Still Living at Home

jamienicholson_
jamienicholson_ Posts: 8 Member
in Recipes
Hey everyone,

I'm still in school and living at home (a home with some terrible habits), I was wondering if anyone had any tips for changing myself while still living at home and having to deal with my parents?
My parents are great and all but they just don't understand, if I have to make every meal on my own I will, but I would still appreciate the help.

Thanks guys :)

Replies

  • Vex3521
    Vex3521 Posts: 385 Member
    Would recommend if you're able to cook ahead and pre-portion to try that. I do a flat of chicken breasts (7-8 lg ones) in the oven with a little olive oil at 375 for 30-35 mins. I I put Mrs Dash on some and the others might get a little bit of salt & pepper and that's about it. Gets me through a week even if someone else (since 2 of us in the house work out) pilfers some of my chicken!

    Also, don't know your schedule but is is possible to do a family meal or 2 a week where you cook? You could do something "healthier" for everyone, or make small subs for yourself i.e. sweet potato vs regular. I got called out for breaking the "short order cook" rule around here by my kids. Basically it's that I'm not going to cook a specific "alternative-dinner" thing for one person if they won't eat what's been made, so, we get subs offered and I weigh out with the food scale for myself and that seems to fix it!
  • VaingloriousVictoria
    VaingloriousVictoria Posts: 137 Member
    I agree with Vex with pre-portioning and possibly cooking things ahead of time. When I lived at home with my parents, my mother was a food pusher, and the portions were insane. It was seen as an insult not to finish one's plate. Anyhow, I've had to had long talks with my mother about what I need to eat, and it's better. (It finally worked 9 years AFTER I left.)

    If your family is fine with you not eating the same thing, I would go for it. Or...perhaps they make a great protein and you eat better sides like a small side salad, vegetable, or soup to go along with the protein???

    I also like Vex's idea about cooking dinner once a week to get everyone on track. Take a traditional dish your family makes and make it healthier. Every meal is a chance for you to do better, so don't be discouraged. You can do it!
  • stefsc1
    stefsc1 Posts: 77 Member
    I still live at home with my mother, older brother, and my fiance. We live in a very small area and finding a job has been a serious headache. -__- My fiance and I just finished up at culinary school and returned to my home a few months ago, and because my mom has some health issues, we're expected to cook nearly every night! It's been difficult to make all the foods everyone else wants, and the portions they want, and still regulate my own intake.

    Like Vex, I also definitely bake a lot of chicken breasts and save them for later, so once I'm done cooking for everyone else I can just reheat the chicken and make myself a quick quesadilla! Tuna wraps have also been a go-to of mine. I think most anything you can make quickly is what you should be looking for. Then you can be in and out of the kitchen without getting in anyone's way if they're making a meal you can't eat, and by the time anyone thinks to protest to you making something else, it's already made and shouldn't go to waste! ;)

    My family has actually been adjusting a little, seeing me eat the 'proper' portion sizes, and seeing how much bigger theirs are. Also, they've seemed agreeable to the idea Victoria had, where you make a good protein entree that you can ALL eat, but while they may eat biscuits and mashed potatoes with it, you can have a pile of veggies alongside instead. Two biscuits and a large dollop of mashed potatoes can rack up about 500 calories, but you'd be amazed at how much veggies you can eat and stay under 200.

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