Like anything else when you are a busy mom, you just do it. I work full time, however I do have the advantage of telecommuting part of the time. On the other hand, I have three kids that keep me busy and a husband that is at sea about half the time, plus I travel, plus my office is 90 miles from home. In any case, planning is key. I plan a week's menus ahead and do a lot of cooking and prepping in advance. I am trying to master the art of using the crockpot as I think that'll be a big help. When I do cook, I always do double batches and freeze one, and the batches are big so I have leftovers for lunch. In the summer we grill on Sunday afternoon, and I usually put on about 4 lbs. of chicken breasts or whatever to cut up during the week and use in other recipes or throw on salads. There are lots of of websites that help with the planning and organizing. Try googling Flylady, Saving Dinner, or Once-a-month cooking, if you're not familiar with these. Good luck with it!
Schmoodle, you are dead on! I was a working mother and a single parent for years and the only way to survive mentally and financially is to plan and prep in advance.
I'm not a working mom in the typical sense of the word, but I am extremely busy during my day and only can consistently put a healthy, non-take out dinner on the table if I plan ahead.
My saving grace has been Saving Dinner (associated with Flylady). I don't use her recipes all the time, but she really taught me to plan ahead and shop once a week. I also benefit from cooking double meals and overcooking on the weekends so we have meals during the week on nights that are hectic.
I'm a working mom, over 1/2 way through week 2 of Phase I!!
Wow. Honestly, I'm not sure if I could do it at your stage, since I was nursing...it took a lot out of me! I now have a 3 and 5 year old in day care, and work full time.
I agree...plan, plan, plan!! I wondered why I was getting bored with my lunches again, and realized because I made homemade chicken salad in advance last week. Also, I used to have 15-20 minutes to myself (3FC, etc) in the morning, and now I don't have much because of making myself a more time consuming breakfast, preparing my lunch, and getting them ready too. I'm hoping it will be a little bit easier in Phase II, since it's not so restrictive. (Oh, and I laughed and told my husband yesterday...I make 3 suppers....one for him (with starches), one for me, and one for the picky kids!).
It's a lot of work, but so far, the SBD has been very rewarding. In 9 days, I already have baggy pants(!). I think part of my problem with normal diets is not seeing rewards fast enough...I'm impatient!
"Let" DH help with grocery shopping, cooking & meal prep. We grocery shop together, usually on a Saturday or Sunday. We take turns cooking. Sometimes we even cook together!
not only do I work full time, i get very little help from DH but i just look the other way at the mess in the house... sorry i'm off to the gym... you don't like the dust bunnies YOU clean them.
i guess it helps that my SD is nearly 16 and my boys are grown now...
Thanks so much everyone for your suggestions. I am so glad to know I am not the only one! I have not heard of the site associated with Fly Lady, though I do know about her site. So, that's great. I'll have to check it out.
And yes, I think I am going to have to largely use my weekends to cook and prepare in advance. Luckily, DH is a really good grocery shopper. He's just been spoiled that I've been doing it since on maternity leave.
I do try to use my crock pot, but it seems to cook almost too quickly to have it on for 8 hours straight with no stirring. Hmmm....I am going to have to work on that.
I'm a working single mom. Every night this past week I had something going on in the evening (which is why I havent' posted much). Planning is the key and the crockpot is invaluable. I love the Wendy's Chili recipe that is posted here. It goes in my HUGE crockpot and makes enough for many dinners and lunches.
I also look for convenience items such as bags of frozen diced onions and seasoning mix. Just make sure there is nothing added like sugar or fats. Check out the South Beach Quick & Easy meals. Some of those are really good.
good tips, Nessa, I'll try that. My problem with the crockpot is that veggies turn to mush and meat gets tough and overcooked. I just need to find the right recipes I think. I did the cola chicken in there last week and that turned out pretty good.
My husband teases me - We have eaten so much Salad and Fish - he said he's not sure if his body can tolerate anything else. He's not a big fan of casseroles. I don't eat meat or chicken. We eat a lot of grilled fish and vegetable/salad. I pack my lunch as well and try to change things up, but eat a lot of hummus, salads, boca burger taco bake, artichoke dips and tuna on top of my vegetables.
Our children either eat what we do or I keep home made chicken fingers in the freezer. (they don't like salmon/crab cakes/etc so I hate to see them go to wa$te)
It works for us - because we are both ready for bathing suit season!!!
Any working moms on SBD?
