I can't imagine affording all those meals out, but I have some suggestions sm
Posted By: And I am single! on 2008-11-18
In Reply to: In relation to the grocery shopping post, let's talk eating out - Silly Girl
I usually cook from scratch. My idea of "fast food" is a can of lentil soup, and I have that about once a month, occasionally twice. I make crockpot soups a lot because I am busy.
I will tell you, there is a place that is sort of between a restaurant meal and home cooking. I used to have kids at home, lots of them, and I would get too tired to cook. My answer was to hybrid the dinner, so to speak.
You can get Stouffer's lasagne which is good. You can pickup some ready-made stuff in your grocery store deli or freezer case. We liked the frozen Banquet chicken back in the day. I might get that, a box of flavored instant potatoes, potato salad or ready-made mashed to go with it. We might get a bag of salad too. Fresh fruit cups were nice if they were on special. You know, make a nice meal you don't have to 100% cook, but isn't going out.
These days, I see that you can get beef tips in gravy, or sliced beef in gravy and other prepared stuff at the store. It just takes looking. It is more expensive than doing it all yourself, but it is much cheaper than going out.
You can try another thing that is NOT everyone's cup of tea, and that is OAMC or Once A Month Cooking. This is my favorite website:
http://snider.mardox.com/plans.htm
I don't have the energy to do this one a month, but the above site doesn't advocate for that. They advocate for "mini plans" using what is on special in a given week. They have breakfast plans, muffin plans, potato plans, chicken, beef, pork plans, ground meat plans, even some dessert plans. With planning, you can do this in bits and pieces. From people who have done far more of this than I have, they tell me that with soup already made, no chopping or messing, they are more likely to make fresh rolls, salad and even a quick dessert...round out any meal because the work is done. Obviously, it saves money.
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Imagine that day at your local mall. Then just imagine. LOL Why that day are you going? Crazy.
x
How is he affording to buy these drugs?
He hasn't worked since May? Maybe he is also selling drugs to afford his habit. If he is living with you, I would get him out ASAP!
Prepared meals sm
We have a new service in our rural area which has been very successful and branched out. They rent space (have taken chefs courses). There are several different types of foods already prepared and you are given a container and choose which entree and side dish you want, pack it up yourself and just bring it home. Most women working outside the home stop on their way home from the office and love it, all they do is pop it in and warm it up. You sound like you want to do it from home. I don't know what the licensing requirements would be, but busy people need help, perhaps you could check around with local rules and regulations for food handlers. This business took off really well and is expanding to other parts of the state. I will ask my sister who uses it how they charge if you're interested, I'm not sure if it's by the food choices or by the pound. They like the variety of choosing their own diverse food choices, no pots and pans, no dishes, etc.
I have 3 rescue meals (sm)
1) Southwestern Chicken in a crock pot - 4-5 ingredients
This works either with or without the chicken. The chicken can be breasts, tenderloin strips, or legs, doesn't matter.
2 cans corn
2 cans black beans
1 large jar salsa
sour cream or cream cheese to taste
chicken if desired, as explained above
Toss it all in the crock pot, set the crock to low. Come back 3-4 hours later and eat.
2) Chicken casserole, Easy Style
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
Mix the above up with 2 cups of instant rice on the bottom of a casserole baking dish. Top it off with chicken breasts or strips. salt and pepper that chicken to taste. Add whatever other seasoning you want to the chicken while you're at it.
Bake at 350 until the chicken is done.
3) If you have an Aldi, their stir-fry chicken or shrimp in a bag for $3.99 is really good. If I'm feeling extravagant, I toss in an extra bag of jumbo shrimp for another $3.99. Cook according to package directions in about 10-15 minutes total. Cook a cup of instant rice to go with. Feeds 2 adults easy, sometimes we get the kids to take no-thank-you-bites of that one (they're not big fans of veggies, LOL!)
Well skipping meals no matter
what kind of condition you have is not good. I have also heard that thyroid problem causes weight gain, but good food choices should still override this condition. We all have vices, and we all can have excuses. Just keep trying!
Do you plan meals in advance
I'm used to going to the grocery store and just looking around (I do have a list of things I need) and deciding on what to make for dinner while I'm standing there. I've never 'planned' meals before.
