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I'll start with cleaning...Does anyone have any good cleaning check lists? Everytime I start cleaning I get ADD and forget to clean little things so I never feel like my house gets fully cleaned. So I think a super thorough list would help me out. Living alone, I didn't mind if I was messy or not. But now I have to care because DH has a problem with how messy I can get - I do the regular cleaning like laundry, dishes, picking up but not deep cleaning. I'm starting to believe that I don't know how to deep clean.
As for cooking, I really think I need to take a class. Everything I cook is just slightly off. Or totally burnt. I walk into a grocery store and get so overwhelmed on what to cook. Any recipes I make are usually pasta with store bought sauce. It gets old. Dh is a picky eater so I usually can't make anything with vegetables in it or else it will go bad (unless I eat it for every meal or freeze it). Again, when I lived alone I made simple things like homemade mac and cheese or store bought salad in a bag.
I'm the opposite of June Cleaver. Can anyone help me out here? Beginner cooking tips? Cleaning products? Grocery lists that are basic to get through a week?? What are some easy, somewhat healthy recipes that the bee's have for dinner?
Get yourself a good classic cookbook like "The Joy of Cooking" or a subscription to a cooking magazine. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.
get yourself the red checkered better homes and garden cookbook and just start trying the "easy" recipes!
This is what I had for supper tonight...and I don't think you can go wrong! http://allrecipes.com/recipe/stuffed-tomatoes/detail.aspx
So simple
I think you should just try to tackle one or two actual dishes a week so you don't feel too overwhelmed. Or try out the slow cooker, those are usually pretty straightforward. I really like Company's Coming cookbooks as well.
And as for cleaning...I'm no good either. Hahaha.
Here is the best website for learning to clean your house and be organized:
Her system is all about teaching you to form the habits you need to be clean and organized for life.
As for cooking, start small. Pasta and chicken are the easiest, IMO. Some grocery stores offer small cooking classes, so that might be something to look into... or you can always buy a cookbook and just start plowing through it. My grandma bought me the Betty Crocker cookbook as a christmas present after we got engaged and it's pretty helpful. Your DH will just have to suck it up and deal with eating what you cook if he wants to eat, fo sho. That's what DH did to me. I used to be neurotic about food, SUPER picky, but he has gradually weaned me into trying new things and being more open about food. Ive discovered that I like things that I had no idea I did.
lol I'll definitely go out and buy the better homes and garden cookbook. I was feeling ambitious when I first moved in with DH about 2 years ago and went to borders to buy "the barefoot contessa cookbook"...my mom told me this all took practice. Well after some practice and a ton of money spent on groceries just to try out one recipe - certain steps just never turn out perfectly. And I end up exhausted with a ton of dishes to do.
I keep wondering if it's this hard for everyone or if I am just not cut out for all of this...
@Heatherloveskenny: I can't cook. Well I can make watery scrambled eggs and a few casseroles.
Cleaning is easier for me, I just set up small tasks like vacuuming+dusting per room, wiping the counter/basin and cleaning the toilet, mopping the kitchen/bathroom, shower every so often. It's easier for me to break it up into chunks. I can't say that my apartment gets super messy, but having cats tracks litter everywhere so I'm constantly vacuuming.
Cleaning your bathroom can be really easy if you do it every week--it won't have time to get dirty. The disposable toilet brushes are AWESOME... just scrub under the rim, the sides, and under the seat. Wipe off with toilet paper and flush. Use comet on your sink area with a sponge and the hot water running. Comet the tub/shower or use scrubby bubble spray and rinse. Finish with Windex on your mirror and voila. Sweep/mop the floor as needed. This will take no more than 15 minutes, I promise.
As for recipes, what kinds of food do you like? Have a night off where you just eat prepared food from the deli like potato salad and a rotisserie chicken with some bread and butter. Use the leftover chicken on a salad... what tickles your fancy?
@zippylef: ah ha! I love that! It's exactly what I've been looking for, thank you! I'm going to save that to my favorites!
@soon2bhis: haha :) thank you! that looks yummy!
@beekiss: see, I try these too. If I use a swifter duster, I get told it will just move the dust around instead of getting rid of it. One of my good friends bleaches her dishes after using them, vacuum's under her table after each meal (when guests are there) and full on cleans all day in her bikini because she doesn't want to ruin her clothes. I'm not like this, so I'm wondering if I'm the crazy one!
But I'm reading on the flylady.net and it's already helping me!
