I don't know about in your household, but at the Erdmann's, "What's for dinner?" is a daily question that we ask ourselves. It seems to be a daily dilemma for our family. With five adults living under one roof, all with varying tastes, appetites, diets and opinions, it is a lingering question that takes some time to answer each day. Often we are left with 3 different opinions and find it difficult to come to some form of consensus. In this case we sometimes just give up and let everyone order their own take out to solve the problem. Our kids are "Uber Eats" specialists. I can't bring myself to use these food delivery services, I find them wasteful and too indulgent (although I must admit, we have asked our kids to order on our behalf a time or two!)
I wish someone would have told me that being an adult/parent meant that you are forever cursed with this daily dilemma. Deciding on and making dinner is a chore! Remembering to take some meat out of the freezer in the morning to give it time to defrost in time for dinner is a chore. Chopping up all the veggies for the meal is a chore. I can see why those meal preparation companies are doing so well. Sometimes you just don't feel like preparing or cooking a meal.
Michelle and I are pretty easy going and would be happy with a bowl of soup, a sandwich or some cheese and crackers for dinner. Unfortunately our kids don't feel the same way. We are also happy to have leftovers for dinner which makes the decision easy for us, at least for one night. The problem, again is that our children don't like leftovers either. This really limits your options when you are trying to make everyone happy.
We've tried different strategies to share some of the "what's for dinner" angst with our kids - having each person responsible for a day of the week, having them help with menu planning, taking them to the grocery store to help stock the pantry to try and ward off the "there's nothing to eat in here". While we love our snack foods as much as the next person, we really try to buy building blocks for meals, or ingredients, so it's true - there's not alot of prepared foods that you can just grab and zap!
The ''what's for dinner" dilemma is even more complicated now with my cancer diagnosis. Having esophageal cancer has limited my food options in varying degrees. In one of my earliest blog posts, Food, Glorious Food, I talked about how food impacts our lives in so many ways and how you should not take eating for granted. I am once again beginning to struggle with some of my favourite foods. No more steak, roast beef and even sometimes chicken (depending on how it is cooked) for me. I do miss a deliciously cooked steak. Sometimes I cut off a very small piece and savour the flavours. I find that cutting up my meats into smaller pieces for chewing helps. Sometimes, my hiccups remind me to slow down. Often it is Sophie reminding me to take my time or to cut smaller pieces, as old habits die hard. I have always been a fast eater. I guess it comes from being an educator and school administrator, always eating on the run, living by the school bell.
My family has encouraged me to start drinking protein supplement drinks again to ensure that I am getting enough protein and vitamins in my diet. I must say that they bring back very bad memories! I have been avoiding them. When I was on a liquid only diet in the early days of coping with the effects of my disease, these drinks were my main source of food, along with pureed foods and soups. I really hope I don't return to those days again. I still avoid most soups and don't really enjoy them the way I used to anymore.
I don't think that we will ever solve the "What's for dinner" dilemma in our household. You may have a similar problem in your house. I am fortunate we have some good cooks in the family, so once we do decide, it's usually very good! It's just coming up with the ideas that is getting kind of "old". Tips and suggestions are always welcome.
What are you having for dinner tonight?
Please just don't say ...."Soup's on!". LOL
Richard
What a great blog Richard, I think every household struggles with the daily “what’s for dinner?” question.
ReplyDeleteNow that my eldest has moved out and my youngest lives in my basement in her own apartment I am finding difficult to motivate and cook for two. I came up with the strategy of when I cook something make two more extra to freeze. Sometimes I freeze meals in individual portions for those “fend for yourself” nights. At least this way Jeff and I aren’t eating out of a box or can of something or other.
Perhaps to share some ideas of what to make and freeze are chicken fried rice, chicken pot pie, macaroni and cheese, shepherds pie, lasagna, quiche, chilli, etc. I also pre cut and freeze vegetables for easy stir-fry fajitas, omelettes, western sandwiches, etc.
If worse comes to worse you could always use the line my beloved Dad used to use when we didn’t want to eat what was served for dinner.... “If you don’t like it, don’t eat it. Just sit there and be quiet!”
By the way.... “What’s for dinner?”
Love it! Thanks for sharing Laura. I like your suggestions, make extra, fend for yourself days (we are going to have to try that one for sure) and 'if you don't like it don't eat it". Love it! Hope all is well.
DeleteVery well written, I must say hatts off for your inspiring journey.
ReplyDelete