When my children were toddlers, I often prepared parts of our dinner meal while we were eating lunch. This made getting the final product on the table that much easier during the early evening hours. When I received a copy of Jane Doiron’s Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms
, I was reminded of my former habits, and I realized that I could use this great resource to help me calm the late afternoon storm once again.
Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms is a typical cookbook in that is has sections for appetizers, breakfast foods, desserts, main dishes, side dishes, etc… What sets this cookbook apart, however, are the wonderful tips and instructions for preparing meals ahead of time. There are recipes perfect for freezing, pre-assembling, and quick reheating, making those minutes before a meal much easier to handle.
Each recipe has its own page, and the type is large and easy to read. I really liked both of these features. The dessert section made me drool, and the main dishes are very family friendly, a particularly important feature for a mom of little ones. My only complaint is that there are no pictures to go with the recipes; I really like to see what I am making before I get started. Despite the absence of pictures, this cookbook is a wonderful resource, and it will get lots of use in my kitchen. Although I know I will not always plan ahead like I should, using this cookbook a few times a week will save me some of that meal-time stress.
I am excited to say that we have a copy to give away to one of our readers. If you are interested in simplifying your meal preparation, please leave a comment on this post. We’ll announce the winner in next week’s giveaway post.
Congratulations to Michelle, commenter #4. You are the winner of a copy of The Believer.
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Lauren is a wife, a mother of two, and an avid reader who would like to have her meal-time act together. She blogs at Baseballs and Bows.
I am always looking for better ways to use time!
That book sounds perfect! Thanks for the opportunity to win it.
Even though my kids are no longer underfoot during dinner time…I am still a busy mom who would love some help during that crazy dinner hour. Thanks!
I am a busy mom with two young children and would love to win this book. Any time savers would save my sanity as well. Thanks!
I am exhausted when I get home from work and would really like to eat something that is good for me as opposed to popping a frozen meal in the microwave for hubby and I. I love to cook, so this book would certainly be helpful to me!
This book is a lifesaver!
Would love to win this book!
This book sounds absolutely fabulous! Sounds like a great edition to my cookbook collection.
I love cookbooks, and this one because it’s a make-ahead type of cookbook. Please enter me. Thank you.
Winning this book would make my day!
This book sounds great! I can really use it.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like a must have book!
I am always looking for ways to “make ahead” – I need all the time I can get!
Sounds like another great book. I’m always looking for ways to simplify mealtime. Thanks!
I could really use a good cookbook. Thanks for the chance to win it.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Sounds like a great book for me! Between work, my 9 year old, and 3 month old my husband and I usually don’t eat until after 8:30pm. This would be wonderful!
I love cookbooks in general but this one looks especially great! Anything to help save time and plan ahead!
Dinnertime is always so hard – this book sounds great!
I love to cook and find easy meals to make for our family. I would love this book!
Staciele(at)netins(dot)net
That late afternoon/early evening time is so hectic with 3 little kids! I NEED this book! 🙂
I’m not a busy mom, but a busy granddaughter taking care of 83 year old grandmother who has Dementia/Alzheimers. It’s a full time job on top of being a substitute teacher and this book would definitely be welcome in my house!
This sounds like the PERFECT solution to our busy evenings!! Thanks for the giveaway!
As a busy mom with six kids, I would love to have a book like that!
Between having my own business, hockey, scouts & giving piano lessons my day could use some great meal tips!
I guess i’m one of those people that look at chicken and say “mmmm chicken again” LOL
JOdy in Beautiful BC
owner & speaker of http://www.designedfordivinedestinations.com
“it’s not just about the Destination, it’s the journey to get There”
I’d love to win this. We’re in a terrible mealtime rut!
I’d appreciate some new ideas for dinners – meals during this school year have been kind of blah so far.
This sounds like a great book. With a new baby in the house, time is really at a premium around here.
Ilove to cook and make-ahead meals are great. New ideas for those make-aheads would be appreciated.
I can always use ideas on how to simplify dinner! Thanks.
I have been meaning to start making meals ahead of time to make the evening rush disappear (or at least well-diminished!). I know I would be a much happier person if that happened! Thanks for the chance!
I think all of us could benefit from this book — nutritious meals in less time!
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
Looks like a great book!
We posted about this at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/10/make-ahead-meals-for-busy-moms_10.html
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks. wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com
This book would really help me a lot. I have 5 kids & am a very busy mom
[email protected]
Sounds great. Please count me in 🙂
monamhassan(at)hotmail(dot)com
I’d LOVE to win this one!
I would love to win this – I have been looking for a good cookbook like this one!
kherbrand at comcast dot net