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EricaAlt
LIF Adult
Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Weeknight dinner question with activities
My boys are all over during the week to the point I can't even do weeknight dinners together. Football, soccer, Hebrew school, USY, etc.
If one is home the other isn't or they overlap so my DH and I are all over the place.
How do you do dinners? I can't sit and make dinner bc I have to run and pick up carpool or drop off, etc. I can't leave anything in the stove unattended.
I do have leftovers, make quick meals, etc. I am not a big chef to begin with and like easy, somewhat healthy dinners during the week.
Weekends we go out or get together with others so there's no making big meals and leftovers.
If I have time I will make a meal earlier and then heat up, but can't always do it. Any advise?
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Posted 10/19/22 2:49 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Crockpot? Instapot?
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| Posted 10/19/22 2:51 PM |
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Lucky09
2017!
Member since 1/06 7535 total posts
Name:
DW
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
I struggle with this too. Crockpot/Instapot are good ideas. Also, making ahead something like ground beef or chicken for tacos and then you're just heating up. When I cook something on a weekend that my kids like a lot, I will often double the recipe and freeze so I am just coming home during the week and quickly warming up.
Lately we have been doing a lot of quick meals from Costco - their pizza and a salad, Costco's chicken quesadillas, their rotisserie chicken and my homemade frozen mashed potatoes and a side. Not the healthiest but not as bad as fast food either.
Following for other ideas!
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| Posted 10/19/22 3:21 PM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17789 total posts
Name:
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Weeknight dinner question with activities
We were just talking about this as DS has something from 5-5:30 and from 7:30-8:30 and both DH and I just got home from work.
We make a lot of things in large batches and freeze extras to use later. DH also picks up ravioli from Arthur Avenue that is really quick and easy to make at times.
If there are nights where things are less crazy I will throw in something like a turkey meatloaf and cook it while I work from home and reheat it w hen it's time to eat.
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| Posted 10/19/22 4:05 PM |
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MissJones
I need a nap!
Member since 5/05 22132 total posts
Name:
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Weeknight dinner question with activities
I buy frozen things I can put together from trader joes.
Easy things like spaghetti and meatballs or soup and salad are quick.
This is definitely a challenge for us too.
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| Posted 10/19/22 4:09 PM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7789 total posts
Name:
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
This is a nightmare at my house also. We eat at like 9 by the time we are all home. I recently bought uncrustables and they eat those on the way to practice so they aren't starving all through practice.
I'll share my ideas but note nothing is healthy or well balanced. Fast is the name of the game. 
I throw steaks in the freezer in marinade so they defrost and marinate at the same time. That's easy enough to grill. I throw burgers and dogs on the grill. Tacos. Spaghetti and frozen meatballs. Kielbasa and pierogis. I use my air fryer a lot to make fries, onion rings, chicken fingers quickly. Now that it's getting colder I will probably bust out my crockpot. I throw frozen chicken in there with salsa. It's easy and it doesn't dry out from being in there for too long.
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| Posted 10/19/22 4:13 PM |
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Lucky09
2017!
Member since 1/06 7535 total posts
Name:
DW
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Posted by FirstMate
This is a nightmare at my house also. We eat at like 9 by the time we are all home. I recently bought uncrustables and they eat those on the way to practice so they aren't starving all through practice.
I'll share my ideas but note nothing is healthy or well balanced. Fast is the name of the game.
I throw steaks in the freezer in marinade so they defrost and marinate at the same time. That's easy enough to grill. I throw burgers and dogs on the grill. Tacos. Spaghetti and frozen meatballs. Kielbasa and pierogis. I use my air fryer a lot to make fries, onion rings, chicken fingers quickly. Now that it's getting colder I will probably bust out my crockpot. I throw frozen chicken in there with salsa. It's easy and it doesn't dry out from being in there for too long.
For some reason when I freeze steaks in marinade they don’t come out right… are you freezing in a ziploc or something else? Maybe I need to try that again.
This is an instapot recipe that is fast that my entire picky family enjoys. I will try to post others that are fast like this one:
https://kristineskitchenblog.com/honey-garlic-instant-pot-chicken-breasts/
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| Posted 10/19/22 4:19 PM |
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busymomonli
Resident Insomniac
Member since 4/13 2046 total posts
Name:
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Weeknight dinner question with activities
I'll be honest and say that Tiktok has been my go-to lately for quick meal ideas. Just search quick or easy dinners and so many come up!
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| Posted 10/19/22 4:28 PM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9508 total posts
Name:
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Same - complete struggle here too although we have been able to sit down a little more recently, but without my daughter who is a competitve gymnast because she is gone from 5:50 - 9:45 Mon/Tues/Wed/Fri. I usually do rotisserie chicken with some sides one night, tacos another. I skip dinner a lot so those nights my husband takes care of him and my son and I make pasta for my girls. Then chicken cutlets one night and take out another.
