Daily Post--1/16/08

I have to travel 1 1/2 hours from home (each way) Weds for work, so am putting this one up early so I don't forget!! LOL Tell us what type of cooking/meal you find is easy to fix for you and your family? or do you cook separate meals? Lea

I work weird hours, so a lot of times I am not physically sitting down with my family to eat. I find it easiest to throw a boneless skinless chicken breast on the ol' George Foreman grill, season it with some cajun seasoning, and wait! Have some veggies, eat about half of the piece of chicken, and I'm good. Christy

I have been using the crock pot alot lately. I will make a chili or stew or soup a couple times a week. Early out I had to cook separate meals, but now I don't..unless they want pizza or something with bread, I still have a hard time with breads.

This is easy... "I used to cook!" My boyfriend loves my cooking!!! Well, since surgery I rarely cook... I'll make something once a month for him... like his favorite Paella or a holiday dinner... we mainly go out to eat because it's less hassel... I usually have a protein shake at night and he'll have a Lean Cuisine or popcorn or something... pretty easy, and he doesn't have to do the dishes afterwards... so he's very happy!!! Kim

I do cook a separate meal for me sometimes. For example, last night my husband and son had pork chops. I know from experience that pork chops and I are not a good mix, so I made myself some shrimp. I always have a bag of 71-90 count frozen shrimp around. I measure out 4 ounces, and in a flash of the microwave, they're ready to eat. Last night I had them warm with some Newman's Own Mango Salsa. I shared the veggies I made for my family. I don't mind cooking two things. I don't think my family should miss out on the food they like because I can't eat it. Another thing that's easy is Salmon in a pouch. One 7 ounce pouch provides two meals, and again, it's something I like with the mango salsa. I think I've become a salsa addict!

I've got it lucky, my partner cooks dinner every night. We usually have some protein and some veggies. She'll add some starchy side to hers, I pass on it. Breakfast I have a protein shake, and she may have one also on the weekends. Lunch is usually either dinner leftovers or another protein shake.

My family is weird and picky! My youngest has food allergies and is picky on top of that. He usually gets a seperate meal, my husband eats whatever most the time, My Spanish m-i-l lives with us and cooks for him and her, my 2 boys get seperate meals, it's a mess in my house with the food situation. To be honest, I have no idea what they eat, most the time. I might eat what m-i-l cooks, but usually not, she is a horrible cook and i get tired of beans, so i am all messed up at the moment! i need to develop a pattern though and perhaps then i wouldn't eat whatever in the evenings

WOW... what a pain. I got tired and cranky just reading that. lol Does she at least do the dishes for all those seperately cooked meals? Two words for you... Mini Crockpot Sounds to me like you can spoil yourself with what ever you would like to eat. I say get a mini crockpot and start throwing in something in the morning that you would like to eat. I love a recipe I got from a cuban woman, I changed it a bit to add my own seasoning but it is so good and maybe your husband and MIL would eat it to. Chicken breasts cut into strips, bell peppers (all colors) onion all cut into strips (fajita style, chunky strips) add diced tomatos and ortega green chilis, I add chipotle Mrs Dash to the whole thing for flavor. Let it cook all day in the crock pot and serve it with rice. For you, stir in black beans or pintos or what ever bean you like instead of rice. My family likes both rice and beans in it.

Mechelle, your recipes souund great. thanks for the idea, i think i will buy a mini crockpot!

how much do you alter the recipes /timing for a mini crock? i mean -obviously a huge roast won't fit in but what else do you have to alter? there are two of us and we always cook for an army!