My own cooked meals for a week!

@gloryacam (5540)
Philippines
October 5, 2011 11:23pm CST
I prefer preparing my own food because I rarely use oil and use minimal salt. If I do, I normally use sesame oil because of the Asian flavor it gives. However, some days I get so busy that I don't have time to prepare my food. So, for this week, what I did was to cook (I did the cooking on Sunday) food enough until Friday and freeze them. And, those that don't need to be cooked like fruits and salads, I stored them at the company fridge (luckily people at the office don't take what's not theirs), ready for slicing anytime I need to eat. Those that have been cooked I microwave or reheat in a skillet. And it's still good. So, maybe I'll do this again the week after (we have a seminar next week and will be provided all meals) and hopefully, every week after that. It not only saves me time but also helps me avoid unhealthy food. Do you guys do this, too? Or what are your preferences ~ cooking fresh or just dining out? Are there any other things I can do to save time?
5 people like this
22 responses
@00fear (3216)
• United States
6 Oct 11
Actually my mom is a stay at home mom and when everyone comes home from work/school (sometimes me), she has the food ready. She can make the food while everyone is at work/school. When she and my dad knows she is really busy that day, we do go out with the whole family.
1 person likes this
@00fear (3216)
• United States
7 Oct 11
Wow. My mom has worked too but not that much. My dad was the one who worked a lot and for along time now.
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
7 Oct 11
Yes, they're both working (until now actually). When we were younger, we had our grandma and often we had helpers at home.
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
That's nice and heartwarming to hear. My mother is not the "mothering" kind because she has always worked. That's why I'm curious and amazed at stay at home moms.
1 person likes this
@shanemae (1025)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
hi there! that's good you have something healthy for this week. i prefer having things cooked rather than dinning in. i'm okay with dining to save time but it should not be for the whole week since fast food foods are making us unhealthy with the way the food is cooked like there is too much oil, stuffs like that. so what i do is prepare the food a day before i would want to eat it. sometimes i would just stock fresh fruits in my fridge so that i can eat anytime when i feel hungry.
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
I also stock up on fresh fruits. It helps me avoid junk food and other unhealthy stuff because I could get fruit anytime I want them. And, unlike fresh vegetables, I would take fruits anytime (veggies are kinda it depends on the mood thing). I haven't had fast food in a while, and I pat my self in the back for that.
1 person likes this
@shanemae (1025)
• Philippines
7 Oct 11
yes, that is what i am doing and i am pretty much successful of replacing junk food with nutritious food. making myself healthy and getting rid of those fats.lol! congratulations to you!!
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
7 Oct 11
Yes, and congratulations to you, too! It's always good to lean towards a healthy lifestyle. Right now I see the clothes starting to fit better, the weight going down, and my body become agile again.
@SIMPLYD (90727)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
I feel lucky that our foods on weekdays are cooked by my mother-in-law. She would usually cook lunch in big volume, so enough would still be left for dinner, when we come home from work. Then at night, we would microwave it before we eat. That way, she saves time, effort and LPG in cooking. For our rice, i cook it in a rice cooker in the morning so my husband and i could also make "baon" to our offices. At night, MIL will just put 1 1/2 glass of water in the rice cooker, and let it cook again for a few minutes. It's as good as new when it's done. As for your style, that's really a nice way to save time and effort. At least at night, you can rest for a while and when you want to eat already you can just microwave it. Any leftover could still be placed back in the freezer, to be consumed some other days. I would do that too, if ever we have no one to rely to cook our dinner.
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
Well, I have measured and stored them in a way that is enough for one meal so I don't leave leftovers. As to rice, I've been avoiding them lately because they make me feel bloated. Good for you that MIL is there to cook your food. When I was young, we lived with my grandma. And since our parents were busy businesspeople (and my mom, a terrible cook ) it was grandma who cooked the meals, or sometimes we had househelp who would cook.
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
7 Oct 11
Yes, that is one advantage of our extended family culture.
