[PinkyPie]

... and he does most of the shopping/cooking (at least preparing for dinners).

Here's my dilema:
I already leave the house every morning at 6.30 am. DH drives me to the train station and drops me off. While he's away I'll have to leave at 6am (which means I'll need to be up by 4.30 instead of 5, but I might be able to push to 5 if I don't exercise at all - not the nicest option), so I'll have to be in bed no later than 10 pm (I have a rough time going to bed so "early").

I leave work at 5, I don't get back in town until earliest 6.30. I'll have to take the bus home (7 now) and the grocery closes at 8.

While you are wondering "when is she going to get to the point????" here it is -

do I plan out the entire week's worth of dinners and only go to the store if necessary (here in NL we have to go usually every couple of days for things like fruit/veg, dairy, bread - it's smaller quantites and not as much preservatives). What kind of things cook and keep well to be heated up in a pinch (I have no microwave)? Are things like stir fried veggies still tasty after 2 days?

Next week I'll have the car Monday (to take him to the airport), Tuesday I have to go by train because I won't drive *in* Amsterdam to go to my WW meeting (way too stressful), Wednesday I *could* take the car, Thursday I have to go by train because I'm starting a belly dancing class in Amsterdam, Friday I have a birthday party of a colleague to go to in Amsterdam... driving every day is *not* an option because I live 100 miles from work and traffic is very stressful (I would still have to leave by 6.30 AM to have any kind of luck getting to work by 8.30).

I guess I'm just thinking out loud here... I've had a few good days back on plan and I REALLY want to do this. There are few things that stress me out though... getting home at 7 and still having to go to the supermarket, then cook, then eat... by then it's 8.30 if I'm lucky... afterwards I'll need to do the washing up and preparing for the next day (food) which means not ONE single moment that I'll have had to relax, watch a little telly, go on the internet, read, etc (any of those). I will just be only focusing on food and that is what sometimes gets me down... being totally consumed (no pun intended) by food/losing weight/ being on plan/ etc.

Maybe that's it though. Maybe I just have to accept that I have to *only* focus on one thing next 2 weeks and that's food/planning.

Anyway - any suggestions for dinners that keep well in the fridge? I don't "do" pork and we don't have anything like frozen dinners or pre-made WW meals, it has to be all home cooked.

Sorry for all the rambling, I guess I just want to explain why *I* think it's rather difficult, but maybe I'm making a mountain out of a molehill.

[PinkyPie]

huh. ok, well, I've sort of figured it out. not to be weird or anything but strange that there are 57 views and no responses. I think I'll be all right, at least I've planned the first week out completely.

[Ciarra]

Hi, I just saw your post, but I guess most of us just aren' sure what is available in your grocery stores in comparision to what is here in the US.
For bread I freeze my loaf as it is lower calorie and fat and then use it sparingly. In your shoes, I would make a hearty veggie stew, the veggies seem to keep better under broth. Then make my meals around that. A cup of soup and a hearty sandwich. A cup of soup and a big salad. Then maybe to save time in the morning, hard boiled eggs, make a big batch and eat them for several mornings. With Whole grain toast or a muffin.
Your schedule sounds so hectic. Hope you have a great week and do get a little time to relax.
I would love to visit the Netherlands. My dad's family is originally from there. I think it would be amazing to visit and look through his family's geneology. Maybe at some point when I have more money and more time.
Again have a great week!

[primaballerina]

Hi Velveteen,

What about something like pasta salad? Whole wheat pasta, bell peppers, arugula, feta/blue cheese, cherry tomatoes, oil, balsamic vinegar, pepper?

I usually make a variation on this (it's from the week one book) when I have a hectic week. I divide it into portions and keep it in tupperware in the fridge so it's ready to go.

Stir fried veggies are also a good idea. If you make about a weeks worth I'm sure they'll keep fine in the fridge or freezer.

Good luck! Planning is key

[TheBabies]

My schedule isn't quite as rough as yours (I leave for work around 7:15 am and get home 6:30-7 pm at night). I tend to do most or all of my prep work on the weekends. I make a big salad that will get me through the week and some other side dishes, like:
-- lentil salad
-- chicken salad
-- stirfry with tofu or chicken
-- this yummy "Key west shrimp salad" in the Momentum cookbook (but keep dressing seperate until just before you eat it)
-- soups for dinners

then I just divide the food up into the lunches for each dinner. Dinner is more of the same or I make something quick. This way I don't have to worry about making lunches every day. It might not be the freshest by Friday and it isn't a lot of variety but it works for me.

How about frozen vegs? I've bought asparaguses, spinach, broccoli and artichokes more mixed berries and they are delicious.

[Justwant2Bhealthy]

Sometimes it takes some time before people notice a thread; and/or they may not know what to suggest -- BUT, here's a few ideas :

You can cook some meat ahead as that can keep for 5 days in the fridge and I often put pre-cooked meat in servings in the freezer too, ie leftover beef steak or lean hamburger, chicken breasts or pieces, and put them into containers.

You can make a bunch of rice and pasta and even potatoes ahead; and I often fill a roaster with new, whole, small potatoes and all kinds of veggies like carrots, onions, celery, turnip or parsnips, long green and/or yellow beans, broccoli & cauliflower, etc ... all these well keep in your fridge for 5 days or put some in serving containers in your freezer. Take them out in the morning and by the time you get home they will be ready to heat up in a saute pan with some of the cooked meat, rice or pasta ... so easy!

You can make up a romaine lettuce or coleslaw salad at the beginning of the week; put in plastic containers and yes, it will be nice up to five days later or more (especially coleslaw). Here's some items to add: red onion rings, broken up romaine lettuce, red or green shredded cabbage, sweet pepper slices, celery slices, diced carrots, etc. Get ROMA Italian Tomatoes and keep these in the fridge as they last longer and don't turn mushy like other tomatoes do.

Prepare ahead about 5 salads in sealed containers and later, just add low-fat dressing and some of that PRE-COOKED Meat you also prepared ahead and you have a nice dinner. Also, you could add some cheddar cheese or canned cooked beans (well rinsed) to those salads too.

You know a nice homemade Chicken or Beef Stew, OR Chili can be made on Sunday night in a crockpot or in the oven or stovetop and put in containers in the freezer or fridge (up to 5 days) as well.

Hope there's some ideas here you like ...