What’s for dinner?
12 Nov 2011 1 Comment
I am a really GREAT cook! Really, I’m something like Rachel Ray…well, without the money…or the tv cameras…oh, or the time or the behind-the-scenes prep guys. All that fanciness aside, I can roast a pork tenderloin that will make you wanna smack your mama! I make a mean lasagna from scratch and 4-alarm chili that is on fire, meaning, it’s delicious. Man, I miss my homecooking!
One day I will cook like that again. One day. That day is NOT today. And it probably won’t be tomorrow either. It takes way too much time to cook the way I want to. This makes me sad. My hat goes off to all the moms I’m FB friends with that are always posting the four course meal they made complete with mouthwatering pictures. These moms also post pictures of the latest coordinating wardrobe they embroider for all their adorable children, and somehow manage to post a status about taking a nap too.
Nap? What’s that? I can assure you that if I found the time to nap, I wouldn’t waste precious sleep time posting about it on FB. Just saying.
But kudos to them because I’m super jealous!
My cooking habits have become so awful that today I asked Hannah if she was ready for dinner and she asked for lunch instead. School lunch is probably the most nutritious meal she gets in a day. Poor kid. Tonight, she had Captn Crunch. Two bowls actually. I’m sure there’s a food group in there somewhere, right? And hey, I put it in milk. After complaining to my friend how awful of a parent I was, she gave me this advice: Give her a spoon of peanut butter for dessert and call it a well-balanced meal! Grains, dairy, and protein.
I like the way she thinks! She’s either a really great friend or one heck of an enabler. Whichever way you swing it, I’m cool with that and slightly less guilt-ridden.
I just can’t muster up more energy than what is required to microwave some leftovers or heat up some chicken tenders. Most of the time, Hannah’s not going to eat it anyway and ask for suckers.
That reminds me…I should really make her a dental appointment. I’ll add it to my list of “Things Good Moms do that one day I’ll find time for.” Do you have that list? Weird things go on there like make homemade playdough, return the toy that Parenting Magazine announced a recall for, subscribe to Parenting Magazine, don’t give the recalled toy to the kid whose birthday you forgot to buy a gift for…you know, stuff like that.
Anyway, I need help. What’s your go-to meal? What do you make your kids that’s simple to prepare, semi-nutritious, and doesn’t strand you in the kitchen for three days prepping, cooking, and cleaning? I mean, I appreciate a hot meal for myself sometimes and those are rare when you are trying to meet the demands of two-under-four at dinner time after they haven’t seen you all day. You’d think I had moved to Alaska for a year the way they cling and whine for my attention!
Share your meals! My three year old will thank you!
Nov 15, 2011 @ 14:50:36
One of our favorite kid-friendly meals is chicken tacos. Take a few boneless breasts, throw them in the crock pot with a packet of taco seasoning and a jar of salsa (and, if you can get away with it, you can sneak in a can of black beans and some frozen corn). Put the crock on low for the day, and serve with taco toppings of choice. My kids constantly ask for this! (Plus, it makes a TON of leftovers for those other nights and/or lunches.)