Working single mommas, come on in!

andrew's_bride

Organization is my downfall. I am a single mom to a wonderful 2 year old little girl who keeps me going. I try to stay on top of things, but the past 10 months has been something out of a movie.... and not a feel good one (think becoming a single parent, assuming all of the marital debt, death in the family, being willed a house with a mortgage, trying to sell the original place to get down to paying only one mortgage, and mother being diagnosed with cancer....) I was just wondering if we could all share tips on staying organized through the week! My biggest problem is supper time!!! Can we share quick meals that are week day friendly? Something fairly healthy, quick, easy, and budget friendly! lol I get up at 515am and don't get home until after 5pm so I don't have a lot of time when I get home, as you all know, the kiddies are hungry at that time of night! (so am I!!!) I rely on my slow cooker a lot, and when I am not too tired, I will try to make supper the night before for the following day. But it still has to be quick because, as you know, exhaustion will set in shortly after bath and bedtime for the little one.... Thanks in advance, and I hope you all have a great week!!

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achase123

I like the idea of making something that you can use all week, or at least for several meals.

For example: a rotisserie chicken can be used in soups, sandwiches, enchiladas, quesadillas, etc.

Make a roast in the crockpot and you can do shredded beef tacos the next night

Prep for the week ahead by chopping veggies and putting them in tupperware or freezer bags so they're easier to prepare.

Make more than you normally would so you have lots of leftovers.

An easy dinner idea is several chicken breasts, salsa, and cream cheese in the crockpot.  You can have chicken tacos when you get home.

Non-cooking related I try to do one load of laundry a day.  That keeps things from piling up and keeps me from being overwhelmed on the weekend.

FyreFlyeRush

Buy a rice cooker with an autostart feature. Set it before you go to work in the morning, and it'll be done when you get home. One less side to make. I got mine from walmart for 40$ and I love it. I also tend to cook for two days at a time so I don't have to make dinner everynight. I also make enough for lunch the next day.

Tacos, Spaghetti, and chicken stir fry with blanched veggies are all easy 30 minute meals. Especially if you do what I do and prep the night before.

JHart264

We do a healthy baked zitti from weight watchers.  We make a huge pan of it and it lasts three or four days generally.  Yum!

septmom11

I second the baked ziti.  I make a yummy baked ziti with spinach and tomatos.  It is good for reheating for dinner or bring to work.  I also make a pot of chicken soup once in a while that last for a few days.  A whole chicken in the crockpot is another easy go to meal.  it is hard being a single working mommy so i have had to get used to eating the same meal multiple times in order to save time and money

Tayrusso

I've only been a single mom for a little over three months, but I've been a working mom for over a year, and I stopped weeknight cooking back in October. 

OAMC (once a month cooking) or OAWC (week) has been a lifesaver.  You plan out your menu a month or a week at a time, choose foods that can be made ahead and frozen, and spend one day in the kitchen to do all the cooking for the month/week.  Then each night you're only having to defrost and warm meals. 

This has reduced my grocery budget significantly, between buying in bulk and not buying last minute items.  Weekly grocery shopping is limited to dairy and fresh produce as needed.  I've written a couple blog posts about my experience with OAMC, recipes included:  Linky 1   and Linky 2.  Hope that helps!  GL!