Meals to Take

I have kids almost that age and I think they can fend for themselves. The problem comes with visits to the hospital it's difficult to plan meals and you end up eating out. A Subway gift card would probably be a good idea.

I usually make meatballs and cheesy potatoes when I make meals for other people. I also like to make beef and noodles. I always make extra for my family so I don't have to turn right around and cook another meal.
I really don't enjoy cooking that much, but I love making meals for people because I always feel so good after I do. I think you are doing the right thing. Trust your gut.

Who's pressuring you to provide meals for grown men? It's not like they're 3 and 6 for goodness sake! Surely they can handle their own meals while their mom is healing.

A pan of brownies seems more than enough to get the pressure off of you in this situation. Especially if you're not close enough to even have an inkling of what kind of food to bring.

When our coworker was in the hospital, a lot of us pitched in to provide gift cards to the local grocery store and restaurants that deliver. Reasons why: 1) He had cancer so a lot of casseroles would not be appealing to him, 2) He and his family could choose the food that did appeal to him, and 3) hospital stays are expensive and they might need the extra help at the grocery store.

If you're feeling intimidated as to what to cook, I would give a gift card. They really come in handy.

23 and 26!! They can take care of themselves. If it was for her it would be one thing... I had two kids at 23 and three kids at 26(28 now) plus, dogs, house etc to take care of... Maybe I am just I am mean...

Lots of people in our area have started using Meal Train to help organize meals. http://www.mealtrain.com/ It is a web based calendar that people can be invited to use. It is interactive so it is always up to date. There are other websites that are similar.

What are others providing? I agree that if it is older people who are going to be eating the meals, a gift card to a grocery store or a restaurant with take out would be a good idea. Maybe even some breakfast food would be a good idea--orange juice, pancake mix, eggs, syrup, and fresh strawberries or blueberries. Spaghetti dinner would be easy too--box of whole wheat pasta, jar of sauce, loaf of French bread, parmasean cheese, some fresh broccoli or asparagus, and maybe a small pan of brownies or a dozen cookies.

I don't think it has to been anything fancy, but I would ask others in your office if there are any dietary restrictions you should know about--gluten free, nut allergies, lactose limitations, etc.

23 and 26 year old's can fend for themselves. The aunt, too. As a gesture a Subway gift card would be nice, they have healthy sandwiches and salads.

If you take providing meals on do it as a team with assigned days, as many as are pressuring you. Make a chart for "x" amount of days, pick a day and sign your name on it. Say to your co-workers and mom, "This is such a great idea, it will be interesting to see all the different meals they'll get!" And walk away. Buy a frozen veggie lasagna, a bag of salad and dressing, and some zucchini brownies or frozen yogurt. Don't overthink it :)

And don't ever feel pressured to do anything!

Wouldn't the meals be for her son and her aunt? I'm sure anything would be appreciated. The snack type food sounds good, as they can bring it with them to the hospital. In times like these, it's more the thought than the specifics. Your thoughtfulness will be appreciated ;)

Wait until she comes home and ask what she likes to eat. Since her kids are really adults, I would concentrate on things she likes. They are capable of taking care of themselves. Ask her what she enjoys and cook those things..

I'm completely confused by this. Do you have a business that you feed people with or do you just like to make meals for co-workers? Because this is entirely voluntary and there is no reason for people to pressure you to do something like this unless this is your job. The kids are old enough to microwave something for themselves. For goodness sake they are old enough to be living on their own, let alone making their own meals.

Do whatever YOU feel like doing. Unless someone told you about their diet, don't worry about it. And I'd really like to know where your mother and coworkers get off with these expectations. I thing ou may need to look into setting some new boundaries and expectations with others.

This pressure is uncalled for, and you need to stop giving in if you've been giving in in the past. It's not healthy for you, and it's not right of them.

Well if she is in the hospital maybe they would appreciate the not so natural food LOL

I also think it's weird that you are supposed to bring food for an aunt and a 26 year old. I could see if this woman had a husband and young kids but 2 adults?

I think I would go with a $20 gift card as a nice gesture. Do you have a Chipotle or a Noodles and Co? Those would be good choices.

Or if you have a Trader Joes go there and pick up some snack food. Lots of choices and lots of quick meals and treats etc.