I am separated and getting divorced and seriously need to cut back on the food bill. We typically spend $700-800 a month for 4 of us. (food and toiletries)
I use coupons when I have them and most things are generic, but not all. Our bill is so high in part because my husband goes to the store everyday to buy breakfast on his way to work and also has special dietary issues. Right off the top without those two factors, I think I will save about $100 a month. Also, two teenagers who eat nonstop is expensive.
I buy lots of vegetables and try to use less meat/chicken, and more veggies but it doesn't always work! I do make soup often but my kids aren't into that as a main meal, just as part of their meal.
I don't buy sodas so that's not an issue.
Should I make a lot of bean type dishes? my kids would rather starve first! Hmm, maybe not a bad way to cut back...!
Does it save money if you plan your (dinner) meals in advance? Any other tips would be great.
cheap and easy meals?
What are your favorite quick and cheap family meals? I have to bring my grocery budget down. I need some ideas for meals that can be made for about $10. My family is getting tired of spaghetti, chili, pork barbecue sandwiches and sloppy joes. What do YOU whip together on the cheap? I'm all ears.
Healthy meals for fussy 7-10 YO sm
"Yuck, ugh," sick of these words from young kids whose Mom wants them to eat healthy. They are also label readers (believe it or not), want to know where everything is on the food pyramid, yet they balk at everything in front of them. I am so tired of trying to please them and don't want to go against the Mom's rules. Anything tasty and healthy? Forget vegetables!
10 kids all demanding different meals
that would be crazy! I can't even imagine making dinner for 10 kids (I only have 1)
I don't know why many kids don't like vegetables. Perhaps if the parents don't have enough variety of them, or only tasteless overcooked ones.. raw or lightly cooked vegetables taste good and are colorful. I know you weren't recommending the force feeding. I am just reminded of the one time my father thought I should start eating scrambled eggs (which I don't like) because "everyone else eats them." I just swallowed, no chewing. He gave up after 1 time.
do you have Meals-on-Wheels in your area?
nm
I definitely agree with you there. I cook all meals and we
rarely eat out. I am very particular in what I cook and how I cook it. At least food that is eaten early in the day has a better chance of all the calories being burned off. A lot of times as well it will give them that extra boost of energy that they need. We as parents should have taught them how to make correct choices. That part is not the schools problem.
hypoglycemic child- kid friendly meals?
The ped endocrinologist said to cut out all processed sugar. Does anyone have experience with this? Would post any snacks/meals/names of cookbooks?
I'm going to see if our public and church libraries have any diabetic diet cookbooks. I've never liked cookbooks because they always list at least 15 items per meal that would cost a week's worth of our food budget to buy!
It's just the two of us so I don't have to worry about cooking for other family members.
Thank you :)
does your local grocery store off meals you can
buy that you just have to pop in the oven for a little while..I did this last year because I was so busy.. and it was a hit, we had prime rib and fixins, they also have turkey/ham dinners, it might save time and the dinner I got was tasty....(Obviously I am not much of a cook) Just a different idea.
As for the meals you've made that you end up tossing, sm
why don't you freeze leftovers in single-serving sizes, in microwave containers? I do this for lunches with leftover main meals, and it works quite well. Almost everything is freezable - chili, spaghetti, etc.
Do you plan your week's meals in advance?
I try to, but I don't cook every night so I don't do a good shopping list.
I usually think of 2 or 3 meals before I head out to the grocery store and just wing it the other days.
My meals include the main dish and a side or two, plus a bread (for DS1, who loves biscuits, rolls, etc.). I never do desserts but I keep ice cream on hand for the boys and WW fudge bars for DH & myself. Dessert isn't part of our meal, but we may have it - or not - later in the evening.
I'm amazed at those who prepare full meals every single day plus dessert! Even though I was brought up that way, it's just not the way we eat. I'm not a big dinner eater, sometimes DH and I skip it altogether. I always feed the kids, though!
I love Mix N Match Pasta for summer meals
Just boil up a big batch of tricolor rotini pasta and add whichever of the following that appeals to you, or whatever you happen to have on hand.
Chicken, tuna, ham, shrimp, crab meat
Celery, carrots, onion, green peas, mushrooms
Ranch dressing, Italian dressing, mayonnaise, Miracle Whip
It's a great "clean-out-the-refrigerator" meal! 
