Just reading the post about working moms and what time do you get home

So many of you say you make meals ahead of time on weekends. What do you make? I always say I am going to do this and I am always at a loss on what to make and just get overwhelmed and give up.

Your times on eating, getting to bed, etc... are so scheduled. I always feel like I am trying to do everything and nothing gets done.

Would love tips, tricks, suggestions on meals to make ahead of time, etc....

Re: Just reading the post about working moms and what time do you get home

I always admire someone on a schedule. I start to do it, but always fall off the schedule. I change my mind ten times before I decide on what I am making for dinner. I always feel like everything changes so I can't stay on schedule, and I am not organized enough.

Re: Just reading the post about working moms and what time do you get home

Here are some of my shortcuts:

- prep the food (chop, marinate, etc.) on the weekend or the night before and just ask DH to finish up the cooking part if he's home earlier.

- make a side the night before that will last a few days (ie. rice, pasta, etc.) and buy an entree (rotisserie chicken) to bring home to go with it

- cook a one pot meal in a slow cooker before going to bed and wake up to a home cooked meal you can enjoy after work

- freeze anything that's not eaten (ie. slow cooked meal) and heat up as needed

Re: Just reading the post about working moms and what time do you get home

I always say the same that I am going to cook on Sunday for the week and never do. However, I will frequently make a meal on Sunday that will have enough left over for Monday. I also try to plan out the meals ahead in my head so that I know what I need. Lately, I have been using Perdue Short Cuts chicken and using it for quesadillas and stir fries. This has helped save time. I also keep some things in the freezer that my sons can eat in case I can't get my act together and have dinner ready. No matter what, the boys are asleep by 8:15 PM the latest.

Re: Just reading the post about working moms and what time do you get home

Here are my make-ahead meals:

Turkey Chili
An oven stuffer chicken roaster (Perdue) with potatoes, onions, and carrots (sometimes other veggies)
A frittata (huge omelette with veggies and cheese)
quiche
pork tenderloin
turkey meatballs
chicken cutlets (either grilled or breaded)

I usually don't make veggies ahead. It's easy to steam some string beans or broccoli. I don't make too many "carb" sides because I'm always dieting and it's usually low-carb. But when I do, it's usually brown rice with some seasoning. Uncle Ben's make a brown rice that only takes about 15 minutes.

HTH

Re: Just reading the post about working moms and what time do you get home

I always keep some stuff in the freezer for days I can't get my act together, at least we can feed DD something healthy and deal with us after she is in bed.

I keep turkey meatballs, pasta, edamame, frozen veggies etc available for her