You are not in this Alone

As I’ve shared with many of our Members, I did not grow up with the best ’healthy eating habits’. With both parents working, I grew up with Hamburger Helper. It wasn’t a daily meal but definitely a staple in the cupboard.  We did not eat Kale, Chard or anything similar.

Since I started working at FFF, I’ve shared my experiments and experiences. Some good. Some not so good.  Sometimes it’s a story….

The Background:

I’m trying to utilize everything I receive in my weekly produce basket in addition to eliminating packaged food.  I also work full time and have three active children (band, soccer, track, drama, etc.) two of which are teenagers.  Everyone knows “planning” is key so last weekend I sat down and made our “menu for the week”.  I planned it according to what was already in the freezer and pantry, expected Produce Basket contents and time restraints.  (For example, Eggplant Sandwiches on Thursday when I had a little bit more time to cook.  Spaghetti on Tuesday when I did not……)

The Story:

Last Monday evening about 9pm, I prepared everything to make home-made spaghetti sauce for Tuesday’s dinner.  Everything went into my 2nd favorite electric kitchen utensil; the crockpot.  Blender is my 1st favorite.  Margaritas. 

I pulled everything out of my basket and spent a bit of time chopping: bell peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, etc.  I added Italian seasoning, tomato sauce and anything else I thought adequate.  Stir.  Taste.  Add more seasoning.  Stir.  Taste.  Perfect!  Place on counter.  Set on Low. 

This is cool.  Now dinner is ready for tomorrow.  One-less-thing-to-squeeze-in.  Yay me!

Tuesday morning:  Smells yummy!  I head over to the counter to check out my masterpiece with a smug grin on my face because I have a chance to regain the Mom of the Year Award (This is a very elusive award.  I’ve lost the title several times this year.)  I lifted the lid and stared at a black, crispy glob.  Yes crispy.  It was even pulling away from the sides of the crockpot.  It looked like a dried out lake.  A reddish black lake.  A lumpy reddish black lake.  With cracks and everything. 

Dumb crockpot.  You might become my 3rd favorite for that.  I just unplugged the crockpot and left it there to deal with later.  

We had canned spaghetti sauce that night.

Monday, July 20th, 2009, by Pam Estrada and is filed under "Pam's Flops, crockpot, CSA, home delivery, menu planning, seasonal produce ". You can leave a response here, or send a Trackback from your own site.