Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 2

What To Eat This Week: 10/5/25.

I love ALL of the meals this week!

What’s on your menu this week?!

What To Eat This Week

15 minute sesame ramen noodles

Chicken parm meatballs in vodka sauce

Autumn chopped salad

Crispy lemon cauliflower gnocchi

Bang bang salmon bowls

Crispy chicken caesar sandwiches

Pickle lovers egg salad

Baked pumpkin cheesecake oatmeal

 

 

 

The post What To Eat This Week: 10/5/25. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Currently Crushing On.

Hello weekend!

This week on the blog, I shared these chicken parm meatballs in vodka sauce. I also shared this autumn chopped salad, 31 recipes to make in October and these shredded beef sandwiches! My september favorites are here and I shared everything I read in august and september too!

If you haven’t joined my substack newsletter yet, you can do so here!

There’s a new menu for the week and a new peek inside our everyday life.

You can find all my favorites in my amazon store front and LTK shop!

Thank you for continuing to make the launch Easy Everyday absolutely amazing . If you haven’t got your book yet, you can order here! xo

WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEK

These bean and cheese taquitos look incredible.

Baked ziti with ricotta. OMG yum.

Craving this apple cinnamon oatmeal.

Carrot cake bars look amazing.

These spiced nuts look like the best snack.

Frozen apple cider margs! I love them.

The best pumpkin cinnamon rolls.

Apple crumble is a classic.

And I need pumpkin coffee cake too.

Butternut squash chicken soup looks unreal.

Need to try this tomato butter.

Chai vanilla bean hot toddy! Yes please.

Loving this french onion soup so much.

Honeynut squash hummus is fabulous.

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Slow Cooker Pumpkin Beer Shredded Beef Sandwiches.

The best shredded beef sandwiches you can make this season! The beef is tender, coming out of a nice long slow cooker bath with some pumpkin beer and spices. Shred and serve with white cheddar and horseradish. Delish!

Who needs a great game day party recipe?!

Me me me! These shredded beef sandwiches are so delicious and easy to make. They feed a crowd and are always a hit – plus the horseradish sauce on the side is SO delicious. It’s that time of year again when we can make cozy comforting dishes that bring us so much warmth! 

This is one of those dishes that makes a lot and is simple to serve, making it easy on you. It’s versatile, not only in how you serve it, but also how you save it! You can freeze portions of this to grab later, making life easier on yourself. You can serve this with rice or another grain, as a sandwich, in a wrap or even over mashed potatoes. 

I love that this can be a fun football food or a comforting dinner once the air dips and gets super chilly. And you can serve it both ways within a week! Why not? I love a meal that provides a ton of variety and keeps us from getting bored. 

It’s rare that I make a slow cooker meal these days, unless it’s something like pulled pork or beef. Something that can be piled high on a sandwich for game day or a party, you know? I also make meals like this more often in the fall and winter. They are Eddie’s favorite so he is thrilled that we’re entering cozy food season.

A meal like this is SO easy too.

A lot of times I will even start it the night before and let it go all night so it’s ready for an early get together the next day. 

Now, I have a slow cooker that sears meat directly in the crock and I LOVE it. It’s super easy to use and a great option. If you don’t have that, I highly suggest searing the beef in a large pot or dutch oven before adding it to the slow cooker. This brings SO much flavor to the finished product. It keeps it juicy too. 

The pumpkin beer is also what adds a lot of flavor here! You can use any pumpkin beer that you love. If you don’t enjoy pumpkin beer, use a beer that you do like! And if you don’t drink beer or want to use any alcohol, you can use something like root beer. Also so fabulous.

Since this dish is pretty straightforward, the toppings and sandwich extras are where it’s at. Another one of Eddie’s favorite things is using horseradish sauce. It’s probably his favorite condiment. 

Who remembers my brown sugar roasted garlic shredded beef sandwiches? Um… from almost TWENTY years ago. Okay – 15 years. But who’s counting? Seriously, that is wild to me. 

