Cooking is wearing me out

-taff

You could buy a frozen pizza, then get a pizza base mix, ask them to make their own pizza including the base mix, [far less toppings on a thin base one - couple of spoons from a tin of tomatoes, some mozzarella, basil leaf or two, or mushrooms, ham, whatever] cook them both, then ask them which one they prefer....
If they don't pick the one they made, sell them and buy new kids

System

Nowt wrong with a shop bought frozen pizza every so often. I cook every night apart from Saturday evening.

knitandsew

thanks everyone.
i've decided to relax about the whole thing

Slowly57

Knit + sew - sometimes venting is enough - and as you say, relaxing and stepping back a bit is needed. Good luck to you xx

VfM4meplse

rach_k wrote: »

I would let them have frozen pies and pizza for a few weeks and then see how they feel about fresh home cooked meals. We've just had the kitchen done and have been living off mostly microwave foods for what feels like forever. At first it was a novelty and the food was okay but by the end we were all missing 'proper' food, even the 5 year old!

That's interetsing.

I hated my Mum's HM food and rebelled seriously as a teenager, preferring toast or cereal. 30 years on I still have to force myself to eat "proper", ie balanced meals.

LameWolf

Admittedly I don't have kids to cater for, just DH, but I do get him to sit down with me to sort out the meal plan - then he can't moan about the meals.
I always cook from scratch, even though I loathe and detest cooking; but the deal is that DH does any chopping of root veggies (my hands simply aren't strong enough now) and he washes up, usually starting this task while I'm cooking, to get the stuff that's finished with washed out of the way.

purpleivy

I have had the luxury of 2 children competent at preparing meals for some time. (23 and 26) While they were at home I did most of it, but once at Uni they helped in the holidays. My son had almost a year at home between graduation and getting his first job this spring. He was always willing to shop and cook. Sometimes he thought of what to have as well. I do miss him! My dd is competent but has CFS, so is unable to stand for long. So she sits at the end of the counter on a stool and helps sometimes.

I just get weary of deciding, shopping and cooking sometimes.

tori.k

purpleivy wrote: »

I just get weary of deciding, shopping and cooking sometimes.

This is my issue it seems that all I do is think about food, what to cook, where to get it etc etc, so I started getting a local fruit/veg & meat box delivered least I know what I have to use takes a little of the hassle away.

YORKSHIRELASS

Oh I agree. We are on a tight budget and a "freezer tea" can actually be a really expensive meal.

Like LW I make DH sit down with me on a Sunday and mealplan but it is still hard work. I rely on my slow cooker but even then I usually get up early to get it ready. DS1 is pretty good but he works in a kitchen so isnt always keen to cook when he gets home from work.

Being organised is the key but its sometimes easier said than done.

pinkypig

I really feel for you. I'm a working single mum with the added bonus (!) of a 11/2 hours commute each day and there are times when keeping everyone fed properly without breaking the bank feels relentless.
My system is far from perfect but having honed it over several years (learning from countless mistakes) it works for me in as far as its nutritious, stays within a budget of £35 a week (usually) and it doesn't involve inordinate amounts of stress and cooking during the busy working week.
I meal plan around family favourites during the week. I batch cook every other weekend and fill the freezer which gives me 4/5 cooking free days mid week. It usually involves about an hour and a half in the kitchen.
Over the years I've picked up three big stock pots which I have on the go with different things in and I have a food processor to do things like job lots of onions with out endless chopping. I know these things can be expensive but keep your eyes open. I got my large stock pots from Age Concern and a Carboot sake and my processor was in the sale at Morrisons for £10. It's basic but it does the jobs I need it to do.
The 5th working day is something and chips. Sometimes it's frozen chips to keep DS happy, sometimes it's HM oven baked ones to keep me happy. The 'something with' tends to be eggs, omelette or sausages. Frozen peas or baked beans gives it a quick and easy veg boost.
At the weekends I do a roast of some kind and use left overs for soup. All our lunches are leftovers or odd single portions left at the end of batch cooking. DS has a packed lunch which I try and vary using pittas, wraps, salad from LO pasta. If I'm making pies or quiche I usually do a few single ones at the same time to put in the freezer for his lunches.
As many have said (and they're right), it can be a thankless task but you're doing a great job and they'll realise one day. It took leaving home to make me appreciate my wonderful mum who, looking back was Wonder Woman:).
PP x