"Sqwertz" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:54:23 -0500, jmcquown wrote:
>
>> I like to bake bacon on a broiler rack in the oven. Line the broiler pan
>> with foil for easy clean-up.
>
> Why bother even using a rack if you're just going to cover it with
> foil?
>
I don't cover the rack, silly. I cover the pan it sits on. The bacon
grease drips down through the slots in the rack onto the foil. From there
you can pour off the the bacon fat (if you've a mind to) or just let it
solidify then ball up the foil and throw the grease away.

> You're getting a little defensive and self-centered here, Jill. If
> the kids are used to white bread, then feed them white bread. It's
> just a suggestion, it's not all about what YOU ate as a kid.
>
It's not about what Steve's kids will eat, either.

>> There you go with the white bread, again. LOL
>
> Sheesh. What a bitch.
>
He's assuming because his kids don't eat wheat bread these kids won't.
Offer the kids a choice. Or better yet, ask the father when he hands over
the money to buy groceries!

Jill

In article >, says...
>
> Janet wrote:
> > In article >, says...
> >>
> >> Sqwertz wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Take them over to their house and raid the kitchen. Offer to go
> >>> grocery shopping for the father (with his money).
> >>>
> >>> I'd be babysitting them at their house rather than my own anyway.
> >>> But taking on the responsibility of feeding them out of my own
> >>> pocket would tax my generosity. I'm not rich either.
> >>
> >> I have to agree with Steve here. Babysit them at their house, so
> >> they have their own rooms and stuff available.
> >
> > The snag with that is that then she can't get on with her own stuff at
> > home; and cooking or doing anything in someone else's home with their
> > tools etc is always more hassle. I'd keep them in my house (where my
> > rules reign) but make sure they had some of their own toys/games
> > there to play with.
> >
> > I keep a stash of toys and books here for visiting children; either
> > left overs from my own kids or cheap and cheerful from charity shops.
> > Paper and crayons don't cost much.
>
> Yeah, but that's the rub - if it's better for the helping adult, it
> means it's not better for the kids. Best to have the kids have
> babysitters in whatever form at their own house.

I think it's better for both. This situation is not like a well mother
going out to work leaving an orderly house with a minder she can show and
explain every thing to, so there's seamless continuity for the kids.

The house is probably chaotic with sick mother away and father
distracted. The kids are missing their mother and may not like to see
another woman taking her place in her home, among her things, doing things
a different way from hers.

Janet

On 26/01/2012 2:58 PM, sf wrote:
> On Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:22:58 -0800 (PST), spamtrap1888
> > wrote:
>
>>
>> Hating cleanup, I make "open face grilled cheese" sandwiches by
>> toasting and buttering bread, then putting a slice of cheese on top
>> and microwaving. Comes out about the same, and you don't need a
>> toaster oven.
>
> Ick. Broil it.
>

Indeed..... you can skip the fat on the bottom. Put some cooked
asparagus in it too.

Polly Esther wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> Our niece is helping their neighbors by caring for 6 year-old twin
> boys, a 7 year-old and a 9 after school. Their mother is terminally
> ill and their dad picks the children up after work and a hospital
> visit. One of niece's challenges, she mentioned, was trying to get
> those bottomless pits filled and happy without wrecking her tight
> budget. It seems that there aren't many cooks here with small
> children but thought it was worth a try to see if there were any
> suggestions that would comfort and fill the little folks. I don't
> think nutrition is an issue for now; just survival. Polly

Smile, it's not so very hard but the key is to not fill them so they
don't eat dinner at home.

Hot-sweet chicken sauce dip and steamed carrots (they may like the raw
too). Pop-open refrigerated biscuits spread with butter and peanut
butter or jam (or both). A fast soda bread with a white gravy and a
bit of cheese or cheap sausage crumbled in the gravy (sausage optional,
standard slice of processed cheese cut to 1/4 per biscuit). Buttered
rice from a ricemaker (may add some canned tomato soup as a topper if
wanted).

Portion control so they don't 'fill up' but these are all cheap eats to
make.

--

On 1/25/2012 10:29 PM, Polly Esther wrote:
> Our niece is helping their neighbors by caring for 6 year-old twin boys,
> a 7 year-old and a 9 after school. Their mother is terminally ill and
> their dad picks the children up after work and a hospital visit. One of
> niece's challenges, she mentioned, was trying to get those bottomless
> pits filled and happy without wrecking her tight budget.
> It seems that there aren't many cooks here with small children but
> thought it was worth a try to see if there were any suggestions that
> would comfort and fill the little folks. I don't think nutrition is an
> issue for now; just survival. Polly

Grilled cheese sandwiches. I taught my kids how to make toast then melt
the cheese in the microwave.

