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Busy Week? These 5 Easy Dinners Are Here to Help

For moms who manage money, meals, and the messy middle.

Author

Ann Woo
December 01, 2025

In partnership with

Happy Monday! Today is going to be a great day and I’m so glad you’re here. 🥰 

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ours was so special with lots of family time, a full day of cooking, and watching the parade with my kids. According to last week’s poll, 58% of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving meal in the late afternoon between 3–5pm! If you’re over the leftovers, I have five insanely delicious recipes for you below.

It’s December 1 and the countdown to Christmas is officially on!!! With two dinner parties and a breakfast with Santa on the calendar, it’s a festive week ahead. We picked up our $90 Christmas tree in the NC mountains this weekend and decorated yesterday so my happiness levels are off the charts. This season is pure magic, especially with young children, and I’m trying to soak in every minute.

I ask this every year to get a feel for what everyone’s doing: How many Christmas or holiday cards do you send out? My number changes each year, but last year I mailed 105. I’d love to hear from all 1,174 of you in the poll at the end!

ICYMI, here’s a roundup of my favorite Cyber Monday deals I put together last week! I’m 90% done with my Christmas shopping already and feeling good. Hope you score some great deals today:

Please note links are affiliate links and I appreciate your support!

Let’s get into it:

Is this the cutest heating pad ever?

Meet the Menstruation Crustacean—the microwaveable, ultra-soothing lobster heating pad that brings major comfort and a little comic relief. Just pop this plush crustacean in the microwave and let its warm weight melt away period cramps, backaches, or any random aches life throws at you. Plus, it features a soothing lavender scent to boost your mood when it’s that time of the month. This little guy is hilarious and functional – the perfect Secret Santa gift or stocking stuffer for this holiday season! Check out the rest of the Menstruation Crustacean gang, too.

🍽️ What’s for Dinner

  • Greek Baked Orzo - This high fiber recipe sounds incredible with it’s use of red bell pepper, kale, chicken and chickpeas in one pan. My kids also love orzo and know it will be a hit with them as well.

  • Mustardy Sheet-Pan Salmon with Greens - This less-than-30-minute dish is light, healthy and fast. Everything I’m looking for during this busy holiday season.

  • Slow Cooker Beef Stew - I haven’t made a beef stew this season yet and I’ve overdue! This recipe looks insanely easy and yummy.

  • French Onion Meatballs with Gravy - My kids are all about meatballs, and this recipe sounds so good. Rice, mashed potatoes, or polenta would be perfect for soaking up that yummy sauce.

  • Honey Garlic Edamame Chicken Stir Fry - This recipe is packed with my kids’ favorite ingredients, and I love that it comes together so quickly. Cannot wait to make this.

❤️ What I’m Recommending

This section contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them—at no extra cost to you (thanks for supporting the newsletter!).

  • This brand has the best needlepoint pillows to gift any woman in your life. I got a “Have Yourself a Merry Little Cocktail” for our bar area! I bet you they have a quote for every season of life someone may be in. 20% off everything!

  • I’m obsessed with these hand blown colored wine glasses. They’re so beautiful on any tablescape and I have the stem and stemless- both so perfect. Huge sale right now!

  • I use this sturdy tote/bag for my one year old anytime we travel. You know babies and toddlers require a lot of stuff and this bag is durable and can hold it all! I also have the smaller tote bag with pockets for all of my pantry/food items for when we’re traveling. 30% off everything!

  • This is my husband’s favorite hoodie that I got for him a few years ago and he still wears it constantly. It’s been through many washes and its still so soft. 33% off right now!

  • Robes for everyone! I’m eyeing this fun print satin robe for myself and my husband has had this super cozy plush robe for over five years now. Perfect for these chilly days!

  • If you’re prone to aches and pains, you need this easy to use massage device that can target any area. Currently 31% off.

💸 In This Economy? (Mom’s Version)

NC Mom of One on a $280K Household Income

In This Economy? is a weekly series showcasing the costs of motherhood from real moms. Want to share your story anonymously? Submit here — no names, no judgment.

  • Age: Mid 30s

  • Kids: One three-year-old

  • Job: Marketing

  • Household Income: ~$280k

  • Own or rent: Own, $2,100/month

  • Childcare or daycare expense: $1,900

  • Recent purchase you regret: My Hulu subscription that I keep forgetting to cancel $9.99

  • Splurge and don’t regret: New leather handbag that’s so pretty and big enough to hold all the random stuff I have to carry for my daughter, $800

  • Best “mom sanity” splurge: A matcha or latte while I’m out, even though I’ve already had one at home - and fitness classes

  • Weekly “kid stuff” spend: $50

  • Weekly spend on groceries: $150-200 … but my husband is responsible for the bi-weekly Costco run. We cook at home A LOT.

  • Most spent on a kid party: The parties are low key but we like to host with catering and beverages for the adults so around $600

  • Purchase that you don’t tell your partner about: We keep our finances separate and split everything for the house and family, so I don’t have to hide anything I buy for myself and likewise for him. We trust each other to not make purchases that’d be harmful to our financial future.

  • Saving for your kids college tuitions: Ugh no all money is currently going to her expensive preschool education haha but my dad set up a savings account for college and I’m forever grateful.

  • Something financial you wish your parents had taught you: My dad is a CPA so he taught me everything - I just didn’t listen haha. So I was young and made lots of mistakes, but I am finally feeling like I’m figuring it out. I wish I’d learned budgeting earlier instead of just winging it.

  • Managing family budget: I manage my own budget and set specific goals for myself, but we come together quarterly to make sure everything is still split fairly and we are making savings goals for retirement, house, vacation etc.

  • Great ways to save money on kid-related expenses: I buy her clothes usually secondhand or on sale - she grows so quick and is so messy can’t bring myself to spend a ton of money on her wardrobe. We also spend a ton of time outside playing, hiking or going to the park - free fun!

  • Money advice for other moms: Find time at the beginning of every month to go through your budget and make sure your bills are accounted for, money is set aside for saving and investing, and then enjoy the rest.

  • Finish the sentence: “In this economy, I still somehow _______.” Afford a housekeeper twice a month - WORTH IT to have time back to spend with my daughter and the peace of mind a clean home gives me.

Thanks again for being here. If you love it, forward this to a mom friend—more voices make this better. And if you ever want to share, vent, or suggest something, just hit reply. I’m reading every email!

Woo you next week,
Ann

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