So...whats for dinner?

Artista928

He's not eating meals that are healthy. I hope he qualifies. That would be the only snag. I've read the site and it seems like he'd qualify. Bro will call and give the situation. He's not looking for freebies. It is much cheaper than regular cooked meal deliveries.

Artista928

I wonder about the taste though since it's for seniors...

MinusTwo

Artista - Taste is an issue.

For the last 8+ years of my Dad's life, he didn't want regular meals. (he died at 96) If I was out there, he would eat poached fish or omelettes or whatever reasonably soft things that I'd cook. When we went out to a restaurant, he ate the soft middle of the sourdough bread and I ate the crusts.

When I wasn't there, he ate milky way bars and cokes. Breakfast was glazed doughnuts if he could get them, or sometimes instant oatmeal with lots of sugar. He ate Saltine crackers with smooth peanut butter. Or dinner rolls with jelly or honey. He liked applesauce in the little containers. Occasionally little containers of jello. He liked instant mashed potatoes in the individual microwave containers. Sometimes a can of pork & beans. A cup of coffee in the morning. And he was always happy if someone took him a lemon meringue or banana cream pie.

Lots of people criticized me that I didn't make him eat well balanced meals and vegetables every day. Well first off - I was in Texas and he was in CA. Second he refused to let any caregivers cook at all - ever (he didn't like the smells). And finally, I give up & figured he'd paid his dues & made it 90 years, so he should pretty much be allowed to eat what he wanted.

I'll be interested in the details of 'meals on wheels'. I expect I'll need those myself in 15-20 years, assuming I don't break a hip & can stay in my little house.

For those of you who have been following my weird meals over the years, it just occurred to me I came by the tendency naturally from my Dad. Must be hereditary. Tonight's dinner was white cheese Queso on Crunchmaster crackers, a custard cup of Spanish Peanuts and two pieces of chocolate/carmels - accompanied by Black Cloud red blend wine.

Lacey12

Belated birthday wishes, Sandy!

Earlier this past weekend, DH was once again at his western MA board meeting, and I'd been doing errands all day in anticipation of our five day caretaking of DGD, so when I arrived home, and it was dinnertime, I enjoyed a Minus- style dinner of baba ganoush with bagel chips, then some peanuts with a glass of port.

Tonight, we are in night three with almost 8 month old DGD here, (parents on a four day getaway before DS2 starts a new position) and have to catch adult task time when we can (when she is asleep or spending a few hours at daycare. DS2 insisted we take her there at least two days since she is an energy depleter given her advancing motor skills with no judgment included! So, today we started the day with her at 5AM, and had a friend visit at 7AM to meet her and play with us....a first for me! it worked for her since she was dropping her DH off at the local hospital for a routine test at that hour.

So by 11AM we were already tired, and drove a half hour to her family daycare. Then headed to grocery store where there was a sale on previously frozen cod. I couldn't recall if this was the cod I'd been unhappy with a couple of months ago, so took a chance...since the freshly caught was 16 dollars a pound! Clearly a high effort fishing season.

Soooo....while DGD was “playing with“ her little friends at daycare, I set up our dinner of oven baked cod topped with onions and portobella mushrooms, seasoned with garlic, pepper, and dried thyme and served with lemon. Sides were a garden salad (also prepped before we left to pick up DGD), and microwaved sweet potatoes. Amazingly, it all worked out well and as I was giving the baby her last bottle and putting her to bed, DH monitored the baking cod, added my already sautéed veggies, and microwaved the potatoes. New idea for baby monitor use...send instructions down to kitchen for DH when you can’t yell them down!

I think we shall take advantage of another half day of her childcare so I can cook some chicken for tomorrow night's dinner. I am such a last minute dinner maker, but that does not fly with hungry, tired babies in the house at our usual dinner hour. Not sure how I ever raised kids and fed my family daily. Ha! Maybe being 40 years younger had something to do with it! By the time she leaves, we will have this schedule down pat! 😉

Artista, does your dad live near a Traders? They carry some very tasty microwaveable dinners in their prepared foods section along with prepared salads. And some very decent veggie lasagna dishes in the freezer section. Wondering if you/he could contract with someone locally to do pick up and drop off of some of these by the week.Good luck in your search for nutrition support for him!

