Works for Me Wednesday - Last Minute Meals Edition

Today's themed WFMW is all about what to fix when you've run out of time and there are small children pulling on your pant legs, with tears running down their little cheeks, crying "eat! eat!"

Not that this has ever happened here, of course. : )

Here are some of my favorites and you can be sure I will be surfing for new recipes later on to add to my collection. Thanks, Shannon!

Mexican Tortilla Soup

1 lb. ground beef

2 jars (16 oz) salsa

2 cans (14 1/2 oz) beef broth (or the equivalent of water and a couple bouillion cubes)

1 can whole kernel corn, undrained

tortilla chips, crushed

mexican style shredded cheese

Brown meat in a large saucepan; drain. Add salsa, broth and corn; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 6 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve topped with crushed chips and cheese.

Ceasar Chicken Pasta Salad

from the Aldi Queen

1 lb. chicken (or 3 small breasts) (or a couple cans of chicken off the shelf) : )

1/2 lb. penne pasta (or whatever you have)

1 romaine heart, chopped

1/2 pint cherry or grape tomatoes

1/3 c. caesar dressing

Sprinkle of Parmesan cheese

Bake chicken (if necessary) on a cookie sheet. While the chicken is baking, chop the romaine heart and 1/2 the tomatoes. Cook pasta until al dente, as directed on package. Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water. Dice the cooked chicken (if necessary) and put into a bowl. Toss in the pasta, tomatoes, lettuce and the dressing. Mix until all the ingredients are incorporated. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Mexicali Chicken Burritos

from Busy People's Low Fat Cookbook

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, all visible fat removed

1 15 oz. can beef chili

1 3 oz. package fat-free cream cheese

1/4 cup chunky mild salsa

4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

8 fat free flour tortillas

In a large non-stick skillet cook the chicken over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes. Turn the chicken over, and cook an additional 3-4 minutes or until fully cooked. Remove the chicken and cut it into 1/4 inch wide strips. Then cut the strips into 1/2 inch lengths. Return chicken to the skillet. Add the chili, cream cheese, and salsa and place over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until the cream cheese is completely dissolved. Sprinkle with the cheddar cheese. Cover and cook on medium-low for 2-3 minutes. Warm the tortillas by microwaving for 30 seconds. Divide the chicken mixture among the tortillas and roll up.

And last but not least, a recipe that EVERY TIME I make it, my husband asks why I don't make it more often. Hearty, and soooo good.

Cowboy Chow

from Busy Cook's Lowfat Cookbook

1 package low-fat smoked sausage (like a pre-cooked keilbasa), cut into bite-size pieces

1 cup thick and chunky salsa

1 cup original western barbecue sauce

1 (10 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 can dark red kidney beans, drained

1 can pork and beans, drained, all visible chunks of fat removed

1/2 cup chopped onion or frozen chopped onions

Spray a large saucepan with nonfat cooking spray. In the bowl combine the sausage, salsa, barbecue sauce, corn, kidney beans, pork and beans and onion until well mixed. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.

For more last-minute meal ideas, head over to Shannon's for WFMW.

Bringing Home Baby

As pretty much anyone who reads this journal knows, we welcomed our third sweet daughter into our family a little over three weeks ago. She was a c-section delivery, and you know, you don't just jump up running from those. :-) We got out of the hospital on a Tuesday, I had Travis home with me for Wednesday and Thursday, my Mom for Friday, and then a weekend at home for our family ... but then I was on my own the following Monday, when E was just 9 days old. If I had a dollar for everytime someone expressed shock that I was already at home with the three girls by myself ... well, let's just say I wouldn't have to worry about finances for a while.

I don't say this to boast (I hope I don't come across that way!), but to offer encouragement. :-) I knew that I didn't have much time with (adult) help at the house so I had a little game plan that I used for that week and for when I was on my own. I share this with those that are pregnant and looking forward to that time of transitioning in a new family member - one who has trouble figuring out whether he or she is crying because he's tired or hungry, and likes to be held a lot! :-)

1. While you have help, get SLEEP. That's what your help is there for! :-) I tend to forget, especially when someone like my Mom is over, that I don't need to entertain her or talk to keep her company. I have three little girls there for just that purpose. :-) I need to remember to take advantage of the help and if I need to catch a nap between feedings, then do it. Most Grandmas are more than happy to hold the new baby and play with the other kids while you doze for a few minutes. They know you are the one that will be up at night with the baby while they are hopefully getting a full night's sleep.

2. Have a plan for breakfast. Don't worry about dinner, your husband will be home to help you with that, and lunch is usually something that can easily be put together. But breakfast was my downfall. After being up for two or three feedings, I wake up in a fog and the last thing on my mind is what to feed the starving 15 month old that is frantically pulling on her highchair saying "Eat, eat, eat!!!" So, think ahead. What is easy and or can be made quickly for breakfast and you don't have to think long and hard about it? We do lots of toast right now (cinnamon toast to be exact), granola bars, pancakes and french toast. I also usually throw out some fruit - whether it's fresh or applesauce from a jar.

3. Get sunshine. While there are all sorts of medical reasons why sunshine is good for you (vitamin D and all), it just makes me happy. :-) My husband is great about loading all the kids up in our van and taking us all for a long Saturday afternoon drive about a week after I've been trapped, stuck housebound with the kids. Sunshine revitalizes me like nothing else, and if there's a cold Diet Coke in the drink holder it's just that much better. :-) Plus, it gives me a chance for a little adult conversation with Travis while (usually) all three snooze in their carseats. I try and get outside in our backyard a couple days a week, too. Sunshine works!

4. Do the next thing. There are very few things that HAVE to be done those first few weeks at home. Laundry can wait until your husband is home, or the kids are in bed (really, it can!) but you have to feed your kids lunch and you have to change a diaper now and then. Focus on the essentials, and don't worry about the stuff that isn't high priority. That helped me so much as I was looking at projects I wanted to get done, things I wanted/needed to clean, and just had no energy or was just too sore to tackle. It can wait and will still be there after you've had two or three weeks to heal and rest.

I could post so many more thoughts on this, but I'm going to stop. :-) These are tips that Work for Me and I hope they help and encourage you!

For more WFMW ideas, visit Shannon at Rocks in my Dryer!!