I usually try to do better than this, but I like to keep a bag of frozen buffalo chicken tenders (of Morningstar buffalo veggie nuggets) around. The Caulipower ones are good but my guilty pleasure is the Tyson bag. I find they really satisfy the junk craving for fried food/wings while being relatively cheap and relatively not terrible for you, since they have protein and only 200ish calories per serving. I make them in the air fryer.

You can throw them in a wrap, serve with veggies or frozen fries, etc., depending on how junky you want to go.

This is such a great idea!

Anonymous wrote:a variation on breakfast for dinner -- my kids (now in college) loved a backwards day -- ice cream/dessert fro breakfast....ending the day with breakfast for dinner

Enjoy the break

a variation on breakfast for dinner -- my kids (now in college) loved a backwards day -- ice cream/dessert fro breakfast....ending the day with breakfast for dinner

Enjoy the break

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trader Joe's frozen Chinese food. Tastes like takeout but much cheaper.

Charcuterie and snacks night.

Which Chinese meals in particular are good?

NP but our family’s fave is TJ’s orange chicken - I often roast broccoli right on the same tray for a vegetable. And I microwave TJs frozen rice to accompany.

Agreed, orange chicken is our fave too. Beef and broccoli and dumplings are also good.

Google copycat recipes for whatever you'd order out, and have a family challenge to recreate it.

Re TJ frozen Chinese: definitely the Kung Pao Chicken. I add more peppers though

Our kids faves include:

Chicken shwarma from Trader Joe’s served in pita with tzatziki from tjs, cabbage etc.

Egg roll in a bowl (found out about it here!)

Bibimbap with ground beef or turkey (takes a little longer to make but I sautee the veggies together to save time).

Taco bowls: rice with sautees ground turkey in taco sauce, black beans cheese lettuce guacamole etc.

Black bean soup with xheese toirtilla chips guacamole


Pasta with spicy chicken sausage and tomato sauce

Roasted chicken (but it make it’s very easy just out in oven with lemon and spices) ; salad green beans

Store-bought pizza crust for semi homemade pizza

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trader Joe's frozen Chinese food. Tastes like takeout but much cheaper.

Charcuterie and snacks night.

Which Chinese meals in particular are good?

NP but our family’s fave is TJ’s orange chicken - I often roast broccoli right on the same tray for a vegetable. And I microwave TJs frozen rice to accompany.

I love grilling steaks with baked potatoes. Ou can get a steak for under $10. I love desserts from trader Joes.

Our easy meals:

Bean nachos-- saute onions and peppers, add garlic and cumin and canned beans, serve over tortilla chips with prepared guac or sliced avocado, sour cream/yogurt, shredded cheese. (Can also serve over rice)

Salmon in foil pack-- wrap up salmon fillets in foil with sliced onions and peppers and drizzle of olive oil, bake for 20-25 minutes at 450 degrees. Serve with rice, baguette, steamed broccoli. Delicious.

Scrambled eggs, steamed or sauteed veggies, baguette.

Roasted chickpeas & sweet potatoes-- season chickpeas with cumin, salt, pepper and roast on a sheet pan; on another sheet, spread sweet potato quarters or eighths, drizzle with olive oil and honey, season with red pepper flakes and salt, roast until soft and caramelized, about 30 minutes. Serve with a dollop of plain yogurt. Yum.

Rotisserie chicken, sweet potato fries, steamed broccoli.

Hamburgers, baked beans, veggie.

Crudite: cheese, crackers or baguette, carrot sticks and raw sliced peppers, grapes or apple slices, olives, nuts, whatever.

Tuna sandwiches, carrot sticks and raw pepper slices.

Since you have time, you could do some “challenges” where everyone preps something different and you taste test it.

We have done sandwiches (we have a panini press so hot sandwiches were an option and we got some different breads and cheese and meats).

Go to Lotte or Hmart and everyone picks a different ramen flavor and dresses it up.

Dessert challenge

Anonymous wrote:Spaghetti squash and meat sauce

Baked salmon and spinach and rice

Vegetable soup with toasted bread

The more you cook the easier it gets and less onerous/more natural it feels. Highly recommend just getting in the habit.

Our family would starve

Beans or lentils are also easy and filling. Chilli, black bean soup, red kidney beans and rice , red lentil soup with potato and carrot, hummus, cannellini beans and pasta ,

Salad, soup, and sandwich for dinner .

I would start by buying a rotisserie chicken. You can use most to make salad or sandwiches or tacos or pasta . Then, use the carcass /bones to make chicken soup

Everyone chooses an appetizer from the grocery store or order online or Target pick up