Feeding a Village

Ok not really but it totally felt like it!

So while our house is currently on the market, we try to NOT use our house as much as possible just in case there are showings. And it is almost Impossible with a Toddler in the house. But we give it our best shot.

Fact: You really don't cook until you enter the Chaotic Toddler Era, like I have mentioned before - it is just too exhausting for Everyone (parents, kids, the waiter, the surrounding guests)

When you Do venture out and try to be a normal person/family in society.....what you end up really doing is eating your food really fast OR take Turns eating your food really fast so at least one parent is available to entertain your kid (you know before she takes the forks and knives and throw them on the floor b/c she thinks the 'clunking' sound is OH SO COOL)

And who Really wants to do the above? Especially since my husband and I are both foodies.

This actually reminds me of a time wherein my husband's kidless best friend asked us to brunch one Sunday. Oh Sweet Boy.  So we went. And we did the above. He said he's never seen us both eat so fast. I secretly (well not so secretly anymore) CANNOT wait until his turn, lol. Yes, I said it. 

I'm telling you there are things you cannot write about in books when you have a kid, ha. ***Please note - I absolutely ADORE my child. My heart is in her hand. 

So really, until then you don't need to really cook at home - unless it is your passion and you love it.

Now out of necessity, I have become quite the Chef in the Kitchen - the Kitchen that I can't use that is,  that must always remain SPARKLING CLEAN like no one uses it (insert GAG here)

I decided then to jump on the 'Cook Once a Week Bandwagon' - ok the real bandwagon is what? Cook once a month or something like that? Ok I can't. Plus who knows if we will be here by then?

I'm thinking this will solve all our issues!

Benefits:
One Grocery Trip
One Cooking Session (ok multiple, but you know what I'm saying)
One Big Clean Up!
Healthy Readily available meals in the fridge - just reheat and Bon Appetite!
More time for you know....concentrating on that workout plan - remember  Step 5??? Well my jeans sure do, lol.

So I began my Culinary Journey ( or lack there of) and below is a list of the meals I have made for this week.
Recipes (and they are super easy trust me) will be posted at a later time with pictures (my bad, but a true testament that you really do save a lot of downstream time - so much time I am writing a BLOOOOGGGG!)

Entrees:
Baked Balsamic Glazed Italian Chicken Thighs
Baked Lemon Pepper Panko Catfish fillets
Turkey Meatloaf
Giada's Easy Breezy Skillet Pork Chops (5 ingredients - you will love this one!)
Lemon Chicken Panini's
Turkey Sausage Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Red Chile Cumin Tacos

Sides:
Sauteed Fresh green beans
Oven Roasted Potatoes
Mac and Cheese ( I cheated on this and used a box)
Fresh Salads

This took me around 4-5 hours and well worth it! Most of the entrees were cooked in the oven, aside from the pork chops, so that left the range free to skillet cook my sides at the same time :)

What about breakfast you say? We try to eat cereal, yogurt, fruit, Naked Juices. I try to do a fun Brunch on the weekends - oh you know I'll post about that later!

Did I tell you that I packed our crock pot by accident? *sigh. Will never do that again. lol

After 4 days...
Verdict:
Happy Giddy Hubby? Check! I told you we are Foodies
Happy Giddy Teething Child? Half Check!
Happy Mama???? Endless Checking!
I think this habit will likely stay even after the Big Move East!

Bring on the Home Buyers!!!