Upon leaving the school, I went to the grocery store to buy some items for a dinner I need to take to one of our neighbors tonight. I foolishly asked the 9 year old boy in that family what he would like for dinner (he's in Landon's class) and he said "burritos!" Um, okay. Since my kids don't eat burritos I'm kind of at a loss as to what's kid-friendly to put in them. Whenever I take dinner to someone I want them to really like it and not end up stuck with weird food they won't eat (like I would be if someone brought me dinner--I got Hawaiian haystacks after I had Landon and no one would eat them).
But this usually ends up resulting in a lot of overthinking on my part. I'm taking into consideration the fact that they've been receiving a lot of dinners lately so they're probably getting a lot of lasagnas and chicken dishes right? I was thinking meatloaf might be a tasty plan, but then again some people have issues with meatloaf. I don't know. I guess I'm safe if I make sure to bring a good dessert right? Oh the pressure...
The irony of all of this is that I rarely make dinner for my own family, so it ends up being a 3 hour production when I take dinner to someone else. I like to do it and yet don't at the same time. I'm mental.
**Do you get bugged when plans
change after you're geared up to do them?
Do you overthink taking dinner to someone else?
What's inside a kid-friendly burrito?**
change after you're geared up to do them?
Do you overthink taking dinner to someone else?
What's inside a kid-friendly burrito?**
27 comments:
I love this post because you have described me. I hate when I am mentally ready for something and it changes - I don't do so well with change (especially if it is spur of the moment)
I understand the dinner dilemma. I get way nervous taking food into someone else but I just try to tell myself that they are probably just thrilled to have food they didn't have to cook. I'm sure they will be pleased with whatever you bring.
As for kid friendly burritos...I would have beans, cheese, olives (my kiddos love them), onions, tomatoes, sour cream and avocados - this is what we put in ours (oh I forgot salsa) If the kids don't like some of the things they can just not put them in the burrito - bean and cheese is just as filling.
I am always working towards the goal of 'going with the flow' and not getting unwound when things change on me. I do not like having my cheese moved, ha!
I have never taken a dinner to someone that I didn't over think. For me it's just what goes along with it.
Kid friendly burritos around here are pretty boring and only have beans and cheese. But they eat them so good, I don't even care!
When I had my last child a few months ago, I got three nights of Chicken Enchiladas. I like Chicken Enchiladas, but 3 nights was a little extreme. I always stress about taking dinner to someone else, because I don't cook much and am worried that it will be disgusting. I have started taking things like tacos and sloppy joe's since most kids like these things and I can't mess them up too badly. Good luck. I'm sure it will be great.
That is a bummer about the field day- esp since it has been nice since after lunchtime.
Beans and cheese- I don't think you can go wrong there with kids. Some good salsa and chips or Spanish rice on the side and then a dessert and I think you would be good to go. We like black beans, white beans, and corn heated up then rolled in a tortilla with cheese inside and out- heated up in the oven so it is all gooey. Super easy.
When I take dinner to someone, I always just take one of our favorite dinners over that I have made countless times so I don't stress about it. I cook a lot though too, so it more just feels like I am making double instead of a whole new creation.
Good luck!
I can't believe they just flat out canceled it? Oh well, maybe it was the right thing to do? It was pouring here for a few minutes today but that was at 8:30 & then it stopped. bummer for the kids- but I guess that's life.
I stress out completely when taking dinner, unless it's someone I know pretty well. The thought of them hating it is pretty intimidating. kid friendly burritos- definately beans & cheese!
I do get a bit bugged when things change, at least for a litle while. Then I usually go with the new flow.
I stress about taking food to people too, though I love to do it. I always worry about them liking it or worry is mine going to be the fifth lasagna or mysterious casserole. But, like you, I throw in dessert just in case. No matter what, I'm sure the meal is appreciated and that's most important.
Kid-friendly burrito = beans, rice, cheese, shredded chicken. Bland. But they like 'em. Too bad your dinner's tonight because I have a great crockpot recipe!
Good luck with dinner tonight! I love to take dinner to people because I love to cook. I do NOT love to cook when I'm pregnant.
Denise is TOTALLY right: I think most people are happy to have food brought that they didn't have to think about, shop for, or cook! They'll love your dinner!
have you made the burrito recipe on my blog - so easy and so kid friendly, just take out the green chilies.
smart kid asking for mexican food my favorite!!!
i always spend way more energy making dinner for someone else than myself or my family.
what am i thinking just take them cafe rio - they would love you!
I really enjoy bringing dinner to other people because I know how much I enjoy it when it't done for me. I am always worried that it will be the one time it doesn't turn out good :)
AND that whatever I fix they for sure got it the night before.
I definitely over think it!
I always welcome a change in plans if that change leaves me with some free moments to myself. Ah the bliss!
I love making dinners for families in our ward. It forces me to make dinner for my family, too, which is sometimes too rare a thing around our house! Of course I also feel obligated to clean my kitchen from top to bottom to make sure I'm also giving a sanitary meal (not that my kitchen isn't sanitary, mind you!).
A kid friendly burrito has beans and cheese. At least that's kid friendly in our house!
I'm surprised they didn't contact you to tell you it had been cancelled! (?) Oh well, at least it sounds like the kids were still having fun.
