Do you ever find yourself lost in the world of your wip only to hear the call of your family obligations?  You know, simple things like picking up your kids from school and dinner?

I do. I’ve been revising my fast draft and it’s been quite a challenge with end of school year activities.

While my characters were going through great emotional angst, my kids were going through abandonment issues.

“Mom, where are you? Are you picking us up?”

Hmmm.  This was not good.

Praise God I only live 10 minutes away, but still.

When kids get home, what’s the first question you hear?

“What’s there to eat?”

While I can be pretty inventive when I need to be, I’m no magician.

So how do you solve this?

Plan.  On every trip to the grocery store stock up on at least two meals for those moments when you just don’t have the time to cook. This way when you are racing through your wip, you won’t have to stop for long.

Here are some options for quick meals.  These meals are so easy my ten-year-old daughter makes them.

Ravioli

2 Packages Frozen Ravioli (1 Cheese, 1 Beef)

1 Bottle Spaghetti Sauce

Spaghetti seasoning to taste

Follow the directions on the back of the package to cook the ravioli.

Simultaneously heat the spaghetti sauce, adding seasoning to taste.

Let simmer for about 10 minutes.

Then add the ravioli, mix into the sauce and serve.

Serve with salad and garlic bread.

 

Meatball Sandwiches

Frozen meatballs from the frozen section in your local grocery store. They have turkey and beef.  Choose whichever you like the best.

1 pkg. Frozen Meatballs

1 bottle Spaghetti Sauce

Spaghetti seasoning to taste

1 pkg. French bread or sub bread

1 pkg. Mozzarella Cheese (about 2 cups)

Cook the meatballs according to the package directions.

Simultaneously heat the spaghetti sauce, adding seasoning to taste.

Heat oven to 375. Spray a pan with Pam.

Cut the sub bread open lengthwise

Add the cooked meatballs to the bread.

Pour spaghetti sauce over the meatballs and then layer mozzarella cheese over the sauce.

Place the tray into the oven until the cheese melts.

What about you, what are some of your favorite time-saving meals and how do you balance writing and family obligations?

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A romance novel addict, Alena juggles life in the family business while mothering four zany kids. She ponders the beginning aspects of a writer’s life while enjoying real life with her family.