http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/twogirlsmama/25313 &nbsp; The other day, my Mom kept my 3 year old for me while I went to an appointment. And when I returned to pick her up, my Mom sent home some leftovers. So I re-heated them for dinner and my girls raved. I'm not sure it was so much what she'd made, although her beef and noodles have been a family favorite for generations. It was probably more the fact that we were eating a home cooked meal and sitting at the table. I've been told by my oldest sister that sitting down as a family is essential to communication and community, but then again, her kids are older now and she is never home anyway, so I don't have to listen to her, do I? Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of home-cooked meals. I can set a great table...plates, silverware, coordinating napkins...it's the cooking part I have trouble with. For one thing, I don't enjoy cooking. And for another, I'm not any good at it. I think this is due in part to the fact that I am inpatient and always trying to multi-task while say, frying bacon. Don't try this at home! It leads to burnt bacon and blaring smoke detectors. Although I did recently learn how to cook bacon in the oven which saves me so much pain and suffering, not to mention grease burns! And the Crockpot, I have that wired, as long as all I have to do is dump in some chicken breasts and a jar of salsa. Still, how many times can you feed your children chicken in one week? Believe me, they start to revolt. But in order that my children don't consume more corn dogs than meats that come from an identifiable source, I try to limit that dinner choice, or at least sneak in a vegetable to compensate for my culinary shortcomings. For me, a home-cooked meal means we actually stay home and eat. Even if it is just something I made in the microwave. Let's face it, we all have our strengths. Mine just happens to be driving-thru. &nbsp; The other day, my Mom kept my 3 year old for me while I went to an appointment. And when I returned to pick her up, my Mom sent home some leftovers. So I re-heated them for dinner and my girls raved. I'm not sure it was so much what she'd made, although her beef and noodles have been a family favorite for generations. It was probably more the fact that we were eating a home cooked meal and sitting at the table. I've been told by my oldest sister that sitting down as a family is essential to communication and community, but then again, her kids are older now and she is never home anyway, so I don't have to listen to her, do I? Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of home-cooked meals. I can set a great table...plates, silverware, coordinating napkins...it's the cooking part I have trouble with. For one thing, I don't enjoy cooking. And for another, I'm not any good at it. I think this is due in part to the fact that I am inpatient and always trying to multi-task while say, frying bacon. Don't try this at home! It leads to burnt bacon and blaring smoke detectors. Although I did recently learn how to cook bacon in the oven which saves me so much pain and suffering, not to mention grease burns! And the Crockpot, I have that wired, as long as all I have to do is dump in some chicken breasts and a jar of salsa. Still, how many times can you feed your children chicken in one week? Believe me, they start to revolt. But in order that my children don't consume more corn dogs than meats that come from an identifiable source, I try to limit that dinner choice, or at least sneak in a vegetable to compensate for my culinary shortcomings. For me, a home-cooked meal means we actually stay home and eat. Even if it is just something I made in the microwave. Let's face it, we all have our strengths. Mine just happens to be driving-thru. en-us <p>This is a constant battle for me. (staying home to eat and not going out, that is) Luckily I'm winning it, but it is NOT easy. It's not the cooking that I mind so much, it's the washing dishes, sweeping the floor and cleaning the glass dining room table afterwards.&nbsp; It's important to me that we're at a table as a family with no t.v. on, and having a healthy meal together, but trust me, this unfortunately, does not always happen!</p> http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/twogirlsmama/25313/#c_228153 http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/twogirlsmama/25313/#c_228153 <p>This is a constant battle for me. (staying home to eat and not going out, that is) Luckily I'm winning it, but it is NOT easy. It's not the cooking that I mind so much, it's the washing dishes, sweeping the floor and cleaning the glass dining room table afterwards.&nbsp; It's important to me that we're at a table as a family with no t.v. on, and having a healthy meal together, but trust me, this unfortunately, does not always happen!</p> <p>I love to cook, and while we've gone through periods (schedules permitting) when my wife and I have cooked together or taken turns (and we actually enjoy cooking together), it's ended up that I do most of the cooking.&nbsp; I know people who plan out the entire week's menu and shopping lists, but that's not me--which means that, if I don't have my act together, I could have no plan when I get home from work, and if that combines with being too tired, take-out gets bought.&nbsp; But that doesn't happen too much.&nbsp; I totally agree, though--I grew up in a home where dinner time meant everyone together, at one table, at one time, eating together.&nbsp; Of course, as soon as I left for college, my folks moved to eating in front of the TV in the living room!&nbsp; But that's one lesson I learned deeply and one I want to pass on to my daughter.</p> http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/twogirlsmama/25313/#c_228210 http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/twogirlsmama/25313/#c_228210 <p>I love to cook, and while we've gone through periods (schedules permitting) when my wife and I have cooked together or taken turns (and we actually enjoy cooking together), it's ended up that I do most of the cooking.&nbsp; I know people who plan out the entire week's menu and shopping lists, but that's not me--which means that, if I don't have my act together, I could have no plan when I get home from work, and if that combines with being too tired, take-out gets bought.&nbsp; But that doesn't happen too much.&nbsp; I totally agree, though--I grew up in a home where dinner time meant everyone together, at one table, at one time, eating together.&nbsp; Of course, as soon as I left for college, my folks moved to eating in front of the TV in the living room!&nbsp; But that's one lesson I learned deeply and one I want to pass on to my daughter.</p> <p>I'm one of &quot;those&quot; Jason. I plan 7 dinners, make my list, organize the list by aisles at Vons and then go shopping. I keep my list of 7 meals on the refrigerator so that I can remember what meals I bought and I cross them off as the week goes on. But as you said, when schedules are hectic and parents are tired, it's difficult to cook and easier to order in/drive thru.&nbsp;</p> http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/twogirlsmama/25313/#c_228235 http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/twogirlsmama/25313/#c_228235 <p>I'm one of &quot;those&quot; Jason. I plan 7 dinners, make my list, organize the list by aisles at Vons and then go shopping. I keep my list of 7 meals on the refrigerator so that I can remember what meals I bought and I cross them off as the week goes on. But as you said, when schedules are hectic and parents are tired, it's difficult to cook and easier to order in/drive thru.&nbsp;</p> <p>Tip:  try kraftfoods.com.  I've heard of many parents using their simple recipes to make decent homemade meals.  My mom made one a few weeks ago, and it was delicious.  If you sign up, they will e-mail you weekly with recipes.   Just a thought.</p> <p>My friend used to say that she was best at making reservations.  :)</p> http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/twogirlsmama/25313/#c_229006 http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/twogirlsmama/25313/#c_229006 <p>Tip:  try kraftfoods.com.  I've heard of many parents using their simple recipes to make decent homemade meals.  My mom made one a few weeks ago, and it was delicious.  If you sign up, they will e-mail you weekly with recipes.   Just a thought.</p> <p>My friend used to say that she was best at making reservations.  :)</p>