Another Saturday, Another Cart Full of Chaos and Good Food
If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you know Saturday mornings around here follow a pretty predictable rhythm. I get the boys sorted, make a quick list, and head to the store before the crowds hit. This week was no different — except that my 12-year-old decided he was old enough to push the cart, which meant we took out two end caps and debated the merits of every single cereal box we walked past. We made it out alive, and I think this haul is going to set us up really well for the week ahead.
Let me walk you through what I grabbed, why I grabbed it, and what I’m planning to do with all of it. Feeding six people — four growing boys ranging from age 6 to 15 — means every grocery run has to balance nutrition, budget, and the very real possibility that my teenager will eat half the pantry before Wednesday.
The Bread Situation (Yes, I Bought Five Loaves)
I know, I know. Five bread products sounds excessive. But hear me out. I stocked up on several varieties of Old Tyme 647 bread this week — two loaves of wheat, one multigrain, one cinnamon raisin, one cinnamon, a pack of plain bagels, and sandwich rolls. The reason I keep coming back to the 647 line is simple: each slice comes in around 40 calories with 6 grams of net carbs, which means I can give the boys sandwiches, toast, and bagels without worrying that we’re blowing through empty calories before dinner even starts. They taste great, which matters enormously when you’re dealing with a 6-year-old who has strong opinions about his lunch.
The cinnamon raisin and the plain cinnamon loaves are not just for snacking — I’ve got a specific plan for those, which I’ll get to in a moment.
Freezer Finds and Frozen Treats
I grabbed two boxes of Eggo Thick & Fluffy Original Waffles because they are, without question, one of the most versatile things you can keep in your freezer when you have kids. Breakfast, yes. But also a quick after-school snack with some peanut butter, or the base for a creative weekend sandwich situation — more on that below.
For treats, I picked up a box of Skinny Cow Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches and a box of Yasso Creamy Mango Greek Yogurt Bars. We’re a family that believes in enjoying dessert — Proverbs 13:25 says the righteous eat to their hearts’ content, and I take that seriously — but I also want to make smart choices. The Yasso bars are made with real Greek yogurt, so they’ve got protein built right in. The Skinny Cow sandwiches are a classic that the boys have loved for years, and they clock in at a reasonable calorie count for a full ice cream sandwich experience. Everybody wins.
Dairy, Snacks, and That One Soda
I grabbed a container of Cabot Triple Cream Greek Yogurt, which is a Connecticut staple in this house. Cabot is a New England brand, the yogurt is rich and thick, and it works beautifully both as a standalone snack and as an ingredient. A gallon jug of Food Club Chocolate Milk is also in the fridge — my youngest has been going through a serious chocolate milk phase, and I’m not fighting that battle right now.
For snacks, I picked up two boxes of Crav’n Cheddar Cheese Crackers, two packages of Crav’n Fudgy Striped Shortbread Cookies, and a package of Crav’n Chocolate Chip Cookies. The crackers are a lunchbox staple. The cookies are an occasional treat, and honestly, they also have a role to play in one of this week’s recipe ideas. And yes, there is a 2-liter of Coca-Cola in there. It’s Friday night pizza night, and that is non-negotiable in this household.
Recipe 1: French Toast Casserole
This is the big weekend breakfast I’ve been looking forward to. I’m going to cube up the 647 Cinnamon Raisin and Cinnamon loaves, toss them with eggs, a generous scoop of the Cabot Greek yogurt, a splash of vanilla, and plenty of cinnamon, then bake the whole thing low and slow until it’s golden and puffed up. The Greek yogurt adds creaminess and a little extra protein compared to a straight milk-and-egg base, and the two different cinnamon breads together create this layered flavor that is genuinely wonderful on a cold Connecticut morning.
This casserole feeds all six of us easily, and I can assemble it the night before and slide it into the oven Sunday morning before church. There is something really satisfying about walking in the door after service to a house that smells like that. The boys think so too — even the teenager, who currently pretends not to enjoy family breakfast but absolutely cleans his plate every single time.
Recipe 2: Waffle Breakfast Sandwiches
Weekday mornings are a different animal entirely. When I’ve got four boys trying to get out the door for school, I need something fast, filling, and fun enough that nobody is complaining while they eat it. Enter the waffle breakfast sandwich. I toast the Eggo Thick & Fluffy waffles, cook up some scrambled eggs, add a slice of cheese, and stack it all together into a handheld sandwich. My boys think they’re getting away with something when breakfast looks this good, which is exactly the point.
For the older boys who want something heartier, swapping in one of the 647 bagels as the base works perfectly. Same idea, bigger build, more staying power for a 15-year-old who has gym class at 8 in the morning.
Looking Ahead to the Week
Between the bread variety for lunches and sandwiches, the waffle options for quick breakfasts, the yogurt bars and ice cream sandwiches for after-dinner treats, and a French Toast Casserole anchoring the weekend — this family is set. Grocery hauls like this one remind me that eating well as a busy family doesn’t have to be complicated. It just takes a little planning, a cart that your 12-year-old hasn’t completely derailed, and a good list. See you next week.
