I think IÂ’m getting the hang of this mom thing. I mean, adapt or die, right? And by die, I mean drown in the laundry pile or under an avalanche of unwashed dishes or waste away with scurvy or beriberi because you canÂ’t get your act together to eat more than cold cereal and veggie burgers.
ItÂ’s hard, having a baby. (No way. Really, Cari?) ThereÂ’s a long adjustment period, and I allowed myself that. But IÂ’m ever so proud to report that now that Thumper is a big seven-and-a-half-month-old, things are back on track in a lot of ways. In fact, the house has been mostly clean on a regular basis for over two months now. And not only is the house clean, but IÂ’ve managed to cook hot dinners every weeknight for two weeks running. (Billy cooks on the weekends, for the most part. Yes, he also cleans on the weekends. And always does all the laundry. HeÂ’s a good one, deserving of many cookies and hugs.)
The cleaning thing was driven by sheer maternal terror—the thought that the baby would one day soon start to crawl and would end up being a sticky dusty human Swiffer. Clearly that wasn’t going to work. We’re extremely fortunate to have a house in Brooklyn. The downside of that is that we have an entire house to clean in the city. (Cleaning in the city is harder than cleaning elsewhere, thanks to a constant fine layer of soot that wants to settle on everything.) I had been overwhelmed by how much needed to be done in the very limited time I had. So overwhelmed that I couldn’t even get started. So do you want to know what I did? Sure you do. I made a list (I love lists) of every room in the house. And for each room I listed every task that ideally needs to get done on a weekly basis. I print the list out each Monday and post it on the fridge. When I have ten minutes or so where Thumper is happy to just hang out in the sling, I’ll check the list and see what needs doing. Each finished task gets crossed out (I love lists because I love crossing things off of lists). I try to get everything done each week, but if I don’t, no big deal. I just do the undone things first the following week. (Full disclosure: daily tasks like dishes and cleaning counters and making the bed etc get a checkmark next to them each day. Yeah…I make the bed now. And LIKE it. Crazy.)
Somehow IÂ’ve tricked myself into not minding housework, because IÂ’m doing it in small bites. And because itÂ’s getting done each week, mostly, thereÂ’s less to do because now IÂ’m doing maintenance instead of deep cleaning after weeks and weeks of neglect.
Just call me Little Susie Homemaker.
(You know, except for that little thing about still working for a living when the baby sleeps.)
The food thing was tougher. I had been living on “meals” I could prepare quickly with one hand. Even though I know better, this meant a diet of frozen non-dairy potpies (organic, but still…), veggie burgers, soy cold cut sandwiches, cold cereal, bagels with almond butter. I’d occasionally steam some broccoli to go with my can of lentil soup, and I ate better on the weekends when Billy was cooking with two hands and no baby strapped to his hip. Eating as well as I used to just felt like more than I could handle while taking care of the baby.
And it was more than I can handle when he was really young, and thatÂ’s okay. I did my best. But now that heÂ’s happy to hang out in the sling for longer stretches without constant motion, and now that heÂ’s old enough to enjoy playing independently or watching me cook from his high chair, I can do more. And I am doing more. Because Billy and I used to eat really well, healthfully, and thatÂ’s too important to me to let slide any longer. (And yes, Thumper is such a big boy now in his high chair. We started solids once he was sitting up independently, because he was crying and grabbing for my food at mealtimes. He loves his solids. Favorites are sweet potatoes, peas, and carrots. And he prefers fresh to jarredÂ… Smart kid.)
Damn, this is going on for a long time. Still with me?
Okay, so the main thing I needed to do was to remember how I used to cook—back when I was vegan by choice (as opposed to dairy free–though not vegan because I eat eggs now–because breastfeeding baby canÂ’t tolerate milk protein). Back then I didnÂ’t have a ton of money for food. What a coincidence—we donÂ’t exactly have a ton of cash to burn now, what with the baby. The pricey frozen prepared vegetarian meals, and all the mock meat I was eating out of convenience? Gone. I had let our diet get far too lopsided. Soy is well and good, but it isnÂ’t a great idea to let any one food dominate your diet. The way I used to cook—whole grains, lots of beans and lentils, fresh tofu, lots and lots of fresh veggies—steamed or lightly sautéed with garlic and tamariÂ…. MmmmmÂ… Yeah, more time-consuming than popping a veggie burger into the microwave, but satisfying so you donÂ’t end up eating a bowl of cereal at midnight.
Then I took what I learned from the housecleaning success and applied it to the food. I made lists of meals weÂ’d cooked in the past and liked, things that used to be staples and were forgotten (like quick lunches of miso with soba noodles, tofu, and peas. Takes less than ten minutes). I thumbed through cookbooks for ideas. I pulled the crock pot off the shelf. Next I made a meal plan for the week, based on whether IÂ’d have Billy around to hold the baby while I did some prep or if IÂ’d be on my own; based on whether weÂ’d be home or if the crock pot should be pressed into service. Then I shopped based on that list (luckily Fresh Direct is an option. I donÂ’t know if I could do this otherwise, since we don’t have a car to do big shopping trips and daily fresh shopping is hard with a baby).
