Dinner?

Elizabeth043086

I feel cooking is one of my biggest frustrations with 2 under 2. I feel like everything I fix is unhealthy premade junk because I just don't take the time.  What kinds of things do you all cook for dinner?

eilatan&nhoj88

I've been making a lot of pre-made hormel dinners, microwaveable mac & cheese, and sandwiches. I just can't cook with two toddlers poking at the baby and the baby not liking the pnp. I figure I'll get in the groove of things again in a few months. Until then we deal with not that great tasting food and a disastrous house.

MammaBear81

From the time the kids took table foods, they ate what we did for dinner. Grilled chicke, veggies, hamburger/hot dog cut up, fruits.  Just take whatever you are eating for your "grown up" dinner, and cut it up for the little one.  If they aren't on table foods, then whatever baby food etc was on the menu!

bethalynn

It is tough. We do a lot of sandwiches or soup but I also really love trader Joe's if you have one. Lots of healthy frozen and premade stuff.

arcook0307

I make a ton of homemade chicken nuggets and roasted veggies and keep frozen ravioli on hand for nights when she won't eat what we eat or it can't be modified.  I just have one toddler for a few more weeks.... other than that my freezer is stocked with lasagnas, spaghetti, chicken alfredo, marinated chicken, pot pies, extra shredded meat, etc.   Stuff that's quick!

NavyPilotWife

Do you have a crockpot?  https://crockpot365.blogspot.com is a great blog with lots of crockpot recipes.  

Below are two recipes from other sites that I like.  My kids are typically in good moods in the morning, so it's a good time to do prep work for dinner. 

https://randomthoughtsandthrills.blogspot.com/2012/01/recipe-tomato-basil-parmesan-soup.html

 https://littlefellows.blogspot.com/2011/11/best-crockpot-meal-ive-tried-yet.html

There are also some great blogs with freezer meals, some specifically for the crockpot.  Here's a link just for some ideas: https://baked-inthesouth.blogspot.com/2012/08/crockpot-freezer-meals-part-2.html

Another idea, when you have time to cook dinner, make a double recipe and freeze half of it. 

Arnegard

What about making freezer meals with a friend while DH watches the kids one weekend so you can have a dozen or so healthy meals in the freezer at your disposal?

I had 13 in the freezer when DD2 came and about 30 for DD3. 

ebp913

Most nights we pick a main dish like fish or sausages or steak and prepare that quickly.  We do a lot of the 90 second Uncle Ben's rice with a salad or roasted veggies.  I only spend about 10 minutes at the most "cooking".  I just choose simple stuff and that makes a huge difference.  I like the Crockpot but I never plan ahead enough for that so that's my bad there.  For us, keeping our fridge and freezer stocked with things we can make quickly is key.  And I always keep a frozen pizza for nights where we don't want to cook.