I actually set up the menu plan for the whole month of October today and did most of the grocery shopping for it today, as well. Xavier went with me and did pretty well and helped throw stuff into the cart. And by throw - I mean throwing, dropping, plopping, and smashing. I am lucky we picked out a crusty French bread to go with lasagna tonight because by some miracle it survived! I got to use a lot of coupons and a bunch of stuff was on sale, too! We shall see how long it will last. Still need a few things, but $4 for a loaf of bread is unreasonable. I will check a couple of other stores to see what they have to offer. Some of the fresh veggies needed for the meals ahead will be purchased when it comes closer so they will be fresher.
Cooking in the evening is something I love to do, but hate that I don't get to see my little guy enough when I do. Solution: Cook with my little guy! I started doing this when he was little with really minor things and he has always loved it.
For anyone with little people running around your house, I highly encourage cooking with them. Just accept the fact that there will be messes and they might lick the spoon and want to smell everything. But it is such a great time for the two of us to enjoy making stuff. Plus, when he cooks, he eats. Even stuff he normally doesn't like (i.e. casseroles) he will try because he made it. Here are a couple of tips:
1. Use a BIG BOWL= less splashing and flying out with deeper sides.
2. Hold his hand when dumping ingredients the first times until hands get steady.
3. Emphasize hand washing!!!
4. If they are working next to hot stuff, oven mits are helpful.
5. Have a healthy snack that would be OK for him to eat while cooking (grapes, baby carrots, nuts, etc.)
6. If he asks to taste or smell things, as long as it is not raw meat/eggs, super spicy, dangerous let him try. It is a good opportunity to find out what things taste/smell like.
7. If you have everything prepared and measured ahead of time it will mean less work, but also less fun measuring. Plus, who has time for that?
8. Have a wet rag ready to scoop up the smashed egg running down the cabinets through his fingers.
9. Read the directions with him so he gets used to the language.
10. Just have fun and enjoy it. It may be chaotic, but it is fun and worth it!
Alright! Enough of that :)
Here is the menu for this week:
Monday: Lasagna, garlic bread, chocolate pudding
Tuesday: Teriyaki Salmon with noodle side and veggies
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday-Sunday: eat with friends
Nice and easy this week!
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