Sometimes in life, you do the best you can. When it comes to aging parents, you visit as much as you can, but at some point, it doesn't seem to be enough. You try to plug the dam of need, by cooking some meals to put in the freezer and hopefully making life a little easier. You try to convince them that asking for help is ok and even succeed a little with the addition of a cleaning lady in the last few months and a handyman for some much needed maintenance. In other words, everyone makes the best of the inevitable changes that come with aging.
In order to bring some variety to the meals I bring them, I started a Freezer Meals board on Pinterest. A lot of the meals are similar in type casserole dishes, because choice is limited when you are making something that will freeze and then reheat well. Sometimes, I even bake the meal and transfer it to a plastic container that they can easily thaw and then just warm in the microwave.
I did find a delicious and different dish that I prepared for our dinner one night last week and froze the second portion for two meals for my parents. This easy to prepare Taco Casserole is a hearty blend of ground beef, tomatoes, corn and black beans layered over rice. The original pin and recipe can be found here. I used white rice, but it would be just as good, if you wanted to make it healthier, by substituting brown rice. We liked it a lot and hopefully my parents will too.
Happy Monday!
{Linking with these friends}
Posted with Blogsy
What a wonderful privilege to be able to care for your aging parents and to help them with meals! That recipe sounds really good! I lost both of my folks when they were in their 60s, so I missed being able to give back the way you are able to. What a blessing for you all!!
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing a pic of your parents!
ReplyDeleteBoth of my parents I am fortunate to have still with us. To a degree they live alone. I say to a degree because one of my 6 younger siblings lives with them and they are a little more than 30 minutes away from me and 6 blocks from another sibling.
ReplyDeleteI do some of the driving to appts and events and grocery shopping for them. I also try to make dinners for them as well.
My parents are both in their 80's and have had serious health issues. But they both are so independent but they know they need help too.
This is a great idea and I know is greatly appreciated by your parents. It is hard to switch roles with our parents but it sounds as though you all are making the best of the situation. This recipe sounds delicious and I am going over to Pinterest to follow your board.
ReplyDeleteLove freezer meals and this one looks delish! Your parents are lucky to have such a wonderful daughter who obviously loves and cares for them very much! Both my parents are in their 80's but so far, so good. My dad has never been shy about asking for help on his farm, as kids he always included our friends on the chore list haha.
ReplyDeleteThank for following my blog, I'm now following you as well!
Have a great week
Saimi
I hope that when I get to the stage in my life when I need help I will have someone like you there, caring and loving, making sure my life is a little easier. x
ReplyDeleteI too . . . loved seeing your parents . . .
ReplyDeleteWhat a good soul you are . . .
Doing for others . . . even when your life is so full!
Thanks for the "something new" I can try . . .
Sounds yummy!
Your parents are so fortunate to have you caring for them :)
ReplyDelete