Grocery shopping.
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DeguelloTex wrote: »It doesn't take much more effort to put a chicken in the oven to roast than to put a frozen pizza in the oven to bake.
Almost everyone is busy. That's almost always a cop out answer to rationalize laziness.
Thank for your rude opinion, but I didn't ask for it. I'm a single mom with two jobs and two young children. I spend most of my time working and then when I'm home, between watching my kids and cleaning, time isn't exactly something I have a lot of. It's not "lazy" to be busy.
um, you actually did ask for it when you posted on a public message board asking for opinions!
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Yeah, actually you did.DeguelloTex wrote: »It doesn't take much more effort to put a chicken in the oven to roast than to put a frozen pizza in the oven to bake.
Almost everyone is busy. That's almost always a cop out answer to rationalize laziness.
Thank for your rude opinion, but I didn't ask for it. I'm a single mom with two jobs and two young children. I spend most of my time working and then when I'm home, between watching my kids and cleaning, time isn't exactly something I have a lot of. It's not "lazy" to be busy.
Now, tell me how much longer you think it takes to put a chicken in the oven than a pizza. Does your water boil faster when you make mac and cheese out of a box than when you're steaming broccoli?
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DeguelloTex wrote: »It doesn't take much more effort to put a chicken in the oven to roast than to put a frozen pizza in the oven to bake.
Almost everyone is busy. That's almost always a cop out answer to rationalize laziness.
Thank for your rude opinion, but I didn't ask for it. I'm a single mom with two jobs and two young children. I spend most of my time working and then when I'm home, between watching my kids and cleaning, time isn't exactly something I have a lot of. It's not "lazy" to be busy.
Yeah, you did ask for his opinion. You asked for our input and he made a good point. Everybody is busy. I've never met a person who says "oh I have all the time in the world to do anything I want. I'm never busy!"
Sit down and make a list of 8-10 meals and then just rotate through them. That should take *maybe* 15 minutes. Each week look at the list to see what the meals for the week will be and then shop for them. This is pretty much Life Skills 101 stuff. Not that hard.0 -
shadowfax_c11 wrote: »It is a satd fact that many people have almost no cooking skills and are overwhelmed at the idea of preparing home cooked and healthy meals. The truth it, it is not as difficult as most people think. Cooking a meal can take as much or as little time as you want. Don't be afraid to experiment. Honestly unless you burn it or use too much salt it is really hard to get it wrong.
Keep a good assortment of herbs and spices on hand and a few basic meats and veggies and assortments of grains and pasta can provide a wonderful variety of meals that don't take a lot of time to create.
I look are recipes online sometimes for ideas but almost never actually follow one to the letter. Most of the time you can leave out or swap ingredients. Most foods are easy and forgiving.
A great basic dinner I make frequently, takes maybe an hour. Cut some veggies up. Whatever you have, or even use frozen. Add some chicken or other protein, (best to have it thawed out first) Drizzle with a little oil salt and pepper and whatever herbs and spices appeal to you that day. Bake at 350 until the veggies are fork tender and the meat is done.
Use a meat thermometer to know if it is cooked properly. This is a very inexpensive tool that can be a big help.
Just pop it in the oven and set a timer and go do other things until it is ready.
By mixing up the variety of veggies protein and herbs you use you virtually have a different meal every time.
Baking is a whole other story and does require more precision to do from scratch.
Also if you are a parent include your kids in the process. Part of the problem today is that kids are not being exposed to thehse activities and grow up knowing nothing about how to prepare food. Encourage experimentation and have them help you pick out healthy foods at the store that they will help you to prepare.
And let's not shame people for being intimidated by the idea of preparing food. It does not help them to find the courage to try.
A wonderful post.
Companies that make premade foods have made us believe that... cooking is difficult, tedious, expensive and time consuming... but, hey, we've a solution to that (percieved!) problem. We have made that boring job for you! Just buy our prepackaged meals, ready to just heat up
And this has started to spread to the planning part, and even deciding what's for dinner 
In a few years we'll have professionals who will go on holiday for you, for only a small fee
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In my experience, the busier you are the more you need pre-planning and lists so tasks don't become either neglected/procrastinated nor done half-heartedly due to poor planning. Having "systems" for things allows me to accomplish homemade foods and such often in less time than it takes to make kraft dinner. And in the long run the pre-processed food you've made saves time over eating meals haphazard.0
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She asked a question, but she didn't be asked to be told she was lazy or insulted.
