Staking My Claim

Okay folks,

As saddened as I am about Google Reader being no more (insert crying face here), I had to do something to help ensure you would still be able to read my blog elsewhere.

I signed up over at Bloglovin - which totally makes me laugh and think of McLovin from Superbad - to import all of the blogs I read so I wouldn't miss any. I live vicariously through all of you productive bloggers who actually have finished projects to show us. You motivate and inspire me to do more and challenge myself to try new things. I'm sad Google Reader will be gone, but I am so happy there is something to replace it!

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Eating Better

I have a seriously hard time coming up with quick, easy, and healthy meals for my family. My idea of changing up the menu was putting alfredo sauce on pasta instead of marinara. Or using the curly noodles instead of penne... Even if your family loves pasta, I've learned that if you try to feed it to them every day, they will start to hate it. 

I tried freezer meals. To be honest, almost all that I tried were awful. We ate it because there was nothing else prepared, but I made mental notes of which recipes I will never make again.

I tried making lists and printing out recipes I found on Pinterest but that really takes a long time and my attention span couldn't take it.

Then I heard of websites offering meal planning services. I was a little leery of trying it because, well, it costs money. And I'm cheap. But I really needed some help getting out of the pasta rut. I checked out a few different meal planning sites but ultimately I decided to go with eMeals. I loved the wide range of options they offer. 

I picked the plan I wanted (classic meals was the best choice for us, but they also offer paleo, vegetarian, clean eating, gluten free, and a few other choices) and set my grocery store of choice - yes, you can set your grocery store. The meals planned are based on the sales at your store that week. (FYI, for my family of 6, I spent $113.00 for a weeks worth of dinners).

I wasn't real sure about the first meal on the menu. Curried catfish. Gross. But I made a pact with myself that I would try each recipe once. 

You guys!!! This was delicious! All of my kids ate it! If you knew my kids, you'd realize what a miracle that is. My daughter called me after school the next day to ask if she could have the leftovers...

 

Meal number 2 was a sauteed vegetable dish with chicken and wild rice. Baked apples on the side. Just as delicious as the first meal.

It has been so easy. Seriously. They send you recipes and a grocery list every Thursday. I am no gourmet chef, but this has given a lot of confidence in the kitchen. If you are struggling with what to make for dinner every night, check this out. I signed up for three months and after eating the dinners for 2 nights my husband told me to sign up for the full year =)