The dreaded question, heard from all 5 children at 5:07 pm like clockwork and the one that can’t talk just starts fussing.
Really, I have to feed you all again? Didn’t we just do that, like 4 hours ago?
I have been needing some serious help in the dinner/cooking anything besides grilled cheese department for some time.
I could blame soccer season.
Or that after his long commute it’s too late for hubby to bring takeout.
Or that I’m only depressed whenever I call Ashleigh and hear what she’s having for dinner. Proscuitto wrapped asparagus. Homemade soup in homemade breadbowls. She’s killing me. (No, secretly I steal her recipes all the time… but not the proscuitto wrapped asparagus. My kids would think an alien Mom had taken over our house)
But, it’s pretty much just a slump and I need motivation.
So, in addition to Ashleigh’s great recipes, I have been enjoing a blog called Our Best Bites. They have great pictures, great step by step instructions, tons of personality and every recipe I’ve tried has been a hit. Last week I made this pumpkin cheesecake. It was the very first cheesecake I’ve made and it was yummy. I may or may not have made it again two days later.
I plan on making every recipe on their site, and then buying their cookbook when it comes out. That should take me through March. So, please, I beg of you, tell me what your dinnertime motivation is. ‘Cause if I have grilled cheese again, I may have a mutiny on my hands.
The one thing that helps me most if having a menu planned ahead of time. If I'm really organized, I even plan my grocery shopping around the menu. This was the choices are made, I have what I need on hand, and the stress level goes way down. I don't always do this, but when I do life is easier.
Like Chris I TRY to plan for each week – I ask the kids to pick one favourite dish to have during the following week, then shop to make sure I have everything I need.
As a full-time working Mum with a big commute each day, I am pretty exhausted by the time I get home and if everything is there ready to go, it makes my life soooooo much easier.
I also love a blog called http://120dollarsfoodchallenge.com/
Great budget, super yummy recipes!
And finally I love my slow cooker / croc pot. When I know we are having a rushed evening – read dance/violin/piano lessons – then I grab some diced meat, frozen or fresh veggies, some sort currey paste or other flavours and whack it in here with some stock or crushed tomatoes and hit cook and walk out the door – so easy and always a hit with the family. We have a large 4 litre one, which always leaves leftovers for lunches the next day!
Thank you ladies, sometimes all it takes is a boost of motivation. I think I feel one coming. Maybe. 🙂
Oh… you make laugh! Grilled cheese is a regular for lunch at our house. It's the only "sandwich" Jack will eat.
Does Ashleigh REALLY do things like proscuitto wrapped asparagus for her family on a weeknight!!! Ahhhh do I have a lot to work on……..