6/25/09

You don't have to take a Full Course Meal!



My dad's wife, Ginny, recently had foot surgery, so I took a meal to her and my Dad while she was recovering.  Two weeks ago I found myself with my foot propped up, having the same surgery as Ginny.  So I've been down for awhile and taking time to heal.

So many friends came and offered to help and bring our family meals.  I was overwhelmed with the kindness and love that I felt.

I don't stress over taking meals to people. I use what I have and I know from past experience that any kind of meal is appreciated when you are in need.  Amen to that!

If you want to read more on how to set up meals for a needy family, head over to Christian Women Online, where I offer a simple list about this very subject in CWO's Ask Sandy column.

So what did I take to my Dad and Ginny for dinner?



My easy green enchiladas, a few tulips from our yard, and I asked Ginny what else I could bring her to help her enjoy her down time. (Can you really enjoy downtime?  I guess so, if you have something meaningful to do!  I hate T.V.!)

She was reorganizing her recipes into books, like I have done with my kid's memory books, so I bought her the supplies at Costco, and then she reimbursed me.



I can't wait to see the results of her hard work (she is a fantastic cook too!), and I was happy to help out.

I didn't feel like I needed to take a full-course meal, either. That one entree would be enough and appreciated.

Although, we were happy with the entire meal. (Thank you ladies!)  I just get so tired of my own cooking ...

Do you ever take meals to others? Do you keep it simple, or do you feel like you have to take a full-course meal?

In celebrating a beautiful life, head on over to The Inspired Room and read about Melissa's plan for celebrating summer simply.  I love her ideas.  My beautiful story this week came from friends and family supporting our family and bringing us food!  Friends and food go hand-in-hand!

The winner to the GIFT BASKET is Amanda from The Lazy Moms! Congrats Amanda!

31 comments:

Sweet P said...

I seldom have the opportunity to take meals to someone. However, on Tuesdays I babysit my grandson and make dinner for my DS and DIL. I make at least two courses for that meal - one chicken meal and a dessert.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for this post. I've never been a gourmet chef and since there are only two of us at home it's hard to get inspired to become one. Thus, I'm always initimidated by things like this - wondering what to take, if it will be good enough, etc. and am never quite sure. This has encouraged me that the important thing is the love behind it and to just keep doing it without worrying about it!

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

It's been a while since I've taken a meal to anyone. It's not that I wouldn't help a friend in need- there just hasn't been anyone in need at the moment (that I know of). When I make a meal for someone it's usually something fairly hearty and something that can be frozen. I also make a double batch of it so that I can put something in my freezer as well. I generally also bring a bag of salad and something for dessert as well. For one friend I knew that she had two preschool age boys so I made them Kool-aid play dough to keep them occupied.

Somewhere In The Sun said...

I usually take a casserole of some sort or chicken pot pie. I've never taken a full course meal. Just this morning I took a breakfast braid to a family who had a death in the family. They had so much "dinner" meals that breakfast was a good change.

Kim said...

At times I bring meals (new baby, hospital stay, etc.). I usually bring one of my frozen entrees (if I can deliver it ahead of time). I have found that it is nice to give people an option, as to when they want a meal. Sometimes they are getting so much food, it is nice to spread it out!

Crystal said...

This is a great simple meal. It is always the thought that counts anyhow. I think everyone just appreciates that you thought about them. Now the tulips would definitely brighten the day.
Thanks for sharing!
Crystal

southerninspiration said...

I just took a meal to someone yesterday and I did things a little differently...I hope they liked it. I made wraps and two cold salads, a tortellini salad and a "pink stuff" salad. Oh, and brownies. It's just been so hot, I thought a cold meal might be welcome. HOPE so!

Suzanne

Anonymous said...

I've thought about this a lot lately. My dad has been sick. He's a minister so for awhile, we had a lot of food coming to the house. I've picked up some great ideas along the way, and also realized that some of my own "take-over" ideas don't work so well.

