meal help

Ok, I need some help. I feel like I am a very bad mommy-to-be. By the time I get home from work it's pretty late and I just don't have time to cook, so I end up eating unhealthy food (usually take-out or something). I don't think I'm doing a very good job of eating a balanced diet and I'm worried that I'm hurting the baby. I want to eat healthier food, but I'm not sure how to do that. My husband works the same hours that I do, so he can't cook for me either.

Any ideas would be really, really appreciated. Maybe I'm just overly emotional lately, but this has been getting me so upset.

Re: meal help

I just got married so i'm enjoying some of my bridal shower gifts, and i'm LOVING my crock pot. i seriously think it's good for summer cooking, even though a lot of people htink of stew and stuff as winter stuff. it doesn't heat up the kitchen, you don't have to stand over the grill, plus you can get the stuff ready the night before or the morning of and then leave it cooking all day. i have some great recipes too. one for chicken and shrimp in the slow cooker, SOOO good. plus there are lots of recipes online.

could you prepare large batches of things on the weekend and then defrost it during the week? maybe like a big ziti or lasagna or casserole or something like that?

also, what about some rachel-ray-esque 30 minute meals? i have 4 of her cookbooks if you want any ideas.

-melissa

Re: meal help

Okay, I'm brainstorming more ideas.

What about cooking up a lot of grilled chicken over the weekend, or one night of the week, and then using it different ways during the week.

*chicken tossed in pasta with some veggies.
*grilled chicken sandwiches on hamburger buns with fun toppings like roasted red peppers, mozz cheese, red onions, etc.
*grilled chicken salads with those already made salad bags
*homemade pizzas with grilled chicken on them -- just stop off at the local pizza shop on the way home and ask for a batch of pizza dough, most of them sell them and i know at my pizza place it's only $2.00 for the dough.


just some ideas. you cuold also do it with grilled steak, or a combination of grilled veggies.

Re: meal help

Melissa, these are great! Thanks so much. I sent you an FM.

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We don't eat meat, but we do eat fish, so hubby picks up a HUGE chunk of salmon from costco and cooks it up in the oven and we eat it for a few days. Stick a potato in the microwave and a piece of corn in boiling water for 5 minutes, and that's pretty much our dinner every night of the week

Re: meal help

I totally agree about preparing meals in advanced. You can also buy fresh veggies and chop them on the weekend and just toss them or stirfry them when you get home from work.

There are also plenty of healthy options to pick up- like make your own salads or picking up salads, grilled chicken dishes, etc....

You can also buy those ready made stir fry and just heat it up at home (although that is still considered cooking). There is also steamed or sauteed veggies (Chinese) or vegetable sushi (Japanese).

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They also have pre cooked meats like grilled chicken in the cold cases at the supermarket(where they keep the lielbasa and sausages and stuff like that) Also try Boston Market or subway their stuff is pretty healthy if you don't want to cook.

Re: meal help

Don't feel bad, i feel the same way sometimes too!

I try to keep the refrigerator replenished with juices, vegetables, fruits and will defrost some meat (chicken, steak) in the morning.

I make sure I do my shopping on the weekend for the week - because i know during the week ill will never get a chance or am too lazy to run out to the store.

Re: meal help

Ali, I'm FMing you with the slow cooker recipes that I told you about.

Re: meal help

Re: meal help

Thank you all so much for all your help. You gave me some great ideas, and just generally made me feel so much better. I love this site!