Unless her aunt and son have a problem taking care of themselves and your coworker was their caretaker, I have no idea why they need anyone to bring them meals. If they actually do need food, they should appreciate whatever you bring. Unless they have a food allergy, take whatever you like, if you want to. No need to bend to pressure if this is not the way you usually lend a helping hand. Maybe offer to take the aunt to the grocery store so she can do her own shopping if she is there without a car. Or take your friend her mail and some magazines when you visit the hospital. Or offer to do a load of their laundry or vacuum their living room. Maybe a gift certificate for Merry Maids or some other cleaning service to lighten her burden when she gets discharged? Assemble get well notes and wishes from all your coworkers and drop them off while you have lunch with your friend one day in the hospital. There are plenty of ways to let them know you care without feeding the rest of the family if that isn't your thing.

I'm not sure where the pressure is coming from - is the boss doing this? Are you the only other woman and so it's "natural" for you to be the cook? Or are you the "organizer" and everyone wants to pitch in and just have you set it up? That's a lot of work and responsibility, but what you should prepare has a lot to do with whether you have all of the financial responsibility too.

I agree that the sons who are 23 and 26 are adults and perfectly capable of feeding themselves. They aren't young adults no matter how they or someone else bills them - they are men. Why the aunt had to come in to "care for them" is unclear -- are there disabilities involved perhaps?

I would get a list from the aunt of what they eat and go form there. If this is a long-term illness and some sort of support is needed over time, it might be worth looking into Lotsa Helping Hands, a free on-line newsletter that lets you list tasks (meals, laundry, cleaning, garden maintenance, whatever) and then everyone can sign up for what interests them and is convenient.

If this is more short term, and if there are no dietary restrictions (allergies, vegetarians, whatever), I would roast a chicken (or let the supermarket do it - sometimes Fridays are "half price" days), and some potatoes and maybe a vegetable. I oven-roast potatoes (regular or sweet, or mixed) and sometimes add onions. You can add broccoli and cauliflower if you like. Just toss in olive oil and some kind of herb (dill goes well with a lot of things). Put everything in disposable containers and stick a post-it note on top with instructions ("reheat 15 minutes at 350" or "microwave on high for 4 minutes").

If they need meals delivered, put a cooler in the driveway and let them know that dinner will come by 5 PM or 6 PM, whatever, so that they go look. Do 3 meals a week and they can have leftovers in between. For heavens sake, don't do all of this alone - the office can pitch in.

Another option is meatloaf and a side of rice pilaf, and a fruit salad or green salad. The hot dishes pack well and reheat well, and the cold stuff is easy to eat and serve.

How about turkey or beef meatballs in sauce, and a separate package of pasta already cooked and just tossed with a little oil so it doesn't stick?

If you want meatless - do a spinach or broccoli quiche (buy a prepared pie shell in the frozen section), or a big salad with hardboiled eggs, walnuts, and edamame for protein. Or a pizza with mushrooms and spinach.

If these meals are for when she comes home, and you're really worried about what SHE eats as well as the family, just do an assortment - a "salad bar" with everything in small disposable containers works. So do quesadillas - take 2 large tortillas and spread some refried beans on one, and then add an assortment of other items such as drained beans (black, red, pinto or white), diced green peppers, peas and corn (just throw in a handful from the bags in the freezer), some shredded cheese (monterey Jack, cheddar or Mexican), some chopped onions, etc. Put the other tortilla on top and bake until the cheese melts and holds the whole thing together. Put instructions on it to reheat and slice into wedges with a pizza cutter. You can do the same thing with smaller tortillas that you fold over into a semi-circle. Label them with contents so people can eat what they want. You can provide a side of Mexican rice - just replace 1/2 to 1/3 of the water with tomato puree and any spices you like, such as pepper or chic, or cumin/coriander combined.

If you really don't want to cook, then get them gift certificates from places that deliver.

Good luck - it sounds like you have a lot on your plate.

Just saw your edit - so why are your mother and your other co-workers pressuring YOU? Are they helping too? Are you worried that you use too many processed foods? Then pick up something at a Whole Foods or Wegman's or other market that prepares ready-to-eat foods with fresh ingredients. Take it to them in the store bag so they know where it comes from.