This summer I rehearsed being a member the empty nester club.

Both my kids were away; my daughter was doing some summer school in Europe and my son was working and living at a camp outside of Canmore.  They are both back now and are currently fighting over the bathroom.

One of the things I noticed while they were gone is how my eating changed. While I was not always a ‘dinner on the table at 6 pm’ kinda mom, there was some structure and we always had some milk, juice, bread and peanut butter in the house. It was weird to go to the grocery store and ask myself, what do I like to eat?

It turns out – the answer this summer was often ‘takeout’. 🙂

I’m not saying this would last as a lifestyle but for the summer it was ok – it was to hot to cook anyway!  Also, I’m not claiming these recommendations are low calorie or ‘healthy’ but they were delicious.

Croissant and coffee

Almond Croissant and coffee at Monogram.

This croissant is actually from a little bakery called Butter Block and Monogram wisely stocks them at all their locations. This is my current favorite pastry!  It is stuffed with marzipan and topped with slivered almonds. Some croissants are a little soggy but not this one, they bake them twice (i think) to make them extra crispy on the outside and super flaky on the inside. It is big and buttery and I may have to go get one right now. I restrict myself to one only every couple of weeks but life is to short to never have the pastry if you love it.

kale caesar

Kale Caesar Salad at Chachi’s.

Chachis is a sandwich franchise that started in Calgary in 2006 and has lots of locations here. I really like their kale caesar because it is simply 5 ingredients and combines bacon and kale which I think is a great combo. Some caesar salads have little bacon bits that are a bit of a mystery but this one doesn’t mess around. You get the bacon in its full form, warmed in an actual oven, topping the salad. Real cheese, a great dressing that does not overwhelm the kale and a couple of croutons complete it. Its not fancy but it just hits the spot. Can be served with extra turkey or chicken but I just go for the plain bacon only.

poke bowl

Poke Bowls at Po-Ke.

I first ate poke (pronounced POH-keh) while on a vacation in Maui several years ago and loved it. It is a traditional Hawaiian dish and it has become super popular and trendy all over the states and here in Canada. There is a sustainability problem with tuna so salmon is a less traditional but delicious alternative. In fact I came across this recipe I just may have to try – now that i’m eating at home again 🙂 This suggestion is pretty healthy I think and if you love sushi you will probably like these. At Po-Ke you can get it served over spinach rather than rice too!

Bon appetite!

leave me your takeout suggestions below!