Recently I had the opportunity to help a mom whose son was hospitalized. Her friend set up a Google calendar account so that everyone could sign up for a meal and let all the other volunteers know what she was taking so that the family didn't have lasagna three times in one week.

mary beth said...

thanks Sandy, I needed to be reminded of this. I used to think that I had to have every element of the meal in my basket, but I dont any more. If there is a main dish and either a salad or a dessert to go with it, it's easy for others to fill in the blanks. I love leftovers, so I like to make enough that they can have leftovers too.

It's so easy to get wrapped up in ourselves and our own busy world and not even consider sharing a meal with someone. Keep drumming this into my thick skull please! I want to be intentional about doing things for others and this is such an easy way to bless others who are busy too!

Melanie said...

The last meal I took to a friend recovering from surgery was my homemade potato soup (crockpot).
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Mary @ Giving Up On Perfect said...

I take meals to women after they have babies. It started as a Sunday school ministry, but it’s continued even as our original group of ladies has now scattered throughout the church. I almost always take a pasta dish (baked mostaciolli) and maybe a bag of salad or plate of brownies. I try to remember to take paper plates and napkins, too.

One time, I heard a girl that we’d taken meals to complain about getting “too much pasta.” And I will say that after I had my daughter, I did get quite a few pasta dishes. But you know what? It didn’t matter to me! I was so grateful for meals that it didn’t matter WHAT it was, really!

And two weeks ago, when I took dinner to one of my best friends, I remembered that as I picked up a pizza. And sure enough – she didn’t care that I hadn’t cooked her a big meal; she was just thankful for food and fellowship!!

Christina said...

My church uses a free website to coordinate meals for families who have a new baby, surgery, etc. http://www.carecalendar.org/index.php

It is very user friendly and allows people to see what day there is a need and you can also put what you are bringing so that they don't get pasta 3 nights in a row.

Most of the time when I take a meal I do a casserole, bagged salad and either homemade bread or a dessert. I have also done taco salad and a dessert. Just depends on who I am making it for, the time of year and what I have on hand.

Suzann said...

I have taken meals to others, originally I stressed out, but then I realized that if I put the meal together in the crockpot and brought it over to them, it could cook all day in their home, they could enjoy the aromas and they could eat when they were ready.

Donnetta said...

Again, I have been known to do both... take an entire meal or just make cookies, brownies, a loaf of bread, etc. Sometimes I do these things "just because".

When I do take a main course and I know the family is also receiving meals from others, I try to make it something that can be easily frozen if needed.

I know when I have received meals sometimes it is too much to eat at once. What a blessing it has been to get those occasional dishes that could be frozen and pulled out later on a follow up Dr. appt. day, etc!

Great CWO article with the steps of "how to"!

ellen b. said...

Sorry you're laid up but happy to know you are in the receiving end of things right now. I usually take a main something and a veg/fruit something not a 4 course meal :0)

Anonymous said...

I am a member of a local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. One of the many ways that we bond is by taking meals to the ladies in our group when someone has a baby, has some sort of difficulty in the family (death, surgery even when there is illness or something that just takes it's toll on you as a mother). I enjoy doing this very much. It's a way that I can help someone that maybe I don't get to talk to at our meetings or don't know very well. I've made great friends with many of the ladies. There are approx. 30 of us in our group and it's hard to talk to each and every one during a meeting but when you take a meal to someone in their time of need...Wow, the bonds you make. It's a great feeling and I know that if I am ever in that situation where I need it, they will all be there for me too.
Amy

Kirstin said...

I usually make a full meal, but keep it simple. Sometimes chicken soup, rolls, salad and some cookies or muffins. Casseroles work, or spaghetti. I always make double and we have the same meal.

Tuscan Lady said...

I have been involved in the *giving of meals* for many years. I agree with you that it doesn't have to be anything fancy.
I usually make a main dish, add a prepackaged salad from the store, some homemade brownies or cookies (store bought if I don't have the time), and the most important items ... paper plates and plastic utensils ... that way the family truly has a break.

Tiffany said...