Anyway, these are a bit reminiscent of those! Cozy, comforting, makes a delish sandwich for a crowd! (more…)

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31 Recipes To Make In October!

The best halloween recipes are here! These are the most delicious recipes to make for the rest of October – cozy pastas, delicious cocktails, the richest desserts and bowls of soup to enjoy.

I’ve got the perfect list for you to cook from for the rest of the month!

So many delicious dishes – savory and sweet – to enjoy this October!

Whether you’re into creating spooky dishes for the season or just want to enjoy the crisp fall weather, there is something here for everyone to love.

Throw on your favorite Halloween movie and make a treat or cozy up with a bowl of soup. These October recipes are seriously dreamy.

31 Best Halloween Recipes To Make In October

(more…)

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What I Read In August and September 2025.

I’m back, I’m back! I hate when I miss a month of book reviews. There are some of my favorite posts to write and the crazy month of September just totally got away from me. I still got a lot of reading done, despite losing my kindle in August! Spoiler alert: I found my kindle just last week (of course I ordered another one weeks ago because I can’t life without it) so now I have one to keep in my bag at all times and one by my bed. This is a book lovers’ dream!

I’ve read so many good ones in the last few weeks that I can’t wait to tell you about. And I can’t wait to hear about the best book you’ve read lately.

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. I read SO many books from this box. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

Okay, keep me posted on what you’re reading below!

WHAT I READ IN AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2025Wild Dark Shore – 5 stars

This is an INCREDIBLE book. I don’t even know where to start! The story follows a family on an island off of antarctica who takes care of a seed bank. One day a woman washes ashore threatening everything they have. It was a little slow to start for me but shortly I was hooked and oh my gosh – you know SOMETHING is going to happen but you don’t know what. And it could be so many different things. It’s sad and dark but also incredible and the characters are just phenomenal. I have thought about it for weeks after finishing!

The River Is Waiting – 4.5 stars

Another one that is incredible. But also sad and moody and dark! The story follows a man who spirals into addiction, causes a horrible accident and ends up in prison. I was afraid I couldn’t get into this one and I almost didn’t read it because of the accident (IYKYK) but the story of him is really amazing. Very heartbreaking and even heartwarming at the same time.

The Heartbreak Hotel – 4 stars

Loved this one! The story follows a woman after a breakup who turns her home into a bed and breakfast so she doesn’t lose it. This is SUCH a cute story and I love the chemistry between the main character and her landlord. Super cute and sweet and my favorite kind of story!

My Favorite Lost Cause – 4.5 stars

This was another huge win for me. I LOVED the book before this that I read in May. Oh my gosh – I really liked this too. Now don’t freak out – the story follows step-siblings (I KNOW!!!) who fall for each other but trust me, it’s done in a way that is very “okay” and believable. I was very afraid to read this because I had no idea how it would pan out and it kind of freaked me out. But I loved it and the story is so good!

Forget Me Not – 4 stars

Many of my books the last two months came from my book of the month membership, and this was one of them. I definitely needed a thriller and this fit the bill. In this story we follow Claire who has struggled since her sister disappeared when she was a teenager. Claire finds herself at a surprising job and uncovers a few mysteries that are shocking and wants to find out if her sister is dead or alive. I think you can see where this is going. I really liked it and it kept me in suspense!

The Academy  – 4.5 stars

LOVED this and was so excited to read it! I got a copy early when I was signing on Nantucket with Elin but waited until the fall to read. I adored it. It has the classic Elin feels but instead of being set on the island, this is written with her daughter and is set at a fictional boarding school. I love a drama like this! It felt like Elin but also fresh and new and is amazing to read this time of year!

Everyone Is Lying to You – 3.5 stars

I was excited to read this one because it has an influencer/blogger aspect! We all know that social media never depicts real life, but this story enhances that even more. It’s the story of two friends, one all but disappears and then many years later, is a famous influencer living with her big family. Very trad wife-esque! There is murder, mystery and all the great makings of a story that really lets you in behind the scenes of the social media life.