For the past two weeks, IÂ’ve cooked what I planned to and itÂ’s been great. No vegetables gone to waste because they seemed like a good idea but I didnÂ’t get around to using them, because now the foods that perish fastest are used at the beginning of the week. Leftovers for lunch! Healthy meals full of good whole foods! ItÂ’s working! ItÂ’s actually working! I think itÂ’ll stick, too, because it hasnÂ’t been hard. (This article in the Times also boosted my commitment to cooking this way again. After reading it, I was so glad IÂ’d made this change.)
So do you want to know what weÂ’re eating this week? TonightÂ’s dinner is already cooking away in the crock pot.
Monday:
Split pea soup with parsnips (crock pot)
Ciabatta rolls
Salad
Tuesday:
Gingered roasted root veggies
Tofu baked in miso marinade
Steamed broccoli
Brown rice
Wednesday:
Soba noodle cakes (noodles, peas, egg, onion, miso)
Sautéed broccoli and garlic
Thursday:
Sweet potato barley risotto (crock pot)
Kale with garlic
Friday:
Pisto
Fried eggs
Rice
I donÂ’t intend to turn this into a food blog, but I may start taking some pics of the more photogenic meals.
Last weekÂ’s biggest success? Definitely the leek barley risotto on Friday. The perfect food for our first really really cold night this winter. That oneÂ’s going into regular rotation.
Congratulations to you. I don’t know if my meat and potatoes and heavy on the dairy taste buds could ever make changes to the degree that you have – the texture of tofu somehow just won’t let me chew it, much less swallow. But I am a lover of the crockpot and all veggies – and would like to know the source of your sweet potato risotto? I do it the old fashioned way – standing, stirring, adding liquid . . . . – and the crockpot version sounds like a dream come true. Wanna share?
Posted by: cheekiemary
I keep a list of dinners, too. And when I don’t know what to make I turn to that for inspiration. I also make a menu for the week and then food shop based on that menu. It really helps to keep things organized so we don’t wind up with take out because I’m uninspired or I didn’t defrost something.
Posted by: Carole
congrats to you guys! adapting! 🙂 I am trying similar adjustments to my housecleaning and cooking routines, but without the added bonus of also taking care of a cute 7.5 month old! 🙂 So kudos to you!
Also, all of your meals look tasty! Can I ask where the leek-barley-risotto recipe came from? sounds fantastic (we’re on a leek and brussels sprouts kick down here). 🙂
Posted by: jess
Congratulations to you. I don’t know if my meat and potatoes and heavy on the dairy taste buds could ever make changes to the degree that you have – the texture of tofu somehow just won’t let me chew it, much less swallow. But I am a lover of the crockpot and all veggies – and would like to know the source of your sweet potato risotto? I do it the old fashioned way – standing, stirring, adding liquid . . . . – and the crockpot version sounds like a dream come true. Wanna share?
Posted by: cheekiemary
I keep a list of dinners, too. And when I don’t know what to make I turn to that for inspiration. I also make a menu for the week and then food shop based on that menu. It really helps to keep things organized so we don’t wind up with take out because I’m uninspired or I didn’t defrost something.
Posted by: Carole
congrats to you guys! adapting! 🙂 I am trying similar adjustments to my housecleaning and cooking routines, but without the added bonus of also taking care of a cute 7.5 month old! 🙂 So kudos to you!
Also, all of your meals look tasty! Can I ask where the leek-barley-risotto recipe came from? sounds fantastic (we’re on a leek and brussels sprouts kick down here). 🙂
Posted by: jess
Cari! I love you! This may be exactly what I needed to jumpstart my cooking and meal planning (although my meals will have meat in them). I’ve already made efforts to make sure I eat at all during the day by bringing english muffins and peanut butter to hide in my drawer for breakfast and cans of chili and soup for lunch, but dinner times have been seriously lacking. And after reading your post, I realized that it’s not the idea of taking the time to cook something that’s deterring me, it’s coming up with which something to cook.
Posted by: Miriam
thanks for this 🙂 i’m always wondering what i’ll be making once the peanut arrives. as you know, we’re very veggie in our household but my husband does all the cooking (he loves it!) when i’m home on maternity leave i hope to make the main dish for dinner at night when i can (obviously not in the first couple of weeks/months). i know our rice cooker is going to come in handy! definitely post more about what you’re cooking and eating. they don’t call it the “culinary ARTS” for nothing!
Posted by: gleek
I’m coming to your house for dinner.
