Getting it together…
I am over 30, and for the last two years, have felt like I just don’t have it together. I finally, because I had no other choice, am feeling like I can manage these little tasks that add up. Seems like there’s so many little things to do, that I often choose to do nothing.
Not anymore. Because I now drive to the office every day, I decided it was time to GET IT TOGETHER. No more weekday grocery trips because I didn’t plan well, no more eating out because I am too tired to cook, no more getting gas as I am already running 10 min late because I came up with every excuse not to go over the weekend or the night before. For the past several weeks now, I have gotten all of the groceries on the weekend, gotten gas on Sunday while I’m out, and cooked enough food for at least 5 meals for the week plus enough for more leftovers to go in the freezer. It took me about three weeks to build the freezer stock up so that I could cook just two to three meals on Sunday and pull a couple of things out of the freezer and be ready to go. It’s been tricky coming up with that many meals, especially when Mike decided to lay low on red meat to see if it really does reduce inflammation. It’s been really creative around here.
So here’s my list (as much for me, so I know what I need to make again, but just in case you’re wondering what freezes well…):
Mom’s spaghetti – with meat sauce. This was before we cut back on red L I even put it in small containers so that Spence could have a real meal instead of mac and cheese when desperation for something quick strikes.
Taco meat – red and white
Turkey chili – this was the biggest batch I’ve ever made – enough for the super bowl, one additional night that week (or more) and 3-4 more meals worth in the freezer. Better stock up on fritos.
Taco soup – because sometimes you get tired of chili and it seemed like an easy red to white conversion.
Chicken noodle casserole – easy and comfort at it’s best
Veggie manicotti
Chicken Spaghetti
Homemade crunchy no oil granola – addicted to it with yogurt, so’s Spence.
Pulled pork – okay, this made enough for multiple meals for our household, some for my mom’s and some for the freezer. Thank heaven it’s so tasty and easy.
White cheddar mashed potatoes – in case we just need a side
Vegetable beef soup – Yes, I said beef. Mike’s famous friend who likes to dole out his SSN was in town, and I felt like the occasion called for a small 3 lb prime rib. The boys went to the store and felt like 7 lbs was more like it, so what to do with all of that yummy meat? Hence the beef back in the diet this week.
Who could forget the pumpkin oatmeal breakfast cookies? Sometimes you just need oatmeal you can eat with your hands.
And this weekend a whipped up a second (double this time) batch of strawberry rhubarb jam because the first batch went way too fast!!!
I have secretly been loving the pace at work…so fast that you don’t sit down or think straight. It helps so much that I have an easy to throw together dinner with minimal clean up when I get home. And, since the hubby’s doing the poker thing tonight, I cheated and ordered pizza :-) Hey, it's whole wheat crust, that counts right? Wait, I had to add cheesecake to make the minimum delivery charge....bummer.
Now that the four of you reading this are completely bored. Here’s a couple of recent pics of my boys. Okay, who am I kidding, pictures take too darn long to upload, but there's a bonus...you get to see the video of Spence with Mimi and his new pet mouse.
See ya next time! Love,
E