Oriental, Thai, Indian meals. Pasta primavera. Hummus w/
s
LOL! Imagine that!
nm
I can only imagine what you are going..sm
through. I am so sorry to hear that. Lots of hugs from this way too.
I have a 19-year-old son... and I can imagine
never a big fan of hers or anything... but feeling very sad about this
I can only imagine what would happen
to all the animals that would not be adopted because the owners could not afford health insurance. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats,all adopted from shelters. We don't have insurance on them but isn't them living in a loving home a better alternqative then what might have happened to them?
Whoa! Can you imagine??
The owners could have gotten reimbursed by insurance and put in less expensive pipes than copper, but NOOOOO, they wanted to be like that. What losers.
I can't imagine anyone wanting
to be contacted by you.
Imagine the introductions.......and this is Mai Ho.....
x
Donor I would imagine...
a
OMG!!!! How terrible! I can not imagine...sm
how upset you must be. I wonder what on earth happened to him? That would drive me nuts! Only 2 years old! I am so sorry!!
I have a 14 imagine that. I don't like tests either. nm
mn
Can you imagine how weird it must be for -(sm)
medical personnel to have someone of that level of fame come in to the ER (or the autopsy lab?) It would just be so strange to be putting in an IV or firing up the defibrillator and thinking to oneself, 'OMG - this is ____!' (MJ, FF, Princess Di, Elvis Presley, etc.)
Adults need one, too. Imagine how difficult it is
for parents who feel the guilt/burden of knowing they cannot provide a Christmas for their babies. I've been there. I know how it feels.
One of my resolutions for 2007 is to pay a set percentage of my gross income to a dedicated cause locally. I'm not sure yet whether I will work with the light/water company to provide assistance for those on shut-off notices (they seem to have less options than anyone else) or help provide transportation to/from doctor visits for elderly/handicapped individuals, but I am going to do something.
Imagine the music in Heaven now!
g
I really can't imagine how deep this sorrow must be. (sm)
I've only lost pets, and it rips my heart out to lose one of those special ones. The loss of a child would be absolutely unbearable. Time can only round off the edges of the pain a little, but never take it away. Not until you see him again in heaven. At least we have that hope.
That's funny - Can you imagine some drunk guy sm
trying to walk in those  . Sounds like one of us will be getting a report soon of a guy in the ER who busted his ankle while walking "Topless."
Glad you are okay, and I can imagine that was a bit upsetting. . SM
It definitely sounds like she should not be unescorted. 
I can't imagine my husband having no friends....sm
or hobbies. My husband is opposite. He has many friends and loves hunting. He has always been one to have his own time. I have come to enjoy it too. Don't get me wrong we spend time together but we don't stay stuck up each other's a$$ 24/7. I would be irked if he was like that. Some husbands prefer to spend every waking moment with each other. Some people prefer it that way. I don't. I have a life besides my husband. Not saying that in a mean way. I love my husband to death, but my world does not revolve around him. If he is home he is content to watch TV if I want to talk on the phone or whatever. One of my friends does not talk on the phone when her husband is home. They devote their time to only one another. That is sweet but it just ain't me. Some husbands are the attached at the hip kind and never want to do anything without their wife. Some husbands have a life and hobbies. Everyone is differnt and there is nothing wrong with either way but I prefer not to be attached at the hip.
I imagine the jelly makes the PB go down! :)
It's funny to watch dogs with peanut butter - they love it, but it takes work just to swallow a little glob of it. You can hear them smacking their lips for hours.
Hardly the case, Princess. I don't need to imagine that men are checking me out.
Someone's starved for attention. Maybe it's you since I've obviously hit a nerve? :)
i can not imagine a therpist rolling their eyes
that just sounds so unprofessional to me. I would recommend checking out other therapists. It took a little time to find the right one for me, but it was worth the work becuase I feel she has definitely helped me. Good luck to you.
Well girls, I am a Phillies fan, imagine how I feel! ...
Go anybody!
Close your eyes and imagine my situation...sm
It is 49 degrees, drizzly rain (had 1 cold, dry day out of 6), and we are expecting another week of rain. Mountains are expecting 6-12 inches of SNOW. Radio weather guy called this month Junuary. Now if only there was a way to mix your weather with mine we would have...tornadoes. Never mind. BTW: I used to live in PA so you have my sympathy.
