Murphy's Laws for Moms

Sometimes, the day just never seems to end.  I've picked up toys, kids and a headache numerous times throughout the day.  So, when it's time for dinner, I just don't have the energy nor the motivation to make a homemade, hot meal.   Well, tonight, I discovered something fantastic that is my new long day, go-to, hot, homemade meal: Grilled Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches. Some of you might be saying, "Hey, that meal doesn't really count as a homemade, hot meal."  Well,for this busy mom, I'm not listening to your arguments.  It's easy.  The kids ate all of it and asked for more.  It contains grains, protein, and fruit.  We added carrot sticks for the veggie and a glass of milk (almond milk for my dairy-free child)...a well-balanced meal. What's better is, that by grilling these PB&J's, it made me feel like I had done more for my kids.  I didn't feel like a helpless parent once again feeding my children trash. So, ...

I'm continually searching for whole meals that my kids will eat that are not Happy Meals. This is no easy task as it needs to be something that is fairly simple so that I can easily prepare without my kids destroying the house. It needs to look normal or another battle will be waged at the dinner table.  It needs to be inexpensive because, let's face it, my kids most likely won't eat it.  And, it needs to be something that I actually want to eat, too. I can usually find one or two food items that my kids will eat, but a whole meal...hardly ever.  Then, as I was strolling through my Pinterest feed while waiting for Child #2 to either decide he did or did not have something to extricate from his belly.  I came across a masterpiece! Mostly Homemade Mom: Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole - Country Crock Sta.. This dish is amazing.  Not only was it something that I felt could be served in a restaurant of the not drive-thru kind, but  it was real food. I loved...