Toddler Fare Ideas

[saverchic]

I am at my wits end! I have two two-year-olds who are teething, getting over the flu, and feeling extra grumpy. I'm having trouble slipping away for a few minutes to make meals for them during the day because they are so clingy, and are fighting with each other over absolutely everything. (Today there was an argument about who was holding the tissue. I wish I had been able to videotape it)

I've been thinking of prepping things for them ahead of time so I can just pull them out of the fridge and serve them right away. Has anyone else done this? I need to do something to make the next few days a little better than the last few days. Phew!

[Rosemary]

That's how I cook nearly all the time, and my daughter is way beyond toddlerhood. I prefer to cook when I can concentrate and enjoy the meditative experience - not when everyone is tired and hungry and crabby, including myself. Sometimes I cook at 6am, sometimes at 9pm, sometimes during the day when I have some time.

[saverchic]

Today was better, but I've decided I need a game plan. What that's going to be...I don't know. Need more sleep and then I'll start trying to come up with something.

[Rosemary]

Maybe a good place to start is foods that don't need a lot of cooking or prep. For a toddler some of these might be:
fruit
raw veggies (even though you have to slice them, that takes a lot less time than cooking or baking)
applesauce
cheese
yogurt
leftover rice or other grains, or leftover pasta
and other leftovers - cook dinners with "snacks" in mind. Snacks don't have to be "snack food;" it's better if they aren't. Snacks can be anything that's ready to go, like leftover chili or soup, leftover chicken slices and green beans, etc.

[decemberlov]

I did lots of ready to go stuff in the fridge when my little one were that little and still do now since they both pack a lunch for school everyday. Some quick little meals my kidos like:

tuna and crackers - no mayo just open a can and serve :)
cheese and fresh fruits & veggies
Veggie burgers that I just had to microwave for a few seconds
Peanut butter & apples
Hard boiled eggs boiled & peeled ahead of time.

[dogmom]

Cooked Sausages cut into chunks
Rice cakes with any spread
Little portions of cheesey mash or mash with bacon mixed in - freeze and microwave
Little portions of risotto - freeze and microwave
Meatballs
Slices of cooked bacon with fruit
Slices of carrot
Bananas

[Mrs-M]

Saverchic. That's what cribs are for. :) Mommy, too, needs both downtime and household duty time.

My saving-grace was always leftovers. Oh... how I still love leftovers! I'm not big on pre-meal planning/preparation, I simply go with the flow and turn-out whatever I have on my mind that day, or whatever another family member suggests.

Nonetheless, start small, like with preparing a pan of lasagna and freezing it, then make a pot of soup and freeze that, too. Sooner or later you'll have an emergency ration of frozen goods (on hand) to rely on for times when life is hectic or you're bushed.

I'll admit that I miss the baby days in our house, but I do like to be able to do things now without someone clinging to the leg of my pants. LOL!

[Mrs-M]

To add... one thing that just came to mind, I'm remembering how I used to sit my youngest one down on the counter (kitchen counter) beside me when I was washing dishes, then go to work doing dishes while he sat there happy and content, sucking his bottle/soother and babbling at me.

How about pulling-up their highchairs close to the counter, and while they sit and watch and keep you company, you can tend to whatever you're wanting to do? Little ones love getting involved with grown-up things. If you're washing dishes, etc, pass them each a dry tea-towel, and have them hold the towel for you while your washing. Maybe give them a plastic cup to fake dry, just to make them feel important. You'd be amazed at how receptive kids are of that.