Calling all Nurse Mamas... Please help me!!

egglady, LPN · Mar 17, 2011

Buy a crock- pot!

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2011

I am not a Mum so excuse me if this doesn't help.

Is there anyway you can cook stuff ahead of time, freeze it and put it in plastic microwaveable contaners for hubby to defrost, then heat up for the kids? I quite often make a big lasagne or stew and freeze that. Fresh pasta from packets in the supermarket are easy to put in boiling water, with a little salt - only takes 10 minutes, buy a low-fat, low-salt sauce and add parmesan cheese. I did lots of cooking on days off, ie: making curries etc when I did heaps of shiftwork cos then I could take it to work with me (saved money buying takeaways), or keep it in the fridge/freezer to eat when I got home.

I rarely bought takeaways - they are just too expensive and when ur buying for multiple people - it all adds up.

Even french toast, or toasted sandwiches with lots of fillings are good, ie: baked beans on toast are good and wholesome.

Send hubby to a cooking course!

punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2011

Buy a crock- pot!

I have one!! But my problem is starting it. I leave my house at 0545. My husband leaves at 0630. Most recipes are 4-6hr cook time. He gets home at 1830 and I'm home after 2000. Tried doing the timer bit... but having food left out - meats especially - for 6-7 hrs before cooking just gives me the hibbie jibbies

CaregiverGrace · Mar 17, 2011

Simple solution, teach your husband to cook!

AwayWeGo · Mar 17, 2011

Cook ahead and freeze into portion sizes...makes things a lot quicker and easier for everyone. Just have to remember to defrost :)

punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2011

Simple solution, teach your husband to cook!

He can cook - when I tell him exactly what to fix. I was frustrated tonight.. come ON! You can't look into the fridge, see meat and think of soft tacos? or see the noodles and cheese and think goolash?

What are some good things to make ahead and freeze? Besides Lasagana? I've always cooked fresh - never had a schedule like this before.

Cathylady · Mar 17, 2011

Crockpot with a timer.

Southern Magnolia · Mar 17, 2011

Batch cooking. At least that's my plan when I start nursing school in the fall. Cook several meals at one time that use similar ingredients and freeze them. I used to do it a lot when I worked before having children. Saves your time because your chopping all at once and cooking all at once. Also when I cook something like chicken I cook extra and then use it in a different meal later in the week.

ETA. Just google "batch cooking recipes" . . .

Nursetastic · Mar 17, 2011

Most crockpot meals can cook on low for 8 or more hours. I use mine on the first night of my 3 night rotation (actually the morning of my first night). It cooks all day while I sleep and then we have dinner one night and left overs the next. Hubby and kids get fast food or pizza only one night a week.

Ellekat2 · Mar 17, 2011

Try joining a recipe site. I use Allrecipes, but there is Epicurious, Cooks.com, and I don't know how many others. Kaboose is oriented toward kids and features recipes for kids. Most of these sites have an area where you can interact with other parents and get suggestions from them.

You can make salad ahead for several days; have separate bowls of what to add to make it different, if you need to; we just eat the same salad for several days. Lasagna is easily made ahead, but would need to be thawed in the fridge unless you want to eat very late. Meatballs don't take long to cook from frozen. Look for things that can be easily thrown in the oven to bake so you have time to relax. Chicken and rice in the oven. Shake and Bake (you can use bread crumbs) for pork chops, chicken, etc. Have pre-cut cheese, celery, carrots, etc for the kids to snack on. Apples are easily cut with an apple cutter that slices an apple into wedges. A peanut butter dip can be made ahead to serve with them. Soups can be made ahead, frozen, placed in the fridge the day you plan to use it and heated when you get home--have a special bread or cracker to go with different ones so it feels like a full meal. The key to the frozen stuff is to thaw it so you can heat it quickly. Tuna salad, chicken salad, etc, can be a quick meal in the summertime. Toasted cheese (toast, cheese, melt in microwave) has less butter and is an easy side sandwich. Grilled or toasted peanut butter makes a PB sandwicch a little more special. There are other nut butters if there are allergies to peanuts.

It takes planning on your days off to do this successfully. I'd suggest a menu-planning night where you see what's on sale and you and your husband and your kids, if they are old enough, help you plan for the week or even for two weeks. They may like the idea of home-made pizzas from English Muffins (chose own toppings) or homemade tacos (again, everything can be made ahead-just need to heat the filling and assemble). Since your husband is fixing meals, he needs a voice in what is made. If your children get involved, you can teach them about good nutrition, planning, and they can help with preparation in time.

traumaRNmelissa · Mar 17, 2011

I have a crock pot that cooks for 4, 6, 8 or 10 hours and THEN switches to "keep warm" setting. Cost me a pretty penny but totally worth it!

I also have a teenage son who has started cooking simple meals: frozen casseroles and such. I dont know how old yours are, but that has been a big help too!