Posted by: Alison
I’m glad that you’ve got things back on track. I’m not so fortunate with this one. He’s better about not needing to be held at all times, but I still have his brother to co-ordinate and have to work in quality time with the little guy from 4:30 when I get home to 6:00 when it’s bed time. I decided that everything waits till after he’s in bed because I only get that small window and he doesn’t nurse like he used to what with the teeth and all. But, back to my point… I’ve been interested in vegetarian foods but baby and I are both very alergic to soy and milk so I’m not sure how that would work. Any thing else out there we could use for a steady source of protein when we’re sensitive to beans, milk and very alergic to soy? (It’s not looking too good for us)
Posted by: Cambria W
I’ve been eyeballing the Rival Smart Pot crockpot for ages, but I just wasn’t sure how much I would actually use it. Your menus sound great! Two terrific cookbooks i would recommend (if you have the time and/or inclination): Vegan with a Vengeance and Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World by Isa Moskowitz. Her blog is here: http://vegancupcakes.wordpress.com/. Maybe you’ll get some inspiration from her stuff. BTW, i like the way you fashioned your cleaning system. I jam all of mine into weekends, but I too take a very systematic approach. It’s awfully hard to stay on top of the soot, isn’t it? I’m on a very busy corner, so it’s often a losing battle. We try our best, though.
Posted by: regina
Cari! I love you! This may be exactly what I needed to jumpstart my cooking and meal planning (although my meals will have meat in them). I’ve already made efforts to make sure I eat at all during the day by bringing english muffins and peanut butter to hide in my drawer for breakfast and cans of chili and soup for lunch, but dinner times have been seriously lacking. And after reading your post, I realized that it’s not the idea of taking the time to cook something that’s deterring me, it’s coming up with which something to cook.
Posted by: Miriam
thanks for this 🙂 i’m always wondering what i’ll be making once the peanut arrives. as you know, we’re very veggie in our household but my husband does all the cooking (he loves it!) when i’m home on maternity leave i hope to make the main dish for dinner at night when i can (obviously not in the first couple of weeks/months). i know our rice cooker is going to come in handy! definitely post more about what you’re cooking and eating. they don’t call it the “culinary ARTS” for nothing!
Posted by: gleek
I’m coming to your house for dinner.
Posted by: Alison
I’m glad that you’ve got things back on track. I’m not so fortunate with this one. He’s better about not needing to be held at all times, but I still have his brother to co-ordinate and have to work in quality time with the little guy from 4:30 when I get home to 6:00 when it’s bed time. I decided that everything waits till after he’s in bed because I only get that small window and he doesn’t nurse like he used to what with the teeth and all. But, back to my point… I’ve been interested in vegetarian foods but baby and I are both very alergic to soy and milk so I’m not sure how that would work. Any thing else out there we could use for a steady source of protein when we’re sensitive to beans, milk and very alergic to soy? (It’s not looking too good for us)
Posted by: Cambria W
I’ve been eyeballing the Rival Smart Pot crockpot for ages, but I just wasn’t sure how much I would actually use it. Your menus sound great! Two terrific cookbooks i would recommend (if you have the time and/or inclination): Vegan with a Vengeance and Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World by Isa Moskowitz. Her blog is here: http://vegancupcakes.wordpress.com/. Maybe you’ll get some inspiration from her stuff. BTW, i like the way you fashioned your cleaning system. I jam all of mine into weekends, but I too take a very systematic approach. It’s awfully hard to stay on top of the soot, isn’t it? I’m on a very busy corner, so it’s often a losing battle. We try our best, though.
Posted by: regina
Sorry, I forgot everything you wrote before the menu. For some reason, all I can think about is bok choy, which you didn’t even mention, but I am craving mightily. This post was so inspirational! Especially the list ideas. If you can keep an orderly house with a baby, surely a couple of rabbits shouldn’t be slowing me down!
Posted by: Marlena
GO YOU!! I’m so impressed!
Posted by: melanie
I’d love to use my crockpot more, but most recipes are for meat. Do you have a good non-meat crock pot resource?
Posted by: Johanna
Isn’t being organized the best? Your menu is so inspirational! I do the same thing you do with the cleaning list and I think I’m going to have to start doing that will meals too.
If you feel like sharing the crock pot risotto recipe that would be great, freeing up 20 minutes of time normally dedicated to stirring would help a lot.
Posted by: Amy
Leek Barley Risotto? That sounds yummy. Any chances of getting your recipe?
Posted by: Shana
Just wanted to add my kudos to the chorus. I’ve been struggling with the same problem, working full time (not at home) and trying to cook healthfully for my 1-year old, myself, and my husband, who does many, many domestic things, but simply does not cook! We’ve been relying on Amy’s frozen entrees far too often. Thanks for the inspiration, esp via the crockpot. Recipes, recipes! (pretty please)
Posted by: Michele
Sorry, I forgot everything you wrote before the menu. For some reason, all I can think about is bok choy, which you didn’t even mention, but I am craving mightily. This post was so inspirational! Especially the list ideas. If you can keep an orderly house with a baby, surely a couple of rabbits shouldn’t be slowing me down!
Posted by: Marlena
GO YOU!! I’m so impressed!
Posted by: melanie
I’d love to use my crockpot more, but most recipes are for meat. Do you have a good non-meat crock pot resource?
