Scrambling

On weekdays, I often pick up my son from day care solo, and, by the time we amble home, he’s outrageously hungry. I know this because he begs for inappropriate things. “Candy,” he demands, or “lollypop,” he growls.

My job is to — as quickly as possible — cook something up that’s healthy, nourishing, tasty and satisfying, and… did I mention quick-to-prepare? Because while he’s screaming “lollypop” (and I’m saying “no”), he’s also saying things like “uppy mommy” (translation: pick me up) and “play me” (play with me). So it’s not like there’s this big leisurely window of opportunity.

An hour or so before this moment of panic, on the way home on the train, I scan my brain, and mentally scan the cupboards, for ideas of what I can prepare. There’s no time to go to the store before I pick him up, and taking him to the store in his hungry state is a recipe for disaster. And the food isn’t just for him, either. It’s also for me, and also for my husband. I refuse to be the kind of mom who prepares two entirely separate meals — one for the kids and one for the adults. For one thing, it just seems like too darned much work.

What I’ve been longing for, or longing to produce, is a meal plan. I’ve wanted to — in the style of school cafeterias — develop “meatloaf night” or “quiche night” or that kind of thing. Then, I can shop once a week, and know exactly what’s in store every night. I won’t have to stress about it on the way home; I won’t have to worry about whether I have groceries in stock; and I can make sure things are more healthy and complete.

Well, recently, I found an online service that seems to do a lot of the work for me. It’s by the author of The Six O’Clock Scramble, a family-oriented cookbook that I’m a fan of. The basic idea is that, every Wednesday, I receive an e-mail that links me to the customizeable menu for the week (dinners only). That, in turn, links to a PDF of all of the recipes, with side dishes, and with a shopping list. The recipes are healthy, but not crazy-spa-style healthy. You know what I mean… no broiled chicken with salsa, and that kind of thing. The idea is to actually feed a family, including potentially picky eaters.

It’s actually a huge commitment, to buy all this food at once and expect that I’ll prepare it, without wasting too much. But, I’m doing it, and I think it will be a really great thing for us all. I’m starting tonight, which is, interestingly enough, meatloaf night. I’m psyched, and currently just waiting for the boys to get home and eat. Everything smells delicious. Fingers crossed.

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