Anonymous
Post 02/15/2017 21:26     Subject: S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
I really don't understand this, how can you be comfortable employing a woman who is not clever or intuitive enough to cook, even at a basic level, to care for your children? Even if you didn't require cooking, knowing that a grown, adult woman can't handle the basic tasks of life would make me move on to find someone a little smarter to watch my children.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2017 20:15     Subject: Re:S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Buttered noodles is NOT a meal. I don't consider any of your breakfast options acceptable either (too much sugar, too little protein, no veg).

To me, every meal has protein, complex carb, fruit, veg, some fat. For a special occasion, a meal might not be as balanced (holidays, celebrations), but otherwise? No way.


The only sugar in breakfast is in the jelly on the waffles and in the fruit. But I agree they aren't perfect.

Would you like to give me some ideas of no-cook meals that meet your requirements? You have some good thoughts.


Breakfast: smoothie made of almond milk, greek yogurt, splash of grapeseed oil, banana, 1-2 other fruits, carrot, 1-2 other veg (like cucumber, zucchini, summer squash, leftover beets or winter squash); whole grain toast on the side, lightly smeared with butter
As long as the vegetables are bland/sweet, they won't take over the flavor. Any fruit works, but citrus can't be refrigerated for later (turns very bitter).

Lunch: Cold salad made of cold quinoa, black olives, chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, diced cold chicken or turkey (cold boiled eggs work too), garnished with mandarin slices and blueberries, very lightly sauced with olive oil and 1.5 teaspoons orange juice (mix in egg yolk if using eggs)
That's one option, but it works. I love things that can be cooked ahead of time, prep only involves peeling/slicing/dicing and then it can sit and marinate. Oh, and it can be assembled on Sunday night and eaten Monday and Wednesday (not after Wednesday).

btw, OP, yes, your breakfast options are full of needless sugar. Cereals are easily absorbed by the body, and most have plenty of added sugars, frozen waffles have added sugars. Yogurt sounds good, but most are flavored, which means added sugars, and granola has tons of fats and sugars added when it is formed into clumps to be baked.


Lol..like most kids would eat that?


I wouldn't eat that and prefer buttered noodles.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2017 18:21     Subject: Re:S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Buttered noodles is NOT a meal. I don't consider any of your breakfast options acceptable either (too much sugar, too little protein, no veg).

To me, every meal has protein, complex carb, fruit, veg, some fat. For a special occasion, a meal might not be as balanced (holidays, celebrations), but otherwise? No way.


The only sugar in breakfast is in the jelly on the waffles and in the fruit. But I agree they aren't perfect.

Would you like to give me some ideas of no-cook meals that meet your requirements? You have some good thoughts.


Breakfast: smoothie made of almond milk, greek yogurt, splash of grapeseed oil, banana, 1-2 other fruits, carrot, 1-2 other veg (like cucumber, zucchini, summer squash, leftover beets or winter squash); whole grain toast on the side, lightly smeared with butter
As long as the vegetables are bland/sweet, they won't take over the flavor. Any fruit works, but citrus can't be refrigerated for later (turns very bitter).

Lunch: Cold salad made of cold quinoa, black olives, chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, diced cold chicken or turkey (cold boiled eggs work too), garnished with mandarin slices and blueberries, very lightly sauced with olive oil and 1.5 teaspoons orange juice (mix in egg yolk if using eggs)
That's one option, but it works. I love things that can be cooked ahead of time, prep only involves peeling/slicing/dicing and then it can sit and marinate. Oh, and it can be assembled on Sunday night and eaten Monday and Wednesday (not after Wednesday).

btw, OP, yes, your breakfast options are full of needless sugar. Cereals are easily absorbed by the body, and most have plenty of added sugars, frozen waffles have added sugars. Yogurt sounds good, but most are flavored, which means added sugars, and granola has tons of fats and sugars added when it is formed into clumps to be baked.


Lol..like most kids would eat that?
Anonymous
Post 04/01/2016 21:49     Subject: Re:S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Buttered noodles is NOT a meal. I don't consider any of your breakfast options acceptable either (too much sugar, too little protein, no veg).

To me, every meal has protein, complex carb, fruit, veg, some fat. For a special occasion, a meal might not be as balanced (holidays, celebrations), but otherwise? No way.


The only sugar in breakfast is in the jelly on the waffles and in the fruit. But I agree they aren't perfect.

Would you like to give me some ideas of no-cook meals that meet your requirements? You have some good thoughts.


Breakfast: smoothie made of almond milk, greek yogurt, splash of grapeseed oil, banana, 1-2 other fruits, carrot, 1-2 other veg (like cucumber, zucchini, summer squash, leftover beets or winter squash); whole grain toast on the side, lightly smeared with butter
As long as the vegetables are bland/sweet, they won't take over the flavor. Any fruit works, but citrus can't be refrigerated for later (turns very bitter).