Posted by: Johanna
Isn’t being organized the best? Your menu is so inspirational! I do the same thing you do with the cleaning list and I think I’m going to have to start doing that will meals too.
If you feel like sharing the crock pot risotto recipe that would be great, freeing up 20 minutes of time normally dedicated to stirring would help a lot.
Posted by: Amy
Leek Barley Risotto? That sounds yummy. Any chances of getting your recipe?
Posted by: Shana
Just wanted to add my kudos to the chorus. I’ve been struggling with the same problem, working full time (not at home) and trying to cook healthfully for my 1-year old, myself, and my husband, who does many, many domestic things, but simply does not cook! We’ve been relying on Amy’s frozen entrees far too often. Thanks for the inspiration, esp via the crockpot. Recipes, recipes! (pretty please)
Posted by: Michele
godisuck. can i come live with you?
Posted by: kate
Wait- you get Fresh Direct?? That means they’re slowly creeping towards my neighborhood. Maybe by 2009?
But then again, that means I’d miss out on the Stop experience. Which I love.
Posted by: Iris
That NYT article influenced me, too. Must eat more leaves…
The crockpot is a good idea, too. I love me some barley risotto.
Posted by: Frith
Hi Cari, I’m delurking to say thanks for sharing how you’re handling housework and healthy meals. I’m expecting our first in June and trying to figure out how I will handle both once he’s here. I’m trying to establish a manageable routine now and your list idea suits me perfectly. And the menus sound yummy. Thanks, and hopefully I’ll settle into a routine that even allows a little knitting time, but more importantly won’t leave my poor baby feeling like a Swiffer once he starts crawling.
Posted by: Susan
Yeah, I’d like to come over for dinner sometime this week. 🙂 Seriously, I, like some others, am interested to know the source of some of your recipes–the risotto and also the baked tofu. I haven’t yet baked tofu and want to. I loved tofu in every way when I lived in China. I perhaps need to find a book that lays out tofu cooking–ideas?
Posted by: k
When I took up knitting I said to my husband, “If I can knit, maybe someday I’ll cook and clean too, and then I’ll be like a real wife.” I really admire women like you who can do it all. Thank you for the tips on how you do it.
Posted by: Jean
godisuck. can i come live with you?
Posted by: kate
Wait- you get Fresh Direct?? That means they’re slowly creeping towards my neighborhood. Maybe by 2009?
But then again, that means I’d miss out on the Stop experience. Which I love.
Posted by: Iris
That NYT article influenced me, too. Must eat more leaves…
The crockpot is a good idea, too. I love me some barley risotto.
Posted by: Frith
Hi Cari, I’m delurking to say thanks for sharing how you’re handling housework and healthy meals. I’m expecting our first in June and trying to figure out how I will handle both once he’s here. I’m trying to establish a manageable routine now and your list idea suits me perfectly. And the menus sound yummy. Thanks, and hopefully I’ll settle into a routine that even allows a little knitting time, but more importantly won’t leave my poor baby feeling like a Swiffer once he starts crawling.
Posted by: Susan
Yeah, I’d like to come over for dinner sometime this week. 🙂 Seriously, I, like some others, am interested to know the source of some of your recipes–the risotto and also the baked tofu. I haven’t yet baked tofu and want to. I loved tofu in every way when I lived in China. I perhaps need to find a book that lays out tofu cooking–ideas?
Posted by: k
When I took up knitting I said to my husband, “If I can knit, maybe someday I’ll cook and clean too, and then I’ll be like a real wife.” I really admire women like you who can do it all. Thank you for the tips on how you do it.
Posted by: Jean
When I took up knitting I said to my husband, “If I can knit, maybe someday I’ll cook and clean too, and then I’ll be like a real wife.” I really admire women like you who can do it all. Thank you for the tips on how you do it.
Posted by: Jean
Mmm. That all sounds DELICIOUS.
But even better, is how happy you sound!
Posted by: claudia
All that food sounds so good! Are you using certain cookbooks for the recipes? I’d love to know what they are.
Posted by: wen
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
That is me, with an empty bowl and a growling belly, at your door. I promise to do the dishes!!
I get so smug about eating well on the cheap, and I do it this list way as well. It’s a tradtion, Eric and I spend a half hour on Sunday making a menu for the week and then shop, and have amazing fuel all week long. The best is that with practice we’ve gotten good at stretching things–like making bread to eat with soup that we can eat the next morning as French toast, or using mashed potatoes to make fake latkes the next day, etc. It’s so fun and I don’t mind if your blog becomes a foodie one at all!
Mark Bitman’s latest book (The Minimalist Cooks at Home, I think) is fantastic and fairly veggie friendly. Sparse ingredients and minimal prep, really awesome results.
Posted by: Cirilia
Funny, I’ve been meaning to start back with the fresh whole food cooking thing lately, too. It’s so. hard. when you’re working full time and a baby mama. But if I start planning ahead again it will be easier.
My favorite thing lately is risotto. The one you mention sounds so good… where’d you get the recipe? I’ve never made risotto in the crock pot before; sounds like a really good idea.
