Working mom, 2 kids, sports! Dinner ideas?

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  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    Here are a few of my favorite sites for recipes:

    For Crock Pot meals I have always loved Crockin Girls since I first started following their blog - they have families and lots of stuff going on and when I used to watch their weekly videos I always was impressed with how they made it all work:

    http://www.crockingirls.com/


    Weelicious - she really focuses on cooking only one meal for the family and no substitutions for the kids, which I love in principle but doesn't always work for us.

    http://weelicious.com/family-meals/

    Skinnytaste - one of my favorites for making lower cal, tasty meals

    http://www.skinnytaste.com/


  • vnb_208
    vnb_208 Posts: 1,359 Member
    This thread is awesome i use my crock pot alot but as stated sometimes my food does overcook and it does not have a timer but i may look into purchasing a pressure cooker ! thanks for all the advice everyone ! and thanks to op for the thread
  • solieco1
    solieco1 Posts: 1,559 Member
    edited October 2016
    Same here. The crockpot is your friend. Go to allrecipes.com and search 'slow cooker' - they have lots of great ones. You can even put in whatever you have, for instance, 'slow cooker pork potatoes'.

    I invested in a hamilton beach crockpot with a 'warm' setting it can be programmed to hold after how ever long you want. Not expensive on Amazon.
  • AngryViking1970
    AngryViking1970 Posts: 2,847 Member
    JeepHair77 wrote: »
    This right here is my favorite crock pot recipe in the entire world. The leftovers are even better than day 1. We come home, warm up some tortillas, chop some cilantro, and we're eating in 5 minutes.

    http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/12/03/recipe-best-pulled-pork-crock-pot/

    I love this website; she's got some great ideas/recipes.
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    I have an Instant Pot (electric pressure cooker) and it's become my best friend. It has a delayed start setting so I can prep everything and it will just turn on at the time I need it to so when I get home, dinner is ready!

    Another idea, if you have the time to do it, is to do meal prepping. On Sunday I prep breakfast and lunch for the week so all we have to do is grab the container and go. Dinner can be done in the same way or you can make freezer meals for the week (month) and just pop them in the oven or crockpot. Some of the crock pots have timers so they will switch to "warm" when the cooking time is done. My Instant Pot has this too.
  • Queenmunchy
    Queenmunchy Posts: 3,380 Member
    vnb_208 wrote: »
    This thread is awesome i use my crock pot alot but as stated sometimes my food does overcook and it does not have a timer but i may look into purchasing a pressure cooker ! thanks for all the advice everyone ! and thanks to op for the thread

    @vnb_208 if your crockpot doesn't have a timer, just plug it into one of those light timers that you use for vacation. They're around $5
  • AngryViking1970
    AngryViking1970 Posts: 2,847 Member
    My 6th grader has something almost every night, so I feel you. And everyone has already said what I was thinking: crockpot/weekend casserole prep/brinner or grilled cheese and soup.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    knittnponder wrote: »
    I have an Instant Pot (electric pressure cooker) and it's become my best friend. It has a delayed start setting so I can prep everything and it will just turn on at the time I need it to so when I get home, dinner is ready!

    Another idea, if you have the time to do it, is to do meal prepping. On Sunday I prep breakfast and lunch for the week so all we have to do is grab the container and go. Dinner can be done in the same way or you can make freezer meals for the week (month) and just pop them in the oven or crockpot. Some of the crock pots have timers so they will switch to "warm" when the cooking time is done. My Instant Pot has this too.

    I've been thinking about asking for an Instant Pot for my birthday or Christmas - so you would recommend?
  • HeidiCooksSupper
    HeidiCooksSupper Posts: 3,831 Member
    new fad around the cooking blogs: SHEET PAN DINNERS. I've tried it and it works! Throw everything on a sheet pan and bake. Google "sheet pan dinners" to find lots of suggestions.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I'd make casseroles on the week end too, and probably cut them in portions and freeze, so it can be ready in 4 minutes in the microwave or something (I don't like eating 5 days old leftovers so I'd have to freeze, lol).

    For the crockpot, find one that just switches to 'keep warm' after whatever time you set up.

    Or get a foreman grill and lots of frozen veggies and you can have a meal ready in 10 minutes (which you can do while your kids do homework or something anyway).
  • CMNVA
    CMNVA Posts: 733 Member
    I never had luck with the crock pot either because of my work schedule. I was just out of the house too long. I am past the days where I am running kids around but it's tough. My suggestion would be to make full use of your crockpot on Sunday. Last week I did make Wegman's recipe for Slow Cooker Minestrone. It was very good (and I am *not* a soup/stew person) and it made a boatload. At the same time I was doing that, I made a big pot of chili on the stove. Each of these meals provided a grab and go kind of meal for when the whole family has a different schedule.

    Also, don't shy away from just having some lunch meat on hand and making some healthy-type sandwiches and some good, canned chicken noodle soup. This beats the fast food drive in.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    Oh I forgot to mention paninis... we have a panini press and my family loves panini night - some crusty bread, good olive oil, fancy cheeses and different deli meats... everyone gets to make their own and we serve it with baked fries or veggie chips.
  • alvarezmilly2
    alvarezmilly2 Posts: 6 Member
    chrystenfo wrote: »
    Here's the issue, I work full time and my young kids (elementary school) are in sports Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday night. Work ends at 5, sports start at 6 and end at 7. Home by 7:30.

    I have been getting them a snack (fruit or granola) between work and practice, but dinner feels impossible. What are some of your tips for dinner on these crazy nights. How do I have three of these nights in a row!!!

    just added this recipe to the discussion. check it out, it's super fast and easy.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10465528/creamy-broccoli-pesto-sauce-family-recipe-no-oil#latest

    also i recommend whenever you have a couple hours to spare on your day off or extra time in between your busy schedule, you should cook as much food as u can. throw some chicken breast in the oven and have em ready to eat on your busy days ! while the chicken is cooking you can prep your veggies, rice, or salads. make a large amount enough to feed your family for atleast 3 days !
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