Advent is here and so is the pressure to “do it all.” Katie Ryzenga joins us and shares simple, realistic ways to live liturgically—small practices that bring peace, purpose, and prayer into your home without adding more to your plate. If you’ve ever wanted Advent to feel meaningful but doable, this one’s for you.
What’s for dinner?
Katie S: Turmeric Chicken Soup
https://tastybytanya.com/anti-inflammatory-creamy-chicken-soup/
Katie R: Hawaiian sweet roll ham sandwiches
Katie R resource: https://gatherandpray.co/
Two saintly and special moms join us to talk about saints mothers should know. Plus, why pray to saints at all?
What’s for Dinner
(Aunt) Molly: Skillet shaved beef
(Aunt) Mame: Chicken noodle soup
1.5lbs cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
12oz egg noodles
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
1/2 tsp ground black pepper or more to taste
3/4 tsp onion powder
3/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt or more to taste
1 1/4 tsp parsley flakes, optional
Salt and pepper chicken, lightly, and bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes. Let cool while you prepare the noodles. To make the noodles, add the bouillon cubes to 10 cups of water in a 4qt or larger pot. Bring water to a boil. Whisk the soup into boiling water and mix until smooth. Add the pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt, return to boil, then add noodles and cook according to package. While noodles cook, cube or shred chicken, reserving the broth that formed during cooking. When noodles are done, add chicken. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5-10 minutes. Add parsley and stir. Optional: Chicken and dumplings: After adding chicken, return to boil and drop dumpling mix by the tablespoon on soup. Reduce heat to low, cover, cook for 10-12 minutes more. We serve our soup over mashed potatoes.
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Halloween means All Hallows’ Eve! While there are many dark and secular elements now, Halloween is at root a Catholic holy day. How do you celebrate in a Christian way?
What’s for Dinner
Molly: Sheet pan chicken fajitas (https://momsdish.com/sheet-pan-chicken-fajitas)
Soul Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup sugar
2 egg yolks
½ cup milk
½ cup raisins
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix dry ingredients.
Cream butter and sugar, add egg yolks, then milk.
Combine with dry mix, stir in raisins (or throw them out)
Roll out to ½-inch thickness, cut into rounds.
Bake 15-18 minutes until golden. Pray for souls while they cool!
As women and mothers we tend to want to control. But the opposite of control is surrender. We talk about the ongoing process of trustful surrender in all things.
What’s for Dinner
Katie: Falafel
Molly: Johnny Marzetti
2lbs ground beef, drained and rinsed
16oz elbow macaroni, cooked
24oz spaghetti sauce
14.5 oz jar Italian seasoned diced tomatoes
Combine all ingredients in a 3qt casserole dish or 13x9 cake pan. Cover with foil. Cook at 350 degrees or 40-45 minutes. Serve with cheese if desired.
Resources
Surrender novena: https://catholicexchange.com/the-surrender-novena-let-jesus-take-care-of-everything/
Litany of trust: https://sistersoflife.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Mobile-Litany-of-Trust.pdf
Litany of peace: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/litany-of-peace?srsltid=AfmBOooz6mYI2g1QlMxIsFX16G3EkkjGHn4YBkHYrZXGNQo59sF1tI_t
Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/trustful-surrender-to-divine-providence-the-secret-of-peace-and-happiness/
Searching for and Maintaining Peace: Searching For Maintaining Peace | Pauline Books and Media
Jesus, I Trust In You: Jesus I Trust in You: A 30-Day Personal Retreat with the Litany of Trust - St. Paul Center
As mothers, our daily tasks, sufferings, and joys can all be offered up to God for our own salvation and for the salvation of others. We dive into Church teaching on purgatory, redemptive suffering, and praying for the dead. Join us as we offer up the laundry.
What’s for Dinner
Molly: BLTs
St. Gertrude the Great Prayer
Eternal Father, I offer You the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, and for those in my own home and family.
Articles on purgatory
https://www.catholic.com/tract/purgatory
https://stpaulcenter.com/posts/the-burning-truth-about-purgatory
https://stpaulcenter.com/posts/5-bible-passages-which-point-to-purgatory
October is the month of the Rosary! We talk all things from its history to its impact on our lives, and why even busy moms can pray the Rosary daily. And it’s Halloween season—what’s Church teaching on ghosts?
What’s for Dinner
Molly: Tuna salad with cranberries and apples on pita
Katie: Lettuce wrap tacos
Don’t believe you have anything special to offer? We all have God-given talents, but in false humility we can hide them away. Gwenny joins us to talk about the unique gifts we’re all given and how to use them to give God all the glory.
Spiritual gifts test: https://olmc1.org/gifts-assessment
What’s for Dinner
Molly: Honey soy chicken thighs (https://cafedelites.com/honey-soy-baked-chicken-thighs/)
Today we talk about the four temperaments and how knowing ourselves can help us grow in virtue, relate to our families and, ultimately, become more like Christ.
The Temperament God Gave You: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/the-temperament-god-gave-you/
The temperaments video: https://youtu.be/fRXcAOW0D9E?si=rMQoKFE2Iww3ocIf
The temperaments and your predominant fault: https://youtu.be/6NNzNlKFm2k?si=Huch_UNdpBePNZJY
What’s for Dinner
Molly: Sausage and spaghetti
Katie: Chicken and vegetables
Emily Jaminet joins us to talk about the powerful graces available to moms and families when we enthrone Jesus as the Lord of our home. We talk about enthronement of the Sacred Heart, the blessings of giving Jesus our families, and how to incorporate the devotion during June and beyond.