Posted by: Karma
When I took up knitting I said to my husband, “If I can knit, maybe someday I’ll cook and clean too, and then I’ll be like a real wife.” I really admire women like you who can do it all. Thank you for the tips on how you do it.
Posted by: Jean
Mmm. That all sounds DELICIOUS.
But even better, is how happy you sound!
Posted by: claudia
All that food sounds so good! Are you using certain cookbooks for the recipes? I’d love to know what they are.
Posted by: wen
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
That is me, with an empty bowl and a growling belly, at your door. I promise to do the dishes!!
I get so smug about eating well on the cheap, and I do it this list way as well. It’s a tradtion, Eric and I spend a half hour on Sunday making a menu for the week and then shop, and have amazing fuel all week long. The best is that with practice we’ve gotten good at stretching things–like making bread to eat with soup that we can eat the next morning as French toast, or using mashed potatoes to make fake latkes the next day, etc. It’s so fun and I don’t mind if your blog becomes a foodie one at all!
Mark Bitman’s latest book (The Minimalist Cooks at Home, I think) is fantastic and fairly veggie friendly. Sparse ingredients and minimal prep, really awesome results.
Posted by: Cirilia
Funny, I’ve been meaning to start back with the fresh whole food cooking thing lately, too. It’s so. hard. when you’re working full time and a baby mama. But if I start planning ahead again it will be easier.
My favorite thing lately is risotto. The one you mention sounds so good… where’d you get the recipe? I’ve never made risotto in the crock pot before; sounds like a really good idea.
Posted by: Karma
One thing that has helped us out so much is making several soups over the weekend – a double recipe of soup (usually 12-16 portions) of each – then freezing them in 2-person portions. Seriously, if you’re going to chop one onion/carrot/celery rib, why not do 3? It’s a lot faster that way. After a few weekends, our freezer is full of a variety of soups. We don’t have a microwave so I just take out the soup I want the night before. We eat really well for having a 5 month old!!!!
Posted by: Elinor
Bravo for you, Honey!
Posted by: Norma
cari- wow. i stumbled across your blog, and was blown away. you are one multi-tasking girl! i flipped around, and read your short story (Go) that you had linked. i love your knitting. the photo of your orange (mothsocks?) is captivating. saw you have an MFA in writing. i have a BFA in painting. i still paint occasionally. mostly, i work in the oilfields of okla and texas. i’m a 51 yr old, married (this time very happily), father of two wonderful daughters. the older one is 15 now, and a talented writer. btw, i have an excellent recipe for broccoli and leek soup, from Gramma Jenny.
Posted by: fred
Cari – I was just telling my husband that I might be suffering from delayed post-partum because I was unable to face the house and cooking (or any other activity) when I get up with my own little Thumper each morning (six months into his little life). Thank you for posting this because not only do I not feel alone in that feeling, but I also have proof that the feeling can be overcome and and idea of how to get started. 🙂
Posted by: Liz
Wow, look at you! I’m very impressed. I often think about making an effort to eat better, but I rarely seem to do it. And that’s with both hands.
I don’t suppose you’d share your recipe (or general method) for tofu baked in miso marinade? That sounds so yummy.
Posted by: alison
oh! thanks Cari for all those tips! I usually feel so overwhelmed for housework and I don’t even have babys, though.
I think I’ll try your way and quit procrastinating.
I love pisto, it’s such a great meal 😉
Posted by: LÃa
One thing that has helped us out so much is making several soups over the weekend – a double recipe of soup (usually 12-16 portions) of each – then freezing them in 2-person portions. Seriously, if you’re going to chop one onion/carrot/celery rib, why not do 3? It’s a lot faster that way. After a few weekends, our freezer is full of a variety of soups. We don’t have a microwave so I just take out the soup I want the night before. We eat really well for having a 5 month old!!!!
Posted by: Elinor
Bravo for you, Honey!
Posted by: Norma
cari- wow. i stumbled across your blog, and was blown away. you are one multi-tasking girl! i flipped around, and read your short story (Go) that you had linked. i love your knitting. the photo of your orange (mothsocks?) is captivating. saw you have an MFA in writing. i have a BFA in painting. i still paint occasionally. mostly, i work in the oilfields of okla and texas. i’m a 51 yr old, married (this time very happily), father of two wonderful daughters. the older one is 15 now, and a talented writer. btw, i have an excellent recipe for broccoli and leek soup, from Gramma Jenny.
Posted by: fred
Cari – I was just telling my husband that I might be suffering from delayed post-partum because I was unable to face the house and cooking (or any other activity) when I get up with my own little Thumper each morning (six months into his little life). Thank you for posting this because not only do I not feel alone in that feeling, but I also have proof that the feeling can be overcome and and idea of how to get started. 🙂
Posted by: Liz
Wow, look at you! I’m very impressed. I often think about making an effort to eat better, but I rarely seem to do it. And that’s with both hands.
I don’t suppose you’d share your recipe (or general method) for tofu baked in miso marinade? That sounds so yummy.
