Cooking and meal planning

[Cherrybakewellll]

Am I the only one who gets utterly fed up of meal planning and cooking?

I ironically trained as a chef when I left school and I do like cooking but I'm on maternity leave and it's just become a pain in the arse to think of dinners every night. I do meal plan but even thinking up those ideas is tedious to me.

I'm probably just having a pointless rant.

My DH works long hours and would like to cook, but realistically he's a bit slow at it so if he starts cooking at 7.30pm when he gets home we won't eat until about 9.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who finds the whole thing tedious?

@1stTimeMama
There are consequences. And they don't get anything else.

My 8 year old also hasn't had her iPad in about three weeks.

But it wears you down. I know someone will object to every single meal I cook. It's exhausting.

Yes, gets boring but I've started getting the simply cook spices for more variety - really unusual dishes. Also I do get meal kits occasionally for speed. Don't be afraid of short cuts like microwave rice, ready grilled peppers etc.

If anyone wants a free box from SimplyCook pm me, I have a voucher

I've broken the week into 4 chunks:

Monday we have soup and Tuesday we have omelettes. Every week. I don't have to think about it. Cheap, easy, healthy and quick for after activities. We vary the flavours/fillings

Wednesday and Thursday the DDs (5 and 8) cook. They do need supervision but they at least make the choices and do some of the work. And they come up with some nice varied ideas.

Friday is always pasta of some sort, after activities. Again, we vary the type and sauce.

Saturday DH cooks, Sunday I do, and those are more inventive meals.

So I really only have to think about 1 meal a week, plus decide on just a variation for 3 more.

Get the kids to help, and DH on the days he's not working.

I hate it! I love cooking, but everyone moans they don’t fancy this tonight or that. I really struggle to find new and different news that my whole (fussy) family will eat. I end up cooking at least 2 different meals (dd is autistic and only eats about 5 meals).
I like someone to meal plan and shop for me ...!!!

I love cooking but I'm lazy. I make a batch for the week/a few days and eat through. Fortunately my bf doesn't mind it being a bit samey if he's round. There's always some homemade pasta sauce in the fridge for gaps in routine or whatever.

Dreading DC because I know I'll have to have far more variety!

I agree! having cooked from scratch for what feels like forever (In reality about 20 years!) I like my slow cooker esp in winter ,with a casserole to leave in .Also Roast Chicken in a bag S/B .serve with frozen R oasties and veggies! (Or a hot chicken from The store!)

I get a bit fed up with it at times, and run out of ideas. The dc are still a bit fussy, which makes it harder. Dh loves cooking, so he tends to cook at the weekend and I do the week nights. Our kitchen fitters arrived today to fit a new kitchen, so the next couple of weeks' meals are going to be a bit of a challenge with nothing but a microwave, a kettle and the bbq...

Our plan seems to be the same things over and over.

Meatballs, chilli, enchiladas, Nando takeaway, sausages and mash, pizza, roasts, meatloaf, curry, burgers, spag Bol.

I'm vegetarian so just make a version for me, which is fine because I've always done it (been veggie since around 6 years old so it's always been natural for me to do two lots of things).

I know exactly what you mean it is soooo tedious and boring!

I am thinking of going back to using Hello Fresh or Gousto where you have a box delivered with all the ingrediants and recipe card as then you don't have to think about it! Even if it's two nights a week it makes a change.