Domestically Challenged

Menu Plan Monday - You MUST do this!!

OK, this is my number one tip of all time. For this week anyways. LOL

When school started back up, I decided to plan out my menu for the week. We are notarious for grabbing take out on the way home and are trying to curb the habit. So, I found some great recipes and decided this was the week. And you know what? It worked perfectly.We had a nice meal on the table everyday, despite starting school.

Then the next week came.

I was tired and didn't plan out the menus, even though I knew darn well that it worked. And, big surprise, we had takeout most of the week.

Now, I am back to planning. Hubby is giving me some static about using the crockpot (he doesn't like the idea of it being on all day while we aren't home - I told him that was the point. He wants me to put it in the garage (!)) but I love, love, love it!

I have determined that I can't plan out the daily menu - it works better for me to have a list to draw from. So, I am now in the process of compiling a list of recipes that I know I can cook, without too much trouble.

If I were smart motivated, I would do this on computer, so I could also keep lists of teh ingredients I need. Hmmm. Maybe one day!

Menu Plan Monday - 10 minute meals

Here's a big gift to working moms everywhere (and remember, we're ALL working moms!) - the NY Times just posted an article by Mark Bittman called 101 Simple Meals Ready in 10 Minutes or Less.

Really? Talk about a man after my own heart. As you know, I am NOT a cook and I have very little time on my hands. Cooking is not my thing. In fact, it usually ends in lots of bad words and a big mess. But, there may be something to this.

Here's the best part: "These suggestions are not formal recipes; rather, they provide a general outline. With a little imagination and some swift moves — and maybe a salad and a loaf of bread — you can turn any dish on this list into a meal that not only will be better than takeout, but won’t heat you out of the house."

This is EXACTLY what I need. Easy main dishes that I can cook in a jiffy. My only worry is that the kids won't eat what's on the list. I have very picky kids. I don't want to set myself up to where they are eating dino chicken all the time still again. A Lot of the stuff on the list are foriegn to me (as usual) but that doesn't mean I can't try? What's the worst that can happen - takeout? Been there, done that.

Do you have any 10 minute meals you can share?

Menu Monday - Here's a plan for you

Notice I said you, not me. :) I read a great article in the NY Times about a mom and how she plans her menus for the week. It was a great article (you can read it here), but I had some issues with it.

My main issue? Not only could I not pronounce half of the items she mentioned, I had never heard of them! Now, as we all know, I am domestically challenged and make no attempt to hide it. In fact, since my mom's passing and my partial nervous breakdown, I am gainfully trying to get back to a point where my kids don't eat dino chicken 4 times a week. I. Kid. You. Not. But, I admit it, at least.

I like Kaufman's suggestion about having options at the table that will fit what everyone likes. But her options threw me.

"The next night we had lamb cooked on the grill, couscous with olives and lemon and okra pickle. My husband and I ate everything (and drank a nice zinfandel); Sam had lamb and couscous; Joe had couscous, cottage cheese and baby carrots. Needless to say, no child touched the okra."

Sounds great, but what the hell is couscous? I've heard of it, but it sounds like something that is WAY outta my league.

So, I will take a few of the tips and see where it takes me. Can't get any worse, right? Feel free to share your menu planning tips.

Menu Plan Monday ~ Check This Out!!

Oh. My. Goodness.

I just found a GREAT new website. It's called I'm An Organizing Junkie and what could be better for the Domestically Challenged peeps out there?

Today I am focusing on OJ's Menu Plan Monday feature. One of the things I mentioned in Domestically Challenged is the importance of planning (even though I don't always follow my own advice). Well, Laura has taken this to a new level by making it public. Isn't it great - now if I don't follow through with my planning, the entire blog-o-sphere will know it?

I love it.

Here is this week's menu:

• Monday - Steak, potatoes, salad
• Tuesday (soccer night) - Brats
• Wednesday - (soccer night) - Chicken Nuggets
• Thursday - (soccer night) - Hot Dogs
• Friday - Grilled Chicken
• Saturday - Mom & Dad night out, kids eat Spag
• Sunday - Grilled Turkey Legs

Now, please keep this in mind - the soccer night menus will not change much. As a busy mom, I need to keep it as simple as humanly possible and this is the way to do it.