@Miss Longcoat: Thanks! I will have to try the disposable toilet brushes - sounds awesome. Let's see, I will eat anything so I just have to make one dish per night that DH will eat, he likes all meat, potatos, pasta, bread, beer, pretty much anything that makes me pack on the pounds! But he stays skinny :-/
Huhs, I feel your pain. As I write this, the apartment is full of gifts, leftover wedding items, a dishwasher to empty and a counterfull of dishes to put back in it.
And I am eating a blizzard after we went to taco bell/dairy queen for supper because neither of us could think of what to make for dinner. Been one of those days.
Definitely start simple. Chicken parmesean is a dish I taught myself that sounds fancy and complicated and is pretty much just a fancier version of the pasta and sauce. Even just adding simple things to your normal meal - a baked sweet potatoe with mac and cheese, sauteed green beans (delicous) with your pasta.
As for cleaning.....I get pretty ADD too, I either try to do one room at a time or go through and do everything that's 'easy'.
And definitely get your DH involved. If he's picky on the cooking, then he should help come up with some ideas. Same with the cleaning - compromise if you hate vacuuming, he can do that and you do dishes instead.
we all have to start somewhere :)
@Heatherloveskenny: Okay; I'll PM you some easy recipes. Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it!
@Heatherloveskenny: Rofl vacuums in her bikini! To be fair, my Fiance's contribution is to clean the kitchen/do dishes usually.
I shouldn't say I can't cook, but it's sort of true as of right now. I get motivated, put the effort forward and get discouraged when it doesn't turn out perfectly so I definitely sympathize with you!
@hisgoosiegirl: lol! are we twins?
this might sound dumb, what do you put into your green beans when you sautee them?? My green beans always taste pretty lame. I use garlic powder and evoo (thanks rachael ray).
You'd like Real Simple magazine. Lots of little home keeping tips are in there.
Once you're beyond that, move on to Martha Stewart. She has a great homekeeping book, but that's Varsity level. Real Simple is the JV. ;)
Martha Stewart has a homekeeping section on her website with lots of tips, too.
http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/spring-homekeeping-tips
@Miss Longcoat: you're an angel! thank you!!
@beekiss: Right? I walked in her house one day and she was mopping the floor NAKED. I was so uncomfortable but she did not care at all. Weirdo.
Thank you for helping me feel not so clueless! It's good to know I'm not the ONLY person out there who feels like this doesn't come easy
@Heatherloveskenny: I use frozen cut green beans if it makes a difference. We put them in a frying pan/skillet/saute pan. depends what is clean :P We use a little olive oil and garlic salt and saute them until they start getting a little burned (DH calls it carmelized, lol).
The sad thing is, I want to be a great homemaker/cook, I just get impatient and want to be good at all that crap now!
@Jeannine @ Small Chic: haha! I love that. She's totally varsitiy level. Hmm, I'll have to pick up a real simple magazine. It's time that I put down the US weekly...and act like an adult! Thank's for sharing that site - very helpful!
Everyone has their method of cleaning. If I'm doing deep cleaning, I make a list of everyone room in the house and think about what needs to be done...
Martha has this broken down by day/week/etc http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/cleaning-checklists
my example: Master Bedroom
Vaccum cobwebs from ceiling
Wash windows( in & out)
Wipe blinds
dust light fixtures
Dust furniture
strip bed & fabreeze mattress & box spring, then rotate
sweep & wash floor (we have hardwood)
**if doing major cleaning, i'll move the furniture around to clean under it.**
The best thing to do is to make your own cleaning list for each room and follow it everytime, working from the ceiling down, from the upstairs down so you don't have to clean twice.
If you want to make your house look clean -- just clean off your counters, tables, and other visable surfaces like that. It'll instantly make your house clean. Also, take care of any dishes and neaten papers/toys/pillows that are laying about.
As for cooking. this is a basic "pantry" stock up list from BBB http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/btsSurvFirstApartmentDetail.asp?sarticle=lifefirstapartmentchecklist2&
Invest in an oven thermometer to make sure it's at the correct tempreture as you set it and adjust as necessary. Also, get a meat thermometer and learn what temp you cook each meat to.
Don't go overboard trying to make ten different things a week. I don't go crazy during the week, but on the days that I'm home, I'll make something that takes a little more effort. I may make chicken 3 nights a week, but I season and use them in differnt ways so I don't feel like I'm constantly eating the same thing. I'm not a huge veggie fan, but I've been trying to eat them in differernt ways so I can at least attempt to like them. I might buy a mixed veggie bag that has 2 veggies I eat and 1 I dont' so I can try in a non-threating way (like corn, peas, and carrots.. I don't like peas much). Look for a cookbook that uses few ingredients or look at the recipes for "5 ingredient fix". Less things in a recipe will make it much easier and less overwhelming. Stick to it until you've made it a few times to add your own touches.
