Question

Anyone able to manage this with young kids? I have a 2 and 4 year old who are picky eaters and I feel like even when I plan meals it’s difficult to continue. I have done the program in the past and I know I’m capable of doing it but with kids it’s much harder. Any good “make ahead” ideas? Janeva’s cook book is on order and I have Dea’s (only because my coach had a few to hand out to clinics).  

Answer 1

Please don’t take this wrong. I’m a mom too. and I agree feeding the kids what they will eat is important, but they don’t care if they eat the same thing for every meal. I felt horrible guilt, but you need to make yourself a priority too. There were nights that I told my husband to figure things out for the kids and himself. You might want to have your evening meal earlier in the day so that you can cook for yourself while they nap. and do a packet at night instead. Good luck. you’ll be great.  

Comments

@cocytus22593 I have to cook and prep for my husband and I, he’s no help and half the reason I sabotage. I work full time at the hospital and get off at 4. Grab kids from daycare and then go home. They go to bed at 730/8 so I really only have 3 hours or less with them from the moment I get home. So attempting to cook some of the recipes (that need an hour or more of my time) is difficult. I fall back on eggs a lot or pick up a roast chicken for protein. Would be nice if hubby, who works from home, we’re able to at least thaw meat.  

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@origen1 maybe time for a new hubby. Lol.  

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@origen1 Do you have an air fryer or crockpot? I throw stuff in the crockpot sometimes for my husband. It’s easy. For myself, I make stir fry chicken and veggies in advance. The Asian salad dressing is great to add flavor. Also, adding shrimp and beef (only the first night). I also do meatloaf with only approved ingredients, then I have it for 2 nights. My husband and I work full time too, but I know it helped us both when started telling him that I needed help or time to do things for myself.  

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@cocytus22593 no airfryer but I have been researching. He keeps telling me to make a menu with exact instructions but working full time plus keeping the kids occupied after work, I cosleep with my 2yo because she sucks at sleeping, I end up falling asleep by 9 so I can’t make an exact schedule. I shouldn’t complain. I’m happy I am able to work during covid but there is immense stress added.  

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@origen1 I hope you can find time to prep for yourself. You are very busy. I know it’s hard.  

Answer 2

You could also invest in a instant pot. Can make real quick meals in it. I love mine.  

Answer 3

I am a working Mum with young children. I live for cold-plating or almost cold plating. All 3 meals are easily assembled from pre-cut veggies, fruit and protein in the fridge. (And the kids get a little dairy and carbs). Sample: -Cut all veggies kids and I eat. Steam with salt or butter if that’s the only way the kids will eat. Store in containers in fridge. -Fruit usually perishes but what you can, cut and store in advance -Cheese have handy -Boil rice on the weekend and store -Boil noodles and store -Bake your chicken / fish sticks or ground beef and sauce and store at beginning of the week. -Dry Carbs in cabinet to add to plate Serve on demand. Warm up what needs to be warm. Literally this is what daycares do to feed our children. There is a lot of pre-made food that is spooned our and served at 3-5 sittings a day. With little kids and a crazy career, don’t sweat it if you’re not in the kitchen making gourmet sauces and pot roasts. I would also second an Instapot. We had one in the basement for years. Finally pulled it out to try and we love doing a big roast on Sunday that the kids or we eat through the week. Shredded chicken. It’s super easy to drop chicken breasts and broth in and 10 minutes later - voila! A meal that can be plated all week. Good luck Mama!  

Answer 4

When I started my kids were 1, 3, and 5. We probably ate the same variation of about 10 meals. I just changed up the sides for my family. I did quick easy sides: mashed potatoes from Trader Joe’s, pasta salad, baked potatoes, air fryer French fries, chips, crackers etc. These are the meals we had with some variation thrown in but most weeks looked like this: -Grilled chicken w/roasted veggies -Spaghetti (zoodles or thin cut bell pepper) w/rao’s sauce and ground turkey -rotisserie chicken celery root fries -breakfast, eggs with veggies rutabaga fries ip pancake if you want -grilled burger with air fried mushrooms and celery root fries -chicken fried caulirice -taco salad/tacos -steak with roasted veggies -cold zoodle salad with leftover grilled chicken and Greek seasoning, red onion, and tomatoes My family would eat the same protein and typically veggie as me and I would add the carb side, cheese, fruit, or whatever was appropriate for the meal. So making half of a different meal for my family. We also batch cooked roasted veggies and grilled meats.