What’s for Breakfast
Emily: Hot egg and ham croissant sandwiches
Connect with Emily
Saints of the Sacred Heart: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/saints-of-the-sacred-heart/?srsltid=AfmBOor9CqRWZRi4dVAE0O5DPh7mz1ICwhlEu702M3oz5f-2VUinYCRL
https://welcomehisheart.com
https://www.emilyjaminet.com
Our Lady has many titles, but at the heart of it all she is Mother. In honor of Mother’s Day, Kat shares her powerful conversion story and how she embraced Mary as her spiritual mother, and the graces that have flowed from that relationship.
What’s for Dinner
Kat: Fried bologna sandwiches
Katie: Crockpot chicken spaghetti (https://www.eatingonadime.com/crock-pot-cheesy-chicken-spaghetti-recipe/)
Molly: Cream of chicken casserole
1.5 lbs chicken, cooked (about 3 cups shredded or cubed)
4 cups cooked rice
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup + 1/2 cup French’s fried onions
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray 2qt casserole dish. Combine all ingredients (1 cup of fried onions) in large bowl and put in prepared dish. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes or until hot. Remove foil and cover with remaining half cup of onions. Return to oven, uncovered, 5-10 minutes or until onions are lightly browned.
As moms it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling guilty for taking care of ourselves. We sit down with Ashley, mom of three under 4, and explore how self-care is actually a response to Jesus’ command to love others as we love ourselves. Get ready for a fun conversation!
Fr. Mike Schmitz video: https://youtu.be/avSSuQJ5rHs?si=xhW3gyK_yBkDz-tF
What’s for Dinner
Ashley: Pizza
Katie: Chicken gyros
Homemade pita (https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/the-easiest-homemade-pita-bread/)
Boredom usually isn’t on the list of what new moms should expect. But especially with babies, the days can be long—filled with boredom mixed with frustration at our limitations. Niki joins us to talk about why we’re so bored, what we can do about it, and when it’s spiritually beneficial.
What’s for Dinner:
Niki: Creamy white chicken chili
https://www.thechunkychef.com/slow-cooker-creamy-white-chicken-chili/
Molly: Burgers and fries
Honey Dijon Sauce
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 Tsp apple cider vinegar
As moms, we live out the works of mercy every day—do we see these as opportunities for grace? Michele Faehnle, co-author of Divine Mercy for Moms, joins us to talk about St. Faustina, the message of Divine Mercy, and how we can share it with our families and beyond.
Connect with Michele: https://www.inspirethefaith.com
Mary’s Meals: https://www.marysmeals.org
What’s for Dinner
Michele: Chicken crust pizza (https://www.wholesomeyum.com/low-carb-keto-chicken-crust-pizza-recipe/)
What are things that keep us from staying awake with Jesus? Distraction, anxiety, pride? Katie and Molly reflect on Blessed Is She’s Lent study, Under the Olive Tree, to enter into Holy Week.
What’s for Dinner
Molly: Fried chicken and mashed potatoes with cornbread
Katie: Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Soup and homemade bread (https://www.cravingsofalunatic.com/one-hour-bread-recipe/)
Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Soup
Ingredients:
1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups baby spinach
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Remove excess fat if necessary.
Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot, and cook until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes, and bring to a simmer.
Stir in heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes:
For a thicker soup, add a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water.
We can easily become consumed by our phones and social media. We talk about our experience with Fiat90 and ways we can realistically disconnect from our phones, avoid distraction, and connect with our kids. Plus obscure horror stories of invading flies and pill aspiration to give you something new to think about.
What’s for Dinner
Molly: Tacos
(Katie’s homemade tortilla recipe: https://eatsdelightful.com/homemade-tortillas-soft-flour-tortilla-recipe/)
Parents are the primary teachers of the faith, but that task can be daunting. When are we supposed to start and what should we start with? Katie Ryzenga, Director of Faith Formation for St. Matthew the Apostle in Gahanna, joins us to share ways we can teach the faith, even when we might not feel confident.
What’s for Dinner
Katie R.: Pasta with red sauce and chicken
What are ways we can enter into Lent with little kids? How can we teach them the meaning of Easter? Katie Ryzenga, Director of Faith Formation for St. Matthew the Apostle in Gahanna, joins us to share simple and engaging activities. (Her idea for celebrating Holy Thursday at home blew us away!)
What’s for Dinner
Katie R.: Turkey Reuben (Girls’ night at Schmidt’s)
One of the biggest surprises of motherhood can be our own weaknesses and flaws. How do we face our wounds and allow God to heal them? Niki joins us to talk about everything from loneliness to postpartum depression to the grace of humility and trust.
What’s for Dinner
Katie: Roasted veggie pasta with feta (https://thishealthytable.com/blog/veggie-pasta/#mv-creation-283-jtr)
Niki: Tuna noodle casserole (cream of mushroom soup, milk, mayonnaise, tuna, and egg noodles topped with crispy fried onions)
Molly: Shrimp boil (https://www.cookingclassy.com/shrimp-boil/)