MinusTwo

Lacey - I'd use the part time day care EVERY day. And I'd sit down with a book or take a nap while she's gone. DH can hold her while you prep/cook dinner. If not, he can go get take-out. You're right. We're not 25 anymore.

Lacey12

Minus, we were just cross posting...😉😉😉

Loved the memory ofyour dad and you and the ah ha connection of your creative meal style!

In thinking about feeding the ninety-somethings, I am trying to find a way to send a few meals to my 92 year old step-mother who just underwent lung surgery today for a primary site cancer,... and is supposedly expected to recover well. But obviously she will need good nutrition, but is trying to avoid having anyone come to her home for meal prep or other support. Am guessing I’ll try to find some restaurants in the (CT) area where I can order her some takeout to be delivered. Any other ideas for this short term need? Hard to mail her my kale soup which she loves.

Artista928

They prioritize people. Lower income, not doing well nutrition wise will get in. If you aren't seen that way then it's a line if funds are short. My dad is big on taste since he has no conditions and is fine other than hemiplegia. They'll call him this week. If he's seen as needing meals help then they will come to his home to meet him and maybe set him up. Everyone gets the same meals, same portions. Different areas may have a little different criteria. I googled Irvine Ca meals on wheels and called them. Got my questions answered. I'm thinking he won't go for it since I'm guessing that since it's cheap or free if you're struggling that it's not going to taste like a restaurant like meal. But he'll talk to them since I did the digging. Maybe later on it'll come in handy but for now at 81, he's not terribly concerned about all healthy eating since he's depressed from losing a lot of mobility. I should talk. I'm a buy prepared stuff as it's just me. He's got great reads on bp, cholesterol, no health issues. I just always worry more about loved ones than myself. I really don't want to live to be old. I'm ready any time now.

MinusTwo

Lobster Bisque from Costco for lunch.

I found the most delicious sounding Brown Sugar Rum Cake recipe this morning. Too bad I have meetings throughout the day and tonight or I'd be going to the grocery store. Then of course I'd have to find someone to help me eat the 9x13 cake.

Magari

Hi, all! I've been "away" since before the holidays, so hope everyone enjoyed whatever celebrations/visits they may have had and that you've all recovered from any drama. Happy birthday to Sandy as well!

I ate and drank a little more than usual in December, and managed to gain about 10 pounds. Which is atypical, and ends up being a whole size on my 5'4" frame. I maintained my weight for 14 months on Arimidex, so I am blaming the Femara. Have switched back to Arimidex and hope SEs will be manageable.

Meanwhile, I'm eating loads of salads and have so far lost maybe 2 pounds.... Frustrating.

Last night I sauteed some mushrooms and spinach and made a strata. Very small piece for me with salad of bitter greens and radishes.

I made lamb shanks over the weekend with Israeli couscous, so we have leftovers from that for tonight or tomorrow. It was a lighter recipe using white wine that I adapted for the Instant Pot, and it turned out really well.

Don't know yet what else we'll be eating this week.

MinusTwo

Magari - good to see you. You always have interesting meals. I'm sure the weight will drop just walking those hills.

ChiSandy

Artista, does your part of CA have "Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating?" They have two plans--1200 cal. for women, 1800 for men or bigger eaters. Designed for weight loss, but seniors do have lower calorie maintenance needs. The meals, delivered weekly, come cooked & plated--frozen or refrigerated. You have to nuke them (and some come with a piece of fruit that isn't ripe at the beginning of the week, and if by the time you're supposed to eat it, they suggest nuking it too). I was on it (the 1200-cal plan) about 15 yrs. ago. I wasn't nuts about it--no beef, pork or shellfish, no fish other than tuna; low-sodium, the only seasoning was black pepper. But for someone with difficulty tasting, it might work. They seem to have added more pastas, pizzas, etc. since I was on it.

