"tidbit" from chapter 12

     "MASTER HOME COOKED MEALS (REALLY!)" is the title of Chapter twelve (12) in the book "PRETTY NEAT - the buttoned-up way to get organized and let go of perfection" (which was co-authored by Alicia Rockmore and Sarah Welch, from 'Get Buttoned Up' ). Chapter twelve (12) is the final chapter in the book, thus ending the skim through of sorts our blog has been doing of it this month.
    Today is also December 31st, 2010, which means it is the final day for submissions in the two drawings. Drawing #1 is for the blog owners who agreed to review and post about their new book. We did.  The winner of drawing #1, will be the blog owner whom has the highest number of comments on the posting about the book. HELP US WIN!!! (Yes, I'm unashamedly begging here). Leave us your own organizational tips or shortcuts !!!  Drawing #2 then, is for all of the 'commenter's'. That's YOU!! "The reader who submits the best tip ("organizational tip or short cut") across all participating blogs will also win $250.00." The winning 'tip' will be selected by Alicia Rockmore and Sarah Welch, the books co-authors.  The dead line for having submitted your tip, is Midnight, December 31st (New Years Eve). The winners will be announced on their blog 'Get Buttoned Up' on Jan. 10th, 2011.

   And now, back to chapter twelve (12) - "MASTER HOME COOKED MEALS (REALLY!)"
 I find it rather amusing, not only is organizing one of my hot buttons, but so are cooking and baking. I think it's the 'warm fuzzes' you get from home cooked meals, that make them trump the mass majority of restaurant meals. To be clear - I'm referring to 'warm fuzzy' type feelings, NOT some type of food poisoning ... o;-p
    Seeings how this subject matter is one of my hot buttons, I kept skimming... my eyes are telling me I shouldn't have... but since I did, I'm going to share several different exerts with you. ;-)  Your Welcome! :-0

    The first exert come from page one hundred and forty nine (149), the first part of the first paragraph on the page. "There's getting a meal on the table and there's getting a real meal on the table. And boy, at the end of a long day, trying to get a relatively healthy real meal on the table can be one of the most challenging things to do. ... "
    The second exert come from page one hundred and fifty one (151), the first and the last part of the first paragraph on the page. "After a long day in the trenches, most of us are ... too tired, too overwhelmed, and too full of doubt in our own capabilities to do anything more than just muddle through the evening meal... . ... the biggest impediments to getting a good meal on the table."
    Beginning of the second paragraph on page one hundred and fifty one (151). "I don't have enough time or energy. Lack of time is a very real issue."
    Beginning of the fourth paragraph on page one hundred and fifty one (151)."Picky eaters also make dinner prep more stressful. If you have to go out of your way to accommodate limited palates, it can be the thing that puts you over the edge and causes you to give up on serving a good meal altogether." Parts of the fourth paragraph on page one hundred and fifty two (152). "Experts call our tendency to cook around picky palates the "pampered palate syndrome". ... No wonder we don't want to face the dinner hour."
    Beginning of the fifth paragraph on page one hundred and fifty two (152). "A lot of the people we spoke with along the way just plum never learned to cook." Parts of the sixth paragraph on page one hundred and fifty two (152) and the first paragraph on page one hundred and fifty three (153). "The fact of the matter is a lot of people lack confidence in their ability to cook anything. ... Whatever the reason, if you think you don't know how to cook, you're not going to go out of your way to cook anything you deem difficult at mealtime."
   Beginning of the second paragraph on page one hundred and fifty three (153). "The siren call of processed foods. To get by, we increasingly rely on processed, packages, and semiprepared food, as well as takeout, to help us get something on the table quickly and relatively easily. ... "
   The second paragraph on page one hundred and fifty four (154). "Fortunately, there are plenty of people who have figured out ways to make healthy weeknight meals at home, quickly. Examining their tricks made us realize it doesn't take any more effort, really, to prepare a healthy meal then it does to prepare a less healthy one."
   Parts of the fourth paragraph on page one hundred and fifty four (154)."The first few times you cook anything, ..., it's going to take some time. ... The people who are naturally good at preparing healthy meals quickly didn't get there overnight. They practiced making the good dishes often enough that it became second nature." The first paragraph on page one hundred and fifty seven (157). "It's amazing how a little bit of practice can make something that was once complicated and time-consuming easier. Start small, make up one or two healthy menus, and master the dishes in each. Then gradually add new ones to your repertoire. The next thing you know, you'll be a pro."
   Parts of the second paragraph on page one hundred and fifty eight (158). "The second trick of those who magically throw together healthy meals is that they look to reduce drag anywhere they can. They streamline their what's-for-dinner process by making a plan for the week ... . They streamline their shopping with lists ... . They streamline their prep by having essential tools within arm's reach."
   The fourth paragraph on page one hundred and fifty nine (159)."Let's face it, there are going to be days that just suck the wind out of you. On those day's, there is just no way you're going to want to cook. Have a "free" night scheduled into the week, just in case. Know what your healthy backup plan is - - whether it's reheating something frozen you made earlier, eating leftovers, or ordering a pizza, so you're not heading out for super-fatty fast food at the eleventh hour."

    So... what shortcuts do you use in order to get healthy home cooked meals on your dinner table? We REALLY want to know!! Yes, in part for the sake of the drawing. But also because we're personally curious! We're always looking for such tips!!!

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    Reminder: use the "link" in the side bar of our blog, to go back to the original posting which introduced this book and the connected drawings. Then, leave your "organization tip or short-cut" (methodology) under that posting. That way, it will be counted for our overall number and they will be sure and find it to consider it in drawing #2. :-)  Thanks!!! ;->

     Brian and Cheryl B. from, The Bz House That Love Built