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| Posted 10/19/22 5:16 PM |
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PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!
Member since 5/11 7612 total posts
Name:
Momma <3
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Weeknight dinner question with activities
I do a lot of prep on Sunday so meals take only a little bit of time to make that night.
I batch cook meatballs and sausages and then store them in freezer bags for the amount we’ll need for 2 dinners. The night before I take them out of the freezer and then I put them on the crockpot in the morning.
Cook chicken in the crockpot on Sunday or one day while at work. Shred chicken and then you can have quesadillas, tacos, pulled chicken sandwiches, Mac and cheese with BBQ chicken.
Precook taco meat.
Precook baked ziti, lasanga roll ups, etc and reheat.
Grill chicken and then add to rice or pasta.
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| Posted 10/20/22 8:19 AM |
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Lucky09
2017!
Member since 1/06 7535 total posts
Name:
DW
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Posted by busymomonli
I'll be honest and say that Tiktok has been my go-to lately for quick meal ideas. Just search quick or easy dinners and so many come up!
This is a good idea - thank you!
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| Posted 10/20/22 10:24 AM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7272 total posts
Name:
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Posted by MissJones
I buy frozen things I can put together from trader joes.
Easy things like spaghetti and meatballs or soup and salad are quick.
This is definitely a challenge for us too.
I second TJs. They have tons of frozen options and also pre marinated chicken, beef, bagged salads, etc. I also love their 1lb packs of ground chicken. I use for chili, tacos, meatballs. And they have great fresh ravioli- not like authentic Italian ravioli, but interesting combos and flavors. I think their cauliflower ravioli might be one of my favorite foods.
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| Posted 10/20/22 11:01 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54917 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
I would look into the premade meals at Costco as an option for a few days a week
There are so many choices and they are delicious- and just heat and eat.
Their chicken pot pie is TO DIE FOR and it's huge- you can get a few meals out of it
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| Posted 10/20/22 11:27 AM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7789 total posts
Name:
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Posted by Lucky09
Posted by FirstMate
This is a nightmare at my house also. We eat at like 9 by the time we are all home. I recently bought uncrustables and they eat those on the way to practice so they aren't starving all through practice.
I'll share my ideas but note nothing is healthy or well balanced. Fast is the name of the game.
I throw steaks in the freezer in marinade so they defrost and marinate at the same time. That's easy enough to grill. I throw burgers and dogs on the grill. Tacos. Spaghetti and frozen meatballs. Kielbasa and pierogis. I use my air fryer a lot to make fries, onion rings, chicken fingers quickly. Now that it's getting colder I will probably bust out my crockpot. I throw frozen chicken in there with salsa. It's easy and it doesn't dry out from being in there for too long.
For some reason when I freeze steaks in marinade they don’t come out right… are you freezing in a ziploc or something else? Maybe I need to try that again.
This is an instapot recipe that is fast that my entire picky family enjoys. I will try to post others that are fast like this one:
https://kristineskitchenblog.com/honey-garlic-instant-pot-chicken-breasts/
I don't do anything special but I only do it with london broil. i should have mentioned that. I put london broil in a freezer bag typically with a teriyaki marinade, spread it all around the meat to make sure it's all coated and then throw it in. As it defrosts, I will flip the bag around a bit to make sure the marinade is hitting all the spots. I do this for chicken sometimes too.
And I forgot rotisserie. I hit those up too. And last night I made a whole bunch of chinese frozen things from TJ's...orange chicken, chicken fried rice, shumai and chicken wontons.
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| Posted 10/20/22 1:49 PM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7789 total posts
Name:
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Back when I cared and wasn't beat down from years of "I don't like this" and "Dinner is gross", I used the Skinny Taste cookbook called Skinny Taste Meal Prep and she has great, healthy recipes that you can make over the weekend and freeze.
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| Posted 10/20/22 1:52 PM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17789 total posts
Name:
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Posted by FirstMate
Back when I cared and wasn't beat down from years of "I don't like this" and "Dinner is gross", I used the Skinny Taste cookbook called Skinny Taste Meal Prep and she has great, healthy recipes that you can make over the weekend and freeze.
Most of the recipes I make are Skinnytaste lol.
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| Posted 10/20/22 2:32 PM |
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lpg21
LIF Infant
Member since 9/21 341 total posts
Name:
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
We usually make a big meal on Sunday and have some leftovers for the week, and sometimes I will make something quick like pasta.
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| Posted 10/21/22 9:20 AM |
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Lucky09
2017!