Lunch: Cold salad made of cold quinoa, black olives, chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, diced cold chicken or turkey (cold boiled eggs work too), garnished with mandarin slices and blueberries, very lightly sauced with olive oil and 1.5 teaspoons orange juice (mix in egg yolk if using eggs)
That's one option, but it works. I love things that can be cooked ahead of time, prep only involves peeling/slicing/dicing and then it can sit and marinate. Oh, and it can be assembled on Sunday night and eaten Monday and Wednesday (not after Wednesday).

btw, OP, yes, your breakfast options are full of needless sugar. Cereals are easily absorbed by the body, and most have plenty of added sugars, frozen waffles have added sugars. Yogurt sounds good, but most are flavored, which means added sugars, and granola has tons of fats and sugars added when it is formed into clumps to be baked.
Anonymous
Post 04/01/2016 21:00     Subject: S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
I have no issues cooking meals for my charges. However the parents don't buy healthy foods. Every morning they eat donuts. Lunch is either a hot dog or pb & j. Dinner is the same as lunch.
Anonymous
Post 04/01/2016 18:44     Subject: S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
Seconding much of 16:33's post. Quesadillas are great, and you can let kids dip them which they enjoy.

I also do rollups using tortillas and you can put cheese, meats, spinach, all kinds of things in those.
Anonymous
Post 04/01/2016 16:33     Subject: S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
Scrambled eggs
Grilled cheese sandwiches
Peanut butter sandwiches
Pasta and sauce
Macaroni and cheese
Soups
Rotisserie chicken
Quesadillas

Anonymous
Post 04/01/2016 13:12     Subject: Re:S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
I cant remember the brand, good life or something like that. I just found some muffins that DD loves, The first ingredient in both is zucchini, and they both have carrots in, one is blueberry and the other is chocolate. DD thinks she is eating a muffin and I am happy its got veg in it. They are in the healthy/organic section of the freezer in Giant. That with some fruit is a perfectly healthy breakfast imo.

OP why don't you nicely tell your Nanny that you have noticed the kids eating a lot of buttered noodles lately, and you would like them to limit that to once a week, and eating out to once a week as well, unless theres some extenuation circumstances. Maybe write down some lunch suggestions. They can eat similar foods if not the same foods that your older kids take to school.
Anonymous
Post 04/01/2016 13:05     Subject: Re:S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
Anonymous wrote:Buttered noodles is NOT a meal. I don't consider any of your breakfast options acceptable either (too much sugar, too little protein, no veg).

To me, every meal has protein, complex carb, fruit, veg, some fat. For a special occasion, a meal might not be as balanced (holidays, celebrations), but otherwise? No way.


The only sugar in breakfast is in the jelly on the waffles and in the fruit. But I agree they aren't perfect.

Would you like to give me some ideas of no-cook meals that meet your requirements? You have some good thoughts.
Anonymous
Post 04/01/2016 12:51     Subject: Re:S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
Buttered noodles is NOT a meal. I don't consider any of your breakfast options acceptable either (too much sugar, too little protein, no veg).

To me, every meal has protein, complex carb, fruit, veg, some fat. For a special occasion, a meal might not be as balanced (holidays, celebrations), but otherwise? No way.
Anonymous
Post 04/01/2016 12:23     Subject: S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
Anonymous wrote:Four children are a ton of responsibility on a daily basis, even if older ones go to school for part of the day.

I wouldn't ask for a nanny to do much of any food prepping consider her workload. I know parents who struggle with all that.


OP here. I actually think it has more to do with being uncomfortable in the kitchen than the workload. She only has all four for about 45 minutes every morning. I get off in time to get the older ones from school. Also, I make dinner from scratch every night while managing four kids, doing homework, etc. and she is as competent with managing the kids as I am.
I was just looking for some easy lunch ideas. I have asked her, but she always says its fine.
Anonymous
Post 04/01/2016 12:01     Subject: S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
Four children are a ton of responsibility on a daily basis, even if older ones go to school for part of the day.

I wouldn't ask for a nanny to do much of any food prepping consider her workload. I know parents who struggle with all that.
Anonymous
Post 04/01/2016 11:57     Subject: Re:S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
You could pack lunch for your younger kids as well. My child (2) eats a lot of quesadillas, peanut butter sandwiches, rice or noodles and sauce (leftovers from dinner earlier in the week), pre-cooked meat, beans, fresh veggies the nanny just cuts up, frozen veggies he nanny just has to heat, and fresh fruit. I make breakfast in the mornings before she arrives, but it is usually just eggs scrambled with spinach or microwaved oatmeal. We keep it simple, hopefully balanced as well.
Anonymous
Post 04/01/2016 11:57     Subject: S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
Mac & cheese, ravioli, tortellini, cut up veggies, leftovers from prior night's dinner, grilled cheese, etc.

I do not consider buttered noodles a meal, because there's virtually no protein.
Anonymous
Post 04/01/2016 11:38     Subject: S/o: if your nanny doesn't cook
What do you keep available in the house to feed the kids? She is responsible for feeding them breakfast and lunch daily. Breakfast s one of three things: cereal, frozen waffles with pb&j, or yogurt and granola...all with some fruit. Lunches, I have noticed that she takes the kids out a lot or gives them buttered noodles. I think part of it is that she isn't sure what to give them for lunch. Kids are 2, 4, 6, and 8. I pack the ES kids lunches for school.