People who update their Facebook pages or Twitter streams with the impressive, healthy, complicated dinners they are concocting for their families are darling.
You know who I’m talking about — those pals who post around 5 p.m. each night “Poached halibut in saffron broth,” “five spice chicken with cucumber salad,” “pan-roasted duck with dried-cherry sauce.” And I’m not talking about professional foodie folks like Aviva and Andrea whose job it is to provide us with recipe inspiration. I’m awed by the doctors, executives, parents who work their booties off all day and once home they turn into Jacques Pépin.
I think it’s interesting to hear what other people are making. I’m not criticizing the practice. It’s great way to track food trends, since according to Facebook half the world is making kale chips, detox smoothies and cake pops. I picture my friends leisurely cooking in enormous kitchens with sparkling copper pots while classical music softly plays.
Susan Albers, Psy. D. of Eating Mindfully writes in her article in Psychology Today, “Food is social. It’s no surprise that food photos have their fair share of time on Facebook.”
But let’s face it: people mainly do the dinner shout-out when they are making something they are proud of. I usually have to feed my three hungry kids well before my husband rolls in after dark, throwing together our meal with a baby on one hip while overseeing homework and a ringing phone. About half those solo nights I am able to craft something farmers’ market fresh and healthy and possibly Facebook boast-worthy. But with all the steps and prep and hollering of “Two more bites!”, there is no time to drop everything to Tweet the menu.
The other half of our busy weeknight dinners are shamefully quick, easy, sometimes processed, even weird. And I’m tempted to start posting them on Facebook to shake things up.
Here are some of those anti-boastful meals I have fed my kids, and their accompanying imaginary Facebook updates. Judge away!
“DiGiorno and a banana.”
“Hamburger casserole + bagged Caesar salad.”
“Frozen chicken breasts and broccoli florets. Dessert? Popsicles!”
“It’s clean out the crisper night! If it’s not moldy, it’s on your plate, covered in ranch dressing!”
“I’m calling it Chinese stir-fry, but I doubt any of the billion people in China have ever imbibed this.”
“Kids: Trader Joe’s nuggets, Mom: Kendall Jackson Reserve.”
“Ortega taco kit, olé!”
“When I told the kids to can it, I meant it! Annie’s Homegrown Organic P’sghetti Loops (I’m even heating them!).”
“Crock pot stew…again. One complaint and you’ll get nothing and like it.”
“Old school night: Fish sticks and Jell-O.”
“It’s peanut butter jelly time.”
Hey, at least no one went to bed hungry.
Comments
Elaine
Hahaha! In our house, we have “SMORGASBORD” night, which is when I clean out the refrigerator and line up all the foods by starch, veggie, and protein. You have to pick at least one from every row, and you get bonus points if you empty a container! I love that night.
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Delora
I love Elaine’s comment! My partner was traveling for the past month, and since I work FT, it was crockpot meals 3/5 nights, and leftovers using those crockpot meals the other 2 nights. I’m not proud, but it was healthy, somewhat tasty, cheap, and filling. I think we’re all sick of crockpot “rotisserie” chicken for a while though.
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aimee @ smilingmama
My own status update would, way to often, read: It’s breakfast for dinner!
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{sue}
You know, sometimes a (sizeable) glass of Kendall Jackson fills me up! You know I love this!
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JJ Newby
ROFL – I love Elaine’s smorgasboard! And yes — we have “clean out the fridge night” most Friday nights! And there are quite a few “canned soup because that’s what you like and it’s really, really easy and everyone is happy that way” nights.
Hysterical as usual, my dear!
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RookieMom Whitney
Love it!
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Caroline
I was reminded of this post as I popped open a jar of pasta sauce to toss with macaroni for dinner last night. Love that you’re keepin’ it real! Xoxo
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