I want a meal delivery service like those celebs...

stefanilinn · 10-08-2008, 03:37 PM

I just did Stage 1, Workout B for the first time today so this is just my second workout. This forum looks fun. It is hard for me to do just these workouts now but I know they will get more challenging. I feel silly just doing 5 exercises and no cardio. But I want to give it a chance. The hard part will be the eating plan. I have an 9 month old and a 3 year old so I rarely cook. Convenience is paramount. My husband cooks but is only home on weekends as he travels a great deal. Gotta find a way. I have Tosca Reno's new cookbook and am trying that. So far eating clean tastes good but requires serious planning.

Jennifer M · 10-08-2008, 07:55 PM

Yes, planning is key. When I cook, I try to make at least double-batches of things. Then there are "convenience" foods like baby carrots, bagged lettuce, cheese sticks, tuna packets, pre-cooked chicken breasts and the like.

One of my favorite meals is simple black beans and rice. I cook a big pot of brown rice (it only takes about 40 minutes - I put a pot on while doing other stuff), and then add a can of drained black beans. Season with whatever you like - soy sauce, salsa, Frank's red hot sauce, etc. I like to add roasted red peppers to add some zing.

The rice and beans will keep for a few days in the fridge. I also buy frozen veggies in the "steam-in-the-bag" packaging. You just put the whole bag in the microwave and cook it for the specified time.

Another favorite "convenience" food of mine is the pre-marinated pork loins you can get in the supermarket. They cook in about 20 minutes in the oven.

By the way, rolled oats cook fairly quickly in the microwave (and I'm not talking about the "quick" kind). Although, I had to experiment with the power setting to make sure it didn't boil over.

(You can also cook eggs in the microwave in a tupperware container in a minute or two)

I hope this helps give you some ideas, at least...

- Jennifer

Luna Sea · 10-09-2008, 07:12 AM

It all comes down to planning, planning and more planning. Twenty years ago, when my daughter was 3 and I had newborn twin boys, I used to cook as many meals for the week ahead on Sunday afternoons. I also worked full time, and wanted to spend my evenings playing with my kids, not slaving in the kitchen.

Find what you and your family like to eat, and take Jennifer M's suggestions, plan your weekly menu, go shopping and soon this will become a healthy routine for the whole family. When my kids began eating solid foods, I bought an old fashioned food mill, and made my own baby food from whatever I was cooking, so my kids eat clean, too. I breast fed all my kids, so if something wasn't good for me, why should I feed it to my children?

This is a busy, busy time in any young mother's life, but with a little planning, you will give your children a healthy start in life, and forge healthy habits that will continue into their adulthood. (Except for some backsliding in their college years, of course!)
Good luck to you!

realcdn · 10-09-2008, 08:52 AM

I'm willing to give at least a part of one day on the weekend to stock the freezer. I'll do a combination of things. Two weekends ago I did a stewed beef with mushrooms and onions. It made enough for 10 servings for two. When I reheat it I add fresh potato and then some kind of veggie on the side. I put it together on Friday night after dinner, cooked it that night, and portioned it up and froze it on the weekend.

Last weekend I made a huge pot of meat-filled soup (beef/turkey). Although I'll use it for lunches (21 of them) it would do for dinner as well in a pinch. It took perhaps 30-45 mins prep time and 60-75 mins cooking time (where you don't need to be in the kitchen).

This weekend.... oh yes, brining and smoking a turkey (lunch stuff). Might back some bread too if I'm in the mood. Oddly, I don't mind taking the time to make the rest of the week easier.

L'ilJ · 10-09-2008, 10:09 AM

Have you considered going to one of those meal prep places like Dream Dinners or something like that? I've never tried it, but I know people who have and they say the food is tasty and you can choose the healthy options on the menu. You then have lots of options in the freezer for quick prep.

Jennifer M · 10-09-2008, 04:21 PM

Those meal prep places can be quite pricey. I have a different suggestion, if you're looking to take some of the work out of planning. For awhile, I used MenuMailer, an online menu-planning service by Leanne Ely, author of "The Frantic Family Cookbook," and "Healthy Foods," among others.

Anyway, for a modest fee ($9.95/month), she sends you a weekly Menu, complete with shopping list. There are different versions of the Menus (vegetarian, low-carb, low-salt/low-fat, heart-healthy, gluten-free, crockpot, freeze-ahead etc.). You can try a sample menu for free, too. Here's the link, in case you're interested:

Welcome to Saving Dinner

As I mentioned, she has also published several cookbooks, which you might be able to find at your local library (she's pretty popular).

I've used at least one of her freeze-ahead menus, in addition to her Low-Carb, and Regular MenuMailers. I've really enjoyed them all, some more than others.

- Jennifer

stefanilinn · 10-10-2008, 09:27 AM

These are all so helpful. Cause what works today may not next week. In my clean eating magazines there are these eat for $50 week of family dinners articles. They give you the shopping list. I tried that this week. They are for a fam of 4 so I have leftovers for lunch. Food was good. Just hate cooken. Saw a Dream Dinners down the street and wondered what that was. Thanks Jill. And Jennifer I love your idea because if I have a shopping list that is more than half the battle. I also will be trying the rice and beans. Great idea to have something ready and waiting for days that I just can't cook cause the kids are just not cooperating.