While I agree that eating healthy isn't all that much harder, I do see where a single mom working two jobs would find it quicker and easier to microwave a meal than cook one, especially if there is homework to help with before getting the kids into bed. Feeding them quickly might be the priority. I cannot imagine how hard that life would be and am not going to pass judgement on someone doing what she needs to do.
The shopping, though...it really doesn't take much longer to pick up some meat and veggies than it does to pick up some Hamburger Helper and meat. Maybe a minute, maybe less.
OP, you have to decide what your priorities are. Do you want your family to eat healthy of not? Either choice is a valid one to make and the decision is yours. If you want to do the healthy thing, ask for opinions on quick and healthy meals or ones you can make ahead of time.
I fed my son a lot of junk while he was growing up. Hamburger Helper, Kraft Dinner, pizza, all kinds of stuff. Those weren't "once in a while" kind of treats. That was our diet. When I had more money, it was mostly fast food and restaurant food. I failed to make him his healthiest or to teach him good, healthy habits. It's some kind of miracle that he developed them on his own, before I did, lol. I was bad about what I fed him, but that doesn't make me a terrible mom.
If you choose microwaveable meals, it won't make you a terrible mom. You will be failing to make the kids their healthiest and won't be teaching them good habits, but maybe they'll develop them when they're older. You're still a good mom. Healthy food is not the litmus test. There is no litmus test.
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She asked a question, but she didn't be asked to be told she was lazy or insulted.
While I agree that eating healthy isn't all that much harder, I do see where a single mom working two jobs would find it quicker and easier to microwave a meal than cook one, especially if there is homework to help with before getting the kids into bed. Feeding them quickly might be the priority. I cannot imagine how hard that life would be and am not going to pass judgement on someone doing what she needs to do.
The shopping, though...it really doesn't take much longer to pick up some meat and veggies than it does to pick up some Hamburger Helper and meat. Maybe a minute, maybe less.
OP, you have to decide what your priorities are. Do you want your family to eat healthy of not? Either choice is a valid one to make and the decision is yours. If you want to do the healthy thing, ask for opinions on quick and healthy meals or ones you can make ahead of time.
I fed my son a lot of junk while he was growing up. Hamburger Helper, Kraft Dinner, pizza, all kinds of stuff. Those weren't "once in a while" kind of treats. That was our diet. When I had more money, it was mostly fast food and restaurant food. I failed to make him his healthiest or to teach him good, healthy habits. It's some kind of miracle that he developed them on his own, before I did, lol. I was bad about what I fed him, but that doesn't make me a terrible mom.
If you choose microwaveable meals, it won't make you a terrible mom. You will be failing to make the kids their healthiest and won't be teaching them good habits, but maybe they'll develop them when they're older. You're still a good mom. Healthy food is not the litmus test. There is no litmus test.
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I do not have the time nor energy to sit down and come up with healthy meals and create grocery lists for them so I know exactly what to buy at the grocery store. Between work and kids, I find is much easier to just grab a frozen pizza and some boxed Mac n cheese. How do you all find the time/motivation to come up with a grocery list and recipes and everything and stick to them?
I haven't read the other comments so forgive me if I am repeating points that have already been made :]
I don't think your attitude is going to get a lot of sympathy from the majority of members purely for the fact that - we are ALL pretty busy. The majority of us have to work full time. A huge percentage of us have children. Of COURSE it's 'easier' to throw a pizza in the oven - there is no disputing that. Contrary to popular belief, you don't actually have to sit and munch on celery sticks whilst everyone else eats junk. I still eat junk and I'm still a TERRIBLE cook. I've lost 33lbs but not one of those pounds have been because of my own recipe's or 'clean eating' (whatever that IS anyway!). I eat whatever I want but I track my calories and count absolutely every thing.
