The Cat Made Me Do It

One of the things I have noticed the biggest change in this last year is meal times. Now that it is just the kids and I, our food habits have changed greatly (and the grocery bill has been cut in half!!!). It was quite funny when we went to a Sunday smorg and my favorite part was the mashed potatoes and gravy. I couldn’t remember the last time ‘I’ had made mashed potatoes!!!

It used to be that I made a big meal every night. Sometimes a roast, maybe a lasagna, meat, potatoes and a veggie. Now I am finding the meals have become a lot simpler. We eat a lot of pasta (spaghetti, Mac and Cheese,…), grilled cheese and soup, pancakes for supper. I don’t know the last time I cooked a big meal at my house.

My pantry used to be stocked with a bit of everything. As I look in there now it’s only got the basics. Some flour, sugar, soup, and pasta. The junkie foods are gone. We only eat chips and candy as a treat maybe once a month. I think I may try to stock it with more healthy foods and snacks that are quick and easy to prepare.

Eating out was a luxury. It wasn’t easy getting a table for 7. I’m finding now that, the kids and I, are more daring where we will go and what we will order. Last week my youngest and I went a way for a few days. We discovered different dips. Who knew that a 3 year old would eat Spinach and Artichoke dip or Lobster, Crab, and Shrimp dip. She LOVED them!!! It’s been nice taking a break from McDonald’s. I can’t wait for our next restaurant adventure

So, today I’ve decided, it’s time to dust off the stove. Just because it is only the kids and I doesn’t mean we can’t have those big meals still. I put on my apron and have made some chili. There is bread rising and a salad staying crisp in the fridge. I’ve got over 100 cookbooks that have been sitting collecting dust. I’m ready to open them and see what new creations I can find.

I think I’m going to have cookoff Sunday’s again. Make my weeks worth of lunches and desserts. I’m sure the kids will really enjoy helping as well. A nice meal to end the weekend and start the coming week sounds like a great idea to me