I take lots of meals and have received lots of meals as well. One of my best ideas is to bake a batch of 24 muffins that can be used as dessert or breakfast or snacks for the kids. It has often been the morning time with a new baby and getting others ready for school that I need some assistance. I usually take a meatloaf and mashed potatoes with a veggie side. It is easy and very low cost. Meal taking has been a huge blessing to me and I am always glad to do it for others.

Janet said...

I usually take what we're having for supper-just make more of it. It keeps me from being nervous about preparing the "perfect meal". Also my mom will buy some ham and turkey lunchmeat and some cheese slices and arrange a nice meat tray on some lettuce leaves along with a loaf of bread when someone has a death in the family. I thought that was a great idea as people have a lot of company around at that time.

Christy said...

As a pastor's wife I take a lot of meals to people! I do like to bring a "full" meal, but I usually make the main dish from scratch, and then buy ready made for the rest. I might take homemade Chicken Tetrazzini, a bagged salad complete w/dressing, French bread or heat n' serve rolls, and some brownies made from a mix, or in the summer I might take a half gallon of a fresh, fruity sorbet. I also like to take fresh fruit, but I buy the ready made, cut up fruit from the produce section. I don't feel like I HAVE to take a full meal, but I like to! I also double the recipe and make feed my family the other half. That way I'm not stressed making two separate meals!

G. said...

I do take meals to people. I love it! I will usually make a main course, side, and dessert but it could be something as simple as a Chicken, veggies, and a pan of brownies. A lot of times I'll just double what I'm making for my family to take to someone. It's really simple if you're taking something to a single- I just make a plate of what I've cooked for my family and take it to them. :)

Rachel said...

I'm taking a "meal" to a friend tomorrow, who has a 3-week old baby. She mentioned that she is having trouble finding snack foods that won't make her baby gassy, so I'm bringing protien-rich, filling snack foods for her: deviled eggs, meatballs, and some frozen ziploc bags with all the ingredients for coconut-milk smoothies.
I'm glad she mentioned it--I can't wait to surprise her with the food!

Deborah said...

I'm always looking for good things to take to neighbors when they need dinner, and these enchiladas look perfect!

Mimi said...

In the winter I usually take a one pot meal like a roast with all the trimmings. That way I can throw it all in the crock pot in the morning and forget about it.

If I don't take a roast I end up taking at least the main course with 2 side dishes.

Courtney said...

In the caring ministry at our church, I signed up for meal making. I always make a quiche and pack a salad in a bag as well. I buy the ready-made crust when I don't have time to make homemade.

Anonymous said...

We were so blessed to be able to take a meal to a friend and her husband last night. She had open heart surgery, and her church took such good care of her that we had to wait a good couple of weeks to get in the schedule~LOL! So we took a turkey/spinach meatloaf, colorful potato salad (that's not traditional), and a yummy fruit salad. I admit to going and spending $$$ to do it, as I did not have all the ingredients at home. Still, it was SOO GOOD to be able to see and spend time with her! (((((HUGS))))) sandi

Tracey said...

It depends on how much time I have and what I have on hand. Sometimes it's just a one dish meal and a simple dessert. No matter how simple or elaborate, it's always appreciated.

Amanda Herrold said...

Yay! ThAnks so much. I am so excited!

Lisa Russell said...

Sandy, do you use the clear sheet protectors or the non-glare? I don't think I have ever used the non-glare before, but there was a choice at my Sam's and was wondering which you use for your memory books. Of course, our store did not have the 2" binders. Every other size, but not 2"! I'll have to look for those at the regular stores.

Thanks,

Lisa R.

Jim said...

I work about 60+ hours a week. So I make meals for me and my family and friends usually only 1 or 2 days a week. I cook up individual meals usually about 40 meals at a time depending on what I have on hand and what space I have. I find it nice knowing my family is never more than 5 minutes from a meal when noone can cook. These meals I make make it easy for somone who isn't always capable and is on a strict diet but can at leaste use a microwave most people at worste can heat somethigg up in the microwave.