of chopped onion                                          2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 (14 ½ ounce) diced tomatoes                                Italian bread loaf or bread loaves already sliced
1 teaspoon of garlic                                                 1 ½ cups of cheddar cheese

Cook beef, onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium heat.  When no longer pink, drain. Add tomatoes, brown sugar, and vinegar to skillet with meat, stirring constantly, 3 minutes.



Place sliced loaves on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes until toasted. Spread bread loaves with meat mixture, and top with cheese. Bake at 425 degrees for 12 minutes or until cheese melts. This mixture could also work on buns. This recipe was adapted from a Southern Living Cookbook, published in 2003. The original recipe calls for using an entire loaf bread, not slices.


Pita Pizza Pockets

1 cup of pizza sauce                                        1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
4 (6 or 7-inch pita rounds, cut in half)               2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Sliced pepperoni

Pita Pizza Pockets
Spread 2 tablespoons pizza sauce inside each pita half.  My pita halves were smaller so I used less sauce. Arrange pepperoni slices inside each half.  Sprinkle cheeses evenly in pockets. Place pizza pockets on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. This recipe is also from the same Southern Living Cookbook that I've owned since 2003.

Pasta with Broccoli and Tofu

This is a family staple in my house. I’ve featured it before on my blog, but I now have a better photo.

Broccoli florets                                                  6 tablespoons of Olive Oil
One package of Extra Firm Tofu                        1 cup of grated Parmesan Cheese
16 ounces of Bow-Tie Pasta
Pasta with Broccoli and Tofu
Dice Tofu, and cook until brown in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Cook bow-tie pasta according to directions.  To save time, toss broccoli florets in your boiling pasta water for the last six or seven minutes of boiling.  Drain pasta and broccoli.  Once your tofu is browned, add it to the pasta and broccoli in a large bowl.  Begin to toss the pasta mixture with the remaining four tablespoons of olive oil and parmesan cheese.  Serve in bowls. This recipe was created by me. 

Pasta with Zucchini, Tomatoes, Bacon, and Feta

This recipe for Pasta with Zucchini, Tomatoes, Bacon and Feta can be found in Real Simple Magazine, and it’s now online.  It is from the August magazine, and it’s great.  I could not find a short pasta when I was at Trader Joes so I used rotini and  turkey bacon. I loved it and will make it again.
Pasta with Zucchini, Tomatoes, Bacon, and Feta

I would give you a fifth meal, but I give you permission to close the kitchen and eat out.

Bon appetite, and I hope everyone has a great school year.


If you are new to this blog, and this post was helpful to you, or if you enjoyed this post, I would love it if you could share it via Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It helps others learn about the Hines-Sight Blog, and it is the only way people learn about this blog since I do not advertise.  I also have a Facebook page, and Twitter account, and would enjoy interacting with you there as well. 
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Simplicity on Monday: Four Quick Meals for Back-to-School Nights
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