I HATE DINNER TIME.... HELP ME ....

Nikki - posted on 03/15/2010

I have a three year old who has decided she only likes meat......a two year old who eats only fruit.........and a 13 year old who would live off of Ramen noodles if I let him. So, the point of this comment...they always say oh I don't like this or that...what I do is this. I make a vegetable that I know one likes, a fruit the other likes and a meat....they all eat bread. I make their plates for them. When my daughter finishes her meat (which I put a small portion of on her plate) she asks for more, I tell her not until you eat 2 bites of (insert vegetable) and two bites of (insert fruit), she does so after a little resistance and then I give her a couple more pieces of meat. My 2 year old same concept, but he has to eat veggie and meat to get more fruit. My 13 year old I let him get his own plate (he is my step son, so this is a work in progress still), but he knows he will not be allowed to eat anything else the rest of the night.....including ice cream.....if he does not have tastey bites of everything. He knows this.....he also knows the rule about the size of anything that he is allowed to eat after dinner. Now I understand that he is 13 and boys at that age can eat you out of house and home, but he can have like a sandwich or a bowl of ice cream up until 9 pm and that's it. My husband greatfully will eat anything I put in front of him. Don;t give in to them...I understand stomach problems....my 2 year old has them....but if youask your pediatrician about your middle son throwing things up and not eating they will more then likely tell you that it will not hurt him to go without until he gives in. As long as he is getting liquids no biggie. And throwing up has been known to be another way of throwing a tantrum to get what you want. A bigger mess for you in the beginning....YES....less stress for you in the future......YES. The future will last a lot longer then the mess. And if at least one portion of your meals is catered towards each individual they will all eat at least something. I forgot to tell you that there are nights when my kids will only eat the part they like and will not succumb to my Jedi mind tricks. I don't care because at least they got something. Any way good luck and I hope you can set yourself free. :)

Mellissa - posted on 03/12/2010

If you can find a crock pot or roasting pan that has a divider in it, that will help you immensely! For the crock pot you just put the food in to cook in the morning and there you are, two meals at once, ready to go when it's dinner time. For things you want to bake, use the roasting pan. Put chicken in one and beef or pork in the other. If you make a roast you can throw the veggies in together and things like rice or potatoes, which ever is more liked in your house, you can make to round out the meal. My mom used to make beanie-weanies and then discovered that 3 of the 7 of us didn't like hot dogs. She simply used hot dogs in one pan of beans and hamburger in the other pan of beans. She also made enough at one time to last for two nights and then served the second half of food a few nights later so that she sometimes had a night off from serious cooking. Good luck to you!

Jessica - posted on 03/15/2010

Cut up a package of chicken into little bite size squares or what ever shape you can get out of them. Season and cook in the frying pan. Make a box of mac and cheese ( I use the velvetta shells mac and cheese) and mix them together when everything is finished. I sometimes put some steamed vegtables in it also... Everybody loves it!!!

Emmie - posted on 03/14/2010

Okay this is short and Very simple, My son and Fiance LOVE this



ground meat as much as you need

Cubed cheese

maranara sauce or Ragu

Hot dog buns or Poor boy ones



Roll your ground meat into small to medium size balls, Stick a cube of cheese in the center and cook between 15 and 30 min. Its diff in some stoves bc I have a really old one. You'll know..Heat up ur maranara sauce and when its done, throw a few meat balls on the buns, pour over some maranara sauce and your done!!

Lindsey - posted on 03/12/2010

My little Carson could live off of hotdogs and hamburgers! I swear! But I just offer him colorful food choices and hope for the best! He is healthy and will not starve himself. Stop slaving away over 2 or 3 meals a night! They will not starve themselves. Try this chicken casserole. It is amazing!

3 large chicken breasts
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups white instant rice
1 small onion (optional)
1 10oz sour cream
1 1/2 sticks of ritz crackers
1 stick of butter

Boil the chicken with spices (salt, pepper, and some garlic seasoning). Once chicken is done, shred it and set it aside. Spray a 9x13 pan with Pam. Mix all ingredients except crackers and butter in a bowl (with chicken) and pour in pan. Melt butter in microwave. Crush ritz crackers (inside their sleeves) and add to butter. Spread butter/ritz mixture on top of casserole. Bake about 45 mins. This casserole is soooo yummy and you can add any veggie or bread! =) ENJOY

Shannon - posted on 03/12/2010

Oh gosh - it sounds like you have been busy!! Check out tastebudding.com - it's a site with recipes submitted just by moms that are kid friendly and at least a little bit healthy :)

Mendy - posted on 03/10/2010

I have one of those quesadilla (?) machines and four teenagers. My sister gave it to me for x-mas and I love it. I get differant shaved deli meats and shredded cheeses and they make it themselves when I am busy. It's hot, quick and never ending. You can also add eggs and do it for breakfast with your meats and cheeses.

