Well, it finally happened. I became one of those moms...yes, a soccer mom!

K

kathleen

Well-known member
My three little guys are each playing soccer and Little League this spring and the schedule is killer. Quite literally, we have a game or practice every single night of the week. Mind you, my guys are 5, 5, and 6....we aren't talking high school or traveling teams. This is Rookie Little League! My husband says their practice and game schedule is worse than when he played Division 1 Basketball in college!

Anyway, I now join the wise sorority of moms trying to figure out what to cook when there is a practice or game between 5:30 and 8 every night. My kids have already tired of Paninis. Thoughts? I guess the crock pot I was so ambivalent over will actually prove to be a good buy. I actually have a pork butt in there now for tonight's super fast quesadillas. Fast food isn't an option. What did everyone else who has walked this road before me do?

I will welcome and use each and all suggestions.

Thanks.

Kathleen

 
Don't laugh, but my sister and I and all my friends loved these when we were kids.

Mom used to make these when we had parties/sleepovers. They can be made ahead. The original recipe in the cookbook called for wrapping each sandwich in foil and heating in the oven. Can be made ahead of time. Don't know what made me think of these:

Saucy Sandwich Rolls - 1962 Betty Crocker Recipe

1 lb Hot dogs, sliced
1 md Onion, finely chopped
1/4 c Flour
3/4 ts Salt
1 ds Pepper
1/2 ts Dry mustard
1/2 ts Worcestershire sauce
1/2 c Catsup
1/2 c Water
1 c Diced celery
1/2 c Grated cheddar cheese (up to 3/4)
12 Hot Dog Buns

Brown weiners, onion, and celery in margerine. Blend in flour. Add seasonings, catsup, and water. Cook, covered, on low heat until celery is tender. Add cheese. Heat until the cheese melts. Serve in warm hot dog rolls. This will fill about 12 rolls.

 
Our Neighbors are going through this. The practice every night routine can be exhausting! Then

time needs to be set aside for homework, showers, and reading....Insane schedules! My friends have found:
- Pasta can be relatively easy, BUT their lil guys tummies are too full and slows them down.
- Same is true for Turkey...(Makes sense, when you think about Thanksgiving Day)
- Salad every Day is great. You can rotate every day, which child is responsible for making the salad. (Don't be surprised to have salads with cheerios or popcorn in them...Also a viniagrette could contain ketchup!)...BUT, if they participated in making it, it will be enjoyed by all. Also, it is not "heavy" and should not slow them down.
- Pork Tenderloins are very easy and can be made ahead and either served warm or at room temp.
- Cathy Z posted Laarb or larb. Really good, refreshing and combines lots of flavors. In a pinch (most of the time for me) Mar suggested and gave details on how to make into one big salad. Again, can be made ahead and in stages.
- Tacos
- Fajitas
- Sushi Rolls - Not exactly easy, but can be made ahead. I make them with Cucumbers/red peppers/Carrots. (No fish) Very fun for the kids.
- Pizza - Sorry, no ideas, but it is on my must try list for the summer....You could make faux pizza with english muffins smileys/smile.gif

Hope this helps!

Good luck with the schedule! I can't imagine if they started travel leagues!

Best,
Barb

 
We did a lot of wraps, but we called them swirly burritos back then.

We would keep it light, and not put too much cheese or mayo or any other high-fat ingredient unless the food was to be eaten after the game/practice.

We'd do turkey and lean roast beef with lettuce, tomato and etc. My kids loved turkey franks rolled up with a schmear of chili (no beans) and a bit of shredded American (who doesn't?).

Before practice it was always something easy to digest. Fruit, melons (never together), baked chips, low-fat crackers, etc. Save the real food for afterwards.

Michael

 
Yea for soccer moms, I miss my kids playing soccer......

they played for traveling teams and their high school....huge time commitment for us all. They also played lacrosse and basketball...it is a crazy time. I used to have dinner ready for my kids when they came out of school at 3...they were starving, they could eat a meal and have it digested by a six o'clock practice...after practice, they had a snack, or as they grew, a second dinner even! I used to keep a plate warm for my husband in the oven. This was the solution most of the moms on our teams used...it just gets crazy! Enjoy these years!

 
Thanks so much for the advice

So far, this week, I did paninis, pork quesadillas (did the pork in the crock pot which made it quick), fried rice (which I prepared at 1pm so it would be ready for an early dinner) and yogurts and bananas before the game and pancakes when we got home. Tonight is an early game so it will pizza on the way home. It is Friday, afterall. Tomorrow is an afternoon game as is Sundays. Not sure how I will tackle next week but you have all given me good ideas.

Thanks.
Kathleen

 
One other thing that might be helpful would be to make out a meal plan

for the week. That is what I am doing. It makes shopping easier and saves money in the long run. I have started posting the menu on the fridge so anyone can look and see what is for dinner or lunch. It makes it way easier on me.
Also if you find yourself making a casserole or lasagna or something else that is freezable, make two instead of one. It isn't that much more work and it is great to just pull one our of the freezer in the morning to pop in the oven that night. Roast two chickens instead of one, and save the meat for soup, salads, wraps, etc.

 
Whatever you do, do not rush the kids eating. Dinner should be enjoyed and eaten slowly

if you teach them to rush through dinner now, it becomes a life long habit of eating fast and will cause stomach or other problems later in life. Kids need time to learn to enjoy food.

 
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