Meal Planning For Single Parents With Young Children - Need Suggestions!

[funkeechiggen 135]

(I created a group for single parents and posted this question there also, but thought this would be a good forum to post the question.)

I am a single parent and have a 7 year old daughter. I'm trying to plan ahead (surgery in 3 weeks!!!) to have meals on-hand for my kiddo while I'm doing the pre and post-op diet. I want this to be a new, healthy beginning for both of us because, let's face it, I didn't just make bad food choices for myself and she's developed bad eating habits as well! I have talked openly with her about the surgery and she is all excited and wants to eat healthier too (what can I say, I have a great kid!!!)

Sooo... I'm trying to think of healthy food I can prep in advance and have in the freezer to easily re-heat for her dinners. Does anyone have suggestions or experience doing this? What worked well for your kids and family?

[TakeCareGirl 161]

I am a single parent to a six year old daughter and am 8 days post op. I had the same concerns about prep during this phase where I wouldn't be making a meal for both of us. My daughter is a pretty picky eater, so she's limited in what she likes - she loves meat and Pasta. So my sister was here helping out and got a rotisserie chicken we have been able to use for the Protein part of her meal. Other nights we did Pasta (made several servings at once) with a basic Pasta Sauce. I broke up a package of pork chops in single bags so I could cook one at a time and one lasts her for 2-3 meals. I also did a batch of brown rice to go with that. She is most picky about veggies, mostly only eating peas and carrots, so that covered her veggie.

Good luck!

[funkeechiggen 135]

Great ideas!!! I was thinking about cooking chicken tenders ahead of time and freezing in individual baggies. Rotisserie chicken is even better - no cooking involved

[funkeechiggen 135]

p.s. I'm also thinking this is a good time to invest in a toaster oven! Would be perfect to cook her meals up in without heating up the kitchen. Plus she could even help put the food in and set the timer

[TakeCareGirl 161]

I hear you! My microwave went out this summer and I decided not to replace because I am redoing my kitchen next spring and I'd like to get a built in one with that. We've been able to make do with the stove so far.

[Tekara3927 265]

Grilled cheese and Tomato soup! I eat some Tomato Soup and she has both. Yum! That's only one night, but that's been easy for me. I also did another night of Pasta with tomato sop as the sauce, she loved it. Good luck.

[Robyn Owens-Miille 132]

Will she eat turkey meatballs? I make a batch and then cool them and freeze them. I can eat them and so can my kids.

I cook up ground turkey or ground beef with just basic seasoning and then I can defrost it for a quick meal. I add taco seasoning and we make nachos out of it for the kids and a "taco" salad for me (minus the chips). Or sometimes I use it for a quick shepherd's pie or spaghetti sauce.

grilled chicken tenders on the george forman are another thing I do that's quick and easy. (I grill fish on it too!)

Good luck!

[funkeechiggen 135]

Grilled cheese and Tomato soup! I eat some Tomato Soup and she has both. Yum! That's only one night' date=' but that's been easy for me. I also did another night of Pasta with tomato sop as the sauce, she loved it. Good luck.[/quote']

She's really not a Soup fan but does like grilled cheese... And quesadillas. Both are pretty quick and easy to make!

[funkeechiggen 135]

Will she eat turkey meatballs? I make a batch and then cool them and freeze them. I can eat them and so can my kids.

I cook up ground turkey or ground beef with just basic seasoning and then I can defrost it for a quick meal. I add taco seasoning and we make nachos out of it for the kids and a "taco" salad for me (minus the chips). Or sometimes I use it for a quick shepherd's pie or spaghetti sauce.

grilled chicken tenders on the george forman are another thing I do that's quick and easy. (I grill fish on it too!)

Good luck!

Yah great ideas!!!! I loooove taco salad. And meatballs - yum!

[BellaRoma713 46]

I am a single mom of a 14 and 11 year old. I made fajitas, tacos, raviolis, cold cut sandwiches, and mac'n cheese. They weren't in the mood for spaghetti and meatballs this past week. I stocked up at Costco--chicken, raviolis, ramen noodles, Pasta Sauce, Mac'n cheese, poptarts, etc. so I didn't have to run out to the grocery store.

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

I am a single mom of a 14 and 11 year old. I made fajitas' date=' tacos, raviolis, cold cut sandwiches, and mac'n cheese. They weren't in the mood for spaghetti and meatballs this past week. I stocked up at Costco--chicken, raviolis, ramen noodles, Pasta sauce, Mac'n cheese, poptarts, etc. so I didn't have to run out to the grocery store.[/quote']

This is sarcasm right? After this experience you aren't really setting your children up for obesity are you?

[smellbug 43]

Do you have a crock pot? There are many healthy recipes you can make. For example tonight we are having a teriyaki chicken in the crock pot. When the chicken is done I am able to shred some up for me. The rest of the family will have the chicken served over rice with steamed green Beans on the side. I like doing my meat in the crock pot because it comes out moist and very easy to shred. I have also made chicken taco chili, white bean chili, balsamic and paramesan pork loin.

[doxieville 799]

Do you have a crock pot? There are many healthy recipes you can make. For example tonight we are having a teriyaki chicken in the crock pot. When the chicken is done I am able to shred some up for me. The rest of the family will have the chicken served over rice with steamed green Beans on the side. I like doing my meat in the crock pot because it comes out moist and very easy to shred. I have also made chicken taco chili' date=' white bean chili, balsamic and paramesan pork loin.[/quote']

How did you cook the terriyaki chicken? I need pointers on how to use my crockpot!!

[Miss Michi 33]

This is a great thread!!! I will be done with my last but appointment at the end of this month and hope to be sleeved soon after and have been thinking about this for a while.....got some great ideas thanks!!! Is there any websites anyone can recommend for weekly cooking menu ect I figure I can star freezing little meals for myself and get the kids in on the healthy eating too because undortunatley my 12yearold has mommys bad eating habits

[smellbug 43]

Sorry took so long to get back to you on the recipe for the chicken. You take out the amount of chicken breast you need I used one pound. Place thawed chicken breast in the crock pot. In a small bowl mix 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce, 1/4 sugar substitute( I used Truvia) 3 Tablespoons of cidar vinager, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 3 cloves of garlic minced. Pour over chicken. Cook on low 6 hours. Remove chicken from the pot. It should be fork tender. At this step I removed my portion of the chicken and set it aside. Pour the sauce from the crock pot to a small sauce pan bring it to a boil. In a measuring cup mix a 1/4 cup it Water with 2 tablespoons of corn starch. Pour mixture into sauce. Mix for a few minutes for the sauce to thicken. I served this with brown rice. I put the brown rice on the plate with chicken on top and poured the sauce over the chicken.

Tara