Most major grocery stores follow the same type of layout... Fresh produce, bakery, meat, & dairy are all along the walls and in the middle you have your fillers. Never go to the store without a list and stick to it when you get there. Take a deep breath and it'll be okay. :)
@hisgoosiegirl: I agree - I really want to be that good homemaker too but somedays it's so much easier to be anything but that.
Frozen green beans sounds like the way to go. Those are the only vegetables that DH will eat and they don't go bad (unless freezer burnt). I'll start looking up some recipes for them. It sounds so silly but I honestly forget about these very basic recipes when I go into the store!
@Heatherloveskenny: LOL! NAKED! I atleast lock my door if I'm going to strip down and never am I naked. That made me burst out laughing and I, too, would have been uncomfortable.
And to add, I really want to be a queen of domesticity (I hate the term homemaker)--I had a thread yesterday asking a bunch of questions about people and cooking. Anyways, I googled cooking from scratch and there are a lot of blogs that pop up. One of them is hillbilly housewife and she has a ton of great recipes!
EDIT: Some of the advice I got was learn how to do basics and learn a particular dish and keep trying different versions of that same dish as to learn how to throw stuff together!
@Heatherloveskenny: We seriously go through kicks where we have them 3 times a week. I like them especially with spaghetti or any pasta, but they go well with BLTs too. A tasty way to get a little bit of veggies in :)
@Miss Longcoat: would it be possible for me to get these recipes as well :) DH and I need to start making more big kid food :)
There is a site that actually gives you a menu for the entire week. Sometimes the ideas aren't something that I would make, but those are the days when you can sub in your easy cooking usuals. If you really want, you know I will send you my weekly grocery lists, however that boy is going to need to learn to eat some veggies LOL.
Here's the site I was talking about. If you can tell me things that DH likes, I will send you some recipes too.
http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/everydaycooking/weeklydinnerplanners
@mwitter80: Interesting...menu planning would be a great idea but also having back-ups if our schedules don't warrant what we plan...
@almostmrsc: oh gosh, it's sad that the list is for college students living on their own for the first time but I'm past that phase of life and still asking "what am I doing??"
So what floor cleaner do you use for your hardwood floors??
And really, as for the oven thermometer - that's something I never thought of. We don't have the greatest oven out there, so it might explain why so much of what I cook gets burnt :-/ thank you for that! Maybe I'm just lacking some common sense!
@Heatherloveskenny: Whatever helps make life easier I say! I've moved a lot in the last few years and I've used this to restock my kitchen after a move.
I have real hardwood, it's got the polyurthene on it. I'm really liking a steam mop with a washable pad. Just uses water and the steam will disinfect and loosen any grime on the floor. I stole my moms when we moved into our house and it was super easy to use and much much quicker than my old method. In our old apt with similar floors, I used "spic & spac" (from the dollar tree) mixed with a bit of dog enzime cleaner (we had just gotten a Yorkie that wasn't fully potty trained) and used a regular sponge mop and it did a pretty good job. I used the enzime cleaner to remove the scent of the accidents so he wouldnt want to go in the house any more. Not all cleaners are safe for hardwood though, it all depends on the finish of your floors.
BTW: I love the Barefoot Contessa, but even watching her show all the time and reading her recipes, I would never attempt to make one and I know my way around my kitchen, both cooking & baking.
@mwitter80: I love this website - I think I read one of your posts a long time ago and I looked up this site but completely forgot what it was called. Very cool! So DH will try a bite of vegetables unless it's salad. I'm really interested in other people's grocery lists so feel free to send me yours!!
@beekiss: Love your thread, I've been adding all of these in my favorites
Here is a recipe I tried out tonight that I am in LOVE with. I am not a fantastic cook by any means, generally my meals turn out good but I just follow the recipes. I'm still branching out from my basic pasta/casserole dish meals I've been cooking for the last few years.. trying out a couple new recipes a week & so far so good!
I bought a pack of 2 sirloin steaks at Walmart the other day.. it was only 4 or 5 bucks!
Recipe:
I wanted to add that if you buy in bulk (usually cheaper for meat) to go ahead and break it up into dinner size portions and freeze them in freezer safe bags by wrapping them in saran wrap, foil and then in the bags. Make sure you date them and what it is in the bags on the label with a sharpie. You can also freeze meals and bake them so if you want to go ahead and make double the dish and freeze half of it later, pop it in the oven when you need it. Lastly, you can freeze lots of other things like butter, flour, sugar, and rice if you don't use these things that often. My fiance eats a lot of rice and so he'll freeze a bunch and only get out enough that he'll use so that bugs don't get into it (rice can have bugs in it, rinse thoroughly before cooking especially rice from overseas). I know some shortcuts by reading blogs but I feel like I eat too much pre-packaged foods, so I'd like to cook from scratch (like make my own dough and sauces) but that it takes me forever to cook even with the packaged foods. 
