Cooking is Overrated

I tried another Deceptively Delicious recipe tonight for dinner. Meatball Soup. Poor Zoë has come down with a cold and she usually likes meatballs so I thought I would give it a whirl. Let me first say, the time estimates are completely off. It says that the meal takes twenty minutes to prepare. Um no. It took me twenty minutes just to roll the meatballs. 

Mom, did you hear that? I actually made meatballs. From scratch.

For a normal person that would be completely non-noteworthy. For me that is huge. The last time I actually touched raw meat like that was when I was freshly married and making turkey meatloaf. The turkey meat got stuck in the prongs of my wedding ring and that was the end of that. I had my diamond reset and haven't touched the stuff since. Bleck! I don't do raw meat. At all. Kelly normally handles the meat cooking in our house. He does it willingly. Heck, he is just glad that I eat meat at all.

Back to my story. I made meatballs (with rubber gloves on) for my little monkey who is sick. The soup turned out wonderfully. Two thumbs up from the parents. Two thumbs down from Zoë. This is after I had already rinsed all the tomato broth off of the noodles and meatballs. (The child doesn't like any sauce on her food). She said it was yucky. I don't know if that was just because it was something new or because she just didn't feel good. 

Like I said, Kel and I thought it was yummy, but I do have one recommendation. I would bake the meatballs before putting it in the broth to solidify them a bit. Some of them fell apart into the soup and the rest were really soft. Cooked but soft. I knew they were cooked.  I checked. But I kept thinking to myself (as I was chewing the soft meatballs) "Is this one raw? I know I checked, but I could be eating raw meat right now."

After all of that, I have decided that cooking is overrated. The cooking part I like. Cooking for my family makes me feel like a good wife and mother. It is my disaster of a kitchen that I can't stand. Cooking makes such a mess!!!  I don't think that it is actually worth it.  As I was cleaning up (after stalling in the living room as long as I could) I contemplated the cost of eating NutriSystem or The Zone food versus shopping and cooking myself. They deliver right to your door. No muss, no fuss, no mess...and you don't gain weight. I'm just saying....

Now for some goodies for my blog readers. I am in the midst of cleaning my desk and you would not believe the number of scrapbooking idea books I have. Actually, chances are that you are reading my blog because you scrapbook, so you know what I'm talking about. Here is a list of the books and other random scrapbooking items that I am giving away. If you would like some of them leave a comment and I will be in touch with you.

Album Shortcuts (Simple Scrapbooks)
Design Secrets (Scrapbooks, Etc.)
Baby (Scrapbooks, Etc.)
Step Up Your Scrapbooking by Lisa Brown Caveney
My Creative Companion by Becky Higgins
Creative Sketches by Becky Higgins
The Journaler's Handbook by Tracy White
Scrapbooking with Lisa Bearnson, Volume 1
Scrapbooks Made Easy (Simple Scrapbooks)
The Idea Book by SEI (Sporty & Softy)
Write Me a Memory Journaling Fonts (Stampin' Up)
Creative Clips & Fonts by Becky Higgins
Creative Clips & Fonts for Everyday Celebrations by Becky Higgins
2-Epson Story Teller Photo Books (5x7)

Comments

[Kelly]

LOL

[Joy]

I would be interested in the 5x7 Epson Story Teller books for my granddaughters.

Joy :)

[Debbie]

I would love any of the Simple Scrapbooks magazines. I am trying to get my mom into scrapbooking, since she recently retired and those would be perfect so she doesn't feel overwhelmed.

Debbie

[Trisha]

I'm interested in the Album Shortcuts!

[robin forman]

LOL at the meat, Maegan! I am EXACTLY the same way- I thought it was just me :)

[Angela Parris]

I would enjoy the digital clip art - if you think it would be a good way for me to play around with layers and layouts and FINALLY jump start into Digital Scrapbooking- though I have to say, it is more the idea of figuring out how to download and sort files I purchase that has me intimidated! Thanks- Maegan!

[Cathy P]

How fun! I'd love the Step Up Your Scrapbooking one if it's still available!

And the soup sounds yummy! But Sofi doesn't like meatballs either...

[mel]

I would be interested in either of the Becky Higgins books. I just started reading her blog and she is very inspiring!

[Jamie]

I'd be interested in the Creative Sketches by Becky Higgins. Actually, either one would be wonderful. =)

[Lisa]

oh poor baby, i hope she feels better soon. the thing with the soup was probably a combination of both things, something new and not feeling well. does she eat soup at all? you are such a good mommy for making her soup, and meatballs from scratch!! i am impressed. i hate messing with meat. i will do it, but prefer not to. the meatballs from trader joe's suits me just fine ;) hopefully there are some other recipes in that book that she will like.
those program foods are convenient, but so very expensive. very. i am finding that shopping and preparing my own meals is not that bad. it's converting the rest of my family to my new eating lifestyle that is hard. like switching from white bread to whole wheat- my kids and hubby will not eat it! but back to what i was saying. i have lost 10 pounds doing it myself. with the dollars i would use to pay for program foods i could buy some new clothes for my new size 6 figure!

[Jennifer]

Yes, cooking truly is overrated. Thanks for the review of the cookbook. I saw that Oprah show and thought about buying it. Let me know if you try anymore recipes!

[Holly F.]

Hi,

I'd love either the Idea Book by SEI or the Write Me a Memory Journaling Fonts by Stampin' Up. My kids would love those. They are just getting into scrapbooking. Thank you so much! Love your blog!

[Joy T.]

Oh, I had seen that Oprah episode. So interested in buying that cookbook but looks like not much could get by your Zoe? Makes me have second-thoughts.
Anyhoo, I kinda feel silly saying that if you still have the Design Secrets from Scrapbooks, etc., I'd love that. I've only stumbled upon your blog and your shoppe. Thanks!