Happy Wife  – 3.5 stars

This is another fun and twisty thriller/mystery! The story follows a married couple (with a fairly big age gap) in a community in Florida and one of them goes missing. It has great “who did it” vibes and even some funny moments too! It’s a fun easy read and I loved the peek into the fancy lifestyle. There was a little twist that really got me too!

You’ll Find It All Still Here – 3 stars

I’m all about a second chance romance! It’s probably my favorite trope. I was kind of surprised by this because it felt a little young – almost like YA. The story follows a women who loses her mother and in an effort to find herself again, goes back to her camp from her younger years. But this time, they have adult dating experiences. It’s cute and kind of predictable.

Beach House Rules – 4.5 stars

I can’t believe it took me all summer to get to this book! I adored it, much like her other books! It’s a fun little twisty one, where the story involves some white collar crime, a gossip-girl like instagram account and a fun beach rental. It was a fun peek into the coastal town and I loved the mother/daughter story. It also gave me Silver Girl vibes, one of Elin Hilderbrand’s books from years ago, which was one of my faves too.

For The Record – 4 stars

Ooooh this was a fun one! In this story, we follow two music stars (from different genres) who have a love/hate relationship. Enemies to lovers is so good here! Years later, they must reconnect in order to get the spark back in their careers. And it goes from there. I loved this, loved the ending and thought it was a super fun, quick read.

Anywhere With You – 4 stars

In this book, we have friends to lovers! Another super cute read, this story follows Charley who is desperately trying to stop her sister’s wedding and recruits her best friend for help. Of course this is a lovely little journey where sparks fly. I loved the chemistry between them and the banter was super cute.

The post What I Read In August and September 2025. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Autumn Chopped Salad with Salted Maple Vinaigrette.

I adore this butternut squash chopped salad! Kale, roasted, caramely buttery squash is served with creamy goat cheese, crunchy pepitas, dates and a delicious salted maple vinaigrette. It’s lovely to eat on a fall day!

No better salad to kick off October!

This autumn chopped salad is filled with kale, roasted butternut squash, dates, goat cheese and pepitas. The flavor is superb and when you add on a drizzle of the salted maple vinaigrette… oh my.

You will want to eat this every day!

If you’re not feeling like a salad once the weather gets chilly – maybe you’d rather tuck into a bowl of soup? A chopped salad with roasty, seasoned squash is the way to go. It’s more like a BOWL than a salad. 

We could call it a bowl and even add some leftover cooked grains to it too! 

This salad reminds me a lot of my previous butternut kale salad. There are a few differences that make both super delicious. 

A chopped salad is the best salad, by far!

There is nothing like a good chopped salad, where you can get a bite of everything right on your fork.

Chopped salads are my gateway salad. I really fell in love with salads way back when after I started eating chopped salads.

And sure, you can technically cut up any salad on your own, as soon as it’s served to you. But there is something about a salad being served to you in a chopped form that is the best. It’s so easy to make and enjoyable! The texture is heightened and the crunch is fabulous. 

So that’s where you’ll find me, enjoying a little autumn chopped salad all season long. 

Here’s how I make it!

First, I roast the butternut squash with my classic spice mix. I should name this the howsweeteats spice blend or something. Salt, pepper, smoked paprika and garlic powder. That is all you need!

I like to roast the squash at a higher temperature so it gets golden and caramely. The natural sweetness comes out and the savory spices make it irresistible. 

While the squash roasts, I chop up the kale. I add a drop of olive or avocado oil and massage it for a few minutes, just to release the bitterness and take away some of that chewiness. This makes all the difference.  (more…)

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Tuesday Things.

1. Orange is my least favorite color (along with yellow), so give me pink pumpkins anyway. Actually, I want everything in my life cool toned. Not warm.

2. I want to make these big m&m cookies.

3. If the entire year could be made up of Octobers, I’d be thrilled. But then would we love it so much?

4. While I would never wait in line now, I do have a lot of success shopping on tuckernuck! I didn’t like it years ago, but now it seems like one of the only places with age-appropriate fun items that aren’t all cropped.

