I do not know about you, but for me, the first weeks of school are hectic and I need my evenings to be a simple as possible. Although I love a yummy, creative dinner, some nights, I just need simple! If you are looking for Cornish game hens served with seared Brussel sprouts or step-by step directions, this is not the post for you. However, if you need some ideas other than cereal, maybe I can help out!
Breakfast
Who doesn't love breakfast for dinner? Keep it simple with pancakes and sausage or add omelets. Either way, you can make dinner with only your griddle to clean up and have happy, full kids!
Crock Pot Chicken Fajita Tacos
Throw some chicken breasts with taco seasoning in your crock pot before you head out the door and by dinner you will have moist shredded chicken. I like to add peppers and onion in the crock pot, but you do not have to. To stay with our simple theme, keep your fixin's easy. Sour cream, Cheese, shredded lettuce and salsa can be served right out of the container for easy clean up and you can add beans or rice if you have a few extra minutes.
Grilled Cheese
I know this seems like lunch, but use 2-3 types of cheese in your sandwich and add tomato soup and it can feel more hearty. If you feel the need for additional protein, get fancy, make it a hot ham and cheese!
Chicken and Broccoli
I know this seems less than simple, but hear me out. You can use chicken tenderloins, frozen broccoli and Kikkoman stir fry sauce to whip up homemade Chinese in no time. To reduce your efforts, Innovasian makes a great sticky rice that you can find in the frozen section of most grocery stores.
Italian Sausage and Peppers
Again, I show my love for a crock pot! In the morning, put sausage in the crock pot with sliced peppers and onions and cover with your favorite sauce. Remember that the pepper and onion will add to the flavor so no need for homemade if you do not have any handy. When you get home, serve with rolls or pasta. You can add a simple salad if you want to add some freshness.
Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Salad or served over Rice
I know...more crock pot...but 5 minutes in the morning can be so worth it. For this meal, add buffalo sauce and a package of dry ranch dressing to chicken and it will shred into moist goodness by dinner time. You can make wraps, salad or serve over rice.
Soup
Okay, so if you make your grandmother's chicken soup, turn away now as this WILL upset you. If you are willing to take the simple way out, grab yourself a couple of cans of your favorite canned soup and serve with biscuits or crackers. Sometimes we just need this level of simple to make it through. :-)
Dear Coach,
Thank you! And not, "thank you" like I say to the person that holds open a door for me or thank you to the server at the restaurant. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I may not always show my appreciation, and I am sorry for that, but I want you to know that I see what you do and I know much of what you do goes unseen. I can only guess the number of hours you spend sending emails, creating line ups, rescheduling rain outs, prepping fields, and planning drills. And that's the work we don't see. On top of that, you run practices, get to games early, coach games, deal with our child's emotions after they miss the catch, hit or goal and play clean up for all of the stuff left on the bench. You deal with parents when their kids don't 'play enough' or when preferred positions are not chosen. You deal with the ref or ump when unfair calls are made and bite your tongue to set a good example. You put up with the peanut-gallery of parents yelling from the stands, sometime unknowingly giving direction that differs from the one you gave when you sent our kid onto the field.
More than that, you are not just our child's sport coach, you are our child's mentor and life coach. They watch you when they win and when they lose. They see your attitude and how to handle an array of emotions. They receive your patience and also your tough love, when needed. If our children make teams as they get older and move on it is your foundation that they are jumping from. That is invaluable.
Personally, we have had a lot of physical trials on our team this season, my child included. I cannot be more grateful for the way you have handled it. You have been patient with me and my son. You have encouraged him and helped him to have remain part of the team even though he cannot always give 100%. More, you have taught our children how to be compassionate to teammates. You have taught them that this sport is bigger than games won or lost, it's even bigger than athletic skills learned.
You have a family and a job and a whole life outside the field. As a mom who sometimes struggles just to get the uniform clean and my kid to the field on time, I do not know how you squeeze it all in, but I am beyond appreciative that you do. I am well aware without people like you that the rest of the children would not have a team to be on.
Thank you for stepping up to the plate and for committing to more than you may have meant to when you first volunteered. Thank you for making such a difference in my child's life. It is such a blessing to have someone who was a stranger to us not so long ago give such care about my child and our family. Please know that even if we do not say it enough, there are a team of parents who appreciate you and are forever indebted to your time, skill, support and guidance.
I know your coaching salary check seems to always get lost in the mail, but I hope that you know we know how much you are worth.
Signed,
Aimee and Parents of athletes everywhere
