What's For Dinner?

Last night, I had planned to make fish po'boys and potato salad. But, well, Dan questioned the validity of "po'boy" as the exact type of fish I was making – he's much more of a New Orleans food aficionado than I am – and so I just said, "We're having fish sandwiches."

But then the afternoon overtook us.

As anyone with kids will understand, you can plan your day, even your week, with such precision but when it actually comes to implementing your grand plans, well, good luck with that.

I've long tried to plan out a week's worth of menus so that I can ensure my family eats a healthy, balanced, home-cooked meal with vegetables at the center of our table. And yet with four kids under foot, and all of their soccer, talent show, piano lessons and other activities – not to mention homework! – I can't always make it happen.

When I was married the first time around, I planned my week's meals and wrote out a comprehensive grocery list, then made it to Meijer, and sometimes another market to cross off everything on my list. Of course back then, I was a freelance writer working from home and raising three babies, so I had the time to schlep from store to store.

Today, I run a rapidly growing PR/Marketing business (still out of my home) and have four school-age children so really, I can't waste precious time bargain-shopping for food.

Here's what I do:

• Cruise the farmers markets: Which is easier to do now that the weather is warmer. But even in winter, I would at least pop into the Royal Oak Farmers Market and see what root vegetables were laying around. Surely there could be soup in that?
• Use up the food in my pantry: Duh! How many bags of rice, cans of corn and hearts of palm, beans, and other staples are there lurking in my kitchen? Plenty. See how long you can go without actually buying something new - or buying the minimal fresh-food fare like fruits and veggies.
• Breakfast for dinner: This oldie-but-goodie is so easy, and healthier than ordering pizza. Frozen waffles, homemade pancakes, scrambled eggs – it doesn't matter. It's a fresh change.

In this blog, we'll discuss the food travails of one suburban mom and start a conversation with other families about how to feed ourselves, what to eat and how to make healthy choices for our futures.

My kids attend , and school lunches are an issue of great import to me. How do you feel? What do you send? How often can your kids buy "hot lunch"?

Stay tuned for the next installment of the Mommy Foodie.