Lunch and Dinner -Studio Sprig Style Micro Blog

Lunch: My Very Simple Open-faced Plantwich

This is what I eat almost every day for lunch. I think it’s absolutely delicious. If you love veggies like me and you’d like to make one for yourself, here’s how I do it.

First, I toast a broccoli or cauliflower Outer Aisle Sandwich Thin to use as my base. This step is why this meal feels so much more substantial than a salad, and why I don’t get hungry after eating it. So if you haven’t tried broccoli & cauliflower thins yet, I suggest you get on it right away. A friend shared Outer Aisle with me and I am so glad she did. I love these things. Sandwich thins and pizza crusts- all made with plants. I order mine off their website and they arrive frozen which is perfect for me. You’ll love their variety packs. I am not sponsored by this company, I just want everyone to know about them.

After the “Thin” is toasted I place it on the plate as my base. Then, I just go about piling on the “planty” goodness. I start with thinly sliced cucumbers, a handful of fresh spinach or watercress, broccoli slaw, shredded carrots, avocado (if I have one), alfalfa or broccoli sprouts & my homemade pickled onions. And to top it all off I sprinkle on a little Zen Basil ( for better gut health ) and sunflower seeds, oregano ( an antioxidant ), cayenne pepper ( boosts metabolism ), garlic powder ( lowers cholesterol ), and turmeric ( a powerful anti-inflammatory ). I use Good Seasons Zesty Italian as my dressing, but you can use plain olive oil and vinegar too.

Here is a list of the ingredients I use:

Outer Aisle Sandwich Thin
Cucumber
Spinach or Watercress
Broccoli slaw
Shredded carrots
Avocado
Alfalfa or broccoli sprouts
Pickled onions (I make my own)
Zen Basil
Sunflower seeds
Oregano
Cayenne pepper
Garlic powder
Turmeric
Dressing

Dinner: My Very Simple Bean & Rice Bowl

This bowl is the simplest dinner to make if you’re in a rush. And the great thing is that you can just make little bowls all week because you have all the ingredients pre-prepared and close at hand.

I start by steaming some rice (be sure to make extra for later in the week). I then quickly warm the beans and place them on top. I add a few pickled onions, homemade fresh salsa, a dollop of yogurt, and a few tortilla chips. That’s it. This mighty little bowl is packed with nutrition and tastes great.

I hope you enjoyed this Studio Sprig Micro Blog. Please comment below. Thank you.

Here is a list of the ingredients I use:

Rice (made in my Rice Cooker below)
Black-Eye Peas (or bean of choice)
Fresh tomato or mango salsa (store-bought is okay but make sure it’s FRESH, not in a jar)
Pickled Onions (I make my own)
Plain Yogurt (I prefer Fage)
Blue Corn Tortilla Chips (Trader Joe's)
Thanks for reading, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. -Kim

I’m always here to help you with your creative journey. Please sign up to receive blog post notifications and follow Studio Sprig on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I look forward to connecting. - Kim - If you’re a blogger, what’s your favorite SEO Tool? I’ve had much keyword success with RankIQ. Learn more here.

Buy on Amazon

Friendsgiving At Our Farm

Tessa, Kate and Blake in Windy Hill’s dining room.

Michael and I have three great kids who are very close in age. When Kate was only two Blake was born and when she was only three, Tessa was born. I remember it like it was yesterday, sort of. The mom fog dissipated somewhere around middle school, I think.

The Social Network

As they grew we grew with them and one thing Michael and I agreed upon pretty early was the emphasis we wanted to place on fine-tuning their social skills. While so many of our friends were focusing their efforts on only academics, we felt that fantastic social skills might be even more beneficial to them as they grew. The magic sauce.

With that in mind, we heavily encouraged all three of them to go to school dances, participate in loads of extracurricular activities, volunteer, try out for many sports, and join interesting organizations. In addition, we rigorously encouraged them to invite their friends over to our farm. After all, that’s why we bought it in the first place. For them.

Windy Hill Farmhouse circa 1840.

Our Farm

Windy Hill is our home in Bucks County, PA. We purchased this nineteenth-century farm in 2007, just as our oldest, Kate, was entering 2nd grade. We love this place with all our hearts, and we use just about every square inch of it for grand backyard picnics, balcony firework viewing parties, holiday gatherings, campfire soirees, volleyball tournaments, movie nights, and even a college reunion a few years back.

A Pennsylvania Winter Snow at Windy Hill Farm.