Kahil - posted on 03/09/2010

Try your spice or marinade ile at your grocer for the McCormik recepies. You purchase the spices and then the meat and veggies of the meal. I have tried the Spanish Chicken Skillet, Quesadilla Casserole and Shrimp and Pasta Primavera. The have other recipes as well like Apple and Sage pork chops I think that the next one I will try. Good Luck

Shannon - posted on 03/08/2010

Visit www.grandmashearth.com. There are casseroles, slow cooker, desserts, cookies, treats, all kinds of main dishes and new ones added each day. Enjoy!

Cristina - posted on 03/08/2010

Cheeseburger casserole
serves about 6

1 1/2 pound lean ground beef
3/8 green or red bell pepper, chopped
3/8 cup onion
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cup elbow macaroni noodles
3/4 cup fresh mushrooms

Cook beef until brown. Add onion and peppers. Bring noodles to boil. Drain. Mix all ingredients and spread in a baking dish. Top with mushrooms. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to minutes until mushrooms are crisp and cheese is melted through.
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Tater tot casserole
serves 6

1 1/2 pound ground beef -- browned and drained
1 onion -- chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
30 ounces canned or frozen cut green beans
8 slices American cheese
1 bag tater tots

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Place the ground beef and chopped onion in a glass casserole dish. Combine the two soups and pour over beef. Layer the green beans on top of the soup. Cover evenly with the cheese slices and top with tater tots. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until tater tots are cooked through and golden. You can substitute other vegetables if desired.
Hope these help you.

Sandra - posted on 03/08/2010

I use to do the same thing. Now, they eat what I put in front of them. They may not like everything, but they will eat some of it. It took a while, but at least we are only cooking one meal rather than two or three.

Rachael - posted on 03/08/2010

I'm struggling too with fussy eaters, however I have stopped making more than one dinner, if they don't eat it then they don't have anything else! It sounds harsh but it only took a day and they got the idea that my kitchen is not a cafe. Kids will not starve themselves, if they are hungry they will eat. Some family dishes I cook are sheppards pie, chicken tacos, schnitzel etc. A great website is taste.com.au

Misty - posted on 03/08/2010

thank you...

Misty - posted on 03/08/2010

thank you they all love chicken and when i was a kids it was the same for me we ate whet my mom cook no ? asked lol it started well first of all my oldest has is only at my home 50% of the time and his dad 50% and they eat nothing of the same stuff as we do and he has stomach problems... i started all ways making my kids tack at lest one bite and if they don't like it they don't have to eat it my mid son will throw up if he dos not like it then i just have a big mess to clean up so it's easier to cook him something he likes and he is stubborn he did not eat for a week once and loosed a lot of wt. i could not let that happen:(

Chris - posted on 03/08/2010

Misty--I totally feel for you. I have one very picky eater and a husband who could/would survive on bologna sandwhiches. This Pampered Chef recipe is really easy, tasty and most important easy to pick through. Good luck!

Asian Pork and Noodle Skillet
2 medium carrots, peeled
1 medium red bell pepper
5-6 green onions with tops (about 1 1/4 cups sliced), divided
2 pork tenderloins (about 1 pound each)
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons Asian Seasoning Mix
4 packages (3 ounces each) oriental-flavor ramen noodles
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 cups water

Cut carrots into julienne strips using Julienne Peeler. Cut bell pepper lengthwise into 1/4-inch strips using Chef's Knife. Slice green onions; set aside tops for garnish.
Using Boning Knife, trim fat and silver skin from pork tenderloins. Slice pork lengthwise into four strips. Thinly slice strips crosswise. Combine pork, sesame oil, seasoning mix and two of the ramen seasoning packets in Classic Batter Bowl; mix well with Classic Scraper.
Add vegetable oil to (12-in.) Skillet; heat over medium-high heat 1-3 minutes or until shimmering. Add half of the pork. Cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until browned; remove pork from Skillet and keep warm. Repeat with remaining pork.
Add carrots and bell pepper to Skillet. Cook 1-2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add water and remaining ramen seasoning packets; stir to loosen browned bits from bottom of Skillet using Bamboo Spatula. Add ramen noodles and white parts of green onions to Skillet. Cover; bring to a boil and cook 4-5 minutes or until noodles are softened. Add pork; stir to break apart noodles. Remove Skillet from heat; let stand, covered, 3-4 minutes or until pork is heated through. Garnish with reserved green onion tops.

Dianne - posted on 03/08/2010

This is a quick,"Ghanaian" dish, that I brought to my talk on Africa. 30 students, teachers, and parents loved it.
1 chicken cut up, 1-15 oz can of crushed tomatoes & 1- of diced tomatoes, 6 oz can of tomato paste, 1 onion chopped, 1 tsp garlic or to taste, salt & pepper to taste, 1 cup natural peanut butter, enough water to cover chicken.
Saute onion in a little oil til translucent. Add garlic and saute 2 min. Add chicken and all 3 tomato products. Cook 3 min stirring constantly til color turns to orange. Add water to cover, and salt and pepper. Simmer 20-30 min til meat is done. Scoop 2 cups sauce into a bowl and mix with peanut butter, til smooth. Return peanut butter mixture to pot. Stir. Serve over white or brown rice, with green beans as a side. If you like things hotter, use cayenne pepper to heat it up. Serves 6. Good Eating:)

Kimberly - posted on 03/08/2010

I know this sounds mean but I tell my kids to eat what I cook or dont eat. They will start eating what you cook, it may take a few times but it will work now my kids eat anything.