I cook quite a bit. Usually I'm the one cooking for my whole family (plus me & FI) because I work from my parents house so it's just easy. I would say that 3-4 years ago I knew nothing at all but I just kept cooking and have gotten much better.
I have used SOSCuisine in the past, it's great because the recipes are pretty straight forward and it gives you a weekly menu. You can select different options (vegetarian, gluten free, budget etc.), it's great!
What I also do is just look up recipes of things I love to eat haha. Pretty simple. Lots of great resources for recipes. Smitten Kitchen, Pioneer Woman (although her recipes tend to be on the unhealthy side - ummm a cup of cream plus butter????)..
Right now I'm cooking my way through Jamie Oliver's Meals in Minutes and I LOVE it. The recipes are fairly simple and straightforward plus you make a whole meal all at once! It really teaches you how to multi-task when you're preparing several components which is what I usually find the hardest to do.
Not sure if it was already mentioned but one of the best tips I got was to read through a recipe before I start anything and picture how I would do each step. For me this really helped to figure out timing and when I needed to do certain things. Also, go back in put in notes once you've made a recipe to help you next time if you want to make changes!
@beekiss: I always include "back-up" in my weekly meal plan but I don't ever buy prepared foods. I just make simpiler things, like grilled sandwiches or wraps with sweet potato fries. I cook 5 or 6 nights per week. I usually try to keep my meals to 30 minutes, but sometimes good ole' favorites are impossible to do that fast. I actually use an app "Springpad" to keep track of my recipes and groceries list. Here's my schedule from this past week:
Monday - Veggie Lasagna (good way to hide veggies, I do it for the 3 year old, you can do it for DH LOL)
Tuesday - BBQ Turkey Meatloaf, Scalloped Sweet Potatoes, and Grilled Asparagus
Wednesday - Terriyaki Pineapple wraps and french fries
Thursday - Southwestern Chicken with Mango and Mexican Rice
Friday - Mac and Jack with shredded BBQ Chicken (pork works too)
Saturday - Thanksgiving Ravioli
Monday
Veggie Lasagna - Preheat over 375. This can be super quick if you buy the no boil lasagna noodles. Mix together in a bowl 32oz of skim ricotta, with 3 tbsps of pesto, set aside. Thin slice an eggplant and a zuccini. Then cut those rounds into quarters. In a 9x13 dish place a thin layer of sauce just to coat the bottom (I make mine, but you can buy whichever you like) Then lay down 4 of the no bake lasagna noodles. They will overlap a little. Then spoon on 1/3 of the ricotta mixture. Then lay down a layer of the zuccini and eggplant switching back and forth. Then a layer of sauce. On top of that a layer of noodles, then ricotta, then veggies, sauce and repeat one more time. Then you will still have 4 noodles left lay them across the top, cover with sauce and shredded cheese either Reggiano or Mozz. Bake for 25 minutes.
Tuesday - Both can bake at the same time do the potatos first because they bake for longer
BBQ Turkey Meatloaf - Preheat Oven to 350
In a large bowl, soy sauce, beaten egg, 1 cup of the BBQ sauce and Worcestershire sauce. In a saute pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Add onion, bell pepper, salt and pepper and garlic. Saute until tender. Remove from heat and add to wet mix. Pour mixture into bowl with the ground turkey. Add bread crumbs and mix all together with your hands. Transfer the meat mixture to a cookie sheet or baking pan. Using your hands, shape the meat into an oblong or rectangular shape. *Cook's Note: Alternately, you can pat the meat into a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan and pour 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce on the top of the loaf. Bake for 35 minutes. Remove and add the reserved 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce to the top and continue to bake for 20 more minutes.
Scallopped Sweet Potato
Whisk together cream and chipotle puree until smooth. In a 9 by 9-inch casserole dish, arrange the potatoes in even layers. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of the cream mixture and season with salt and pepper. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, cream, and salt and pepper to form 10 layers. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, remove cover and continue baking for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the cream has been absorbed and the potatoes are cooked through and the top is browned
Grilled asparagus or sauted just with a little olive oil and crushe garlic
Wednesday
Just used bagged frozen french fries. It's easy and they are healthier because they are baked.