Posted by: alison
oh! thanks Cari for all those tips! I usually feel so overwhelmed for housework and I don’t even have babys, though.
I think I’ll try your way and quit procrastinating.
I love pisto, it’s such a great meal 😉
Posted by: LÃa
Would love to have the Leek Barley Risotto recipe – please post. Thanks!
Posted by: Martha
Cari, I just read the first portion of that entry to my 84 year old grandmother of 8. She chuckled heartily and then, whispering as though she were imparting a great secret, said:
“Before you have your first one, love, what you do is clean the house really, really well. Then you can let it go, ohhhh, two, three months before you need to have another go at it!”
I’d like to join the chorus for recipes – or at least sources, if they are copyrighted!
Posted by: Dani
It definitely takes a while for your lifestyle to recover from having a baby – my little peep is nine months old now, and we’re much closer to a new normalcy than we were even three months ago. Dinner is being cooked every night, housework isn’t let slide for too long, etc etc.
The meal list has been the change that has made the biggest single difference – it’s made it easier to grocery-shop, saves time after a hard days’ work (no more “what do you want for dinner?” “I don’t know, what do YOU want for dinner?”), and is much healthier than anything that comes from the freezer or a local takeout joint.
Kudos to you for figuring it out so quickly!
Posted by: Dina
Would love to have the Leek Barley Risotto recipe – please post. Thanks!
Posted by: Martha
Cari, I just read the first portion of that entry to my 84 year old grandmother of 8. She chuckled heartily and then, whispering as though she were imparting a great secret, said:
“Before you have your first one, love, what you do is clean the house really, really well. Then you can let it go, ohhhh, two, three months before you need to have another go at it!”
I’d like to join the chorus for recipes – or at least sources, if they are copyrighted!
Posted by: Dani
It definitely takes a while for your lifestyle to recover from having a baby – my little peep is nine months old now, and we’re much closer to a new normalcy than we were even three months ago. Dinner is being cooked every night, housework isn’t let slide for too long, etc etc.
The meal list has been the change that has made the biggest single difference – it’s made it easier to grocery-shop, saves time after a hard days’ work (no more “what do you want for dinner?” “I don’t know, what do YOU want for dinner?”), and is much healthier than anything that comes from the freezer or a local takeout joint.
Kudos to you for figuring it out so quickly!
Posted by: Dina
Congratulations on climbing to the top of the pile! Shortly before I had my Bug, I allowed DH to convince me to get a housekeeper – I am terrible and could barely do it without a baby. It has been wonderful, and I’m really spoiled now. I never cooked BB (before baby, of course) either, but I’m starting to get into that, too. And leaves? Never ever. Until I discovered what half an ounce of blue cheese crumbles can do to a salad. Now I want them every night! Yay for us! Yay for babies! Yay for leafy greens!
Posted by: Carrie
You are the Queen of Organization! I, too, love list making and it really helps. Our house is clean due to daily maintenance. Much easier. Your menus sounds delicious. Still working on the food issues. I don’t get home from work until nearly 7pm, so husband cooks for Liam. Or more accurately, he heats and orders take-out. Liam helps with vacuuming and he swiffers the floor. Last night he actually helped fold laundry! Maybe he’ll learn to cook next.
Posted by: Kim P
This was one of the most inspiring posts I’ve ever read. It gives me hope that I’ll be able to manage parenting and living simultaneously. Bravo–and thanks for the menu ideas and the link to that article. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for recipes!
Posted by: Jen
I’m so impressed that you even found the time to make the lists…
My husband hates stews. Of course, he told me he hated muffins, too, especially banana ones, until I made him some. Then he told all his mates on World of Warcraft that I was the muffin queen.
This has not, unfortunately, encouraged him in the direction of helping with the housework or realising that a crockpot stew would actually taste great.
Funny how you said you don’t write with an outline, but your lists of rooms and the things that need to be done in them is the outline of outlines…you’re awesome! I wonder if I put lists on the fridge like that, if anyone else in the house would do some of what’s on it just for the joy of crossing it out…
Posted by: Lee Ann
Cari,
You’ve inspired me to make soup tonight. We had chinese take out last night. Yikes! Take out- bad, soup-yummy!
Posted by: Miss Mildred
Congratulations on climbing to the top of the pile! Shortly before I had my Bug, I allowed DH to convince me to get a housekeeper – I am terrible and could barely do it without a baby. It has been wonderful, and I’m really spoiled now. I never cooked BB (before baby, of course) either, but I’m starting to get into that, too. And leaves? Never ever. Until I discovered what half an ounce of blue cheese crumbles can do to a salad. Now I want them every night! Yay for us! Yay for babies! Yay for leafy greens!
Posted by: Carrie
You are the Queen of Organization! I, too, love list making and it really helps. Our house is clean due to daily maintenance. Much easier. Your menus sounds delicious. Still working on the food issues. I don’t get home from work until nearly 7pm, so husband cooks for Liam. Or more accurately, he heats and orders take-out. Liam helps with vacuuming and he swiffers the floor. Last night he actually helped fold laundry! Maybe he’ll learn to cook next.
