What’s Been Cooking: May 2026

Hey there! It’s time for another monthly catch-up. Here’s what we were up to in May, including lots of good eating (as always), a walking challenge, and a reminder to treat yourself.

🌮 Taco Tuesday (and Saturday)

It was truly perfect that Cinco de Mayo fell on Taco Tuesday this year, so of course we had to make tacos. Our crispy pork belly tacos with pineapple sauce are by far our favorite specialty tacos, so we went all out for the holiday and enjoyed them with a few margaritas and a side of chips and guac!

But because we love tacos (and Mexican food) so much… we couldn’t just stop at one taco night for Cinco de Mayo week. We also made fish tacos with mango salsa later that week, and developed a new elote pasta salad recipe to add to our repertoire of Mexican food!

With the sun finally shining in Vermont, we’ve been craving the fresh, zesty flavors that Mexican dishes bring to the table (ha). Two taco nights in one week was absolutely necessary!

❄️ Batch Cooking Day

Since the beginning of this year, we’ve been churning through so many of our old recipes to bring them up to speed with our new standards. Which means a lot more cooking than usual. And with just two of us in the house, we can hardly keep up with eating everything!

To help alleviate some of the pressure, we planned a batch cooking day to update and photograph a few recipes that could easily be frozen. We made slow cooker meatballs, air fryer twice baked potatoes, and tikka masala pasta – 3 different cooking methods, and all freezer-friendly so we could use our time efficiently and not waste any food.

As always, our Souper Cubes came in handy to freeze portions that make sense for the two of us. And when we needed a few easy meals after a weekend trip earlier this month, it was so nice to come home to ready-made foods we could easily reheat.

👟 Marathon Walking Challenge

Last month, we made a pact that as soon as the weather warmed up here, we’d walk a marathon in one week. Winter in Vermont really puts us into hibernation mode, so what better way to shake it off than with tons of steps and time outside?

It sounded daunting at first, but once we broke it down – and planned it to line up with Memorial Day Weekend, so we’d have extra time – it really wasn’t as hard as we thought it would be. Two longer days around 7 to 8 miles each, and then just 2 to 3 miles a day for the rest of the week!

We started with a day exploring Shelburne Farms, a local educational farm with a massive lakefront property of hiking trails and gardens. On our walk, we stopped to pet the lambs and baby cows, visit the baby pigs in their pen, and explore the flower gardens by the lake. We even spotted a little groundhog enjoying the water views just a few feet away from where we sat to do the same! He adorably scampered right by us, and we felt a little bad for frightening him. (This funnily wasn’t the first time we’ve startled a groundhog by choosing the same spot to hang out as it!)

Later in the week, we got another long walk in on Burlington’s waterfront path. The lake views are gorgeous this time of year and had us itching for summer to get here faster so we can go swimming and paddle boarding!

The rest of the time we just did laps around our neighborhood. By the end of the week, we totaled 26.5 miles. It’s a small feat, but one we’re proud of when so much of our time is spent behind a computer or in the kitchen!

🥯 Life Is Better With Little Treats

Even though we’re both pretty strict budgeters and very conscious of our spending (how can you not be in this economy?), we’ve always been of the mindset that little treats make life worth living. I know, I know, it sounds dramatic – but seriously, what’s the point of life if you’re not enjoying yourself? 

Lately, we’ve been letting go of all the reasons not to treat ourselves and embracing decadence. Embracing a bagel sandwich breakfast date, a fancy matcha latte, a fresh-baked artisan baguette and expensive cheese, dessert after dinner. Embracing life. 

Because at the end of the day, good food and good drinks can bring us so much more joy than an extra $5 in our pocket. Not just because of how they taste, but because of how they nourish our souls and give us space to pause and be present. And more often than not, how lasting memories are made in the moments that surround these little treats.

A bagel sandwich isn’t just about the bagels; it’s about the sleepy Saturday morning we rolled out of bed and drove to our favorite spot for a different start to the day. A baguette and cheese isn’t about the snack; it’s about the farm we visited that day where we picked up freshly made ingredients to savor once we got home, extending our adventure into the evening. 

Food is never just about the food. It’s so central to our lives that every little treat is a reason to celebrate life.

So here’s your reminder: Eat the good cheese. Get yourself the matcha latte. Have an extra piece of chocolate or a scoop of ice cream after dinner. If it brings you joy, make space for it in your life – and don’t ever feel guilty about it.