@SIMPLYD (90727)
• Philippines
7 Oct 11
We are lucky indeed when we have someone who could cook for everybody, without having to pay them for it. It's really good to have our loved ones with us.
1 person likes this
@sunli123 (538)
• China
8 Oct 11
I prefer cooking meals at home too. It's just during the working time I don't enougth time, so usually cook porridge or noodles in the evening. But on Sunday, I would like to make something good for myself. I can even make dumplings now.
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
9 Oct 11
Wow, dumplings! I love dumplings. Maybe one day I'll learn how to make them, too. Well, that's why I try to make meals in advance because I'd never know if my days will become too busy for me. When that happens, I just reach in the refrigerator and heat what I have already cooked and stored.
1 person likes this
@ardoy0731 (7308)
• Philippines
9 Oct 11
That's nice,I think you're a great cook and seems you can prepare a lot of delicious food.I used to cook food in instant way like frying but sometimes I do prepare foods like sinigang,adobo or spaghetti.I'm a good eater than a great cook.
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
17 Oct 11
@Ardoy: Well, I'm not really a good cook, but I can whip up something I do like (though I'm not sure if other people would like what I cook. ) Also, I cook simple meals and use very little oil in order to work with my diet.
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
17 Oct 11
@Bagarad: That's a good idea! (avocado with garlic and lemon juice instead of butter or mayo). After all, it's what makes guacamole delish (I think). Thanks for another helpful tip!
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
10 Oct 11
I keep a box of frozen Boca burgers (veggie) around for days I just don't have time or don't want to cook. I usually have lettuce around, and if I don't have tomatoes to add to them, I sometimes will use canned stewed tomatoes, which are sliced, and actually work almost as well. Or, I mash an avocado with garlic and lemon juice and spread it on the buns instead of mayo or butter. Keeps it moist and add flavor.
• China
7 Oct 11
freezen for 5 days?are you sure those food are still okay?i prefer cooking freshly or eating out.and the freezen food usually smelly
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
7 Oct 11
Well, they're still good yes. The food would be smelly only if the fridge is. Mine is clean and I don't have strong smelling food, so my frozen goods are still okay.
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Oct 11
i always cook my meals and hardly eat outside... there are a few reasons for this... first of all, it is healthier... then we can save $$$... also we get to enjoy the food that we make on our own and that will give us satisfactions... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
7 Oct 11
That's right. We can save a lot of money by preparing our own food. And, it's healthier, too. I also like my own cooking (the taste, I mean) so it satisfies me to cook my own meals. Someday I hope to learn more complex meals.
1 person likes this
@bamrahkirti (1821)
• India
6 Oct 11
That is great on your part that you are saving both on terms of time and money and moreover you are eating healthy food. I am a working mother too but we just do not store food because i cook fresh food daily and we do not have deep freezers where we can store food. Moreover i live in a joint family where everyone is used to eating freshly made food so i have no option.
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
I would actually prefer fresh food cooked daily, but that would consume too much time for me. And, since I live alone, I can't rely on any one else to cook food. So, the best possible solution I can think of is to cook them ahead and freeze them. And, yes, since I'm alone, my small freezer is enough for me. If given the choice, though, I would rather have them prepared fresh daily, like you do.
2 people like this
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
I also like cooking it is less expensive than buying cooked foods. My kids are also very meticulous when it comes to food taste, they are use to my cooking tastes so, I always cook for them. I am using Tefal wares that doesn't require oil when frying and I can grill foods without using a charcoal. have a good day
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
Wow, it's nice to hear that your kids like your meals (I don't like my mom's cooking that's how I learned to cook myself ). But, I could proudly say that my mom likes my cooking, so when I was still living with them, and when I visit them, I cook. Grilling is good. Maybe I should do that sometime in the future. And yes, thanks to Tefal, there's no need for charcoal. So messy.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Oct 11
I do enjoy cooking daily but simply because I do have the time. However, I think that pre-planning as you did is an excellent thing to do as eating healthy, home meals, saves time as well as money. Since you planned for the week, I would determine if you enjoyed what you pre-made this way you can avoid doing the same as then some days you may recall you did not enjoy something and will opt to stop pre-making. Make it a point that before you leave the house for work that you put the frozen meal in the refrigerator so that this way it is thawed out when you come home for dinner. This will avoid microwaving as re-heating it in a skillet will taste better as sometimes what we re-heat in a microwave cause it to taste rubbery. We do not dine out much, only occasionally as I like that either I and or my boyfriend cook at home.
