Caregiving and meals

I've been preparing my brother's meals now for about 8 years.  I make 7 dinners and 5 lunches a week.  I've learned a few tricks that really help with this and one of them was purchasing a George Foreman indoor grill.  It is small and it says you can grill 4 servings at a time but the most I've been able to do is 3.  I love this little grill though.  It's perfect for two people or for one.

 This is one of the best purchases I've made.  It has removable grill plates and nothing, absolutely nothing sticks to them.  So easy to clean. I've had mine about two years and it still works like a champ.  It is so easy to grill on and really helps me prepare Mike's meals.  And it only cost about $27.00 at Walmart.

Another thing I discovered is single serve instant potato cups.  I get the Walmart brand because they are a little cheaper but you just add water stir and microwave for 1 minute.  Mike just loves them and I don't have to make a whole pot of mashed potatoes.  

This is the brand I started with and they have 3 flavors.  Garlic & butter, Loaded (with cheese) and buttery homestyle.  These are great for people living alone.

About once a month I will cook all day things like small meatloaves,spaghetti sauce, soups, chili anything I can put in single serve portions and freeze. I've also prepared several menus for each season.  Winter menus and summer menus that I then rotate.  That way I don't keep preparing him the same thing every week.  And I don't have to think about what to cook each week.  This has really made it easier especially when I go to the grocery store.  

I've really gotten it down to where it only takes me about two to three hours to put all the meals together.  I usually only have to cook twice a week for us as well.  

We purchased insulated bags to transport his meals. 

I purchased meal trays from Amazon and each meal is labeled with the day, contents and heating instructions.  I learned over time that Mike isn't able to make even small decisions like what he wants to eat.  So I prepare a calendar for him each week with the weekly menu on it.

MONDAY Lunch –    Ham Sandwich	Supper –       Salmon Patties                       3 minutes
TUESDAY Lunch –   Bacon Cheeseburger	Supper -  Chili                                                                                           3 minutes
WEDNESDAY Lunch –   Bacon Cheeseburger	Supper -        Beef Pot Pies                      3 minutes
THURSDAY Lunch -    Thanksgiving dinner 1pm	Supper -       Sandwich
FRIDAY Lunch –  Freddie's	Supper -     Pulled Pork                     3 minutes
SATURDAY Lunch –   Arbie’s	Supper -       Pork Chop                     3 minutes
SUNDAY Lunch –  Bacon Cheeseburger	Supper         Brisket                     3 minutes

Two days a week Ron takes Mike out to lunch.

Anyway, if you are a caregiver cooking meals for someone maybe this will give you some ideas.