--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

On 25/01/2012 11:29 PM, Polly Esther wrote:
> Our niece is helping their neighbors by caring for 6 year-old twin boys,
> a 7 year-old and a 9 after school. Their mother is terminally ill and
> their dad picks the children up after work and a hospital visit. One of
> niece's challenges, she mentioned, was trying to get those bottomless
> pits filled and happy without wrecking her tight budget.
> It seems that there aren't many cooks here with small children but
> thought it was worth a try to see if there were any suggestions that
> would comfort and fill the little folks. I don't think nutrition is an
> issue for now; just survival. Polly

I appreciate that she is trying to help out, but why is is costing her?
If she really needs to worry about the cost of snacks then she needs to
talk to the father about reimbursement. It's nice for her to help out
but if it is becoming a financial burden for her that she has to speak
up. All she has to do is to ask him for some money to cover the cost
the snacks or to provide her with a supply of snack foods.

The healthiest snack foods are not expensive if purchased in large
quantities. Apples and carrots are cheap when you buy them in large
amounts. Around her you can get a couple pounds of carrots for $2, or a
50 pound bag for $6.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:12:14 -0800, "Pico Rico"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Polly Esther wrote:
>> > Our niece is helping their neighbors by caring for 6 year-old twin
>> > boys, a 7 year-old and a 9 after school. Their mother is terminally
>> > ill and their dad picks the children up after work and a hospital
>> > visit. One of niece's challenges, she mentioned, was trying to get
>> > those bottomless pits filled and happy without wrecking her tight
>> > budget. It seems that there aren't many cooks here with small
>> > children but thought it was worth a try to see if there were any
>> > suggestions that
>> > would comfort and fill the little folks. I don't think nutrition is
>> > an issue for now; just survival. Polly
>>
>> have them make fresh pasta with you. Keeps them busy, and gets them fed.
>>
> And gives them a skill for later in life.


I am sure they already know how to whine about chores.

On Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:03:11 -0800, "Pico Rico"
> wrote:

>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:12:14 -0800, "Pico Rico"
> > > wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>
> >> Polly Esther wrote:
> >> > Our niece is helping their neighbors by caring for 6 year-old twin
> >> > boys, a 7 year-old and a 9 after school. Their mother is terminally
> >> > ill and their dad picks the children up after work and a hospital
> >> > visit. One of niece's challenges, she mentioned, was trying to get
> >> > those bottomless pits filled and happy without wrecking her tight
> >> > budget. It seems that there aren't many cooks here with small
> >> > children but thought it was worth a try to see if there were any
> >> > suggestions that
> >> > would comfort and fill the little folks. I don't think nutrition is
> >> > an issue for now; just survival. Polly
> >>
> >> have them make fresh pasta with you. Keeps them busy, and gets them fed.
> >>
> > And gives them a skill for later in life.
>
>
> I am sure they already know how to whine about chores.
>
I still say knowing how to make pasta may serve them well later in
life.

--

Tell congress not to censor the web. Add your voice here.
https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:03:11 -0800, "Pico Rico"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>> "sf" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > On Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:12:14 -0800, "Pico Rico"
>> > > wrote:
>> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Polly Esther wrote:
>> >> > Our niece is helping their neighbors by caring for 6 year-old twin
>> >> > boys, a 7 year-old and a 9 after school. Their mother is terminally
>> >> > ill and their dad picks the children up after work and a hospital
>> >> > visit. One of niece's challenges, she mentioned, was trying to get
>> >> > those bottomless pits filled and happy without wrecking her tight
>> >> > budget. It seems that there aren't many cooks here with small
>> >> > children but thought it was worth a try to see if there were any
>> >> > suggestions that
>> >> > would comfort and fill the little folks. I don't think nutrition is
>> >> > an issue for now; just survival. Polly
>> >>
>> >> have them make fresh pasta with you. Keeps them busy, and gets them
>> >> fed.
>> >>
>> > And gives them a skill for later in life.
>>
>>
>> I am sure they already know how to whine about chores.
>>
> I still say knowing how to make pasta may serve them well later in
> life.

Maybe or maybe not. Most people I know wouldn't ever bother to make their
own pasta. I used to make it a lot but really most of the people I made it
for didn't care if I made it, bought it fresh or bought dried. So why
bother?

When I was in kindergarten (half-day) I went to a lady's house for the
afternoon-I remember she used to give me bananas sliced up in a little
milk with sugar on top. I enjoyed it.

Bananas are cheap, bulky, food and you can jazz them up many ways
cheaply-a few choc chips, caramel chips, nuts, jelly, pb, milk, etc.

Big containers of cheap ice cream from Walmart or Aldi's provided you
have freezer room.

Cheap generic anything looks more appetizing if you remove it from its
generic packaging and store it in your nice containers.