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
7 Oct 11
Good idea! Thawing, I mean. I arrived last night and had heated my meal in a skillet. And because it was frozen, it took a longer time to heat. I don't like using the microwave oven because they say it's also unhealthy to always have your meals microwaved. Thank you for your great suggestion! I'm glad I made this topic. There are tips that could really help me!
1 person likes this
@EdnaReyes (2622)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
I always cook for my food as I don't like salty and with preservatives. I set aside a time for marketing and make a week menu to make it easier for me. I cook my food as i love to eat and it is good that my family loves my cooking!
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
Wow, it's great to hear that your family loves your cooking. Feels great, right? Yeah, it's good to prepare the menu first and then buy the stuff. That way, you already know which ingredients to buy and buy only those that you need.
1 person likes this
@BeetleBam (171)
• United States
6 Oct 11
I prepare a lot of homemade things from bread to soup that I store in the freezer for later use.
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@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
7 Oct 11
That's great! It makes eating and snacking healthier because now you could get healthy food instead of reaching for junk food. I think I'm going to be doing that for the following days.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
As much as possible I want to prepare my own food or my mother. I had so much of our canteen, tasteless food, unhealthy and sometimes untidy. Well we don't have an choice because only canteen in our office, and besides I cannot find any other canteen around. If only had a choice, then why not.
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
We also have a canteen, and their food is actually cheap but delicious. But, they use too much oil and salt to my liking. So, I'd rather cook my own food. I will see just how long I can do this.
1 person likes this
@ardoy0731 (7308)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
I prepare to eat food cooked at home or with my mom.Its healthier and yummier than fastfood. But because of busy schedules and lots of things to do at work we usually prepare to eat in a fastfood to ease our hungriness right away.
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
7 Oct 11
Yes, it's way healthier. That is why I prepared it in advance. Because I knew that I would be busy for the week and not be able to cook. And, that would mean I would have to eat out.
1 person likes this
@greenline (14838)
• Canada
6 Oct 11
That sounds very impressive. I can sense you are very good at cooking, delicious meals. For me, cooking is one thing I am not good at all. I have to go to restaurants for lunches and dinners, or buy microwaveable dinner packs. I have to keep a stock of microwaveable food packs in my refrigerator always.
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
Well, yah, my cooking is passable. Not gourmet or anything, but at least I could whip up something that I could like. It's a de-stressing activity for me - cooking, and I love to do it. I used to cook for my family when I was still living with them. Well, my two brothers and my dad could whip up a decent meal, too. I think maybe it's because our mom is terrible at cooking! Everybody else would volunteer to cook so that mom does not have to.
1 person likes this
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
11 Oct 11
You are so lucky people don't steal your food at work. I've worked in 2 places where people got into my stuff. One place I had fancy paper bags with ducks on them. I drove to work with my coworkers so they knew it was my bag. They saw me carrying one everyday. One of my coworkers took my lunch and ate it, claiming that he thought it was left overs from someone else. No dice. I was the only one who paid for fancy lunch bags. He knew darn well it was mine. I had to go hungry. At another place I had my name on my plate. That was in a zip lock bag with my name on it and in a closed box with my name. The box was in a locked cupboard behind a stack of plates for everyone else. Everyone I worked with knew I had an issue with sharing plates or silverware. Some idiot coworker reached over the stack of communal plates and took my plate and gave it to someone to use for pork chops. The plate was ruined and I couldn't use it again due to the pork chops. Then they couldn't understand why I was mad and told them to throw the plate out when they were done eating. OK, maybe I'm weird, but it doesn't harm anyone. It's a religious thing. I don't eat pork, non kosher meat or mix meat and milk. After that I had to lock my stuff in my car. I hate coworkers.