I see them using them in the clothing stores. Work great! I imagine you'd
s
Not originally from the south, so imagine my surprise when I saw them selling - sm
Cracklin at a roadside stand! It was cooking in a huge pot of grease. I thought I might faint from the smell - beyond description. Then I noticed it being sold packaged in grocery stores with all kinds of flavorings added. I cannot recall seeing cracklin sold in the other parts of the country I have lived, but maybe I just never noticed. All I know is I cannot even stand to look at the bags while waiting to check out at the register. YUCK!!
Wow - raised in small Southern Baptist Church - can't imagine this. (sm)
As new preachers have come and gone over the years, I can't ever remember one even repainting a room in the parsonage without checking with someone much less getting rid of anything.
This sounds very, very strange and I agree with you that there is something wrong here. Do you not have any kind of an advisory board or anything within the church? Perhaps you should form one and seek out another preacher. Some of these old churches are so lovely. I can't imagine anyone tearing down our old church. It was old when I was married in it almost 40 years ago.
Good luck to you and any other members, past, present or future, of this church.
Imagine that men are checking me out? Hardley the case! Starved for attention? Nope just asking a qu
other people's intelligent comments, I was not looking for ignorant assumptions! Starved for attention? Not exactly. Is that a problem that you yourself are facing?
Had you have read all of my posts (OP) you would see that I was only looking for comments from others to see if this was odd behavior or not...and I thanked everyone for their comments regardless of their answers! I was not looking to start a fight here! Please do not be nasty! It is not necessary! We are all adults here!
My 50 y/o bud was THE most matronly MOB you can imagine in a long brocade gown & bolero jacket.
s
I don't care about your things, and can't imagine anyone would care about mine.
Whether it's my eating quirks or my sexual preferences, I have no need to divulge that stuff here.
It's NOT that interesting (mine OR yours!) and nobody cares.
More suggestions
My daughter had a better suggestion. She said rent the movie Honey and there is another couple where the ballet dancers learn hip hop ( Sorry I can't remember the names) but my daughter said if she really wants to make the team she needs to be modern and hip hop is all the rage.
Good luck email if I can help at all.
Any suggestions for ....sm
an ingrown toenail? I think my 15-year-old son has one. I remember my grandmother saying to cut a V in the center of the top of the nail so that it would more or less have room to grow back out, but he keeps his nails so short, I can't do that at this point. I also remember having one when I was pregnant and going to the doctor and he didn't do anything for it.
Thanks again for all the suggestions
Again, thanks so much for all the suggestions, now at least have some idea of what to do.
need suggestions
In the past 6 months, my sister-in-law's dog has killed TWO of our cats.
She never married, doesn't have kids. Her dogs ARE her children and she brings them everywhere. They are not small dogs either. One is a chow and the other is a mutt.
She brings her dogs up to the in-laws every morning so my MIL can "babysit" while she goes to work. Her dogs run around, come into our yard, stalk our cats, and attack. Our dogs, if they are outside, will protect the cats but they aren't always outside.
She has been told that her dog has killed two of our cats and her only response is, OMG! I'm so sorry. That's it. Nothing else.
I love her to death but she is totally irresponsible when it comes to her dogs and even more lacking in compassion when told that her dogs killed two of her nieces cats. What the?
How would you handle this? I don't want to cause any kind of friction because we all live so close and it is my husband's only sister.
Just really tired of losing our kitties.
Thank you for the suggestions
If this rash ever recurs (God forbid) we will have to do some allergy testing. At the moment, I think there is a strong possibility that it is related to the trees we bought (see post below). Both of them were dripping from the holes in the bottom of the pot and I think there must have been some kind of fertilizer or something which got on his skin. Or possibly there was some kind of insect on the trees which got on him, because he has had new bumps appearing up to about three or four days ago. But he has several large areas on his chest which are just solid rash (he didn't even let me see that until last night because he knew I would freak out).
Tide detergent is a thought, too - he had been complaining of itching around his waist so he started washing all his underwear and T-shirts (undershirts) in Woolite. I use Tide Free but maybe I should change to something gentler.
Thanks again!  We will definitely try your home allergy test if this doesn't clear up or if it recurs.
Suggestions for ham
I have a spiral sliced ham to bake and in the past, they always ended up kind of dry. Can someone tell me how to bake it and keep it moist, someone suggested pouring ginger ale on it while baking but looking for more suggestions. Thanks in advance.
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