jars and sachets - MIL is disgusted

[Murphyslaw21]

Bit of a back story...

My house we bought before baby is very old, found out I was pregnant so did bedrooms, and living room. We have no heating or water, having run out of money we have had to put kitchen old hold.

House is warmed by a wood burner. Now my kitchen is disgusting. Mould, damp no water (outside tap only). We only use it as necessary. Pots and pans are washed in bucket with kettle water. Therefore I only give baby jars and sachets. Now I spend a fortune she has mango breakfast, porridge, roast dinners all fruit and veg. I wash her pots and sterilise them. I would not think of risking cooking as I'm not convinced pots and utensils are clean enough. We won't be doing kitchen until next year as we have to put in heating in this year. We don't have a dishwasher as no space for one.

My MIL has raised concerns and insults that it's because I can't be bothered to cook and that the jars are full of preservatives and additives. But I read them and they are 100% organic with nothing added. I'm so cross.

I give baby 3 good meals a day. I would love to cook but it's an awful kitchen. When we go out with her and I pull out a packet I get rolling eyes and sarcastic comments. The other day I said well buy me a kitchen then. And she moaned that I spent the money on doing bedrooms first. But my logic was baby needs a nice clean bedroom . We had been sleeping for six months on an air bed. Not fun whilst heavily pregnant.

I'm so angry but I'm wondering if the jars and sachets are bad.

Whilst I am here: readybrek is a super-easy microwave breakfast - add milk and zap. Way, way cheaper than pre-prepared pouches and also much cheaper than special 'baby porridge'.

Thank you Dawn! Have no idea what was happening there!

Oak maiden thanks thinking about the slow cooker or the 8 in one thing people suggested .

there is nothing dangerous about a bbq for goodness sake OP is not a single parent....one of them can pop outside and chuck some fish or steak on the grill - then pop back inside with it when it's done. hardly risky business.

People need to chill, woodburner for heating is fine you don't need central heating. There are lots of food that done take much to prep work. Its just like an extended time camping.
When the warmer weather comes you could set up a outside camping area under maybe a gazebo like you would if you were camping. Would give you ability to cook different foods. Next year your child will be walking so you could cook outside while he/she plays. The key is to make sure you all get good food so you don't get sick. So you are able to do the kitchen ect. You could try getting one of those solar showers to heat water up a bit for washing, it might mean less boiling of the water in the summer. I bathed my kids in flexi buckets when we went camping.

Please please please can posters stop suggesting Campinggaz stoves or (as one person has) a BBQ.

I suggested a bbq. I meant OUTSIDE.

I used a gas bbq OUTSIDE through two kitchen renovations in two different houses.

I despair!

Slow cooker bought. Prepared veg and lamb. Let's see what happens.

Hope you all enjoy a delicious meal!

Good for you OP, you've made a change. I love the smell of lamb slow cooking. Hope you and the baby enjoy it.

That's great

definately check out the face book page. although be warned it does clog up your news feed

but you can get recipes for everything. and should be a big help. you can even do cakes in it. and bread.

I joined it last night. See someone did it and thought I'll have a go.

I thought pre cut and done veggies means I don't have to worry .

you won't. the meat will just fall off in the slow cooker and if all you have to do is zap the veg your pretty much there :)

I'm sorry you've had such a roasting. People outside of mumsnet do feed their children on jar food :o

Just an idea, but if you live near a furniture bank, they sometimes sell kitchen cupboards, units etc. It might be worth getting the electrics and plumbing done and just do a mock up, free standing kitchen for short term as the stuff in our furniture bank is really cheap :) they sell electrical items too.

But hey, you sound like you are doing fine. I use my microwave, toaster and slow cooker more than my oven really.

Yay! Hope slow cooker work for you. It can take a few goes to get used to it - but I am evangelical about mine now. So much easier with kids than so-called 'fast' recipes with kids under your feet!

Good for you OP.

I think as well you could,look at simpler things. Babies don't need 'meals' as such. Toast and hummus and a couple of carrot sticks or cucumber sticks is a perfectly fine lunch or tea, likewise porridge works for lunch (babies don't know you're only supposed to have it for breakfast!) - you don't need to provide three hot meal-meals, if you know what I mean.

Sure I've missed someone saying this already, but don't do camping gas type stoves indoors! Dangerous!

I've lived in a bender (basically a canvas igloo!) before, and we had families living safely and happily alongside us. We had a cold water tap, wood burner for heating, and small cooker (running off large safe to use indoors canisters which were buried outside for safety!), no electricity, so you've lots more choice of sorting yourself better cooking facilities, so I'm sure will be fine slow cooker a good start, I'm sure you and your partner will appreciate something far nicer than ready meals tonight. Lots of ideas of snacks given too, variety for all of you, with more fresh food, will make you all feel healthier I'm sure

(I'm in SE London so probably nowhere near, but you'd be welcome to come use my kitchen / have baths if are anywhere near )

Brilliant- good for you op! I love my slow cooker.

Mil should have offered to bring in a couple of home cooked meals or offered you her kitchen to use occasionally if she is near by.

Lucy she lives in a residential bungalow. And has basic kitchen but most her meals she eats in communinal lounge.

So be difficult

First attempt not great. Ok but not great

What was the problem, maybe we can help? it can take a.while to get the knack so maybe us slow cooker fanatics can help?

I think the stock was wrong. It kind of tasted like boiled lamb and watery broth.

I like flavour any suggestions.?? What stock do u use??

There's a great Jamie Oliver lamb stew recipe. Off the top of my head it is tinned tomatoes, beef stock, a tbsp flour, lamb, onion, garlic, celery, carrot and rosemary. It is gorgeous and perfect for a slow cooker. I have used varying amounts of each ingredient and it always turns out good- just use one tin and one stock cube with the requisite amount of water but the rest can be varied and you can chuck in other veg.