If you’re new around here, you might not know that I’m also a germaphobe.
It doesn’t make sense, I know. You can read that post linked above to see my attempt to explain.
Anyway, as someone who has unintentionally dieted after seeing a not-guaranteed-to-be-perfectly-sanitized hand reach into a bag of my favorite chips or candy . . . I like to come up with ways to keep grubby little hands from contaminating the cheese or whatever else needs to be self-served. (What did they touch or scratch or pick on their way from the sink to the table?)
Like tacos.
Building your own is part of the fun, right?
I give each child ramekins filled with their favorite ingredients and a few shells to start out. Refilling the ramekins? Much easier and less repetitive than making multiple individual tacos for three kids.
The Good Mama Perspective: The system is efficient, and the kids are self-sufficient.
The Mama-has-issues Perspective: Even though I often just have to get over my germ issues because I have three kids, I do love to come up with solutions that allow us to function in spite of my issues.
And that’s my tip-that-no-one-but-me-probably-needs for the week.
Our menu plan this week:
Monday – Grilled chicken with fresh veggie and fruit assortment
Tuesday – Beef Stroganoff
Wednesday – Chicken Fried Rice
Thursday – Chicken Fajita Salad
Friday – Out to Eat!!!
Saturday – Leftover BBQ chicken from the freezer
What’s on your menu this week?
I’ll be linking this up to Menu Plan Monday over at Orgjunkie.com.
Oh, and the link to the ramekins on Amazon? It’s my affiliate link. I LOVE my glass ramekins and use them ALL the time.
Eddie says
As a fellow germaphobe I’d like to thank you for the suggestion, and mention that the individual fruit-cup-lunch plastic things are probably the perfect size for this!
Nony says
Yes! Use what ya got!
Pary Moppins says
What a fab idea!
Crystal says
Well, since you asked…=)
Monday- Soup and Grille Cheese
Tuesday- Porcupine Meatballs over egg noodles
Wednesday- Hot Dogs, Chips, Veggie
Thursday- Au Gratin Potatoes w/Ham (crock pot)
Friday- Chicken Helper, Veggies
Saturday- Spaghetti and Garlic Bread
Since I can’t “link up” I thought I’d just share here =) I’d love to have a blog but I’m horrible at keeping up with them…I’ve got like three floating around cyber space that I haven’t touched for YEARS!! LOL I don’t keep up with that any better then I keep up with my house at the moment….;)
Nony says
I would love your au gratin crock pot recipe!
Crystal says
It’s not “mine” =) It’s from the “Fix it and Forget it” cookbook series but I’ll share it anyway, now that I’ve noted who it belongs to 😉
10 potatoes, thinly sliced
1 onion, chopped
2 Tbsp flour
1/4 tsp Pepper, optional
1/2 lb Velveeta Cheese, cubed
1/2 cup Milk
1/2-1 cup fully cooked ham, or sliced hot dogs
(Makes 6-8 servings)
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker
Cover. Cook on low 7-8 hours
I have noted at the bottom in my own handwriting “high for first 2 hours” I think when I first made this the potatoes didn’t seem to get quite done enough.
donna says
I fix each childs plate with all of choices on it. Then they can create their own from the items on their plate.
Pam says
OK, now you’re SCARING ME!! 😯
Ahemm, Hi my name is Pam and I’m a Germaphobe. :/
As I read your blog and watch the videos, I have often wondered?? . . . Could she be? . . . Nah, she doesn’t have MY same germaphobe issues!!
I don’t know about you, but often wonder how my germaphobia comes into play with housekeeping. How can someone that is SO PARTICULAR about food handling NOT live in a house of sterility? Maybe we can peel this onion together, and FINALLY get some where!!! 😉
Nony says
Oh Pam, that made me giggle!
Diandra says
Honestly, I understand. We do have a lot of patients coming in, and some of them are very… uhm, “generous” with their MRSA and ESBL and whathaveyou. Some days I feel like peeing standing up. And I NEVER EVER eat something I suspect one of the patients might have touched.
Sharon says
This is also a great idea for times when we have extra people over. Even if a kid starts his meal with clean hands, my guests probably don’t want him reaching into anything half way through the meal!
Rhonda Burkhalter says
This is an awesome idea. Not only does it save on grubby hands digging in the bags, it allows us all to eat at the same time. Instead of me having to prepare tacos for all the kids while mine gets cold, we all get to eat hot food! Yay! Love it.
Emily says
Nony, that’s a great idea! I don’t think this is weird – as a non-germaphobe, it even appeals. What a good way to make sure that son #1 doesn’t take all the cheese & leave us with nothing but lettuce! 🙂 ‘Cause that’s what would happen at our house…just sayin’.
Thanks for your awesome ideas, for all of us. I love your blog! 🙂
Gen says
Menu sounds good but what do you eat on Sunday?
Dana White says
On Sundays, we usually grab lunch out after church, and then we eat with other families for our church home group in the evening. Someone cooks for everyone, or we all bring a little something. It’s very impromptu!