[brutalangel]

I am currently 7 weeks pregnant with my third child and am experiencing morning sickness and migraines throughout most of the day. I have a teenager, a preteen as well as my husband to cook for every night. Most of the things I usually cook are too time consuming for me now...except for spaghetti and crock pot meals which they are all sick of. I am moving in slow motion now and the nausea is just making things really hard for me right now. I don't have friends and family in my state to pitch in, my husband doesn't cook, and my family relies on me for all meals. My husband does bring home foods approx twice a week, but I am not fond of eating fast cook or junk food very often.

Does anyone have any fast, easy and healthy dinner options for me? I would really appreciate it!! I am probably a little hormonal, but this is really stressing me out. Thanks so much in advance

[hautecouture15]

Stir frys are easy to cook and take less than 10 minutes(you can preprepare veggies etc).
Make a noodle soup with spring onions and shredded chicken.(buy a ready roasted one)
-boil water and add a chicken stock cube
-chop up spring onions and add to stock
-add chicken and heat up
-serve with a roll and butter = YUM,quick,simple.

[pidgeon92]

Sounds like some people in your household need to start pitching in. I second stir fries, they are so easy to make, and go very quickly, especially if you are using a bottled sauce. There is no reason your teenager, and perhaps younger child, cannot help to chop the ingredients. I did a lot of cooking when I was young, after my mother became ill.

Home made pizzas and quesadillas are easy for everyone in the family to make, and they're fun to assemble.

[bnjj]

Sorry you're feeling so rough.

A few things that come to mind are tacos, taco salads, baked or grilled chicken breasts/thighs, pita pizza.

[madamefifi]

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

Sounds like some people in your household need to start pitching in.

I second that! The least they could do is "sous chef" duty---chopping veg, mixing sauces, whatever. That's how I first got interested in cooking, by helping my Dad when he cooked (my Mom cooks too but not very well!).

[Calya]

Oh I feel for you. I went through the same thing. I liked making different pastas and pre-made a lot of frozen foods when I had the energy. I also bought the prepacked containers of mixed baby greens to add to the side of dumplings, perogies, frozen pizza and other quick items to keep it fast and simple. These are few of the recipes I would often make:
http://prettyfastfood.blogspot.com/2...con-penne.html

http://prettyfastfood.blogspot.com/2...dumplings.html (for this one, I bought pre-made dumpling wraps to save time and energy) I also made a large batch so I could freeze them. I froze them in a single layer on a lined cookie sheet first, then placed them into ziploc bags so that they would not stick together. Your older kids may even want to help you make them?

[bagaholic85]

when im not feeling that into cooking i take olive oil and bread crumbs, dip in the oil, then dip in the breadcrumbs and pop em in the oven for 15 mins at 375. they come out moist and delicious. then heat up some frozen veggies.

another great easy fix is breakfast for dinner. eggs, pancakes, waffles, french toast (i like mine with skim milk, whole grain bread, and eggwhites)...all cook quick :)

[brutalangel]

Thanks ladies - I am going to the store today to pick up some of the items you have suggested. Today is a MUCH better day, so I am going to take advantage of it!! I totally forgot about stir fry and those little eggroll wraps to make dumplings and ravioli - those are top on my list. Thanks for all the love and kind words....They must have helped, because today feels like a new world

My preteen does help out a lot in the kitchen, but his knife skills are still in the development stage. Unfortunately, my patience is fairly thin and having him in the kitchen is draining my energy these days. I know this is all temporary, and in a few weeks(finger's crossed), we will all be somewhat normal and he can be back by my side to help with diners. My teen is pretty active overall in the house, but with football, his pt job and tutoring, his plate is fairly full so to speak.

Thanks again all - and if anyone else has any suggestions, keepem comin

[pollinilove]

what about the meal kits . they make stir fry and pasta dishes . i was a bad wife i made my husband cook for him and our older son .

[pollinilove]

i was only sick for 3 mo how long have you been sick .also its still summer how about salads chef salad and cobb salad

[Korilynn]

What about the next time you feel better make 2 lasagnes and then freeze one for later?

How about grilling...can DH do that? Then you can just throw a potato in the oven or microwave and have steak and baked potato with something easy like grilled corn? or canned beans?

Soup and grilled cheese is always easy too....


I lived on bagged salads, cereal and nutri grain bars for the first 3 months of my pregnancy...I know how you feel.. I didnt feel like standing up to cook for an hour after working a 10 hour day!..My dh knows not to complain. He ate his cereal for dinner like a good boy! ..lol

[ProfNot]

There are places where you go to make several meals in the space of a few hours. The shops buy the food, condiments, and spices for you. You put it all together, cook it, and put the dishes in containers for freezing. They have ovens, sinks, blenders, everything you need.

Why don't you choose the menus and send your teenager and preteen to do the work?
The store people can show them how to mix, layer, chop, etc.

Some names of these stores:
The Easy Entree
Dinner Express
Dream Dinners
Dinner's Ready
Even small towns tend to have one or more of these places.

Benefit: your kids learn about cooking.

>>Yet another idea: it is summer. Everyone can eat lots of raw produce and wash, cut, peel it themselves. Do it yourself healthy nachos, taco salads, etc.

I love the cooked diced chicken meat by Tyson in the freezer section. Very tender. Non-fat.

[lakeharper]

I was the same as you for the first 3 month, it's so hard. It will get better. If you can think of 10 simple meals and write them down on an index card you can just rotate them. Sometimes it's hard to think when you are in a panic about dinner. You could get a precooked whole chicken, make a salad, and bake some quick rolls of some sort. Our grocery store also has really good chicken tenders already made. Maybe a pre mixed meatloaf that you just need to throw in the oven. Some specialty markets also have preassembled meals that you just cook. We have one that has kabobs already put together and chicken breasts wrapped in bacon or stuffed with something that you just bake. What about frozen ravioli and tortollini? You could always have packages of these in your freezer and just add sauce and a salad. If your kids eat salad just get the bagged kind and maybe add some fresh tomatoes and cukes. My kids love frozen meat balls that I put in the crock pot with sauce and put on pasta. Hamburgers are fine and easy. We have pizza/movie night every Friday. I also get the turkey breast that is in the bag already seasoned ready to bake. Right now you should take whatever shortcuts you can (premade, precut, bagged ect.) Good Luck!

[twinkle.tink]

I agree, your dh needs to help....

but other than that I agree, meal kits are a big help...also usually I only cook Tue, Thur, and Sat (and make sure to make enough for left overs)...other nights are planned left overs, or soup/sandwich nights...1 night a week is eat out or take out night (usually Fridays)...that helps a lot :)

[pollinilove]

well i also left it up to my husband to feed our 2 yr old son . lets just say my son now knows every thing on the mc donalds menu