koko wrote:
> I bought a frozen Chicken Sausage Calzone at Trader Joe's last week. I
> typically don't buy convenience foods in any form but I thought Stan
> might like it for an afternoon snack.
>
> Tonight I had no imagination or energy to fix myself a meal, so
> tonight as I was getting ice for my drink this popped out on me, I saw
> it as an omen. ;-)
>
> I must say it was very good and I will buy it again.
>
No TJ's near me but some (not necessarily frozen) convenience type foods can
be pretty good. When I was shopping for Mom in December I checked the two
grocery stores nearest her. I know my grocery store has things in the baked
goods/deli section that beat the heck out of Hamburger Helper. I picked up
a nice spinach quiche (which can be frozen); they had a broccoli one, too;
wish I'd bought that, too because Mom loved that quiche!

I looked at the Calzones but wasn't sure if they'd like them (they did look
tasty!). I got some pre-made (not frozen) meatballs and made a stroganoff
type thing with them; another day I made meatball sub sandwiches for us. I
got couple of package of pre-cooked roast beef (it was chuck roast, yum) in
"au jus"; I think the brand was Hormel. I put one in the freezer and cooked
the other one with mashed potatoes. It was very good! And again, beat the
heck out of some boxed mix of something.

Some will argue she could have made her own meatballs or her own chuck roast
or her own quiche (I don't think she's ever made a quiche in her life).
Sure, she could have. Except she'll be 82 at the end of this month and
takes the path of least resistance. She's dealing with my father who now
suffers from severe dementia, 24/7. Cooking is really the last thing on her
mind.

My point is, you *can* buy some pre-prepared foods that are pretty darn
good. I read labels and most of these things don't contain more sodium or
fat than if you prepare them at home. She made a point of asking me what
section of the grocery store I found these things in. She rarely looks
beyond getting some milk, bread, canned goods, ground beef or frozen mini
pizzas, stuff like that. The problem is she doesn't have time to leisurely
shop and look around because she doesn't dare leave Dad alone for extended
periods of time. He sleeps a lot but she never knows what he might do if
she isn't there.

Jill