Alright, it has been awhile since I have answered your questions from the post I asked for your questions! But I did want to finish answering them!
flutemom Says: I’m curious about your upbringing, in relation to food and menu planning and cooking, etc. did you learn these things growing up, or is it something you had to learn when you were older? what inspired you to blog about your journey and to share your experiences with others?
Answer: I did learn some things while growing up – we did try to have meal times together whenever possible. I never really thought about what all goes into the process until I was married. Meal planning became a necessity after we had a 4 year old, 2 year old, and newborn. There was just no way I could visit the grocery store every other day to pick up items – I had to have a plan! As far as what inspired me to blog my experiences… I started out with my Dine Without Whine website and later on added the blog. The business just grew from there. Dine Without Whine started because I realized how much time it was taking me to develop my weekly menu plan and grocery shopping list, and I figured I may as well share my work with others to save them time!
Nikki Says: Do you use the menus each week yourself — or are there lots of times it looks great on paper — but in reality everyone is eating tuna sandwiches potato chips and drinking a cup of iced tea.
Answer: When I first started Dine Without Whine I posted my actual personal menu for the week. Now that Menu Planning Central is in the picture and we have 4 menu options each week – obviously I can’t cook all of those every week, but I do still personally meal plan!
Melanie Says: What is your biggest challenge raising 4 children and do you see your family expanding anymore?
Answer: Oh goodness… depends what day you ask me! Some days I feel like I have it all together and other days I feel like I am completely at a loss! Probably the biggest challenge would be staying organized with who needs to be where or have what when. As soon as I get sports schedules or school notes I have to put them on the calendar and then hope for the best that I will check it! Really though, I feel like we are in a pretty good routine at this point.
As far as our family expanding more… We have talked about it. We are not completely closed to the idea, but also aren’t actively trying at the moment to get pregnant. Four feels right at the moment, but you just never know! (We’ll see if the grandparents catch that one! he he) At this point if someone asks us we generally say we are most likely done… It is a really hard decision!
Sheri Says: I am getting tired of all the same old same ole snack options for my kids. What kinds of things would you recommend?
Answer: Hmmm, well what are you tired of? My kids like yogurt, fruit, dried fruit, nuts, popcorn, pretzels, all kinds of processed goodies that I try to not let them have, smoothies, muffins, carrots/celery with dip, etc. I actually have an ebook entitled “A Year of Snacks”. I don’t sell it, but use it as a bonus for certain products and also sometimes give it away on our Facebook fan page, so join over there and watch for your chance!
temple Says: first, your kiddos are beautiful. Second, my question is how do u prepare meals on a very tight budget for 2 picky kids and an even pickier husband?
Answer: First off, THANK YOU! Second, have a family pow-wow. Sit down and have everyone shout out things they like to eat. Make a chart with breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks. Then decide what you can afford weekly, and what are special treats. For the special treats watch for sales & coupons for those items. Also, maybe pick up one or two things each week at regular price. This chart really helps when you are stuck and have no ideas what to cook too! Then if you try a new recipe each week, you can either trash it or add it to your list after it has been tried.
Michele Johnson Says: What is a favorite side dish for Thanksgiving that is nutritious too?
Answer: Oh my goodness, was it really before Thanksgiving when you guys asked these questions?!? So sorry! Well… we really like this…http://www.themenumom.com/sugar-free-pumpkin-dessert Um… not necessarily nutritious, but better than some Thanksgiving desserts! Other than that, I really like to have a veggie & fruit tray available for everyone to snack on!
Okay, that’s all for this time!
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Christine
I try to find a happy medium. I try to not have every meal of the day be things I know my picky guy won’t eat… But at the same time I do not not cook something simply because Mr. Picky won’t eat it – if there are many others in our family who will! My rule is you have to try at least one bite – even if you “know” you will not like it. (except they are all allowed to have 3-5 foods that they are free to not have ever – such as potatoes for Mr. Picky. We don’t make him take one bite of those – as we know he will gag EVERY time…) As he has gotten older, he has learned to pick around things he doesn’t like and eat the things he does. I won’t get up to make him another meal, but he has the option to make something on his own (he is 10). Generally it is something easy – or just grabbing a piece of fruit or something like that. If I can do something to help him beforehand I will. For example, he doesn’t like tomato sauce, so if we are having spaghetti, I will leave plain noodles for him – that type of thing.
