cooking....

So, I've figured something out about myself.
Something I think I've known subconsciously for several years now but finally put my finger on consciously this past week. (everybody clap for mommy!)

I love love love to cook.
I hate hate hate to cook between the hours of 4:30 and 6:00pm.

I don't know if it's some Jr. High rebellion thing that I know everyone will be needing food and they'll be needing it/be expecting it from me so I automatically don't want to give people what they are needing/expecting. (it's a wonder my mom still loves me....)

or

That is a very tired time for me and I'm just wiped physically and mentally right then.

or

My kids are acting like wild cats that have been caged for 65 hours and upon release someone gave them a gallon of catnip and I'm busy trying to figure out who these children are and what they've done with my sweet little girls...

or

I'm so hungry I don't want to take the time to actually make something, I just want to eat something.

or

Some combination of the above.

I had a great habit of doing once a month cooking before we moved here.
Two years ago.

I have done it a few times since then but honestly?
I get tired of eating the kind of food that can be frozen, all the time.
It's pretty much Pastas, Stews/Chili's or Casseroles.

It's almost always heavy and calorie laden and 'mushy'....which I totally don't mind eating, just not every single day.

(you're lookin' at a 13 yr old crock pot...I have replaced it but they don't make the model I LOVE in this honkin' yet compact size anymore so I occasionally get the oldie but goodie back out to do large batches of things.  The metal is bent so the lid doesn't quite fit flush...nothin' a little foil can't help!)

We also went way vegetarian these past two years which cuts down the freezer meal options big time (if you're trying to be healthy and 'light' anyway).

So, what's a girl to do?

She loves to cook.  She loves to eat.  Her family feels the same way.

I don't know if I've figured it all out but
my plan this week, and so far I'm loving it:

Plan, Shop, Prep as much as I can by Sunday, start on Friday with said process.

This mostly consists of me cutting vegetables and mixing dips/sauces.
This week it did include one freezer/crock meal.

BUT. I did all the not-so-fun-parts of the prep at 10am, was done by about 11:30am for the entire week.
(except for the one crockpot/freezer meal, I made it all the way and then froze two meals and put one in the fridge)

and, drum roll please.....

my family is actually eating real food for dinner this week and I'm not grumpy about it.

There has been some prep that just has to be done right before but because I've done all the annoying chopping and trash-making and dishes-making part, I'm not minding so much.

I realize you all have probably figured this out by now but HI! I'm just getting here.

The Menu This Week Was:
Greek Pita Pizza's - make extra of the bruschetta that goes on top, it's awesome for dipping or putting some turkey pepperoni in and just eating for lunch!  One of Jake's all time fav's dip.

Stacked Veggie Enchiladas - use regular potatoes because I forgot the sweet potato, add two cans of refried beans to the salsa verde and use that as one of the layers oh and leave out the spinach because I didn't buy enough. still YUM.

Loaded Potato Soup - this makes enough for a small army.  I get three meals out of one recipe.  Top with turkey bacon, cheese and green onions.

Golden Lentil Dal with Ginger and Orange Soup - haven't tried this one yet but it's making my taste buds so excited.

Spinach Artichoke Dip (this was mostly for lunches but still, I prepped it, so there it is)

Tomato Soup w/ Grilled Cheese (um..I cheat here. 1 Box of Trader Joe's Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup with one jar of Trader Joe's bruschetta - heat, serve, fall in love)


and now I'm hungry.