• Israel
22 Oct 11
I learned to keep everything in my car at that place. I will always split my lunch with some one if they ask. I will also offer half of mine if I know someone forgot their lunch. There is no need to steal. Now I have moved and people are different here. I don't work with humans anymore. I walk dogs. I volunteer with animals. No one steals. We share what we have. When I bring lunch I bring enough for 3 people. Everyone brings something extra. I bring extra fruits to share.
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
18 Oct 11
It's really a good thing for me that people respect each other's lunch here. Well, people at the office are generous, so, if you'd like their food, all you have to do is ask and they'll share with you. So, there's no need to go "stealing" other people's food. Maybe you should not put your plates in there so that those rude people won't use them.
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
25 Oct 11
It's good to know you're out of that terrible place. I don't get them, either, because they could simply ask if they really wanted, right? But, then, some people are just plain rude. Wow, it must be fun working with animals. I love dogs and always love their company!!
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
27 Oct 11
I always like to cook my meals from scratch. They suit my stomach and also my pocket as they are a lot cheaper than buying junk. I think your ideas are wonderful for this period of too much work. I normally cook some food in bigger quantities and freeze them. Thus I never have problems if a person shows up uninvited at diner (daughters sometimes do). Have a nice day!
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
27 Oct 11
I always have some homemade sauces for pasta. I donĀ“t make them with salt, but salt them when I defrost them. I make pesto and only salt it later by adding parmesan cheese.
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
27 Oct 11
Maybe I should do that, too! I love pesto!!! Problem is, I don't for how long I can keep them. I'm used to making dishes that last only for a week, and I can't have pasta every week! Too much carbs going on there for me.
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
27 Oct 11
That's right. Add to that, the food I cook are way healthier than those I could buy outside so, a big plus. It does save a lot of my time and yes, could be great when there are unexpected guests. Sometimes, though, I feel restricted especially when I'm on a diet and have cooked only those that are in my diet. Maybe I should prepare extra meals for those days I can't resist a craving!
@edsss17 (4394)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
It is really nice to cook your own meals because you can customize everything you want in your food, right? The bad thing in my side is, I don't know how to cook. I'm still in the process of learning to cook! I only know how to cook rice and fried fish and meats! HEHEHEHE!
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
Well, that's a good start. I started with rice and fried food, too. But, nowadays, I stay away from rice because I feel bloated when I eat them. And, when I do need to eat rice, I prefer brown rice, so I really need to do my own cooking because I rarely see brown rice when dining out.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
7 Oct 11
Eating out is definitely expensive. I try to cook about twice or three times a week and eat leftovers for the rest of the week. We've had stuffed peppers about three times this week -- one day fresh and two days left over. One day I opened a can of corn to go with them. Today was cold and rainy, so I made baked potatoes to go with them and served with left-over carrot and raisin salad. I cooked a batch of quinoa which I used instead of rice when I stuffed the peppers, and I have half left to heat and use with something else or make a main dish salad out of. Since I'm pretty busy, I also buy certain convenience foods at Costco that help me make a meal with minimal effort. I get their package of marinated frozen Alaskan Salmon fillets which can be thawed and cooked in the oven or microwave. I also get their double packages of grilled chicken strips I can put in stir fry or salad dishes. They are even good just as they are if I need a substantial snack. I freeze what I don't need right away. I also bought a couple of packages of ground bison meat, which I've never tasted, and I plan to brown it all with onions and freeze packages large enough to go in chili or pasta sauce to use when I need them. If I brown all the ground meat at once with the onions, it saves time and energy, since I don't have to cook each batch separately when I need it. Keeping some baking potatoes around is also good because they are easy to prepare and very filling. Some salads can also be prepared ahead and last a week or longer if you have leftovers. Black bean quinoa salad, bean salad, and carrot and raisin salad all last a while. These are great when the days are warm and you don't want to cook. I just pull out the black bean quinoa salad and one of the others and we're good to go with a slice or two of bread. Probably I will make chili in the crockpot or black bean soup tomorrow, since I may have jury duty next week because I didn't mail my form to be excused soon enough to get there three business days before Tuesday. It will be good to have left-overs to eat and something for Hubby to eat if I'm gone.
