Life Is Too Short to Have Petty Beef, Enjoy It for Everything Its Got, Even When Not Too Bright
It is winter here.
It's not snowing yet, simply information technology is cold enough to need coats, & most importantly the lord's day is setting at 4:40 at present, which means that when I piece of work I won't get home before dark until mid-January when the days get longer once more. Correct now the wind is whipping outside blowing frigid pelting in all directions. If there were daylight we'd see white caps on the lake, but alas it is dark. Making lots of things in the crockpot lately. Dark evenings ways lighting candles, fuzzy slippers, chili & stew & early bedtime.
I'thou thinking a lot lately about mindfulness, about being present, & about how my mental attitude affects my experience. I am working on being present – nowadays to my feelings, present to my kids, present to my husband. I'chiliad thinking a lot about routine – I am the type of person who desperately needs routine & construction.
And then, back at it, shall we? How'south the calendar week look?
Lord's day – nosotros haven't done this in a while – roast beefiness, mashed sweet potatoes, greenish beans.
Monday – zippo going on, everyone is dwelling – chili is a good meal for miserable weather, & peradventure some proficient bread to go with it.
Tuesday – husband is working for three days in a row this week, but I still want a good dinner for the kids & me. Maybe pasta pie? I want to come across if this is something I tin can do in the crock pot.
Wednesday – chicken & rice soup & grilled cheese sandwiches. I made the broth last calendar week from the bones of a rotisserie craven considering I'chiliad a baller, simply yous can purchase broth if you accept a life or whatsoever.
Thursday – spaghetti & meatballs, a family favorite.
Fri – stuffed peppers – using a "stuffing" of quinoa, onion, spinach, cheese & whatever else is around.
Sabbatum – honestly probably picking up takeout. I'm just trying to exist real hither.
Lord's day – feast of Christ the King! Fetucini Alfredo, oven-roasted craven breasts, & greens. Block (boxed, with canned frosting) for dessert.
Ok, what are yous eating this week?
Then, meal prep is tough. If you're like me & struggling just to be organized even in what goes into your purse, then it gets a fiddling tougher.
This week (Sunday) my mom came and we did repast prep together. It was swell, because it's squeamish to accept somebody else to shop & chop veggies with, and as well my mom is a ninja at trimming and cutting craven, & then she washes the whole kitchen with bleach after similar a BAMF. Information technology was a little challenging for me because my mom & I have different organizational styles – we're wired differently – and so I had a fiddling bit of anxiety because I like to do things my way (go figure) but in the end the meals were prepped and the kitchen was cleaned and we all had a great dinner.
Here are some $.25 of wisdom I'd like to share from my ain trial & fault in meal prepping:
- Offset with an empty dishwasher & clear counters. For the love of God, do this. If you're the kind of cowboy who can roll with the punches and get past this then more power to you. I, personally, need to know I tin put everything we're using in the dishwasher equally presently equally we are washed, thereby making the concluding cleanup that much simpler. As well, every bit yous'll see, I have raw meat germ feet, so this helps.
- Exercise some pre-food setup. I like to have the casserole dishes, crock pot liners, oven numberless, whatever already gear up up & open on the counter before I start annihilation else. That way the fourth dimension betwixt finishing a job (chopping an onion) and having a articulate space to start the adjacent thing (opening a can of tomato sauce) is every bit curt every bit possible.
- Chop veggies commencement. For me, cutting vegetables is the kind of chore that takes almost the same amount of fourth dimension whether I'chiliad cutting one onion or seven. Practice them all at one time and and then separate them into the containers/bags/bowls for each meal & y'all'll save try later (also if you're anything like me you'll save the "Wait, did the raw hamburger affect this cutting board? Because these peppers will be raw in a salad, so . . ." anxiety that plagues me). Need onions in every repast? Skillful, die them all at once and split them into piles. Life simply got easier.
- Prep meat last, eggs 2d to last. This is how I have to exercise it. And then, for example, I'll put the onion, bread crumbs, cheese, seasoning, sauce, etc into the bag (or bowl) where I'grand mixing upwardly meatloaf start. Then I'll crack an egg into a bowl, so I put in the footing meat (turkey if my mom's eating it) in, dispose of all the packaging for the ground meat, mix the meatloaf, launder hands thoroughly, put everything in the dishwasher, wash my easily again, then move to the side by side thing. Likewise many times I've realized AFTER grabbing the jar of oregano that my hands are covered in the maybe salmonella-y stickiness of raw meat.
