A CherryCoBiz Recipe/Reverb

First — welcome if you’re new to CherryCoBiz, and welcome back if you’ve been walking this winding road with me these past few years.

Life has me twisting in different directions lately. A new home. Appliance chaos. Website upgrades. Family health needs. Budget realignment. Intentional spending. Real-world logistics.

And here’s the truth:

Sometimes wellness looks like green smoothies and long walks.
And sometimes wellness looks like frozen meatballs and a picky eater who finally says, “Wait… can we make that again?”

As most of you know, I’ve been on a life-changing health journey for years. I focus on my best health and wellness Monday through Friday — and I respect balance on the weekends. I am a mother. I am a partner. Flexibility is part of the assignment.

Which brings us to meatballs.

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From Best Buy Chaos to a ButcherBox Pivot

If you missed the full story, you can read it here:
From Best Buy Failure to ButcherBox Success: A Story About Resilience & Good Food

Short version?

Best Buy failed us in a way that cost time, money, and trust.

No response. No accountability.

That wasn’t just disappointing — it was unacceptable.

But — as life often does — the setback redirected me.

That ButcherBox offer I hesitated on?
I said yes.

And I’m glad I did.

The meatballs stood out to me for two reasons: the ingredient list felt cleaner than most freezer aisle options, and they were fully cooked — which, in a season of elevated stress, “thaw and go” isn’t laziness… it’s sanity.

Normally I just default to spaghetti and meatballs because my son loves it. Easy win. No drama.

But I want him to try other things. And he is super picky.

So I went to YouTube.

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The Video That Sparked It

I found this video from Julia Pacheco — and if you’re not familiar with her channel, it’s absolutely worth checking out.

She shares practical, family-friendly meals that are realistic. Not curated. Not performative. Just doable.

In this video she makes:

• Meatball Enchilada Casserole
• Swedish Meatballs
• Meatball Pasta Bake
• Rice & Meatball Dinner
• Sweet & Sour Meatballs

All built around frozen meatballs.

Shortcut meals — but thoughtful ones.

And I decided to try the Swedish meatballs.

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The Swedish Meatball Surprise

Let me tell you something.

My son LOVED it.

And here’s the part that makes me laugh:

He hates sour cream.

The sauce includes sour cream.

I did not announce that fact.
And I do not plan to.

When I told him I was making it again this weekend, he said:

“Ohhhh… maybe we shouldn’t make that again.”

I said, “Why?”

“I don’t know if I can trust myself with it.”

Well then.

That’s how you know it’s staying on the menu.

That creamy beef broth sauce, the egg noodles, the savory depth — it’s comfort food without feeling heavy.

And that, friends, is the kind of flexibility I’m learning to embrace.

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The Unexpected MVP: Cabbage Steaks

Now let’s talk about what we paired with it.

Cabbage steaks.

Friend.

If you have not done cabbage steaks yet — you are missing out.

They were BOMB.

Here’s what we did:

• Thick-cut cabbage rounds
• Olive oil
• Butcher’s “Anything” Seasoning
• Paprika
• Whole cloves of garlic tossed right into the pan to roast alongside

Roasted at 400° for about 25 minutes (give or take — I was cooking by instinct more than stopwatch).

The edges caramelized. The garlic softened. The seasoning bloomed.

I didn’t add cheese this time — but this weekend? A little parmesan toward the end of roasting is absolutely happening.

The cabbage balanced the richness of the meatballs perfectly. Creamy, savory noodles with crispy-edged roasted cabbage and sweet garlic?

That’s how you balance a comfort meal without feeling weighed down.

Adults in this house? We will be repeating that combo.

And that’s when I realized — this wasn’t just about dinner.

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Why This Matters (Beyond Meatballs)

This post isn’t really about frozen meatballs.

It’s about:

• Letting go of rigidity
• Finding new ways to feed your family
• Pivoting when life throws curveballs
• Not overcomplicating dinner
• Creating wins where you can

Sometimes intentional living looks like sourcing ethical meat.
Sometimes it looks like trusting a YouTube mom who figured out a better sauce ratio.

Both can coexist.

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A Note on ButcherBox

I genuinely like ButcherBox.

The quality has been consistent. The convenience works for our season of life. And it aligns more closely with how I want to source meat long-term.

I currently have three referral codes that allow someone to try a box for free. I gave one to my mom and one to my sister — so I believe I only have three left.

If you’ve been curious and would like one, just email me at terra.turner@cherrycobiz.com and let me know you’re interested in a ButcherBox code. I only have a few left, and I’m happy to share them with anyone who genuinely wants to give it a try.

I am no longer buying standard meat from the grocery store unless it’s something special.

Like oxtails.

Oh my heavens.

I have to make oxtails again soon.

And next time? I’m leaning into a Jamaican twist I saw online — something deeper, richer, maybe with allspice and thyme layered just right.

If you have a favorite oxtail seasoning blend or a YouTuber you follow for Caribbean recipes, send them my way. I’m always learning.

You never know what’s next on CherryCoBiz.

Honestly?

Neither do I.

And I kind of love that.

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If you’ve tried creative meatball recipes before, tell me your favorite.
If you have a picky eater win, I want to hear it.
If you’re just here for the resilience and the food therapy — welcome. You’re in the right place.

— Terra