dinner tonight!

What's for dinner? No matter how much time I spend researching what's on sale, shopping, using my coupons (ask me for websites on that!), typing or writing out my menu for the week to hang on the fridge door, and no matter how much freaking toner I use printing out the beautiful calendar I have set up on My Documents with the color-coordinated menu, the question I get asked at least 6 times per day is, "mom, what's for dinner?" My favorite answer is, "read the menu", but lately, between working at the pool, getting the kids to swim practice and running the neighborhood team, not to mention the laundry, the house (see yesterday's blog) and the constant "stuff", my answer has been, "I'm not sure".

These days money has not been thick on the ground. I'm not really sure of a time when money actually WAS thick on the ground, but we've definitely been in better straights in the past. Thanks to the economy and the husband's new job with a boutique wealth management firm (as opposed to the national firm he used to be with), we are operating on a tight budget. So the days of Wednesday nights at the local Mexican restaurant - beer special night - are long gone. We still go out, and way more often than we should, but the cost of taking a family of 9 out to eat (never has it been inexpensive) has gotten even worse than usual. Two kids eat as "adults" and so-called "kids meals" are at least $4 each. The best way to combat this is to plan the meals, shop for the meals and execute the meals.

The problem with this is finding/making something that everyone will eat. I have a few "go to" meals; meals that are sure to please everyone at the table in some fashion. These include breakfast for dinner, shrimp and fish, sushi (believe it or not) and spaghetti. Beyond those limited choices however, I am guaranteed someone either not eating or telling me how much they "don't like chicken" or whatever it is we are eating. As a mom, part of me loves to say, "fine, we will eat again tomorrow, see you then" but then the guilt sets in and I really do try to make things that everyone can eat at least some of. Plus, there is the added issue of making sure that my swimmers get what they need to eat; two hour practices 5-6 times per week (not exaggerating!) takes a lot of fuel. I am big on them eating protein because too many carbs don't necessarily translate to them feeling good in the pool. There are ways to do this: marinating, grilling (they prefer the flavor), and serving beans in some fashion. I also encourage high protein snacks: cheese, peanut butter, ham roll ups, etc.

The other issue is making something that people will like without making the same things over and over again. I am not big on leftovers. This goes against the grain for most penny pinchers. but truly, my family does not make it worth it. I personally am fine with leftovers to a point, but there are some foods that don't really work well as a leftover because the flavor changes. Some chicken dishes get too "chickeny" for example. It doesn't help that I have a leftover resistant husband. So I end up trying to make "just enough", that way everyone gets full and I don't waste food or money by throwing out the leftovers a week later.

Tonight we are having homemade BBQ for dinner. Crock-potted Boston Butt makes the absolute BEST shredded pork. This IS something that can be frozen for later if there is any leftover. I have found one of the most effective ways to eat it later is to put it in a tortilla, Mexican taco style. So, into the crock-pot goes the meat, brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onions (lining the bottom), liquid smoke and a few shakes of dried chilies. Served with fruit (instead of a vegetable), sauteed cabbage (which they like better than outright slaw) and potato rolls and my kids (and husband) are very happy! And yes, it is posted on the menu, so every time I get asked "what's for dinner?" I get to use my favorite answer, "read the menu!"