5. TV things!! Oh my gosh. Still rewatching TSITP. Started The Morning Show. And Black Rabbit! It’s so good. Also I watched All of You on apple TV and haaaaated it. Depression city.

6. I actually don’t like sitting at the bar.

7. Whipped cream ruins iced coffee and it is a hill I am willing to die on! In hot coffee, yes. On iced – no way.

8. When life becomes too chaotic, it limits opportunity. YES.

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Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Meatballs in Vodka Sauce.

Say hello to the most delicious vodka sauce chicken parmesan meatballs! Juicy and tender chicken meatballs are tossed in silky vodka sauce and served with melty mozzarella and tons of fresh basil. They are a hit whichever way you serve them!

Cozy season is the best season.

These vodka sauce chicken parmesan meatballs are a dreamy little bite. Tender meatballs baked in creamy vodka sauce with melty mozzarella cheese and tons of fresh basil – it’s a dinner or game day dream. Serve them with little garlic crostini and you will be in HEAVEN. 

It’s my monthly meatball recipe! I’ve mentioned before how my family are huuuuge meatball fans. I’m always looking for ways to spice things up and make a new and exciting meatball. Whether we eat it alone or on a sandwich or on pasta or with rice… new and exciting meatballs make the dinnertime special around here. 

I will take just about anything for a dinnertime win. Tell me you’re a parent without telling me… 

Anyway, these meatballs. I’ve shared some baked chicken parm meatballs before. These are a different recipe – they are the chicken meatballs I make for just about any dish where I serve them. They are so tender and juicy and do not dry out at all! 

Adding them to the vodka sauce helps even more with that. The sauce also helps to keep them tender and imparts such wonderful flavor. 

Because let’s be real…

EVERYTHING is better with vodka sauce. That is a hill I may die on. Perhaps it’s because I don’t love marinara sauce (and never did, until I was in my 30s) and there is something so wonderful about vodka sauce. It’s silky and smooth and ever so slightly sweet. 

If I am making anything with tomato sauce at home, whether it’s for dinner or a party, I always make my vodka sauce. It’s easy and just the best. 

While this recipe is a little high maintenance – after all it does require you to make the sauce, the meatballs and then bake everything together – you can still do it in one pan!

I brown the meatballs, transfer them to a plate and then make the sauce in the same skillet. Add the meatballs back in, give it some fresh mozzarella and bake until super bubbly and cheesy.  (more…)

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A Week In The Life, Vol 39.

Another week!

Can’t believe it’s the end of September.

Started out with a trip to the zoo for these two.

I can’t!

Animal print at the zoo.

He had such a blast.

Animals are her life.

Lots of hockey this week!

We had open house at school!

So proud.

He looks so old here!

Baby BFFs!

S’mores mocha. Whoa.

This butterfly hung out here for hours.

Still on the yogurt/grape nuts train years later.

Give me allllll the pumpkins.

He was sooo excited.

So was he!

This is my favorite fall color!

They’re ready.

Two hockey games this weekend!

Lots of spectators.

Baby Lucy came!!

So did Cooper!!

Another game today.

This is his favorite meal.

Dinner pals.

Stunning skies this week.

These two cuties.

They are obsessed with each other.

It’s so cute.

Another race for my little runner girl today!!

Emilia ran while Max played hockey. Divide and conquer again!

It was a VERY hot race. The hottest yet.

Celebrated them with pizza.

And games too! And now a new week…

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What To Eat This Week: 9/27/25.

So many favorites on the menu this week!

What’s on your menu this week?!

What To Eat This Week

Butternut kale salad

Sheet pan shrimp fajitas 

Taco chicken with frito slaw

Peanut noodles with roasted broccoli

Kung pao cauliflower 

Chicken meatball noodle soup

Autumn pasta salad

Apple oatmeal breakfast cookies

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