Despite popular belief, being a SAHM is NOT easy. I could go into all the trials and tribulations that I have discovered thus far, but I'll spare you.
I have found, one of the most important things (besides great support from husband) is organization. I am not sure how I would survive without this skill.
Despite being organized, one thing I continue to struggle with is meal preparation. I contribute some of this to Ian's schedule. Instead of eating dinner together, we eat lunch together each day. Which means lunch is generally our "main" meal of the day. The day usually slips past me quickly, and 30 minutes before he has to start getting ready for work, we are throwing something together.
Now that Haley is 13 weeks old, we are going to start going to the gym as a family during the day (Haley is old enough to be in their child watch program). With this added event during the day, I know the whole lunch situation will only get trickier. Once we get back from the gym, I'll need to shower and such, thus leaving less and less time to prep meals and relax together; which I am not willing to compromise the latter of the two, so I decided I needed a game plan.
I came up with a solution that I am going to try. Each week, one night a week, I have decided to prep the weeks worth of meals before hand. Tonight was my first night doing so. In about one hours time I prepared the following:
Spaghetti
Chicken Spaghetti
Tuna Casserole
Teriyaki Chicken w/ Pineapple
Mexican Chicken
Italian Chicken
Sausage Alfredo
All are prepared in oven safe/ freezer safe containers that go straight from the freezer to the oven.
I have found, one of the most important things (besides great support from husband) is organization. I am not sure how I would survive without this skill.
Despite being organized, one thing I continue to struggle with is meal preparation. I contribute some of this to Ian's schedule. Instead of eating dinner together, we eat lunch together each day. Which means lunch is generally our "main" meal of the day. The day usually slips past me quickly, and 30 minutes before he has to start getting ready for work, we are throwing something together.
Now that Haley is 13 weeks old, we are going to start going to the gym as a family during the day (Haley is old enough to be in their child watch program). With this added event during the day, I know the whole lunch situation will only get trickier. Once we get back from the gym, I'll need to shower and such, thus leaving less and less time to prep meals and relax together; which I am not willing to compromise the latter of the two, so I decided I needed a game plan.
I came up with a solution that I am going to try. Each week, one night a week, I have decided to prep the weeks worth of meals before hand. Tonight was my first night doing so. In about one hours time I prepared the following:
Spaghetti
Chicken Spaghetti
Tuna Casserole
Teriyaki Chicken w/ Pineapple
Mexican Chicken
Italian Chicken
Sausage Alfredo
All are prepared in oven safe/ freezer safe containers that go straight from the freezer to the oven.
The great thing is, all I have to do is pick something the night before, and let it thaw a little overnight. Before lunch time, throw it in the oven, and pick out some type of veggie or side to go with. It makes dishes quick and easy as well. Less time cooking and cleaning and more time as a family, without giving up eating something tasty and/or healthy.
While searching for a photo to post on my blog, I came across a book I think I might buy, because lets face it: I am organized; not creative. I need all the help I can get coming up with meals...
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