Member since 1/06 7535 total posts
Name:
DW
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Posted by NervousNell
I would look into the premade meals at Costco as an option for a few days a week
There are so many choices and they are delicious- and just heat and eat.
Their chicken pot pie is TO DIE FOR and it's huge- you can get a few meals out of it
Thanks for this - I always eye the chicken pot pie but have never purchased it. I will give it a shot!
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| Posted 10/21/22 11:40 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54917 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Posted by Lucky09
Posted by NervousNell
I would look into the premade meals at Costco as an option for a few days a week
There are so many choices and they are delicious- and just heat and eat.
Their chicken pot pie is TO DIE FOR and it's huge- you can get a few meals out of it
Thanks for this - I always eye the chicken pot pie but have never purchased it. I will give it a shot!
So so good. The crust is just flakey and buttery and so yummy. They use their rotiessere chickens for the chicken in it too.
Bear in mind though this item is not pre cooked- it needs to be cooked in your oven for 90 minutes!
So plan ahead. Cook it on the weekend and just easy reheat during the week or if you work from home or are home early, put it in the oven way prior to dinner time
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| Posted 10/21/22 12:17 PM |
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Mrs213
????????
Member since 2/09 18986 total posts
Name:
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Weeknight dinner question with activities
This is sad but on those days it’s something quick for us, pigs in a blanket, frozen burgers, nuggets, or spaghetti. I’ll buy meatballs from my local butcher or some nights it’s Wendy’s…
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| Posted 10/22/22 9:42 PM |
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Adri
Joy!
Member since 5/05 3116 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Here DS loves chicken, so I do chicken burritos, chicken tacos, grilled chicken with rice and sweet plantains (that I get ahead in WF). Slow cooker works wonders with chili and other stews. Burgers. Frozen meatballs and any kind of pasta. Lentils. Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich. Rotisserie chicken. Meatloaf. Things I can pre made and I always do rice as a side since DS loves it -well except for pasta-. There is a chicken Alfredo pasta dish that you can do in less than 30 mts and it's very yummy (from tasty https://tasty.co/recipe/one-pot-chicken-alfredo)
Message edited 10/22/2022 9:57:48 PM.
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| Posted 10/22/22 9:56 PM |
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LInMI
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 1800 total posts
Name:
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Such a struggle. We eat fastfood more than I like to admit, but I'm trying to stay away from that and have been picking up the premade meals from Costco too. We really like the meatloaf and chicken tacos.
I've been looking up crockpot ideas, but the kids don't like much from a crockpot.
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| Posted 10/24/22 11:36 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54917 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Posted by LInMI
Such a struggle. We eat fastfood more than I like to admit, but I'm trying to stay away from that and have been picking up the premade meals from Costco too. We really like the meatloaf and chicken tacos.
I've been looking up crockpot ideas, but the kids don't like much from a crockpot.
Unpopular opinion I know but i feel like everything from the crock pot tastes the same.
We used to use it a lot and had a crockpot cookbook and i felt like no matter what I made it would simmer itself into oblivion and everything ended coming up with the exact same taste.
It was so odd
Message edited 10/24/2022 12:51:42 PM.
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| Posted 10/24/22 12:51 PM |
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M514
Hi
Member since 8/10 6011 total posts
Name:
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by LInMI
Such a struggle. We eat fastfood more than I like to admit, but I'm trying to stay away from that and have been picking up the premade meals from Costco too. We really like the meatloaf and chicken tacos.
I've been looking up crockpot ideas, but the kids don't like much from a crockpot.
Unpopular opinion I know but i feel like everything from the crock pot tastes the same.
We used to use it a lot and had a crockpot cookbook and i felt like no matter what I made it would simmer itself into oblivion and everything ended coming up with the exact same taste.
It was so odd
I agree! We never love anything I make in the crockpot. My husband has literally said those same exact words that it all tastes the same.
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| Posted 10/24/22 4:19 PM |
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aliwnec10
mom of 3 boys
Member since 4/06 11426 total posts
Name:
Ali
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Re: Weeknight dinner question with activities
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by LInMI
Such a struggle. We eat fastfood more than I like to admit, but I'm trying to stay away from that and have been picking up the premade meals from Costco too. We really like the meatloaf and chicken tacos.
I've been looking up crockpot ideas, but the kids don't like much from a crockpot.
Unpopular opinion I know but i feel like everything from the crock pot tastes the same.
We used to use it a lot and had a crockpot cookbook and i felt like no matter what I made it would simmer itself into oblivion and everything ended coming up with the exact same taste.
It was so odd
agreed and same!
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| Posted 10/24/22 8:54 PM |
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