Weeks 5 and 6 Food - KC in the Kitchen

KC is nearly 17 and very capable in the kitchen.  The challenge for her is that the day is long, starts early, often requires things of her after school, and getting dinner on the table and lunches into bags is a tall order to fill.  This is the real world and she is no stranger to managing time and resources.  It isn't impossible, but it is hard to nourish and sustain a family meal after meal, day after day. 

KC had three additional challenges.  First, she had no farmers market or goods from the dairy to supplement with.  Second, she was working in the dark without a plan.  Before this challenge started, the other kids did all of their planning and shopping.  KC was otherwise engaged, so she wasn't part of that process.   She gets the final two weeks without the benefit of prep time. Finally, she had to finish up the No More Grocery Shopping challenge with me out of town.  And, she did it! Though, I did call a few times to remind her that having a meal at dinner time really was an essential part of the day.  KC is like me in that if left on our own we would be happy with popcorn and cold cereal for most meals.  She finished the 40 days of staying out of the store with pasta, curry, mac&cheese, rice&beans.  Pretty modest fair, but done with a little KC flair, no one complained.  

I think the best part of her two weeks in the kitchen came on day 41 when she could finally go to the grocery store again.  Surprisingly, the thing everyone was most anxious to have was fresh produce.  Though our final foods were nutritious and tasty, we really missed the crunch of fresh veggies when most of the meal came from long-term storage.  But, that is another essay altogether.  Here's what KC did.  

     

Day 29, Monday, November 3

Lunches - for 5

Mashed potatoes - 2lbs potatoes, cream, butter 

Corn bread 

Canned Pears 

Dinner - for 5

Hash-brown Waffle Hack

                      

Day 30, Tuesday, November 4

Dinner - for 5

Cheesy broccoli soup 

cornbread

Day 31, Wednesday, November 5

Lunch - for 6

Cornbread

Hummus 

Crackers

Dinner - for 5

Japanese Curry

Day 32, Thursday, November 6

Lunch - for 6

Pears

Pb&j

Dinner - for 6

Pizza

Day 33, Friday, November 7

Lunch - for 6

Pizza leftovers

Dinner - for 6

Egg on toast

Day 34, Saturday, November 8

Family lunch  Up north

Salads

Lasagna

Family dinner down south

Curry bar

Day 35, Sunday, November 9

Dinner at friends' house

An amazing spread that we contributed to with pasta, Alfredo sauce and homemade bread.

        

Week 6 Food - KC in the Kitchen

Day 36, Monday, November 10

Lunch - for 6

pb&j

Dinner - for 5

Japanese Curry leftovers

Day 37, Tuesday, November 11

All out for dinners

Kids at thanksgiving party

Mom at a wedding

Dad out of town

Day 38, Wednesday, November 12

Dad and Caleb out on a huge adventure

Dinner - for 2

Girls only - Mac and cheese

Day 39, Thursday, November 13

Fend For Yourself - mom and dad out of town

Kids on their own

Day 40, Friday, November 14

Mom out of town

Dinner - for 4

Beans 

Rice

Chips

Sour cream

Salsa

Day 41, Saturday, November 14

Mom still out of town

Grocery shopping again!

Sandwiches

Fruit

Salad

Day 42, Sunday, November 15 

Mom is not back yet!

Veggie burger fest

French Fries

Salad