Comments on: Top Secret Tips for getting Dinner on the Table

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:45:00 +0000

Hi Crystal,
Thanks for the ideas, but I have to disagree with one. I don’t keep things a secret about dinner, esp. from my hubby. It’s kind of a joke that Mom is experimenting again, but the rule is you have to try it, give your opinion (from all 10 in our family) and then I will “spill the beans” and tell them what’s in it. I have a few picky kids and a few not, so I definitely can see being a little sneaky about things, but I feel strongly that kids (and sometimes hubbies) should learn to eat a variety of things and learn to eat healthy things and know what they are eating. So, if there are beans in the cake, we will try it, pass out opinions and then I will tell them what they ate. And as lovely as it sounds to set the table ahead of time, that definitely does NOT work in a large family. There are too many table-un-setters and, like another person mentioned, the table gets used for too many other things before dinner. Preparing as much ahead of time as possible is definitely something I DO do and I totally agree with trying to keep your kitchen clean during the day and during dinner prep. Those are both great suggestions! Keep up the great work and know we are all behind you in using food storage in as many ways as possible. Yeah for you!!!!!

By: heatheranne

heatheranne — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 03:25:12 +0000

include DiGiorno on the everday emergency meal plan. My kids LOVE frozen pizza! I also plan meals in advance. We plan 2 weeks and usually include it in a FHE activity. We go around the family with everyone offering a suggestion. The kids also help plan the side dishes so we can talk about nutrition. Everyone has their personal favorites that will make the list, and (almost) everyone tries to find a new dish- either from a friends house, in a cookbook or magazine or from Food Network. Love this discussion ladies!

By: Mikol

Mikol — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:52:43 +0000

Thanks for the tips. I’ve never really thought about getting the table set so early, but it makes sense. Come dinner time on those crazy days I think “I haven’t done anything yet, lets go out or get a pizza.” Thanks so much and I promise, I won’t tell. :c)

By: Heather G.

Heather G. — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:26:37 +0000

Oh how I just love your website. I’m going to be getting married in three months and I’m trying to absorb as much as I can!!! You have so many great tips and recipes. Thanks for all the energy and time you put into making other women’s lives easier. You are MUCH appreciated! Blessings to you and your family

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:52:53 +0000

WOW, that’s the only word I have! You are also so inspiring. My husband is definitely the kind who would love to have dinner on the table and the dishes done when he comes home from work, but I work at home and sometimes that takes up so much of my time. I am going to take as much advise as I can from this website and renew my energies towards being the perfect homemaker!

By: Laura Fisher

Laura Fisher — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:59:06 +0000

SO TRUE!!!! I started doing these things when I got addicted to Freezer meals (OAMC). It has taken the stress out of dinner completely! It also helps the cleanup go much faster after dinner because it’s only plates and cups and silverware and maybe one pan. I take out my freezer meal the night before, and then after lunch I start a side dish (or get out the canned fruit or frozen rolls or whatever will be served with it. Thanks for the tips!

By: Kylene

Kylene — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:05:32 +0000

Those tips are great. Thanks for sharing. I’ll definitely have to try some of those out.

I think one tip that has really helped me out is one I coped from my sister-in-law. I bought a calendar that is hanging in my kitchen. Once a week, I plan an entire week’s worth of meals and write them down for each day on the calendar. I also try to write down whatever veggies, sides (and even desserts on occassion) along with the main dish. I usually plan for 1 leftovers night, 1 easy night (i.e. hot dogs or quesadillas or mac ‘n cheese, etc.), 1 “good sport” night (where I get to try a new recipe and my husband can’t complain about it if he doesn’t like it). The rest I usually do our favorite recipes.

I then look up all the recipes and their ingredients, make sure we have everything, and go to the store and buy everything else we need (also keeping in mind what we’ll need for breakfast and lunches).

This saves me so much time. I can usually do this in about an hour or so (minus the grocery shopping), and then every day I know for sure what I’m going to make. Sometimes I switch Monday for Thursday (for example) due to conveinance or because it just sounds better that day.

I also try to keep somewhat of a mental inventory of what I have in the fridge that needs to be used and try to make dishes that will use those ingredients. So less waste of money for us!

By: Hilary

Hilary — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:16:33 +0000

Thanks for the tips. It’s always good to put a little more focus on dinner.
LOVE the crock pot — mostly because it forces you to do your tips since you need to get the stuff in so early.

By: pam

pam — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:18:02 +0000

I agree! I made up your bean brownie, well I made my brownie recipe only used beans, mine turn out dry, but tasted good, does this work better with the brownie box mix then your own recipe? sence I had left over beans I made up a batch of my cookies and I had one child said they like it and I have two still trying to figure out why they taste a little different, shh I didn’t tell them and I made them when they were gone, I just smile big when I see them eat the cookie, I have a son who will not go near a bean so I smile really big, when the cookies are gone I just might tell him and maybe I won’t. -smiles-

By: Jannalee

Jannalee — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:06:14 +0000

Those are great tips we also try to utilize in our home. Another thing we like to do is plan out an entire month of dinner menues. Teenagers are good to help with this. Then you can look at the week and see exactly what you are having for dinner and plan accordingly. After all, we know that thinking of what to have for dinner is half the battle!