Posted by: Kim P
This was one of the most inspiring posts I’ve ever read. It gives me hope that I’ll be able to manage parenting and living simultaneously. Bravo–and thanks for the menu ideas and the link to that article. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for recipes!
Posted by: Jen
I’m so impressed that you even found the time to make the lists…
My husband hates stews. Of course, he told me he hated muffins, too, especially banana ones, until I made him some. Then he told all his mates on World of Warcraft that I was the muffin queen.
This has not, unfortunately, encouraged him in the direction of helping with the housework or realising that a crockpot stew would actually taste great.
Funny how you said you don’t write with an outline, but your lists of rooms and the things that need to be done in them is the outline of outlines…you’re awesome! I wonder if I put lists on the fridge like that, if anyone else in the house would do some of what’s on it just for the joy of crossing it out…
Posted by: Lee Ann
Cari,
You’ve inspired me to make soup tonight. We had chinese take out last night. Yikes! Take out- bad, soup-yummy!
Posted by: Miss Mildred
Dang. And here I was wondering if maybe there was a market for baby-rompers made out of Swiffer material – you know, get the little lovies multitasking early and maybe paying a bit for their keep?
I guess babies are lucky I’m not a mom; I’ve been known to hop over larger dust bunnies on my way to the kitchen.
Posted by: fillyjonk
I think the moment after Jacob’s birth when I looked around our life and realized that I was on top of things ranks among the best in my life. (I think he must have been around 6 months old?) Glad to hear you’re happy, too. The cooking TOTALLY gets easier as they start to move around independently, by the way–just babyproof the lower cabinets and let them explore once they’re crawling, and then get a little stool once they’re good walkers and they can start to help out. We bake bread every Friday this way.
Oh, and are you willing to share your miso marinade for the tofu? Sounds yummy! 🙂
Posted by: Amy
Back before I was a wife, frazzled mom and failed vegetarian (not related), I meal planned every week. Mostly I think I’ve lost the knack now because the hubby couldn’t care less what we eat. I used to love the collaborative cooking I shared with my roomies/partners. He knows I miss this but I still can’t inspire him to learn… and when he tries to cook, I have to stay away from the kitchen. (Most recently he sauteed a single zucchini in 1/3 C. olive oil. Oh, it hurts.)
But slowly I’m getting a groove back. This adds to the inspiration… I think I did better when I was more restrictive. Restrictions require more creativity. And Creativity in cooking has always inspired. Similar to knitting. I can’t stand making scarfs and blankets, but dare me to make a clapotis on a deadline and I’m there.
Thank for the great posts.
Posted by: sophiagrrl
Okay, I feel like a goonie commenting here, but I searched all over and can’t find an email address for you. I saw in your archives that you have a Singer 150 knitting machine. I was just given one….without the manual. Would you happen to have one? And if you would you be willing to make a copy of it for me? I’m more than happy to pay you to do so. I can’t seem to find one anywhere and I’m getting desperate. Again, sorry to bother you and double sorry to leave this in your comments. If you’re willing to do so please just send me an email. I’m more than happy to reward with knitty/yarny goodness or $. Thank you!!!!
Posted by: Sam
Thanks for planning this weeks menu for me.
Posted by: Stephanie
When my now 6yo daughter was a crawler, her favorite suit was a red fleece long sleeve, long pants, all in one. (OK, my favorite- it was bright, warm and easy). We had hardwood floors, a large long-haired blonde dog, a cat and my sister’s chocolate lab and my college daughter’s boy-friend’s yellow lab were frequent visitors. We called it the Swiffer-suit b/c no matter how recently we had vacuumed/swept/dusted, she collected all of the stray dust bunnies and pet hairs as she scooted along the floor. I had to keep a lint roller or duct tape handy for frequent de-fuzzing. This may be why as soon as she started walking she developed an unshakable attachment to the Swiffer and we ended up getting her her own (if you remove a few handle sections it is toddler sized). Your menu sounds yummy and I’m only “semi-veg”.
Posted by: Tish
Dang. And here I was wondering if maybe there was a market for baby-rompers made out of Swiffer material – you know, get the little lovies multitasking early and maybe paying a bit for their keep?
I guess babies are lucky I’m not a mom; I’ve been known to hop over larger dust bunnies on my way to the kitchen.
Posted by: fillyjonk
I think the moment after Jacob’s birth when I looked around our life and realized that I was on top of things ranks among the best in my life. (I think he must have been around 6 months old?) Glad to hear you’re happy, too. The cooking TOTALLY gets easier as they start to move around independently, by the way–just babyproof the lower cabinets and let them explore once they’re crawling, and then get a little stool once they’re good walkers and they can start to help out. We bake bread every Friday this way.