Wraps. Cut up chicken breast into thin pieces and put in saute pan with teriyaki sauce and cook for about 10 minutes, then add chunked pineapple to the pan and continue to cook for another 10 minutes. The teriyaki sauce will get a little thicker. Then divide the portions and melt pepper jack cheese on top of the portions. Transfered into a whole wheat wrap. This is such a yummy sweet and spicy combo!
Thursday
Southewestern Chicken
Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until the onion is soft, about 2 minutes. Add the rice and chili powder. Cook and stir until the rice is opaque, about 2 minutes, Add the tomatoes and broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until the liquid evaporates to just below the level of the rice, about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to the low, cover, and cook until the rice is tender, about 20 to 25 minutes.
I know this is a lot but hopefully it will help LOL. They all take me about 30 minutes except for the meatloaf
@mwitter80: THANK YOU SO MUCH! Seriously! Lots of good info! I know this is a rather weird question but how do you know your chicken is done when you cook it in a pan? I have a meat thermometer but if I cut it up into chunks, how will I know? I almost always bake the entire breast and never cut it up, so I use a thermometer.
A good way to tell if chicken is "done" is by how it feels to the touch. For example, if you're pan frying a chicken breast, you can poke the thickest part of the chicken and see if it's firm and springs back.
If that sounds too scary, you can make a slice in one piece with a sharp knife and see if the juices that run out are clear- if they are still pink or red, it's not done.
OR, you can also get a meat thermometer- stick it halfway into your meat (make sure it's not touching the bottom of the pan) and make sure it says 165.
I feel like meat is one of the most intimidating things to cook but with practice you will get it down!
Something I like to do- take chicken breasts, toss in a bag or bowl with light italian dressing in the morning and let it sit all day in the fridge. Cook over med heat in a pan or grill on the BBQ; it will be SO tender and juicy.
An easy side dish is to take any veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, etc) and toss in olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in the oven at 450 for 15-20 minutes, pulling them out halfway through to toss on the pan so that they don't get burned. You want them to brown and I like them a little crispy.
@Miss Root: Thank you!! I'm super paranoid about meat, I'm so afraid of food poisoning..
Sorry, OP, for totally taking over your thread.
@mwitter80: You're the best. For real. All of that sounds SO good - I'm going to try some of these!!
@Miss Root: Oooh I didn't know this about the chicken. Good tips!!
@Ms. Martian: "It really teaches you how to multi-task when you're preparing several components which is what I usually find the hardest to do" that's exactly what stresses me out about cooking. Great tips as well!
I really appreciate everyone's input. You are all making me a better wife lol!
This is a great thread! I am not a natural at cleaning or cooking either. I have been learning how to cook over the past few years and surprised myself by really learning to love it, but I'm still not a natural at cleaning. I have a really fun book called Playing House: A Starter Guide to Being a Grown-Up:http://www.amazon.com/Playing-House-Starter-Guide-Grown-Up/dp/0060741635/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310737223&sr=1-2
There is a lot of really good information on cooking, cleaning, entertaining, etc... and it's laid out in a fun way.
I'm going to keep this thread for myself--such great tips here!
Okay, I admit I didn't read all the responses (although I am going to because I need some tips too) but I figured I'd throw in some of my tips too, but I apologize if I repeat anything.
For me I try to prepare dinner 3 times a week (I know I'm a major slacker compared to most) but I also had to learn to find some go to meals, that we almost always keep the things required to make it on hand, that both DH and I enjoy and that I can make easily. For me those things are:
These are my go to meals, and occassionally I experiment with some other simple meals. I work full time and get off AFTER my DH so I really only make simple things that don't take a lot of time, I know some of these are sad excuses for cooking, but we like them, and it works for us. I think thats the biggest thing, you have to find things that work for you, keep items on hand for those meals. Also since these things are easy and always around my DH makes them too when I am getting home later than normal or if he wants to be nice (he is actually a much better cook than me but he doesn't cook healthy so he sticks to mostly these things for me).
Good luck!
My favourite cookbook is Cooking Light's Fresh Food Fast. They're fast, delicious and pretty healthy. And I'm not a good cook, I'm a baker!
In terms of cleaning, I get overwhelmed easily and forget things, so I do one whole room at a time. Usually start with a bathroom or the kitchen, my least favourite and work my way through the whole apartment that way. When I find things that belong in other places, I make neat piles and just take them with me (finding bills that should be in the filing cabinet in the other room, pile them up and just take them in there when I go to clean it and file as part of the organizing). Taking it one room at a time has REALLY helped.
Also, invest in a Roomba. Seriously. It's so nice to press a button and sit down after everything is clean and organized and let it do the vaccuming for you. We have ours set on a schedule to run everyday before we get home from work. It's amazing.
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