Kimberly - posted on 03/08/2010

I never thought this would be kid friendly but it is!
3 lbs Kielbasa
1 can crushed pineapple in juice
1 cup brown sugar
1 jar Heinz Chili sauce
Cut up kielbasa in bite size sices and put in 13x9 baking dish.
In a separate bowl combine remaining ingredients and pour over kielbasa.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour uncovered

I serve this with mashed potatoes and sweet corn
It's kind of like a bbq kind of thing and its sweet enough for kids to go nuts over it

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pizza base, tin of spaghetti, salami and some grated cheese. Serve with a salad. The kids can make it. A bit messy but they'll eat it.

Melinda - posted on 03/07/2010

Found a recipe that my son loves, but he is not a picky eater so hope this will work.
Chicken Broccoli Rice Skillet
18 frozen chicken nuggets, pam spray, 2 cups frozen broccoli cuts, 1 cup milk, 1 cup water, 1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed broccoli cheese soup, 2 cups instant white rice (uncooked), 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Bake chicken nuggets according to package directions. Spray large skillet heat over medium-high heat. Add broccoli, milk, water and soup to skillet. Bring mixture to a boil, add rice and stir. Cover, reduce heat, simmer 5 minutes or until water is absorbed. Top rice mixture with hot nuggets and sprinkle with cheese. Place skillet in oven 1-2 minutes or until cheese melts.

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Sometimes you just have to serve what you have and if they dont want to eat it at least have them try one bite. One new food a week. Im going through the same thing and if my daughter doesnt want to eat it she tries a bite, and sometimes she likes it, but if not she makes a peanut butter sandwich. Its tough but I dont want to make 2 meals every day for the next few years.

Bethanie - posted on 03/06/2010

I have a baked chicken nuggets recipe that is YUMMY!

Cut up approx one breast per person into bite size pieces

Dip them into melted butter

Roll them around in (kinda chunky) crushed up Ritz crackers--really push them into it so it sticks and make sure you don't overcrowd or it will make the crackers soggy.

Arrange on a metal baking sheet and bake at 350 for 20-25 until golden brown. Lightly salt when they come out of the oven hot. That's it! Very tasty! I also have a baked squash and apple casserole that I like to make with it, too. Let me know if you'd like the recipe!

And I agree with another poster...stop making multiple meals! If they don't like it, tough! :)

Amy - posted on 03/06/2010

Sloppy Joes:
2lbs gr beef
10.5 oz can condensed tomato soup
10.5 oz ketchup
3-5 tbs apple cider vinegar
1/4-1/2 cup brown sugar

Brown the meat,drain, add all other ingredients, simmer for 25-30 minutes
Serve with Mac N cheese or fries/tots and fruit/veggies

Kim - posted on 03/06/2010

sure I do, Smoke sausage and mac n cheese.
Use 1 or 2 boxes of mac and cheese make it just as the box says.
once the water boils add noodles and cut up a pack of smoke sausage in bite size pieces add the sausage when you add the noodles. boil like the box says, drain and add the butter and milk. good and fast meal and kids love it.

Katie - posted on 03/05/2010

Tater-tot cassarole= take a 9x13 dish lightly oil the bottom and sides. Arrange as many frozen tater tots as it takes to make a single layer on the bottom of your dish. set aside. Fry up 1 lb of ground turkey or hamburgar with salt,pepper, garlic powder and finely chopped onion (if kids dont like onions you don't have to have them) then drain your meat put meat in large mixing bowl, add two regular cans of cream of mushroom soup, two regular sized cans of french style or regular cut beans with 1/2 cup milk...mix all together and spread over the top of the frozen tater tots. shred desired amount of cheddar cheese over the top of the bean and soup mixture, bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 35-40 min
I love this recipe so much because I have it all in one dish ....bread product=tatertots, vegetable=green beans, milk and meat.Easy clean up too and it fill em' up. my kids love it and I also have three finikey eaters. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do , if you try it:)

Stardust - posted on 03/05/2010

Not to be rude but, when I was a kid we all ate what my mom cooked for supper or we went hungry.lol Just curious, how did the cooking different meals for everyone start? Is there anything that everyone likes? If they like chicken I have a ton of kid friendly chicken recipees, Do they eat veggies? or casseroll? Let me know and i'll put some up for you. maybe i can give you a new recipee to try that everyone will like.

Yinni - posted on 03/05/2010

my son, niece and nephew all love homemade baked mac and cheese, twice baked potatos, chili dogs, loaded fries, and calzones. no questions asked. seems the messier the meal, the more they love it lol. you could also do a pizza night where they each make their own pizzas with their favorite toppings.