Do their father a huge future favor and get each kid a
toothbrush/toothpaste and supervise and teach good brushing habits.

On 26/01/2012 9:26 PM, sf wrote:
gives them a skill for later in life.
>>
>>
>> I am sure they already know how to whine about chores.
>>
> I still say knowing how to make pasta may serve them well later in
> life.
>

Pasta from scratch? I thought this was about inexpensive food. It is
usually cheaper to buy pasta than to make it.

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
. com...
> On 26/01/2012 9:26 PM, sf wrote:
> gives them a skill for later in life.
>>>
>>>
>>> I am sure they already know how to whine about chores.
>>>
>> I still say knowing how to make pasta may serve them well later in
>> life.
>>
>
> Pasta from scratch? I thought this was about inexpensive food. It is
> usually cheaper to buy pasta than to make it.

it is? Even if it is, how much does a couple eggs and some flour cost?

On 26/01/2012 10:29 PM, Pico Rico wrote:
> "Dave > wrote in message
> . com...
>> On 26/01/2012 9:26 PM, sf wrote:
>> gives them a skill for later in life.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I am sure they already know how to whine about chores.
>>>>
>>> I still say knowing how to make pasta may serve them well later in
>>> life.
>>>
>>
>> Pasta from scratch? I thought this was about inexpensive food. It is
>> usually cheaper to buy pasta than to make it.
>
> it is? Even if it is, how much does a couple eggs and some flour cost?
>
>

About the same as a package of cheap spaghetti but without all the work.

Sqwertz wrote:
>
> I'm sure betting on the white bread. The original criteria were cheap
> and filling. Healthy was explicitly not a factor in the scenario.
> White bread is the cheapest of all. It that respect, he was spot on.

Pseudohotdogs made from mechanically separated
chicken would probably be the best meat along
those lines.

On 1/26/2012 8:27 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 26/01/2012 9:26 PM, sf wrote:
> gives them a skill for later in life.
>>>
>>>
>>> I am sure they already know how to whine about chores.
>>>
>> I still say knowing how to make pasta may serve them well later in
>> life.
>>
>
> Pasta from scratch? I thought this was about inexpensive food. It is
> usually cheaper to buy pasta than to make it.


How much cheaper can it get than flour and water?

gloria p

Polly Esther wrote:
>
>> Our niece is helping their neighbors by caring for 6 year-old twin boys,
>> a 7
>> year-old and a 9 after school. Their mother is terminally ill and their
>> dad
>> picks the children up after work and a hospital visit. One of niece's
>> challenges, she mentioned, was trying to get those bottomless pits filled
>> and happy without wrecking her tight budget.
>> It seems that there aren't many cooks here with small children but
>> thought it was worth a try to see if there were any suggestions that
>> would
>> comfort and fill the little folks. I don't think nutrition is an issue
>> for
>> now; just survival. Polly

Well. That was a trip. I was, of course, expecting assorted antler-banging
along the way but am so happy to have all of the super suggestions. I
sifted through the posts and sent our niece a great list of ideas from you
all. I even made and saved a few extra waffles; toasting and spreading them
with peanut butter might keep Mr. Esther from 'passing' from starvation when
I'm busy. Thank you. Polly

Janet wrote:

> I think it's better for both. This situation is not like a well
> mother going out to work leaving an orderly house with a minder she
> can show and explain every thing to, so there's seamless continuity
> for the kids.
>
> The house is probably chaotic with sick mother away and father
> distracted. The kids are missing their mother and may not like to see
> another woman taking her place in her home, among her things, doing
> things a different way from hers.
>
> Janet

I guess I'm going to have to find and cite some studies on this
subject - I'm certain I've read them before.

Y'all are projecting adult sensibilities onto kids, which kids don't yet
have. To a child, more familiar is better, and it doesn't get more
complicated than that. IMHO, the very worst is where the child of an
ill parent is sent to live with relatives or neighbors, ostensibly to
make it better for the child, which it most certainly does not do.

-S-

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
. com...
> On 26/01/2012 10:29 PM, Pico Rico wrote:
>> "Dave > wrote in message
>> . com...
>>> On 26/01/2012 9:26 PM, sf wrote:
>>> gives them a skill for later in life.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I am sure they already know how to whine about chores.
>>>>>
>>>> I still say knowing how to make pasta may serve them well later in
>>>> life.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Pasta from scratch? I thought this was about inexpensive food. It is
>>> usually cheaper to buy pasta than to make it.
>>
>> it is? Even if it is, how much does a couple eggs and some flour cost?
>>
>>
>
> About the same as a package of cheap spaghetti but without all the work.
>

ok, so now it is NOT cheaper to make. But you have these damn kids to keep
from running amok.

"Steve Freides" > wrote in message
...