- Characterization & put instructions on things. An case: if I'm making meatloaf, I always make 2. Aforementioned effort, twice the output. Then I'll label the 2d meatloaf clearly, because that'south my ace in the hole freezer meal for a calendar week when I'm maxed out & behind. Another example: I work until 3:20, drive 15 mins to option the kids upward, then drive 45 minutes home. Married man usually works later, but maybe today he finished up early & is home before me. Clear instructions scrawled in sharpie on the aluminum foil covering the casserole dish means that dinner is already cooking earlier I become home. Yeah, invaluable, amirite?
So in that location yous go, that'due south what I've got every bit far as a prep mail this week. Now you tell me – what secrets have you learned? What hacks have y'all invented? What ridiculous anxieties exercise you lot accept in the kitchen? I want to hear it, dish it out (haha, go it) in the combox!
I'one thousand not very good at adult. It's simply the reality of who & what I am. We had son family stuff come up & I haven't quite been able to get my shit together since.
So, hither's my attempt at getting dorsum on track:
Dominicus 10/25 – having family over, permit's say pulled pork & coleslaw & peradventure table salt potatoes.
Monday x/26 – the one night of the week hubby will be home for dinner. How well-nigh mushroom craven in the crock pot & steamed veggies?
Tuesday 10/27 – I have a coming together & hubby works, can you say mac & cheese for anybody?
Wednesday ten/28 – hubby works. DIY grilled cheese? It is the Banquet of Sts Simon & Jude so I feel like something festive is advisable. Idk, I tin't muster much on solo nights.
Thursday 10/29 – husband *may* be dwelling house for dinner, so crock pot meatloaf, green beans, & sugariness potatoes.
Friday 10/thirty – breakfast for dinner! An egg bake with spinach, cheese, mushrooms, onions, etc.
Saturday – probably dinner at my parents' so nosotros can accept the kids play tricks or treating,
Lord's day – 1/1 – banquet of all saints & my brother'southward altogether. Having my family over for dinner. My blood brother (turning fourteen) has requested fettuccini Alfredo with peas & grilled craven.
There you lot become!
My mom will be here with me on Sunday to prep, and so I may even be able to exercise a real prep post for y'all.
Have a stellar calendar week you guys!
Well, some other calendar week has come and gone, and nosotros stuck to the meal plan pretty well! How are yous belongings upward with this?
Probably ameliorate than me.
I'grand feeling horribly "meh" nigh just about everything correct at present, and the challenge of this new school, this new group of students is wearing me downward. Still no childcare finalized, still feeling unsettled. It'south been a tough week for a lot of different reasons.
Then, I demand some brilliant spots in my calendar week, I need something to look forward to, something to be excited most, and because I am me – that thing is probably going to exist food.
Here goes:
Sunday: Dinner at my mom & dad'southward – something I will not make or program or prep. Astonishing.
Monday: Zilch on the calendar, and then I have time for something more complicated & succulent. Gonna make something my kids really like: hand-cut, hand-breaded chicken fingers, roasted broccoli (dinosaur trees), sugariness potatoes (yams), and (boxed) brownies. And ice cream. Hey, I warned yous.
Tuesday: Husband has a work thing, but it'southward also Michaelmas, then grilled cheese bar for me & the kids.
Midweek: Tuesday was a feast for the states (read more here if you want) BUT because of Husband'south work, nosotros – equally a family – are abrogating information technology. So – Roast chicken, mashed carrots, mashed potatoes, and pie. Whether I make or buy the pie will depend on how the calendar week unfolds (read: how Tuesday goes).
Thursday: Some other night that Husband works, and then frozen pizza, wine, and ice foam. #sorryI'mnotsorry
*A notation about this, though – this is a win. I'1000 not picking upwardly drive through, then I'm saving money. And probably calories. Idk, I promise anyhow
Friday: Eggplant parmigiana. Washed.
Don't ask me about Saturday. I can't recollect that far ahead.
Also I neglect at shopping list. Sorry.
If we are existence real, the meal planning isnt what saves time & makes life easier during the calendar week. It's the prep that makes the difference.
This is obvious in one case you think about it: I tin can cut vegetables for four meals at the aforementioned time on Sabbatum, or I tin can exercise information technology 4 different times – after work, while my kids are melting downward. I can clean upwardly the prep piece of work in one case, or 4 times. When I figured this out it blew my heed that I'd never idea of information technology before.