The motivation is the part that a lot of people struggle with but it's utterly vital for success. That comes from within. We can tell you HOW we personally stay motivated (For me, my goal is my main motivation) - but yours will differ. We are unique. Dig deep and find it - if it's important enough, you'll find what works for you and make it happen.0 -
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DeguelloTex wrote: »It doesn't take much more effort to put a chicken in the oven to roast than to put a frozen pizza in the oven to bake.
Almost everyone is busy. That's almost always a cop out answer to rationalize laziness.
Thank for your rude opinion, but I didn't ask for it. I'm a single mom with two jobs and two young children. I spend most of my time working and then when I'm home, between watching my kids and cleaning, time isn't exactly something I have a lot of. It's not "lazy" to be busy.
After the plethora of helpful responses to your question, this is what you seize on??
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She asked a question, but she didn't be asked to be told she was lazy or insulted.
While I agree that eating healthy isn't all that much harder, I do see where a single mom working two jobs would find it quicker and easier to microwave a meal than cook one, especially if there is homework to help with before getting the kids into bed. Feeding them quickly might be the priority. I cannot imagine how hard that life would be and am not going to pass judgement on someone doing what she needs to do.
The shopping, though...it really doesn't take much longer to pick up some meat and veggies than it does to pick up some Hamburger Helper and meat. Maybe a minute, maybe less.
OP, you have to decide what your priorities are. Do you want your family to eat healthy of not? Either choice is a valid one to make and the decision is yours. If you want to do the healthy thing, ask for opinions on quick and healthy meals or ones you can make ahead of time.
I fed my son a lot of junk while he was growing up. Hamburger Helper, Kraft Dinner, pizza, all kinds of stuff. Those weren't "once in a while" kind of treats. That was our diet. When I had more money, it was mostly fast food and restaurant food. I failed to make him his healthiest or to teach him good, healthy habits. It's some kind of miracle that he developed them on his own, before I did, lol. I was bad about what I fed him, but that doesn't make me a terrible mom.
If you choose microwaveable meals, it won't make you a terrible mom. You will be failing to make the kids their healthiest and won't be teaching them good habits, but maybe they'll develop them when they're older. You're still a good mom. Healthy food is not the litmus test. There is no litmus test.
OP wasn't insulted!! She ask for opinion she got it, and to add she never stated in her OP that she was single and working 2 jobs, that would have been a good ideal to add to the OP, we are not mind readers.0 -
vivmom2014 wrote: »DeguelloTex wrote: »It doesn't take much more effort to put a chicken in the oven to roast than to put a frozen pizza in the oven to bake.
Almost everyone is busy. That's almost always a cop out answer to rationalize laziness.
Thank for your rude opinion, but I didn't ask for it. I'm a single mom with two jobs and two young children. I spend most of my time working and then when I'm home, between watching my kids and cleaning, time isn't exactly something I have a lot of. It's not "lazy" to be busy.
After the plethora of helpful responses to your question, this is what you seize on??
That doesn't surprise me. LOL0 -
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
I wasn't insulting anyone. I think she understood that. As I said, I did the same dang thing and do not think it made me a bad mom. It made me less than ideal - not perfect, but not bad.
I think "swipe" means insult. I think that's what you meant. If that's what you meant, I hope I made it clear in the post and now, what I meant.
Perhaps you didn't mean to suggest she was lazy? Maybe that was a poor choice of words?0 -
@Mamarissy I work and have 2 toddlers, but thankfully do have a supportive husband who can't cook anything on the stove because he is cooking challenged. I agree that it is really hard, and I don't know how single parents do it when I feel overwhelmed even with help.
I recommend a couple of things.
1. Crockpot. I know a lot of people said this. Trust me. This is the way to go. Don't spend a huge amount of time googling recipes. That just gets confusing and then you end up buying spices you might only use once. Think easy. Use meats that can cook forever and still taste good. This weeds out anything too lean (which is usually more expensive). I like boneless, skinless chicken thighs, pork shoulder, pot roast. All easy. All can cook forever. Then you need to add a liquid. You can use water, chicken stock, beef stock, salsa (this is particularly good with chicken), etc.
