(Hopefully) Happy Holiday Cooking

Along with everything else happening during the holiday season (the shopping, the decorating, the wrapping, and still more shopping), we all still need to eat. Some people can quickly whip up a meal that feeds everyone and tastes fabulous. They save recipes they want to try, manage a fully-stocked pantry with anything they could need for experimenting with a new dish, and make it all seem effortless. Others can’t pull it off as effortlessly. Are you one of those people? If so, you aren’t alone!

It seems at 5:00pm every night the question of “what are we having for dinner?” causes some moms to want to crawl into a hole! We can relate, so we’ve created some reminders to help you emerge from the small ball you curled yourself into and face that evening meal (along with all the other things on your list at this time of year):

• Every meal doesn’t need to look like came straight off Pinterest or out of a cookbook. Sometimes “fend for yourself” are the three most beloved words in the English language.
• A salad or fresh vegetables can simply come from cut up carrots and celery in a bowl. Add some oil and vinegar for dipping, and you’re gourmet! (Yes. You ARE!)
• Phone a friend – if your friend runs the local burrito shop or pizza place, even better! Seriously, your friend, the food delivery driver, can bring you food. There is no shame in it.
• Make a meal last longer by cooking more than you need. After three nights of cooking different things, your fourth night becomes “leftover night” and everyone can pick whatever they want from what’s left in the fridge. Sure, this means late-night snacks need to stop for three days, but that’s what cookie dough is for, right?
• Go for the tried-and-true, simple recipes you know your family will eat. Along with the “What’s for dinner?” question, do you dread the groan that comes when you answer the query? Replace the “Ugh!” with a “Yessssss!” by cooking a family favorite. Everyone’s happy!
• Just give up trying to create that perfect meal every night. Give in to the stressed-out human that we all feel like from time to time (especially at this time of year!). If you feel brave, share your feelings on social media. We’re sure you’ll get many virtual high-fives.

Hang in there, kitchen heroes! The lazy days of not-the-holidays are closer than you think! (Okay, maybe those days seem really far away with to-do lists stretching out for miles in all directions at the moment, but we hope these reminders put a smile on your face.) Happy cooking!

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Eileen Calandro