Oh, and are you willing to share your miso marinade for the tofu? Sounds yummy! 🙂
Posted by: Amy
Back before I was a wife, frazzled mom and failed vegetarian (not related), I meal planned every week. Mostly I think I’ve lost the knack now because the hubby couldn’t care less what we eat. I used to love the collaborative cooking I shared with my roomies/partners. He knows I miss this but I still can’t inspire him to learn… and when he tries to cook, I have to stay away from the kitchen. (Most recently he sauteed a single zucchini in 1/3 C. olive oil. Oh, it hurts.)
But slowly I’m getting a groove back. This adds to the inspiration… I think I did better when I was more restrictive. Restrictions require more creativity. And Creativity in cooking has always inspired. Similar to knitting. I can’t stand making scarfs and blankets, but dare me to make a clapotis on a deadline and I’m there.
Thank for the great posts.
Posted by: sophiagrrl
Okay, I feel like a goonie commenting here, but I searched all over and can’t find an email address for you. I saw in your archives that you have a Singer 150 knitting machine. I was just given one….without the manual. Would you happen to have one? And if you would you be willing to make a copy of it for me? I’m more than happy to pay you to do so. I can’t seem to find one anywhere and I’m getting desperate. Again, sorry to bother you and double sorry to leave this in your comments. If you’re willing to do so please just send me an email. I’m more than happy to reward with knitty/yarny goodness or $. Thank you!!!!
Posted by: Sam
Thanks for planning this weeks menu for me.
Posted by: Stephanie
When my now 6yo daughter was a crawler, her favorite suit was a red fleece long sleeve, long pants, all in one. (OK, my favorite- it was bright, warm and easy). We had hardwood floors, a large long-haired blonde dog, a cat and my sister’s chocolate lab and my college daughter’s boy-friend’s yellow lab were frequent visitors. We called it the Swiffer-suit b/c no matter how recently we had vacuumed/swept/dusted, she collected all of the stray dust bunnies and pet hairs as she scooted along the floor. I had to keep a lint roller or duct tape handy for frequent de-fuzzing. This may be why as soon as she started walking she developed an unshakable attachment to the Swiffer and we ended up getting her her own (if you remove a few handle sections it is toddler sized). Your menu sounds yummy and I’m only “semi-veg”.
Posted by: Tish
good stuff! if you get a chance, will you please consider posting your crockpot recipies? i am dying to make stuff without meat, but am scared to go it alone. do you wing it or do you have a book or website you’d recommend? glad to hear life is getting back into order, by the way. i’ll bet it feels good!
Posted by: amberpixie
please post recipes! i am relating to this hugely- our son is 11.5 months and we’ve just pulled out the crock pot.
Posted by: heather
Wow, that is a great looking menu…I’m afraid I’ve morphed into the easy, expensive soy meat substitute vegetarian, I keep thinking I need to get eating a better range of foods but I never do it. I’ll keep watching the space for recipes!
Posted by: Kelly
That sounds like my kind of menu, but unfortunately not TGF’s ideal at all. Can you adopt me? I’ll do half the cooking.
Posted by: dharma
Those recepies look amazing and your lists are fabulous! I aspire to those kinds of lists. 😉 Do you think you could you share your source for the recipies? I know that you posted the cookbook for the risotto, but I’m more curious about the miso soup, soba noodle cakes and the pea soup. It all sounds wonderful. This was a great tangent from knitting. Thanks!
Posted by: Kate
good stuff! if you get a chance, will you please consider posting your crockpot recipies? i am dying to make stuff without meat, but am scared to go it alone. do you wing it or do you have a book or website you’d recommend? glad to hear life is getting back into order, by the way. i’ll bet it feels good!
Posted by: amberpixie
please post recipes! i am relating to this hugely- our son is 11.5 months and we’ve just pulled out the crock pot.
Posted by: heather
Wow, that is a great looking menu…I’m afraid I’ve morphed into the easy, expensive soy meat substitute vegetarian, I keep thinking I need to get eating a better range of foods but I never do it. I’ll keep watching the space for recipes!
Posted by: Kelly
That sounds like my kind of menu, but unfortunately not TGF’s ideal at all. Can you adopt me? I’ll do half the cooking.
Posted by: dharma
Those recepies look amazing and your lists are fabulous! I aspire to those kinds of lists. 😉 Do you think you could you share your source for the recipies? I know that you posted the cookbook for the risotto, but I’m more curious about the miso soup, soba noodle cakes and the pea soup. It all sounds wonderful. This was a great tangent from knitting. Thanks!
Posted by: Kate
domestic accomplishments = still count as accomplishments.
Posted by: carolyn
Well done. It doesn’t matter if it’s housework, cooking or knitting. The satisfaction comes from taking control of something and accomplishing it. You encourage us all!
Posted by: Angie
you amaze and astound me…
no really!
Posted by: stinkerbell
domestic accomplishments = still count as accomplishments.
Posted by: carolyn
Well done. It doesn’t matter if it’s housework, cooking or knitting. The satisfaction comes from taking control of something and accomplishing it. You encourage us all!
Posted by: Angie
you amaze and astound me…
no really!
Posted by: stinkerbell