This week we are all about lowering the stress level. This means we will be making the easiest meals we can and calling in the troops (teens) to pitch in when they can.
Why?
I need a break.
You might, too.
There’s a pretty good series in the New York Times right now about American mothers during this pandemic.
It sounds just about right, and I am one of the lucky ones. My husband and I are both employed, and we’ve managed to stay healthy. We just have had to make a lot of changes to our life to make things “work.” And if we’re honest, work is defined pretty loosely. My two youngest have had more screen time than Heather in her 20s would have thought healthy. To be honest, Heather in her 40s doesn’t think it’s great, but this Heather isn’t only squeezing in running this site, she’s got a full-time job. Also, Heather, in her 40s, is a little less judgy, so there.
It’s okay to be tired, and it’s okay to take the shortcuts you need.
Use the slow cooker. Use the Instant Pot. Pull things from the freezer. This past weekend I did quadruple a batch of spaghetti sauce so that I can have a few easier nights down the road. This week I’m pulling a soup from the freezer, that’ll be nice.
What will you be having this week? Do you need a printable menu plan/shopping list to make things easier?
Are you doing anything to make your life easier this week?
Here’s what we’re having:
Monday: Chili – from the freezer, I’ll make a quick batch of cornbread to go with it. The low-carbers will have a small amount of chili over an omelet
Tuesday – Albondigas – also from the freezer, most of us will have it with tortillas, the low-carbers will likely have slices of avocado.
Wednesday – we’re going heavy on the Tex-Mex this week, but it is what it is. Ray picked up a couple more of those carnitas pork shoulders from Aldi’s and they are so perfect for burrito bowls. I just toss the thawed shoulder in the slow cooker on low and then shred just before dinner. We make cilantro lime rice in the rice cooker. Swap out half the water for chicken stock. Toss with some cilantro and squeeze a couple of limes just before serving. The low-carbers will have cauliflower rice.
Thursday – Clean Out the Refrigerator Night
Friday – Pork Chops, Fake-n-Bake style. My oldest actually likes making these. Green beans, and salad
Saturday – Maybe this will be the week I get that sorta chicken schwarma photographed and on the site 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 I got a Blackstone Griddle (The link is so you can see what they look like, this is NOT the best price I have seen them for) for Mother’s Day and I love this so much. Yes, anything I make on it can be made in a skillet, especially if you are only cooking for two or three. When you’re cooking for eight, 36″ of cooking space makes a huge difference.
Sunday – I threw last week’s chicken in the freezer because we had a change of plans, so that’s what we’re having this week. Smoked chicken, sweet potatoes, roasted broccoli
Honey Garlic chicken thighs, lima beans, rice
Creamy Tomato Tortellini soup, crescent rolls
Skillet White Beans, smoked sausage, and spinach
slow cooker Queso chicken tacos, Spanish rice
Hubby cooks two nights
I’m a big fan of your husband cooking two nights. 🙂
The rest of your menu sounds great, too.
Ray would cook dinner, I just tend to get it started earlier than he gets off of work. It’s all part of our pandemic work around.