To fuck or to cook?

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by nononono
In an effort to turn over a new leaf, I am trying to force myself to plan dinners for the little ones before 6 pm on the night they're supposed to eat them. This goes against my every grain, and I'm roadblocked before I begin. Does anyone have any recommendations (ideally online, since I'm semi-motivated right now) for ideas for simple, but healthful, meals?

You can give them things they like, e.g, mac n' cheese, chicken nuggets, etc., as long as it's balanced with vegetables, fruit and that sort of thing. You might also think about things that can be prepared ahead and heated up for dinner, like meatloaf or casseroles, etc.

If you want something fairly easy, go to www.foodnetwork.com and look at Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals. She's annoying as hell, but a lot of her recipes are healthy, easy, and appealing.

[nononono]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
This is going to sound stupid, but bear with me -- weight watchers. You can always make enough that it's not like a diet, but they tend to try to have enough fiber and veggies and fruits and stuff, and I think they generate a shopping list for you. eDiets I think does the same thing. Again, you can put yourself in as an active 180 lb muscley guy to up the portion sizes if you want.

Thanks! If I ask nicely, will they shop for me? I'm such a lazy homemaker.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by taxwonk
You can give them things they like, e.g, mac n' cheese, chicken nuggets, etc., as long as it's balanced with vegetables, fruit and that sort of thing. You might also think about things that can be prepared ahead and heated up for dinner, like meatloaf or casseroles, etc.

If you want something fairly easy, go to www.foodnetwork.com and look at Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals. She's annoying as hell, but a lot of her recipes are healthy, easy, and appealing.

That's a good one. You can also e.g. cut up the veggies you buy over the weekend on the weekend so it's not so much of a hassle when you are making dinner on a weeknight. Or you can put meat in marinade over the weekend for mon/tues/wed and then just cook it without having to worry so much about flavoring.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by nononono
Thanks! If I ask nicely, will they shop for me? I'm such a lazy homemaker.

Maybe you can set up the list on a store that delivers.

[nononono]

Originally posted by taxwonk
You can give them things they like, e.g, mac n' cheese, chicken nuggets, etc., as long as it's balanced with vegetables, fruit and that sort of thing. You might also think about things that can be prepared ahead and heated up for dinner, like meatloaf or casseroles, etc.

If you want something fairly easy, go to www.foodnetwork.com and look at Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals. She's annoying as hell, but a lot of her recipes are healthy, easy, and appealing.

That's what I've been doing, and they're awesome with the vegetables and fruit. Just feel as though I ought to a) cook sometimes and b) know what it's going to be earlier in the day so it's not a panic after work.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by nononono
That's what I've been doing, and they're awesome with the vegetables and fruit. Just feel as though I ought to a) cook sometimes and b) know what it's going to be earlier in the day so it's not a panic after work.

Plan it out over the weekend and keep the plan with you? It never really works for me, but I can go out spur of the moment.

[nononono]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
Plan it out over the weekend and keep the plan with you? It never really works for me, but I can go out spur of the moment.

I am really trying to do this. Like I said, goes against my whole way of life in this sort of thing. But I am trying to be better!

[Fugee]

Originally posted by nononono
That's what I've been doing, and they're awesome with the vegetables and fruit. Just feel as though I ought to a) cook sometimes and b) know what it's going to be earlier in the day so it's not a panic after work.

1. Go to the website www.flylady.net and scroll down to the link for Menu Mailers. There are a variety of Menu Mailers you can sign up for (it's a subscription). One should be suitable for kids. As part of the service, you get shopping lists too.

2. Here in Minnesota there are a number of places where you can go and assemble meals in freezer containers. the stuff is already cut up or semi-prepared so you just put it together. Perhaps there is one in your area too. Then you just put on the calendar which meal is for which day.

This article has a list of the various make & take franchises.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by nononono
That's what I've been doing, and they're awesome with the vegetables and fruit. Just feel as though I ought to a) cook sometimes and b) know what it's going to be earlier in the day so it's not a panic after work.

Just get some standard dishes that take things like chicken breasts, pork chops, beef, etc. And get some of each of those ingredients, and freeze the meat. Take it out in the morning, put in the refrigerator, and it's ready to cook by evening. Get fresh veggies a couple times a week, and you're set. Keep it simple.

[nononono]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Just get some standard dishes that take things like chicken breasts, pork chops, beef, etc. And get some of each of those ingredients, and freeze the meat. Take it out in the morning, put in the refrigerator, and it's ready to cook by evening. Get fresh veggies a couple times a week, and you're set. Keep it simple.

For some reason I have a block about this.

But on another topic (dinner tonight), it seems that meat is desired, so my risotto may be out. Or, other than ham/pancetta, has anyone done a meat risotto with good vegetables? Would chicken work?

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by nononono
For some reason I have a block about this.

But on another topic (dinner tonight), it seems that meat is desired, so my risotto may be out. Or, other than ham/pancetta, has anyone done a meat risotto with good vegetables? Would chicken work?

I would think sausage. Or I have seen sausage more often.

[nononono]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
I would think sausage. Or I have seen sausage more often.

Yes, I think I have, too. Dinner companion's kind of uptight about fat...but I think it may just have to be.

[Oliver_Wendell_Ramone]

Originally posted by nononono
Yes, I think I have, too. Dinner companion's kind of uptight about fat...but I think it may just have to be.

What about fish? One of my favorite things this time of year is risotto w/ fresh corn, tomatoes, and basil, with a piece of grilled fish over the top, topped with more tomatoes/basil.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by nononono
Yes, I think I have, too. Dinner companion's kind of uptight about fat...but I think it may just have to be.

Some kind of chicken sausage? Or whatever. You may already be cooking.

[Sparklehorse]

Originally posted by nononono
Yes, I think I have, too. Dinner companion's kind of uptight about fat...but I think it may just have to be.

I'm sure I'm too late for tonight but if you want a lowfat butternut squash risotto recipe, PM me.