So, equally an case: this coming calendar week we are having chili, craven fajitas, quinoa risotto, & a roast chicken dinner. On Saturday I slept in – all the way to half-dozen:45, & at 7 I was in the kitchen making breakfast. Eggs, bacon, coffee, cinnamon rolls – we exercise weekend correct.
At eight breakfast was washed & cleared away, the kids were playing contentedly in the living room, & I was starting meal prep. By 10:15 the kitchen was make clean, everything was done, & I was hanging out with my kids.
Here'southward basically what I did:
Chili: the big one here is browning the meat. I saved the bacon grease in the pan, diced an onion, crushed a clove of garlic in & then added the pound of ground beefiness once the house smelled delicious. Flavored that with spices (oregano, cumin, cayenne pepper, a niggling seasoned table salt, we are out of chili powder, go figure).
I let that sit & started chopping veggies for the fajitas & the risotto.
Fajitas: this is all cutting. I tried to keep all the veggie cut combined, so peppers & onions were cutting, and then I contaminated the cutting board with raw chicken. The packet came with five breasts, then I took one & cut information technology in one-half to brand two thinner pieces (like down the centre from the meridian? Idk how to describe this)
Anyhow.
I sliced the chicken breasts into fajita-sized- strips & put them in a gallon size bag with the onion, pepper, & some seasonings (oregano, garlic, cayenne pepper, cumin…) & boom, Monday'south dinner is prepped. I put the other 2.five chicken breasts in a split up ziplock handbag in the freezer. Boom, adjacent week supplies already.
Roast Chicken: Dominicus we were having a roast chicken dinner & my mentality is if I have to clean up raw craven mess, so I may likewise kill two meals with ane mess, y'know? Then I got my old friend oven bags & some garlic cloves & I prepared the chicken for Sunday (post to come).
Quinoa risotto: yous tin can read the recipe hither, & I basically did exactly that. I loaded the dishwasher & wiped the counters down while the quinoa cooked, & and then put it all in an oven & microwave safety basin & tossed it in the fridge.
Get-go to finish simply a hair over 2 hours & that includes stops to calm cranky babies & one diaper modify. Non a bad price to pay for peace & calm in the coming week.
Ok, what are your meal prep secrets??
There aren't really words adequate to describe how much better this week went than final week. I'm not saying it was necessarily totally because I had my meals all prepped, but I think that definitely was a factor. Having that done fabricated me feel like I was on height of my game – even if merely in one facet of my life. That feeling of existence ahead of the ball – even if only a piffling bit – makes all the difference for me.
One day I got dwelling house – and not early on, actually near 40 mins later than I had wanted to get home – but because everything was already prepped I just got it started & was able to go for a walk with the kids. The dominicus was shining, the air current was whipping by & information technology was glorious. That'south exactly why this kind of organization matters – peaceful, relaxed time with my family makes my life better.
Ok, so. Here comes calendar week 2, are yous ready?
Sun, Sept 20th: we are having my family over to the new house for a Sunday tardily lunch/early dinner Sabbath meal. Roast Chicken, mashed potatoes, greens, salad, & mashed carrots. For dessert I'm making (boxed) cherry-red velvet cake with (canned) cream cheese frosting. Nobody tell my Gramma or my Aunt Ghee.
Monday, Sept 21: the plumber is coming to finally hook upward the washing machine, & I swear to God this will be the quaternary happiest day of my life. We have been here a month & some alter without a washer & dryer & those of you who do it all the time, God bless you – your suffering is making saints. It's fitting that today is besides (another) small-scale feast for us, and then a celebratory dinner is required: chicken fajitas, ranch greenish beans, and salad.
Tuesday, Sept 22nd: Married man has a work thing. Kraft Mac & cheese, roasted broccoli, & wine.
Midweek, Sept 23: Nosotros are going to my brother'southward soccer game, so it has to exist something that tin can simmer alllll daaaaay – chili & bread.
Thursday, Sept 24th: Another piece of work meeting. Leftover chili & wine.
Friday, Sept 25th: Finally, gloriously, a 24-hour interval with zip! Quinoa "risotto" with mushrooms & bell peppers & salad.
Saturday, Sept 26th: As of right now there is nothing on the calendar, just I'one thousand sure something volition come that I tin't foresee right now. Let's say a smorgesborg of leftovers.
