i can't be bothered

clairewp

hi all

I have been a lurker on this site now for a year and want to say well done to all those that cook from fresh etc every day. Where do you get your motivation to cook 7 days a week i really struggle to do 5 days (if we are lucky). Obviously my shop a week is higher than some about £80 roughly.I just don't seem to have motivation .
I think i need help any ideas
ty claire

CRANKY40

When you do cook, make extra and freeze it for the "can't be bothered" days. It works for me - I have about 4 home made meals to choose from in the freezer at the moment.

Bobbykins

Hi Claire

although 95% of my cooking is "from scratch", I don't actually cook fresh every day.

The secret is that I cheat!! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I do my big shop at the beginning of the month and then spend 3 or 4 days "cooking up a storm" - doing LOADS of batch cooking for the freezer....casseroles, shepherd's pies, chillis, lasagne, cheese pies, etc. etc. etc.

Then, every day, I have the choice of cooking "fresh" or taking a pre-prepared home made meal out of the freezer. I guess I only cook "fresh" about 2 or 3 times a week, but you'd never tell!

I supplement my home made meals with fresh veg nearly every day, but it doesn't take much to boil up a couple of carrots and a bit of swede/cabbage/parsnip etc etc.

HTH

clairewp

Bobbykins wrote: »

Hi Claire

although 95% of my cooking is "from scratch", I don't actually cook fresh every day.

The secret is that I cheat!! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I do my big shop at the beginning of the month and then spend 3 or 4 days "cooking up a storm" - doing LOADS of batch cooking for the freezer....casseroles, shepherd's pies, chillis, lasagne, cheese pies, etc. etc. etc.

Then, every day, I have the choice of cooking "fresh" or taking a pre-prepared home made meal out of the freezer. I guess I only cook "fresh" about 2 or 3 times a week, but you'd never tell!

I supplement my home made meals with fresh veg nearly every day, but it doesn't take much to boil up a couple of carrots and a bit of swede/cabbage/parsnip etc etc.

HTH

The thing is i don't have the motivation to even do this.(i know bad) i work 4 days a week , please don't jump on me coz many of you probably do the same. its just i really struggle.
Ok i need a good kick.
I have got 2 (yes 2 meals lol) in freezer but thats it . I don't think it helps because my kids moan and say don't like that.So i then get to the why do i bother. Any more help would really be appreciated.

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

Hi Clairewp, its difficult I know but maybe you could look at easy recipes that don't take much doing, mix it all together and bung in sc/oven? Nigella has some good recipes...

linzibean

I have my of days - usually my OH takes pity and makes us beans on toast :rotfl:bless him. I too freeze stuff, although we're mainly veggie and it's less hassle than preparing meat. I must get my slow cooker back from MIL though, I want to do me some veggie stews and casseroles! Slow cookers can be a lifesaver if you've got an attack of the can't-be-bothered (and who doesn't from time to time??) - just bung all the ingredients in on a morning, and it's ready at night. Result!

clairewp

Desperate_Housewife wrote: »

Hi Clairewp, its difficult I know but maybe you could look at easy recipes that don't take much doing, mix it all together and bung in sc/oven? Nigella has some good recipes...

At beginning of week i am full of great ideas, i buy lots of food that can be done in slow cooker but i forget to get it out of freezer or when i do do it, i don't fancy it.( don't you just wish that you were back at home with mum who just said ,Dinners ready)

morwenna

Hi clairewp, I know what you are saying! I work full time with an hour twenty commute each way and I am a single parent. Sometimes when I get in it's as much as I can do to hang up my coat! Still, we need to watch the pennies, so I never put just one item in the oven - even if I only fill the top shelf with Jacket spuds when cooking a casserole - they freeze really well add tuna, beans, or cheese or any combo and you have a fairly "instant meal." Nigellas latest book has naan bread pizza, ten mins tops, I know I have done it! (Didn't do her suggested topping of deli jar of mushrooms though) :rotfl: - tin of tuna, the rest in mayo for lunch the next day. If you don't have the inclination to get the SC going before work - I admit, I rarely have the time - it comes into it's own at the weekend. Do double batches in there, I do braising steak & veggies we eat a family portion for dinner, cool the rest and freeze as pies, another stew type meal etc. For me, the secret is to cook when I have the energy, defrost when I don't

HTH

perfectlypoor

I would sit down with family writing a list of fave home cooked meals then do a meal plan (I find by knowing what I am having for tea helps me fancy it because you have all day to think about it) use notes to remind yourself to get things out the freezer. Give it a go and see what happens I am sure you can reduce your weekly cost. How many of there are you?

clairewp

morwenna wrote: »

Hi clairewp, I know what you are saying! I work full time with an hour twenty commute each way and I am a single parent. Sometimes when I get in it's as much as I can do to hang up my coat! Still, we need to watch the pennies, so I never put just one item in the oven - even if I only fill the top shelf with Jacket spuds when cooking a casserole - they freeze really well add tuna, beans, or cheese or any combo and you have a fairly "instant meal." Nigellas latest book has naan bread pizza, ten mins tops, I know I have done it! (Didn't do her suggested topping of deli jar of mushrooms though) :rotfl: - tin of tuna, the rest in mayo for lunch the next day. If you don't have the inclination to get the SC going before work - I admit, I rarely have the time - it comes into it's own at the weekend. Do double batches in there, I do braising steak & veggies we eat a family portion for dinner, cool the rest and freeze as pies, another stew type meal etc. For me, the secret is to cook when I have the energy, defrost when I don't

HTH

Thanks for the above i think i need to try when i am fully awake and alert to decide what we are going to eat for week, get it out , perhaps pre cook it and freeze if necessary for the week ahead. And what do i do if children don't like it , normally i would think of something else.

vanoonoo

I am another fan of planning and using the slocooker and the freezer as much as possible. I rarely "fancy" what I have cooked but if I dont eat it I wont get anything else made for me lol