Updating this blog has been sporadic these days - with my husband on the road a lot lately, a nanny who quit, and the news that I'm expecting twins - I have been less than energetic to do just about everything.
Near the top of the list of dreaded things these days is making dinner. To add to the frustration is the fact that Nicole has become an extremely picky eater. If it isn't bread, crackers, pasta or some other carb, she pretty much won't eat it. Vegetables have always been an issue with her, but at least broccoli was always consumed. Now, she won't even touch that, and if she sees a piece of vegetable in something I serve her, she lets me know that she doesn't want it. And, if I get lucky and sneak something in, she spits it right back out again. I can get her to eat fruit, but sometimes that is even up in the air.
I'm told that all I have to do is continue to put good choices in front of her and she'll eventually get around to eating something. Still, as many of you have also experienced, it is extremely frustrating serving as a short-order cook, trying to find something that your child will eat.
This weekend, I spent time thinking about what is ahead this week. My husband leaves tomorrow for a business trip, and I will be with the kids alone until next Monday night. With 20-plus meals that I must deal with in the coming week, I thought I would finally put into practice something I have been talking about for quite some time. I planned several meals and pre-made them so I don't have to stand in the kitchen every day wondering what I should make for lunch or dinner.
With Nicole's picky eating on my mind, I set out to find recipes that she just might be interested in eating. My first choice was a split pea soup - easy to make, and she generally accepts soup to eat. Next, it was chili. Ground beef, tomato sauce . . . she loves, its the beans I'm worried about, but maybe she'll just eat around them. Another premade dinner was chicken parmigiana - just put it in the oven to heat and it will be ready without much fuss. I still have a few ideas up my sleeve, but I feel good that I've created three dishes this weekend that I can use throughout the coming week. I am hoping that I can continue this pre-planning of meals so that the weeks ahead, whether my husband is here or not, are made just a bit easier because the meals are already prepared.
Until next time, enjoy Food, Family and Friends
Laura