And, for your shopping list, you ready?
one whole roasting chicken (maybe two, probably two, nosotros're having my family unit over)
ground beef
chicken breasts
bacon
heavy cream (or one-half & half, or fifty-fifty milk if you're counting calories, merely . . . why?)
sour cream
shredded cheese
The skillful kind of parmesan (shredded, not "sprinkle cheese")
quinoa
a tin can of black beans
a can of chili beans
a tin of chili-prepare tomatoes
two cans of mushrooms (it doesn't matter, whatever's cheap)
Chicken goop (or veggie goop if y'all take your meatless days hardcore)
a box (or three, however many you need) of Kraft mac & cheese
3-iv bong peppers
iii onions
garlic
a ridiculous number of potatoes (I like to get red-skinned for reasons of hackery yous'll learn hither)
a purse of babe carrots (maybe two?)
stuff to make salad
frozen kale/spinach
frozen broccoli
tortillas
a loaf of really good crusty staff of life, may demand to buy this the twenty-four hour period of then it doesn't go dried
This is something I figured out after my friend Jayne explained what risotto was. It'southward terrible for you, just so, then delicious.
A note: I frequently brand this as function of our meatless meals, only if you're not doing meatless, brown some italian sausage & toss it in, considering it is amazingly delicious.
one cup quinoa
2 cups broth
minced garlic (I similar fresh, but practise yous)
1 bong pepper
1/2 onion
foam/half & half/milk
'good' parmesan (shredded)
Dice the onion & pepper, and add them to the garlic in a deep skillet pan. Once they scent astonishing, add the quinoa and the broth. Let cook covered on low for 15-20 mins until all liquid is gone.
Add together the Parmesan cheese, stir it in and so it melts. Slowly stir in the cream/half & half/ milk. It'll thicken up & make it all risotto-y.
Serve.
Or stick it in the fridge & heat it up later in the week.
This recipe is actually my father'southward. It'south more of a ratio than a recipe, simply hopefully you realize that that is just how we whorl.
It'due south all-time if you allow it simmer for a loooong tiiiime in a crock pot. My dad is not a crock pot person, though, so he lets it simmer for a looooong tiiiiiiime on the stove on depression. I have done both. I find the crock pot easier.
1lb footing beefiness
one onion
one bong pepper
one can of blackness beans
1 tin can of 'chili beans'
i can of chili-ready tomatoes
a mess of chili-related spices (cumin, chili powder, crimson pepper, oregano, etc)
I add, but my dad doesn't: i tin of mushrooms.
You tin basically add whatever you desire. I mean, obviously, it's your chili. Exercise you.
Dice the onion and the pepper, and throw them in a overnice big skillet/pan thing. Mayhap with some butter. Mayhap with a tiny bit of olive oil. I've done information technology with kokosnoot oil, but Husband did not like that.
When the kitchen starts to smell succulent, add the footing beef & brownish information technology. While browning it, add spices & salt, & all that. When the meat is browned, put it in the crock pot. Add together all the cans of everything. Melt on depression for an entire twenty-four hours.
Serve with sour cream and shredded cheese, & – if you're feeling saucy – with bacon. Aye, of course.
Unbelievably easy. Relatively healthy.
Chicken breasts
Frozen broccoli
Ranch seasoning
Grease a large-ish casserole dish. Cut chicken breasts in half (either mode, but I feel like they cook faster if yous cut them into two thin, flat pieces through the center) & identify in the pan. Empty a bag or two of frozen broccoli into the pan. Sprinkle everything with a light dusting of ranch seasoning. Foil & fridge.
When time to melt, give it 45 mins or so (mayhap more) at almost 350-375, only always check with a meat thermometer.
First & foremost buy enchilada sauce. Information technology's time consuming & messy to brand & if y'all're the kind of person who makes their ain enchilada sauce then seriously what are you doing reading this blog?
So the thought to put spinach in the enchiladas came from Kendra, who is crawly.
Chicken (already cooked, preferably leftover)
Enchilada sauce
Shredded cheese
Frozen spinach/kale
An onion
Tortillas
Kickoff chop or dice or shred the chicken & dice the onion. Then put that, about half a bag of frozen spinach (or kale), two or three handfuls of shredded cheese & 1/2-two/3 of the enchilada sauce in a bowl & fold information technology all together.
Grease a small casserole dish/oven safe pan.
Spoon the filling into the tortillas, roll them upwards, & line them upwards in the pan. Pour the residuum of the enchilada sauce over it & sprinkle with some other scattering of shredded cheese. Foil & fridge, until it'due south time to cook that at like 350 for 30-forty mins (until the cheese is all melted & the onions are cooked).
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