2. Buy stuff that is pre-made or presliced to make your life easier. This is different than buying a pizza. If you don't get a protien in the crockpot, rotisserie chickens are like your best friend. Don't buy carrots you have to peel and cut, get the baby carrots that are ready to go. It will be a little pricier but totally worth it. One of my favorite staples is the steam in the bag veggies. It doesn't get easier than that. I also use the preshredded cole slaw mix in all kinds of stuff like soup, stir fry, salads, etc.
3. Don't buy anything that can't be re-used. If you can't use the ingredient in more than one meal that week, ignore it.
4. At the grocery store, shop the perimeter. Most of your staples are going to be on the perimeter of the store rather than in the aisles. Think eggs, milk, bread, fruit, veggies, meat. Even the cereal that is on sale is usually on an aisle end cap.
I love to cook and so I like meal planning and shopping. Maybe you could get someone to watch your kids while you shop? I bet part of hating shopping is hating shopping with your kids. I HATE shopping with my kids. It's kind of fun when I can take an hour to myself. I actually wear my earbuds at the store and listen to music while I grocery shop.
Oh, and I'm editing this because I forgot to add...if you seriously hate going to the store you can probably just order your groceries and have them delivered depending on where you are. I'm in Pennsylvania and Shoprite, Giant and Acme all deliver to my house for like an extra $15. Best money ever spent. I don't impulse buy anything and I don't have to leave the house if I'm busy.0 -
nm, not worth the points to engage with the amphibian.0
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Op...just remember ... internet rudeness is common thesr days.
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Thank you to everyone who responded with such positive and helpful comments! I appreciate it! As for everyone else who has negativity to add, thank you too! You're all right, I'm making excuses. No more excuses. Time to just shut my mouth & do what I KNOW I NEED to do to be healthy and happy for me and my family! Thank you everyone!0
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I never plan meals lol! I stand in front of the freezer and figure out what we didn't have that week and choose a meat accordingly. Did we have rice in the last 2 days? No? I guess it's rice then. What veggie do I have? Broccoli? Yep, broccoli it is. There's dinner! I rotate meals every week. I sometimes add in something we haven't had in a long time. Works for us and I cook dinner 5-6 days a week. As far as grocery shopping, I stick with my staple meats and veggies and whatever is on sale in my flyer that week.0
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Personally I think there are far fewer lazy people than we give them credit for. They may be overwhelmed, uncertain, inexperienced, or afraid of failure. I start with the default position that people are not lazy, and are looking to find a way out of their dilemma.
@mamarissy busy mom, best of success to you. I think if you gradually switch your diet over it will get easier over time. My daughter keeps reminding me that the rotisserie chicken is often cheaper than the frozen. Rotisserie chicken is cheaper and more convenient. How great is that?0 -
Per pound? That would be great. They're priced cheaper than the whole chickens here, but they're about 2/3 of the size.@mamarissy busy mom, best of success to you. I think if you gradually switch your diet over it will get easier over time. My daughter keeps reminding me that the rotisserie chicken is often cheaper than the frozen. Rotisserie chicken is cheaper and more convenient. How great is that?
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She asked a question, but she didn't be asked to be told she was lazy or insulted.
While I agree that eating healthy isn't all that much harder, I do see where a single mom working two jobs would find it quicker and easier to microwave a meal than cook one, especially if there is homework to help with before getting the kids into bed. Feeding them quickly might be the priority. I cannot imagine how hard that life would be and am not going to pass judgement on someone doing what she needs to do.
The shopping, though...it really doesn't take much longer to pick up some meat and veggies than it does to pick up some Hamburger Helper and meat. Maybe a minute, maybe less.
OP, you have to decide what your priorities are. Do you want your family to eat healthy of not? Either choice is a valid one to make and the decision is yours. If you want to do the healthy thing, ask for opinions on quick and healthy meals or ones you can make ahead of time.
I fed my son a lot of junk while he was growing up. Hamburger Helper, Kraft Dinner, pizza, all kinds of stuff. Those weren't "once in a while" kind of treats. That was our diet. When I had more money, it was mostly fast food and restaurant food. I failed to make him his healthiest or to teach him good, healthy habits. It's some kind of miracle that he developed them on his own, before I did, lol. I was bad about what I fed him, but that doesn't make me a terrible mom.
