Another Successful Dinner!

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Registered: 08-03-2007
Another Successful Dinner!
8
Tue, 08-21-2007 - 6:25pm
I made MichaelAnn's chicken nuggets tonight and they were really a hit. My 14 month old daughter doesn't eat chicken nuggets so I didn't expect her to eat any but she love them! She ate more than my 2 year old did!! I guess she just doesn't like the processed chicken. My husband thought they were great too. He doesn't even think they need dipping sauces. Meal planning has made a huge difference in our house. Not just in getting in all the foods I need, but we sit at the table more now. I think it's because I know what to cook and I'm excited to do it. That means we don't wander around the kitchen wondering what to make while nibbling on junk food and never making a full meal. Woo hoo for another successful night!
Lilypie Expecting a baby Ticker
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Registered: 04-01-2004
Tue, 08-21-2007 - 6:36pm
I'm really glad you're getting the swing of this.
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Registered: 01-14-2007
Tue, 08-21-2007 - 8:02pm
I'm highjacking your thread
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Registered: 08-03-2007
Tue, 08-21-2007 - 9:50pm
I thought I was doing the taco meatballs tonight but I was wrong. That's tomorrow. (I'm glad I was wrong because I didn't thaw the meat.) I'm excited to try them, especially now that you are telling me that they are so good! Let me know how the chili goes and I'll see you tomorrow!
Lilypie Expecting a baby Ticker
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Registered: 02-02-2004
Tue, 08-21-2007 - 10:53pm

Meal planning has been life-changing here, too. I really don't know how I did it before, but this way is SO much better. I have options and I know all the stuff is available for these specific meals. Its just a huge relief.

We love those chicken strips, too. I couldn't believe how good they were -- we just gobble them up!

T.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2005
Wed, 08-22-2007 - 7:56am

T,


I am SO proud of you with your meal planning!! It sounds like it's given you more confidence!! I'm glad things are turning around for the positive!


Hugs,


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Registered: 02-02-2004
Wed, 08-22-2007 - 1:51pm

Yes, Karen, I keep asking myself why did I wait until this point in life to really start doing something I've always known I should do? My mom never planned meals, we never knew what we were having for supper -- I guess I just did what I grew up with! I can't say enough how much better this is -- esp. on "bad" days, no more calls to hubby to bring dinner home. Last night we were playing in the pool (all of us) and it was getting a little close to the time where we needed to be to the school open house, DH was like, "do we need to go out?" I'm like, "No! I have something I can make very fast!" =) Patting myself on the back.

T.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2005
Thu, 08-23-2007 - 9:19am

That's really great!! Another "trick" you may want to start trying is - make extra portions of meals that can be easily frozen. So then on really bad days (KWIM?) you or DH can just defrost and reheat something for dinner.


I've also been making "double-duty" meals lately. For example, if I make grilled chicken for dinner, I'll make extra and use it in a different recipe later in the week. Another example, I made turkey sausage with onions, peppers & tomato sauce the other night. The extra veggies & sauce I froze so I can use it another time as a burger topping.


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Registered: 02-02-2004
Thu, 08-23-2007 - 9:51pm

Those are great tips.

There is part of me that rebels against being so prepared and ahead of things in the kitchen. It would be like saying my Mother in law and sister are RIGHT about THIS, too!! But, the changes I've made have reduced stress and not just in the kitchen, I think when I plan for next week, I want to include some cook ahead things or freeze things. I tried that with Michael Ann's chx recipe twice and DH ate it all up! And then with Deb's chipotle burgers, he ate the portion I had conveniently saved for his lunch for the next day! He's eating more and losing weight, only on SBD! =)

Thanks for the tips, I'll let you know how it goes. I still have "really bad" days, too sometimes (lets not talk about yesterday...), and after seeing how much planning has helped, I think I"m ready to take the step and keep planning ahead to make these "bumps" in the road smaller, if possible. I never knew that meal planning would turn into a pain-coping skill, but I'm happy to learn!

T.