College reunion backyard event. #UniversityofDelaware #VC88

So why not Host a Friendsgiving?

This old, sturdy house is truly a HOME, and here is one way we share it with others.

Back when the kids were in high school we started hosting a Windy Hill Friendsgiving. Every year since, just a day or two before Thanksgiving, we open our doors, our hearts, and every single room in our home to all 3 layers of our children’s social networks.

Kate and some old friends.

text group Planning

The planning begins about a month out and the great part is that I don’t really need to do much at all as our kids fully coordinate the day. They plan the entire menu primarily through group text chains, help with table and chair set up, and by adorning with appropriate decor. Banners are hung by the threshold with care in hopes that Friendsgiving soon will be there.

Tessa and girlfriends gather under the banner.

The homecooked Meal

Via text, each friend joining us is assigned one dish to share. It’s just an old-fashioned Potluck. Some kids choose their specialty, as is the case with Mckenna who always bakes her sought-after peanut butter cup cookies. As expected some kids like to sign up for “drinks” or “dinner rolls”, something they can grab on the way over, while others make their grandma’s homemade stuffing. It’s remarkable that all the bases are always covered, no one needs to stress, and there is plenty for everyone. So simple for me.

Elementary school friends Danny and Kyle eyeing up the meats.

Buffet Style is best

When everyone arrives the traveling casseroles are lined up all over the kitchen so that everyone can dig in buffet style. This is understandably the easiest way to host, as hungry boys line up quickly and it’s best if the food is all in one place.

Blake’s friends line up at the kitchen island.

I try to capture the happy moments as friends reunite.

Small House, Many Guests

Some years we hosted 40+ guests, from all 3 different groups of friends. Since the kids are so close in age it’s nice because everyone knows everyone all throughout the house. We try to have tables everywhere so there is plenty of seating. This is a little outdoor cafe table that I cover and set in the corner of the family room for more intimate dining. Maybe it reminds them of Paris.

Jenna, McKenna and Tristan enjoy a quiet corner.

It depends on the year, but sometimes all the guys gather to feast separately from the gals, but other times, everybody mixes up the fun. Guy-only tables can get pretty messy but I stay focused on the fun and photos, and the kids always help with clean up - they are just such a great group.

The guy table.

Gals choose the other side of the dining room.

Will I have enough space?

We only have 4 small rooms plus a mudroom on the lower level of the farmhouse, so squeezing all these kids in at once is no easy task. I’ve been known to cast our sofas onto the deck in order to set up several 8ft long tables with our flea market stash of odd wooden chairs so there is plenty of space. The kids just love it and it’s totally worth it. Memories mean a lot.

Move furniture, add tables, make memories.

Free-but-festive Centerpieces

And as the day approaches everyone helps gather pinecones and greens for the “free-but-festive” centerpieces. Unique every year. Plus each fall I bulk up on plenty of votives so there’s always a cozy glow throughout. Votives are low on the table, the candles don’t drip wax, and they are just plain easy.

Hugs and kisses everywhere.

Nothing too precious attitude

I love this tradition and I am so glad nothing was ever too precious here to prevent us from turning Windy Hill into a Friendsgiving HUB. Sharing our home in all the ways we have and taking the time to know so many of our children’s friends has helped us too.

Over the years our farm has also been the gathering spot for our friends many of whom are, not surprisingly, the parents of the kids in these photos. I think if you have a farm with this much history (the topic for another blog), it’s a good idea to continuously SHARE it, and share it well. Friendsgiving 2022 is tomorrow, so now I’ve got to go! Much love and Happy Thanksgiving all!

Tess and her clan of pals.

Kate’s friends, home from college, squeeze into the corner cafe.

Thanks for reading, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. -Kim
If you’re a blogger, what’s your favorite SEO Tool? I’ve had much keyword success with RankIQ. Learn more here.

---

Learn: The earliest use of the term Friendsgiving dates back to a 2007 tweet, but some people credit the hit show Friends for inspiring the concept of spending the holiday with friends.
Create: Cultivate the “spirit” by inviting your kid’s friends to your home often.
Inspire: Host a Friendsgiving of your own soon.

I’m always here to help you with your creative journey. Please sign up to receive blog post notifications and follow Studio Sprig on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I look forward to connecting. - Kim

---

Shop this blog:

Friendsgiving Burlap Banner
Glass Votives
Big box of small candles
Long Tables
If you are enjoying my blog, please sign up to receive my blog updates on my homepage.
Contact Kim Bensing, Art Director, Studio Sprig