If you choose microwaveable meals, it won't make you a terrible mom. You will be failing to make the kids their healthiest and won't be teaching them good habits, but maybe they'll develop them when they're older. You're still a good mom. Healthy food is not the litmus test. There is no litmus test.
Exactly what I was thinking.0 -
I think this is symptomatic. Are we getting totally helpless? So many new "services" offer "dinner tips" and this. How difficult can it be to transfer the ingredients from a recipe to a shopping list? How can anyone not know what they want to have for dinner?
Why such "anger"...
Someone is asking for help and (most) people are offering helpful tips. There's no need to ridicule or derogate someone for asking for help, just because *you* find the task in question second nature.
If don't want to contribute something helpful, you don't have to reply just to make the OP feel inadequate.
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Learn to make passata or just basic sauces make in batch these are great bases and cheap quick and easy or ragu you can simply add to pasta, or add meat and pasta or use as base for casserole, curry the possibilities are endless. Homemade chicken goujons, pitta bread pizza. Omelettes are my go to short on time meal you chuck in what you have.0
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Also - just gonna toss this out there - you don't need meat with every meal.0
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What sorts of meatless meals do children like? I'd imagine anything with cheese on it. That could be make-your-own pizza night, or baked potatoes with cheese. Kidney or black bean based chili on a bun would be easy and inexpensive. For a busy mom, this might be made with a slow cooker, double batch and freeze.
I have trouble selling tofu and lentil based meals on children and fussy husbands.0 -
What sorts of meatless meals do children like? I'd imagine anything with cheese on it. That could be make-your-own pizza night, or baked potatoes with cheese. Kidney or black bean based chili on a bun would be easy and inexpensive. For a busy mom, this might be made with a slow cooker, double batch and freeze.
I have trouble selling tofu and lentil based meals on children and fussy husbands.
Quesadillas, vegetarian chili, breakfast for dinner, tempeh tacos (they don't even notice, I've tried it), stir fried vegetables over rice in a nice sweet/sour sauce... it can be done. You have some good suggestions, too.
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vivmom2014 wrote: »What sorts of meatless meals do children like? I'd imagine anything with cheese on it. That could be make-your-own pizza night, or baked potatoes with cheese. Kidney or black bean based chili on a bun would be easy and inexpensive. For a busy mom, this might be made with a slow cooker, double batch and freeze.
I have trouble selling tofu and lentil based meals on children and fussy husbands.
Quesadillas, vegetarian chili, breakfast for dinner, tempeh tacos (they don't even notice, I've tried it), stir fried vegetables over rice in a nice sweet/sour sauce... it can be done. You have some good suggestions, too.
Also, grilled cheese and tomato soup. We had that on Tuesday.0 -
I totally get it that you might not have the time and energy to sit down and plan out new healthy wonderful meals for every week. But could you do that 2-3 times a year, and then repeat over and over?
My husband and I kind of do that. Lots of inexpensive yet healthy and easy meals and we only have about 10 of them in our "regular rotation". We both throw new ideas in there occasionally but our core go-to meals sustain us much of the time and it doesn't take much effort to do our grocery list and meal planning because 3/4 of it is stuff we have every couple of weeks (or more often).
Just an idea.
Also-- remember that everyone can find their way, it's not all or nothing...it doesn't have to be ALL frozen pizza and mac or ALL organic from-scratch farm fresh meals. Find the balance that works for you. For example, we do most foods from scratch but don't give a hoot about whether things like vegetables and fruit are frozen or fresh especially if it is the difference of a couple dollars.
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Here's how I started out. Pick 2 easy things to cook -- spaghetti and tacos -- and do them both every week for a few weeks. When you brown the meat for spaghetti make double, and save half in the fridge for tacos. If you make these two easy meals every week for a month or so, they will become pretty much effortless for you, and from here on out, you won't have to think or plan to shop for or make either of those two things.
You might get tired of them after that month, which is fine. Take some time off and make them again. It's like riding a bike... you'll just remember.
Then, in a month, find one more easy recipe. Shop for it and cook it once a week for a month.
It's just about building habits very slowly. Make it easy on yourself. Baby steps!
Eventually you'll have a mental library of 10 or so go-to recipes that you can shop for and cook without a lot of thought or planning.0
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