With Rob traveling all summer, I've gotten super lazy in the kitchen--most nights I just eat bunless hot dogs (super exciting) or open a can of tuna or, worse, order some really unhealthy takeout. Then, on Friday mornings when Rob is home, I have no groceries, so we go out for most meals. It's not a great pattern.

So when Terra's Kitchen reached out to me about doing a post together, I was pretty excited. I never knew how I felt about the whole recipe/grocery-delivery idea, but at this time in my life it sounded like exactly what I needed. And on top of offering gluten-free and vegetarian meals, they had Paleo options too; which sealed the deal for me.

I created an account, picked my meals, and set a delivery date. Just a few days later my Terra's Kitchen vessel arrived and I was really impressed by how organized the whole thing was--it has a little door you open up and cooled shelves with all your groceries. Everything comes individually packaged--even the recipes! I had it delivered on Thursday so that when Rob came home Friday we would have a whole weekend of meals already planned for us.

Things I've eaten (so far) this week:

• Southwestern Steak + Sweet Potato Bowl (pictured in this post--the meat was grass-fed and organic!)
• Tilapia Salad with Arugula and Apples (such an unusual but delicious combination)
• Grilled Chicken with Radish Apple Salad (I'm a sucker for anything topped with goat cheese)

I feel like I'm a pretty good cook and do lots of creative things in the kitchen, but sometimes I just get burnt out. I love having these recipes and being challenged to try new things (like use lime zest in my salad dressing--delicious). So often I just rotate the same two or three basic recipes, so it was really nice having three or four new ones that are still quick (30 minutes or less!), easy, and healthy, but also a little more exciting. And I didn't think having the groceries delivered and pre-packaged would make much a difference, but it totally does--it makes cooking feel exciting!

I'm definitely going to be ordering more meals once we get settled in California! If you want to try Terra's Kitchen for yourself, use the code ITALIAN30 for $30 off your first order--and let me know which recipes you pick! 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Terra's Kitchen. The opinions and text are all mine.

I have a pretty strict no-cooking-when-it's-over-90-degrees rule, so this summer I've been eating a lot of quick and easy salads that come together in a pinch. The problem with salads, as I'm sure you know, is that they can get really boring. This one is different--I put just a little lettuce in a bowl and then load it with sliced radishes, julienned cucumbers, sugar snap peas, cucumber noodles, and any other fresh veggies I might have in my fridge before topping the whole thing with a can of tuna. 

You could serve this salad with my Paleo sesame vinaigrette, but I also like it with just a drizzle of sesame oil and a teaspoon of Thai chili garlic paste--pretty much the same ingredients without taking the extra minute or two to mix them together first.

And I always use Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore in Water--Bumble Bee offers responsibly wild caught Albacore that is delicious, versatile, high in protein, and absolutely perfect as the main ingredient in any meal--see their website for full nutritional facts.

Ingredients: 

• 1 5-ounce can of Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore Tuna
• 1 cup of lettuce, chopped
• 1-2 radishes, sliced thinly
• 1/2 of a large cucumber, spiralized or julienned
• 1 medium carrot, julienned
• 5-6 sugar snap peas, sliced
• 1-2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1-2 slices or wedges of fresh lime
• 1/4 of an avocado, sliced
• A drizzle of sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon (more or less depending on heat preference) of Thai chil garlici paste
• Sesame seeds, for garnish
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions: 

1. In a bowl, layer veggies over lettuce and top with drained tuna.
2. Season with salt and pepper, then dress the salad with a little sesame oil.
3. Serve with a small spoonful of Thai chili garlic paste and top with avocado, cilantro, and sesame seeds. Serve with fresh lime wedges.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

I made some cute little gold animal figurines for my covered patio the other day and I'm sharing the (very simple but fun) tutorial on the Cambria Wines blog today! Go check it out and let me know what you think!

This post is brought to you in partnership with Cambria Winery.

Photos by Andi Perullo for Freckled Italian.