I don't mind taking meals to people. I have been known to call someone and ask them what their favorite pizza restaurant is and just take them some pizza and bagged salad and ice cream sandwiches. Most of the time it is viewed as a pleasant surprise (a treat!). I also love to use my fall-back recipe: Sausage and Potato Casserole. It is easy to make; it isn't chicken, Mexican food, or lasagna; I have never heard anyone didn't like it (on the contrary I have been asked for the recipe twice); and I always add easy stuff with it like a bag of rolls, a bag of salad, and a dessert. Feel free to e-mail me if you want the recipe--although it won't help you much tonight :)
We eat a lot of Mexican food at our house and basically the kids either eat beans and cheese or they eat chicken...I guess I'm not a fancy cook! :)
Seriously. Today was so weird. I woke up and put on shorts, but then I was freezing, so I changed into long pants and a sweater, and by now, my air conditioning is on! Crazy old Utah. Gotta love it.
I tend to be a bit bugged when plans change but then I quickly change course and enjoy the "free" time. (Most of the time, I had probably been dreading the obligation anyway!)
I do overthink it when I take dinner to someone. Will they like it? What have people already brought? etc. But when I'm the recipient of meals, I'm just thrilled to not have to think about it. One of the best things is having someone just bring pizza!
I am laughing at this post because I am the same way when it comes to making dinner for other people. I WAY over do it...it is an all day production and a five course meal!! BRandon likes it only beacause it means he finally gets a "real" dinner complete with sides, salad and dessert! But it wears me out and I am always so afraid the people just throw it out! Oh, the pressure!! Good luck!
Yes, I totally get bugged when plans get changed. It definitely takes me awhile to switch gears.
I was going to suggest chicken enchiladas for you to make for dinner (because after I had Daniel that was the best meal we got), but then I read Sarah's comment and now I'm thinking...maybe not. Evidently the word's out on enchiladas! How funny!
I agree with the bean & cheese verdict. Daniel would eat that, and he's pretty picky. So I think it's safe.
I really enjoy taking dinner to people and have been doing it weekly for a neigbor who has really bad health issues. I always do the no fail fedichini alfredo with shrimp or chicken and a mexican lasagna. Both tasty and not usualy on the "regular" menus for most. It is always though just double what I make for our family. I have even done a rotissery chicken from costco and cheese potatoes and that is always a hit. I hope the meal went well! I am sure it was tasty.
I took dinner to a friend and apologized profusely for bring meatloaf, because it is such a hit or miss meal. She started laughing and told me her most favorite meal is meatloaf.
I think it is always a safe choice.
Burritos for kids would involve beans and cheese for me
It's good to see that those of us who stress over taking dinners are in the majority. Funny how for some it is so easy because they are cooking naturals. I make a lot of dinners, but they aren't fancy enough to take to someone most of the time. So it's always a production. I find it hard to get it all done and all the way over to the family without getting sweaty and exhausted and embarrassed about my presentation!
What the heck is a Hawiian Haystack?
When I bring dinner, I usually pick up a whole chicken (from the deli, already prepared), a bagged salad, and a loaf of bread. Boring, I know, but I figure most families with small kids will eat chicken and lettuce, if nothing else! It's also easy for me to do that if it's last minute or if I had to work that day. If I'm bringing food because they are sick or something stressful happened, Kim makes them her Taco Soup since I think of it as "comfort food."
Jill, I think that no matter what people always enjopy the gesture of someone taking the time to bring them food. Food is nourishment and we all need it, so what better thing to do for a family who needs help, right? I mean, just the gesture oif taking the time to bring a family a meal is nourishment for the soul, you giving your time to help someone else.
My kids like the chicken enchiladas we make with rice, cheese, black beans, green chilies, and cream cheese inside. Lots of goodness!
About the dinner thing- my friend once had someone bring them a casserole surprise with chopped hot dogs, chunks of beef, tater tots, green beans, and who knows what else... sorry, but that's a risk isn't it?
I would love for someone to order us our favorite pizza...that would be fun, especially since it is out of the norm for us. I can see you get all worked up...relax missy and just go pick up some taco bell....oh some taco time...oh how I missed my chicken burrito...they were closed on SUNDAY! next time I am in town.
ciao bella
ps. i got your lovely lovely lovely surprise today! what a treat! what an amazing card and label? hehehehehhe
I am looking forward to this excitment in b&n
I get bugged when my plans change at the last minute. I need to work on "going with the flow."
I have a standard menu I take when making a meal for someone else: either parmesan chicken or "Noodle Bake" (a really easy, sort of fake lasagna). It always turns out to be more of a project than I think it will be, and I'm not sure why.
I always overthink dinner for someone else. It seems that chicken and rice is usually very popular, so I try to avoid that.
Kid friendly burritos? Chicken and cheese or ground beef and cheese and beans with either.
The weather was so weird, but cancelling field day? It started out nice and sunny, but by mid-morning was completely dark and there was a major downpour of rain and hail, then it warmed up and got sunny again.
My husband loves when I offer to bring a family a meal. It means he gets dessert during the week!
I am the same--I get really bugged when plans change and I have no control (however, if it means some extra "free time" my bugged feeling leaves pretty quickly). I also over-think dinners when I take meals to people, and it usually means a much more elaborate meal than I usually make for my family, which makes everyone happy (except for the one stuck with the clean-up!). I'm sure your meal was great and appreciated, whatever you decided, because it meant that the family didn't have to worry about cooking.
I am still surprised the field day was cancelled that seems like a "no matter what" event. At least the kids still had a good time.
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