Fri. night went out after temple for Mexican food with friends. Had a Caesar salad (no croutons) and as my entree the grilled seafood appetizer (scallops, prawns, calamari, with carrots, kale & onions). Sat., the leftover venison from Thurs. with a salad. Sun. night we went to Gibson's steakhouse/Hugo's Frog Bar (next to each other, shared kitchen & menu). Shared a giant stone crab claw as an app., crouton-less Caesar (this one was much better than at the Mexican joint), and my entree was miso-glazed Chilean sea bass on a bed of peas & maitake mushrooms; Bob's was a bone-in ribeye with side orders of button mushrooms & steamed spinach. I got two more meals out of the leftover steak & veggies. Tomorrow night is Broadway Cellars' "Greatest Hits" wine pairing dinner.

Reader425

I so enjoy reading everyone's food descriptions; so although I don't post that much please know I'm really inspired by these delicious descriptions!

For us tonight it was previously homemade Chicken Enchiladas (freezer), mixed greens with a lot of veggies thrown in and at DH request I made toll house chocolate chip cookies for him this evening.

I got my labs back and things looked good but was encouraged to keep trying to lose weight. Next week is an echocardiogram due to family history, a BP check since i was high at the docs, a gyn appt. Then I can give all this medical stuff a rest for a bit! I have 32 more days to go before stopping Arimidex and am looking forward to that. It has not been horrible for me like for some women but I think it does push my blood pressure up.

I should cross post this to the Arimidex board I guess. 🙂

Artista928

Chi, My dad has sharp working taste buds. Should things change I'll keep recommendations. Thanks.

MinusTwo

Reader - I've been trying to do the same - schedule medical things in clumps and then several months w/o anything. Oh - toll house cookies. Memories of my childhood. And my son's childhood. I miss baking but I live alone and guess who would eat all that stuff.

Yesterday I had the last of Laurie's Salsa chicken. Today I'll finally get to the lobster bisque.

Thinking of Special over in Hawaii. Such a gorgeous place.

Thinking of Illimae who recently had surgery and is still having esophageal issues. Lots of problems swallowing, and so problems eating & drinking. We're still in your pocket.

SpecialK

Hi guys! I'm back, although I wish I was still in Hawaii - minus is right, it is a very beautiful place. I did cook most of the time I was there - nothing memorable - just stuff made with minimal ingredients that could be used up by the time we left. We only ate a few meals out, but had a killer lobster pappardelle in Santa Barbara on our way to Hawaii, some good Kahlua pork tacos with a Moscow Mule overlooking the ocean at Turtle Bay, and some excellent banana and macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup at a tiny place (about 10 tables) on a cliff in Napili in Maui, again overlooking the ocean! Do you sense the theme? Also, the best shave ice - Hawaiian Root Beer with a snow cap over macadamia nut ice cream consumed while watching the sunset at Sugar Beach, with a whale lolling around in front of us spouting. Seriously, did not want to come home...

Happy belated b-day chisandy!

My SILs arrive tomorrow and I am planning Cuban pork roast, black beans and lime cilantro rice with strawberry cream cheese pie (yes, strawberry season is here in FL!) for the first night of their visit, and grilled ribeyes with gorgonzola, scalloped potatoes, green beans almondine, and coffee ice cream brownie sundaes for the second night. We will go out to lunch on Sat after the planned walk/run event they always come for on this particular weekend.

auntienance

Welcome back SK, love the tropical sound of the food!

We are on day 5 of no sun here and I'm definitely feeling the effects.

Last night was Senate bean soup (with a side of irony) and corn bread. I have a pork tenderloin in the fridge so I think I'll make cutlets tonight with a baked sweet potato for me, russet for dh, and sauteed green beans. Perhaps some applesauce too.

The gloomy weather was perfect for doing taxes. Ours is fairly uncomplicated these days but it still gave me a headache.

