Not Every Meal Needs a Purpose
Not Every Meal Needs a Purpose
Some days, cooking isn’t about being impressive.
It’s not about the recipe turning out perfectly or checking anything off a list.
It’s just about being in the moment.
Hands busy.
Something warm in the oven.
A rhythm that doesn’t rush you.
There’s something grounding about simple cooking or baking.
Not the kind meant to be photographed or judged—just the kind that fills the house and gives your mind a place to rest.
Food has a quiet way of caring for us.
Not because it’s fancy.
Not because it’s planned days in advance.
But because it’s familiar.
A stirred pot.
A batch of something “good enough.”
A meal made with whatever energy you had today.
Care doesn’t always look productive.
Sometimes it looks like choosing something steady when everything else feels loud.
If you’ve ever felt pressure to make meals mean more than they need to—this is your permission slip.
Dinner can be simple.
Baking can be messy.
Showing up can look ordinary.
This wasn’t about dinner.
It was about slowing my nervous system.
And if today asks a lot from you, I hope you find one small, quiet thing that brings you back to yourself—no expectations attached.
A Simple Meal on a Full Day
Having easy, go-to meals has saved me for years.
When my kids were younger—and even now—I’ve spent countless hours elbows deep in baking and cake decorating projects. Flour everywhere. Timers going off. Focus locked in. And in the middle of all that, there was still one very real question waiting in the background:
What’s everyone eating tonight?
I learned early on that dinner didn’t need to be impressive—it needed to be reliable.
Something I could put together quickly. Something that fed everyone on time. Something that didn’t create extra fuss when my hands (and brain) were already full.
That’s where this dish came in—and honestly, it’s still one of our most-used comfort meals.
This baked chicken & rice casserole originally came from my mother-in-law. Rich grew up with it, and over the years it’s become one of those recipes that just works for our family.
It’s simple.
It’s comforting.
It’s flexible.
Easy to dress up with hot sauce or extra spices for my spicy gals — simple enough for days when someone isn’t feeling great or my gringa sistas who sometimes can’t take the heat!
Most importantly, it’s the kind of meal that lets you keep going without draining what little energy you have left.
Don’t forget to let the kiddos help make it with you it really is that simple.
Teach them how to wash their hands before handling any foods, before & after.
Allow them to pour & measure rice,
Let them touch the slimy chicken and place it in the dish of rice & cream.
All of this builds trust and confidence in them that they can do big things & Stirring and pouring are crucial for building fine motor skills for little fingers
Here’s how I make it—sharing in hopes it helps you too.
Baked Chicken & Rice Casserole
You’ll need:
6–8 chicken thighs, fully defrosted
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
(or homemade—see note below)2½ cups instant white rice
1 can of water (use the soup can)
How I make it:
Preheat oven to 350°F
In a casserole dish, mix the 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup with 1 can of water
Stir in 2 cups of the instant white rice
Place the chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture
Cover tightly with foil
Cover with foil & Bake for 45 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through
Remove foil and cook additional 15 minutes (crispy rice on top is a plus!)
That’s it.
**Add chopped veggies, spices, or other protiens like bacon. Have fun, get creative; it’s just rice!
Some nights we leave it just like this.
Other nights we add seasoning, hot sauce, or whatever sounds good.
It’s forgiving—and that’s part of why I love it.
Homemade option:
If you ever want to make your own cream of mushroom soup, a simple roux with butter, flour, milk, sautéed mushrooms, and a little broth works beautifully—but the canned version has taken us through many busy seasons just fine.
This meal was never about dinner alone.
It was about keeping things steady while life felt full.
If you’re juggling a lot—projects, kids, work, or just the mental load of the week—having one or two meals like this can make everything feel more manageable.
This wasn’t about perfection.
It was about care.
And sometimes, that’s more than enough.