When you work full time, contribute to a blog, run a small non-profit and and live a frenetic city life, it’s a small victory to get a home-cooked dinner on the table at night. The new sad truth is, most nights I don’t.
I used to work from home and when I did, I savored dinner plans. I took time to think about what would taste good or ask Andy what he had a hankering for. I’d search for recipes online, leisurely scroll through blogs and cookbooks until I found the right recipe, meticulously make a grocery list, wander through the aisles of Whole Foods, and savor dinner prep with a glass of wine. Elaborate home-cooked meals would just be coming out of the oven or off the stove as Andy stepped foot inside the door. He was spoiled. And so was I.
Andy works a demanding job in finance with long hours and all-hours conference calls that leave him completely sapped at the end of each day. He has been patient with me as I navigate this new world—essentially working two and half jobs, which means I just don’t have the energy or time to cook like I used to.
These days it’s a miracle if we can pull on our shoes and get out the door to a restaurant. Or flip open the laptop to order from Seamless Web.
But no matter how tired you are, there’s only so much you can go out for dinner or order take-out before you really just want something from your own kitchen. Something simple.
What I once relished, I now find to be a nearly impossible multi-step task. As a food blogger and even just a cook, it’s not easy to admit that, but it’s true. At least for now.
There. I’ve said it.
The other day, Andy and I had both maxed out on restaurants and take-out. Together we made the easiest thing we could: a frittata. With some of our favorite things. It came together quickly, tasted delicious and was cleaned up in a few minutes. And the best part was, we couldn’t have ordered it at restaurant or gotten it take out. And for me these days, that’s the best kind of meal.
i recently read a book about how to decided what your priorities are and how to make sure the things you spend your time on are fulfilling to you. the book talks a lot about going back to what a person loved todo as a child but this post makes me ponder how it may be even simpler than that and may be about just going back what you loved to do before you felt so busy.
I can sure relate! We are in the same boat. The only thing that saves our pocketbook is to make a LOT when we do find time to cook. We then freeze the extra for another meal. Sometimes we can carve out a bit of time on a weekend to do more bulk cooking. Even an hour or two does the trick. A lack of energy is my biggest trial. Somehow life always evens out with time. Stay positive!
I agree with both Carrie and June. I can relate to being so busy I don’t feel like cooking, and I also believe it’s priorities.
I’m glad you found time to make a simple meal. You made one of my on-the-fly favorites. If you’ve got eggs, a vegetable, and a little cheese, you can be eating a satisfying meal in about 15 minutes.
Hang in there, Maggy. You love to cook, and I know you’ll find a new way in this new life.
It looks delicious. I have a feeling that on your worst night, you could still come up with something delicious and creative. Looks good to me. It’s 10pm here, and I’m wanting a frittata! 🙂
It is so nice to see that I am not alone! I am away from my house about 11 hours Mon-Fri. My goal is to be as refreshed and energetic for my family as I am at work. I think our families really get the raw deal because they deserve our best and sometimes that is impossible. I try REALLY hard to give them fresh meals but the problem is that sometimes my dishes take forever! There is a real need for speedy, delicious and nutritious recipes for busy people on a budget. Maybe you guys can deliver?
Maggy, your dilemma describes me perfectly. I just said to my husband, that person (the one perusing recipes, making a list,shopping for just the right ingredients, cooking with a glass of wine) is not here anymore. We eat out so much because I literally feel so pressed for time, and it’s easier to do that or order out. I don’t even know how to get all the work I need to do done in a day, let alone plan for dinner. I’m going to work on it though, and this recipe is a good step in the right direction. Maybe your contribution to the blog can be just that; quick meals when there’s no time to cook!
You all definitely have the wheels turning in my head! I would love to provide more quick meals (maybe even on a budget). Great idea. And then I can also blog about the restaurants I go to as well.
Also, thanks for confessing too. It feels good to get it out, doesn’t it?
Eggs are not just for breakfast. 🙂 I feel like I’m cheating when I make breakfast for dinner, but IHOP and Cracker Barrel stay in business. And my husband loves it, and I live in the South, so maybe the foodie police won’t yank my card just yet.
I know exactly what you mean! We have eggs for dinner at least once every week. Omelets are also especially easy before bringing the kids to soccer practice.
I work, but I’m also a serious cook and mother and the simplest, best way to feed children is at home. When I had a baby and toddler, I quickly learned a new super-fast cooking style! If you make it your goal to cook at home with minimal prep, shopping, and clean-up, you will make it work.
I rely on making deliberate leftovers and freezing some, having SIMPLE sometimes even one-pot meals, keeping a well-stocked pantry, and planning ahead. And there’s no price on the emotional energy and satisfaction I get from sitting with my family eating dinner 🙂