> Y'all are projecting adult sensibilities onto kids, which kids don't yet
> have. To a child, more familiar is better, and it doesn't get more
> complicated than that. IMHO, the very worst is where the child of an ill
> parent is sent to live with relatives or neighbors, ostensibly to make it
> better for the child, which it most certainly does not do.

TBH common sense decrees you are correct! If niece is prepared to take care
of these kids and pay for their food, I am damned sure she would be prepared
to put the house in order, with the help of those children. Trust me, they
will soon tell her what she is doing wrong .. unless they are all infants!


--
http://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/

In article >, says...
>
> Janet wrote:
>
> > I think it's better for both. This situation is not like a well
> > mother going out to work leaving an orderly house with a minder she
> > can show and explain every thing to, so there's seamless continuity
> > for the kids.
> >
> > The house is probably chaotic with sick mother away and father
> > distracted. The kids are missing their mother and may not like to see
> > another woman taking her place in her home, among her things, doing
> > things a different way from hers.
> >
> > Janet
>
> I guess I'm going to have to find and cite some studies on this
> subject - I'm certain I've read them before.
>
> Y'all are projecting adult sensibilities onto kids,

Nope. I'm just speaking from personal experience at both ends. I've been
in the position of those children, and the adult emergency carer.

Janet

Steve Freides wrote:
>
> Janet wrote:
>
> > I think it's better for both. This situation is not like a well
> > mother going out to work leaving an orderly house with a minder she
> > can show and explain every thing to, so there's seamless continuity
> > for the kids.
> >
> > The house is probably chaotic with sick mother away and father
> > distracted. The kids are missing their mother and may not like to see
> > another woman taking her place in her home, among her things, doing
> > things a different way from hers.
> >
> > Janet
>
> I guess I'm going to have to find and cite some studies on this
> subject - I'm certain I've read them before.
>
> Y'all are projecting adult sensibilities onto kids, which kids don't yet
> have. To a child, more familiar is better, and it doesn't get more
> complicated than that. IMHO, the very worst is where the child of an
> ill parent is sent to live with relatives or neighbors, ostensibly to
> make it better for the child, which it most certainly does not do.
>
I agree with you and again I'll say that best place for the kids in
afternoon is at their own home with their own rooms and their own things.
They are going to be sad and miserable regardless because of their mother's
situation and temporary loss of Dad's time too. At least let them have their
familiar environment....their own home.

Sqwertz wrote:
>
> On Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:44:28 -0800, Mark Thorson wrote:
>
> > Sqwertz wrote:
> >>
> >> I'm sure betting on the white bread. The original criteria were cheap
> >> and filling. Healthy was explicitly not a factor in the scenario.
> >> White bread is the cheapest of all. It that respect, he was spot on.
> >
> > Pseudohotdogs made from mechanically separated
> > chicken would probably be the best meat along
> > those lines.
>
> Really - good suggestion. Those are $.88/12 oz package here (Bar S
> Brand). But I'd feel sorta guilty feeding those to kids knowing how
> much I personally hate them.

Whoa! I hadn't priced that stuff in decades.
How does that compare with dog food? I think
a dog would rather have one of those than
something from a can. Of course, the stuff
from the can would be nutritionally complete,
for a dog.

Your suggestion of Pizza Rolls was a good one.
Kids love Pizza Rolls. I used to eat a lot of
them. They are a superbly engineered system
of flavors and textures.

On 1/25/2012 11:29 PM, Polly Esther wrote:
> Our niece is helping their neighbors by caring for 6 year-old twin boys,
> a 7 year-old and a 9 after school. Their mother is terminally ill and
> their dad picks the children up after work and a hospital visit. One of
> niece's challenges, she mentioned, was trying to get those bottomless
> pits filled and happy without wrecking her tight budget.
> It seems that there aren't many cooks here with small children but
> thought it was worth a try to see if there were any suggestions that
> would comfort and fill the little folks. I don't think nutrition is an
> issue for now; just survival. Polly

English muffins with peanut butter if there are no peanut allergies.

Trail mix (same issue as above)

Fruit cocktail

Yogurt cups

sliced fruit, pretzelz so they get crunch, celery and pb again for crunch,
also hard boiled eggs, good protien and you can slice and put on toast for a
sand, Lee
"Polly Esther" > wrote in message
...
> Our niece is helping their neighbors by caring for 6 year-old twin boys, a
> 7 year-old and a 9 after school. Their mother is terminally ill and their
> dad picks the children up after work and a hospital visit. One of niece's
> challenges, she mentioned, was trying to get those bottomless pits filled
> and happy without wrecking her tight budget.
> It seems that there aren't many cooks here with small children but
> thought it was worth a try to see if there were any suggestions that would
> comfort and fill the little folks. I don't think nutrition is an issue
> for now; just survival. Polly