Lacey12

Nance, wish I could bottle a few days of sunshine and ship it to you! I was so relieved that we had a few sunny, “mildish” days this week so that we could take our little indoor energy consuming granddaughter out for walks. Our winter has been amazingly mild. Not sure what to think about that! 🤨 I’m impressed that you took care of taxes already. I have to admit I have not done taxes since being married. DH came with his accounting background and I just support him through his misery, relieved that it isn’t me!

Welcome home, Special! Sounds like you had a great trip with some wonderful meals and views! Your meal plans for your visiting SILs sound delicious.

On Wed, we took GGD home after having her here for five days. What a delightfully exhausting time! Since DS2 and DDIL would be coming home to an empty refrigerator, I decided to make them dinner and deliver it when we dropped off the baby. I made a chicken parmesan casserole over “little ear” pasta, and included a caesar salad with a creamy caesar dressing I made for the first time. Earlier that afternoon, we took the baby out for a walk and stopped into “Treat” (a cupcake place which rarely sees me!) to buy two cupcakes to fortify “the parents” for the rigors awaiting them! I slept much of Thursday and it felt great!

We had the same chicken parm for dinner on Wed, and finished the leftovers tonight.

Tomorrow night we head to the Celtics game, so we’ll eat there. Sunday we are going to a matinee play in Back Bay and will have dinner afterward at a restaurant in that neighborhood selected by the friend we are bringing. I’ll enjoy the respite from meal prep for those two evenings.

auntienance

Lacey, I would gladly take your offering of sun - none again today. There is the promise of some late tomorrow and a full day Sunday. We shall see. Last year we went fourteen full days without sun (DH keeps a weather diary.)

DH wanted fast food burgers, so that's what we had, unsatisfactory though they were. Total waste of calories.

Tomorrow night is chicken pot pies.

ChiSandy

A strange object was spotted in the sky over Chicago this morning: it was round and seemed to emanate light. Several TV viewers submitted photos of it, filtered by clouds. (Because of that, we actually hit 40 briefly this afternoon).

Wed. night was B'way Cellars' "Greatest Hits" wine pairing dinner. (For wines, see "how about drinking" thread). First course was a New Orleans seafood (shrimp, crab & crawfish) vol-au-vent (puff pastry shell) with arugula. Salad was poached egg over jamon Serrano, shaved Manchego cheese, mesclun, with a base of potato latke. Next came seared duck breast with beet-and-chêvre salad with watercress; followed by a nice big melt-in-your-mouth beef short rib over wild mushroom risotto. Finally, dessert was a pear poached in port, stuffed with mascarpone, in a port-chocolate sauce. Yeah, I ate the carbs. (That's why God invented starch-blocker capsules).

Last night, I ordered out for wings from a new place up the street in Rogers Park--they were "naked" before frying, and delicious. I supplemented the meager celery sticks with about three more "ribs" worth of sticks. Tonight, before our choir performance at temple, there was an Oneg Shabbat (a light cold fish & dairy buffet with crudites & fruit). But I can't sing on a full stomach (well, I can, but my pitch goes a bit "south" due to poor ab support), so I spurned the pickled herring, veggies, cheeses & fruit. It was the rabbi's birthday, so one congregant baked three cakes (champagne, Mt. Dew, Black Forest), which I admired before heading home to a smoked chicken quarter, mixed salad, blistered shishito peppers & sauteed broccolini. 88% dark chocolate (couple of sm. squares) for dessert, with a low-carb decaf cappuccino.

Think I'll make either shakshuka or a multi-veg omelet tomorrow for brunch. Mariano's (the grocery across the street from my audiologist appt.) had no pico de gallo (just "meh" salsa) for Bob's tortilla chips, so I'll make some tomorrow out of jalapeños, serranos, Fresno chiles, onion, tomato & cilantro.

MinusTwo

I met my ex-DH and his wife for our fancy "Christmas" lunch today. Yeah, just a little late. She hasn't joined us for any meals since 2018. But then he & I usually eat at unpretentious places serving things like patty melts or hand tossed pizza. It was nice to see her. He married someone my same age - not a trophy wife - so there were lots of common topics.

