It’s the beginning of the new financial year. An awesome time to set goals and get motivated. I made a little goal when I was pregnant with Buddy Boy that I wanted to run a marathon in 2020. I thought that I would give myself time to recover from birth and then train up (so approximately 12 months).

It’s been wet and wintry in Sydney of late – so my plans to start running haven’t gone to plan to date. But I figure if I say it here and on Instagram then I will be more inclined to follow through on it (or at least people saying ‘how’s that marathon training going?’ will prompt me to stay true to the cause).

I’ve found a new favourite account on Instagram – it’s called Every Night of The Week . I mean, she had me at delicious food displayed on a marble background. And I stayed for her witty commentary. In fact, I’ve actually been inspired to cook up a few of her meals the following week.

If you are interested in seeing what other lovely bloggers have in their kitchen this month, then head over to Sherry Mackay, from Sherry’s Pickings .

In my July kitchen…

I’ve been shopping at a new green grocer – where they have amazing ‘ugly’ produce. You know, that produce that isn’t perfect and so isn’t accepted by big supermarkets. I picked up 2 bags of capsicums for $2 each. I mean look at those capsicums – they are far from ugly.

I whipped up these delicious stuffed capsicums, or Petty from My Love is Edible calls them Yemista. They were seriously good and I highly recommend trying them.

I started following Petty on Instagram and then ended up winning the competition to her yoga and wellness day. I took my Mum with me and we had the best time. I’m actually keen to go again next month and bring my sister.

In my July kitchen…

I’ve been inspired to make pho at home after seeing Every Night of the Week create it on Instagram. I am so lucky that the new green grocer has all of the delicious ingredients – and even grab some other fresh ingredients for me that weren’t normally sold to the public.

This delicious pho reminded me of when I used to work for the Department of Health and my old uni friend James and I would walk up to Woden and catch up over a steamy bowl of pho on a cold Canberra day.

In my July kitchen…

I’m getting Marley Spoon delivered! The other week I whipped up the shiitake potsticker dumplings with steamed greens and hot sour sauce. This was an awesome dinner as my family loves dumplings and I don’t often have time to create my prawn dumplings or my very own mushroom dumplings with four little people around. And as you can see here – this recipe was FAST!

You can get $35 off your first box by using my affiliate code GOOD35FOODMSWEEK.

In my July kitchen…

The boys are devouring lemonade scones. I had forgotten about how easy these scones are – 2 cups self raising flour, 1/2 cup of cream, 1/2 cup of lemonade. Mix to form a dough, roll out and cut with anything round. Bake for 20 minutes at 180 degrees. SIMPLE.

In my July kitchen…

I’m making a lot more coffee at home because it’s cheaper – and I’m on maternity leave. And my boys had become accustom to babycinos which becomes expensive when 3/4 want to order two each #cafelife.

I’ve been enjoying the Vitasoy calci-plus and love that the carton is FSC certified. It’s a small thing (and it’s ‘mixed’ which isn’t the best rating) but all the small things add up in reducing, reusing and recycling to make the earth happier.

In my July kitchen…

I’m serving family style (well, I do this every month) – but I wanted to demonstrate how a simple meal like steak and mash can be served and enjoyed by the whole family.

This is two medium rare steaks thinly sliced for the 5 of us. Served on top of a super creamy mashed potato and along side steamed brocollini, green beans and peas. I have also whipped up a green peppercorn sauce which was devoured by the adults.

Each child can use the tongs to serve themselves and they don’t have to eat everything – but they all do.

So what’s been in your kitchen of late? Are you planning school lunchboxes? Will you be heading down to the snow this season? Do you meal plan? Are you interested in trying Marley Spoon? Do you shop the sales? Do you have a food budget? Do you prepare meals for a large family? Are you a big porridge fan? Are you a breast feeding Mama? What’s your favourite recipe for winter?