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
7 Oct 11
Ooohh jury duty. I wonder what it's like. We don't have the jury system in our country. Wow, you store a lot of good food! I wish I could find quinoa here. I've been hearing a lot of good raves about them. Maybe I could use them as substitute to rice. I bloat with rice and it's our country's staple food. Maybe I should also try baking potatoes. Although that may pose a problem for me because I like lots and lots of butter on baked potatoes. And that's not a good thing.
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
7 Oct 11
Wow thanks for that insight on the jury system. It's a bit more complicated than I'd imagined it to be (or the way they portray it in movies). I'm glad there's no such system here. (That's my personal opinion, of course, because I know there are advantages) You're right, though, for some people it is quite a strain to serve as a juror. Well, I hope you do not get picked as you said you cannot afford to miss one day at your business. Often I don't like ordering at Amazon or other off-shore (for us) online stores because when they arrive, the tax (customs duties) is so expensive! So, if I can't find them locally, then it's rice for me. I can use brown rice.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
7 Oct 11
I don't know if you can order from Amazon, but they have 25-pound bags of quinoa and it's less expensive per pound than in the health food stores. Be sure and buy the pre-rinsed brands. Costco has the brand I buy, if you have a Costco. I know there are Costco stores in some other countries. I like the rice better than quinoa in stuffed peppers, but I often substitute quinoa for rice with stir fry dishes. Jury duty is something all U.S. citizens are supposed to do, but you can be excused for financial hardship or if someone depends upon your for care or if you don't have transportation. Since I'm self-employed and run a company, it's very hard to miss a business day because I could miss a phone call that brings a large order. I really don't want to put my cell phone number on line for the general public, and most people prefer a toll-free number anyway. So I claim financial hardship. But I'm too late to get excused this time. That means I will have to call or check the web site on Monday night to see if I have to go in. If they don't need me, they will either excuse me or keep me on call until about 2 o'clock, which means I have to stay near the phone until they excuse me for the rest of the day. Or, if they call, I have to go to the courthouse 30 miles away or the one 10 miles away (the one I'm hoping for, since I have a meeting that night I want to be back for). When I go to the courthouse, I have to register and sit around and wait to see if I get called to be in a jury pool. I've only gotten that far once. If you get in the jury pool, you go in with about 100 other people and they draw names. If your name is called, the judge and lawyers ask some questions and if they like your answers, you're on the jury. If not, they call another name. They keep doing that until they get twelve jurors and some alternates who will have to serve. I have a pretty good idea of how not to get picked. I would make a very bad juror because I can't remember anything I hear and only half of what I see. Also, I faint if I am confronted with evidence that shows graphic murder scenes and such. I can't handle it. I can't even watch a violent scene in a movie. I might be OK in a civil case, but not in a murder case. Still, though, I can't really afford to take more than a day off work.
• India
6 Oct 11
i also cook each week, sometimes it will comes good and other time the other way side. my parents shout at me and i never bother about it. i'l prepare and eat myself.
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
Well, I learned to cook because when I was young, sometimes I did not like what was served, so I would cook my own meals, too. And, when I started living alone, I really had to cook or else I would always dine out. That is very expensive, so I'd rather prepare my own food.
1 person likes this