We went to Perry's Steakhouse. They started with crab cakes and I started with the signature fried asparagus topped with jumbo lump crab meat (in memory of my SIL because it was her favorite). They split a salad of spinach with warm bacon vinaigrette. Perry's has an amazing 7 finger pork chop that they carve tableside, but it's more 'firm' in the middle (even drier) than I like my pork. We all had the lunch cut filet with potatoes & a vegetable medley. I like their veggies because they aren't too hard but still not too soft. I switched out the potatoes for sauteed spinach. Since I'd passed on a salad, I ordered roasted 'sweet sriracha Brussels Sprouts'. They were OK but maybe too sweet? I'll have to report after I eat the leftovers. Also I'm not a big fan of sprouts roasted until 1/2 of the outside leaves are black & crispy. We ordered three spoons & split the new dessert - Buttersotch Budino - a butterscotch custard topped with creamy caramel sauce and Maldon sea salt. My leftovers will make two more full meals.

Sunday I'm going with a friend to see The Fantastiks. I haven't seen the play since the early 60s in San Francisco. It's the inaugural play at the new building for Stages Rep Theater - which includes 3 separate stages. We have a short list of restaurants for dinner but decided to make the final choice based on our taste buds Sunday afternoon.

Happy weekend everyone.

carolehalston

No cooking and minimal eating the last few days. I began feeling “not well” on the way home from our OK visit. Fever, dry hacking painful coughing raised fears of pneumonia. I’m taking an antibiotic and will have a chest x-ray on Monday if I’m not better.

There has been some improvement so I hope I will be over this by next week.

MinusTwo

Carole - so sorry to read you're under the weather. Hope it doesn't turn into pneumonia. You don't need another bout with that.

How's your DH about bringing home deli soups? Or at least opening a can? Sure hope he doesn't get the bug.

auntienance

Sunshine substitute

M0mmyof3

Hubby said he was cooking tonight since I am down with a cold.

MinusTwo

HOORAY for husbands cooking!!!

Reader425

Hello all, with a lot of running around today, DH wanted to stop at " Roadhouse" for Dunch as I've seen it called here. Grilled smothered chicken (with mushrooms and onions), buttered corn and an un-loaded sweet potato weren't too bad. But those rolls! At 237 calories a pop, and I had 2, this needs to be an infrequent treat. All was good and I took quite a bit home. 🍗🌽🍠

ChiSandy

Carole, sorry you're under the weather. Rest up, hydrate, and take the whole prescription till it's gone--even if you feel better partway through.

Yesterday en route home I stopped in at Mariano's and brought home a large smoked half chicken (they have an in-store BBQ). Tonight I had half the breast (it's a BIG breast--if chickens wore bras, at least a G cup), with pan-roasted Brussels sprouts, slaw and raw snap peas. Dessert was mixed berries. Made a jumbo-egg shakshuka for brunch, with sliced olives & feta.

Tomorrrow will be a Super Bowl party at a local restaurant, with all the usual game-day foods. Gonna have to eat "around" the carbs (brats w/o the bun, Italian beef w/o the bread, guac w/o the chips, etc.). Probably eat a very light breakfast--sleep in.

auntienance

Let's hear it for the sun! Full force today - yay!

Nothng but Superbowl food tonight, even though we won't watch the game we always have the food - buffalo wings with blue cheese and celery sticks, bbqd shrimp, jalapeno poppers little (L'il) smokies and coleslaw.

Carole, I do hope you're on the mend and your chest x ray is clear. Take care of yourself. Eveytime I venture out all I can hear are people coughing and sniffling making me want to run the other way.

ChiSandy

Yeah, Friday night at temple on the choir platform the tenor sitting behind me was coughing like crazy--but only after I shook his hand for the Shalom "sign of peace" early on (yeah, we Reform Jews do that too--it's not just for Mass any more). I have a gig this coming Friday--which I had to cancel back in 2018 when I broke my hand & arms. Not gonna miss this one.

MinusTwo

Oh my goodness Nance, I haven't thought about L'il Smokies in years. Nor appetizer meatballs in sauce with grape jelly.