01.22.10

i’m boycotting the kitchen

I think I’m boycotting cooking next week. I was going to post a menu, but not follow it ourselves.  Then I thought there are probably other moms out there like me that just don’t want to cook sometimes. Last week was HARD! To be totally housed, with 2 super young, sick and bored kids, and hitting 6 weeks until Baby #3′s arrival – while keeping up with life in general, was a lot….kind of hit burn out mode. I’m sure there are a lot of mom’s out there that will agree with me as I’m sure many of you have similar situations!

So I’ve decided to get take out each night next week to give myself that extra time each day, and I’m going to share a few Favorite, inexpensive, but healthy Go To places.

I’m also listing them in the weekly menu and shopping list. For all those that don’t live in the OC area, I’m so sorry to not give you recommendations! But I’ll be back again next Friday with a menu.   Anyone that WANTS to cook, feel free to check out past Recipes and find a Favorite.

I plan on ordering each of these and having Hubby pick up on his way home!!! (Of course there is always delivery too!)

Monday we are hitting up Flame Broiler:

OUR ORDER:
2 Chicken Bowls, All White & Extra Meat.
Green Onions and Extra Sauce. (Addie shares ours with us).

My hubby (the health nut) introduced me to this place.
REAL chicken, and super yummy. And you don’t feel like you’re eating healthy.

You can check out their menu further here.

And for locations here.

I suggest calling your order in as you drive there, they are super quick!

Tuesday is Old Faithful, Gina’s Pizza

OUR ORDER:
Large pizza – 1/2 Maui and 1/2 Green Peppers & Sausage
Family Rasta Salad with Ranch and Italian Dressing,
I like to add avocado and feta.

(Rasta means lettuce and pasta,
& the different salad dressings are KEY, use both on your salad for sure!)

We used to live in Corona del Mar, and Gina’s on Coast Highway was on our doorstep.
Although all the different Gina’s share the same recipes, for some reason
they are not exactly the same.  But the CDM one is AWESOME!

I love that you can place your order online and tell them what time you want it ready.
If you are in the delivery area, you can also tell them when you want it delivered.

I definitely suggest ordering online.

Wednesday is Chinese from Pick up Stix

Not that I don’t love Pei Wei, PF Changs or countless other spots,
but Pick up Stix is economical, tastes good and is right around the corner from our house.

Plus I can order it online!

OUR ORDER:
House Special Chicken with Veggies, All white meat
Chow Mein with Beef
Cream Cheese Wontons & Egg Rolls

There are actually A LOT of things we like on the menu, but we always come back to the above
as Addie really likes the noodles, Dad the egg rolls, Mom the Wontons, everyone the chicken.

I suggest ordering online.  You can pick the time and pay ahead.  SUPER FAST when you get there!

Thursday (& Friday) makes my mouth water, El Toro Market in Santa Ana

OUR ORDER:
Carnitas, Corn Tortillas, Crema, Gaucamole, Onions & Cilantro,
Rice & Beans (Addie’s Favorite), bag of chips.

My dad recently introduced us to their Pineapple Tamales.  Sounds bizarre, but they actually tasted like a sweet corn cake!

We are usually able to eat the leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day.

Oh there is not enough time in the day to tell you how good this place is!

This is the entrance on the side of the market.
There will be about 50 people waiting for food, but it goes fast.

Take a number just inside the right of the door (it will be announced in Spanish)
There is also a screen displaying what number they are on.

I suggest having hubby pick up on his way home from work.

(Image: Yelp)

OHHHHH I am sooooooo looking forward to next week.

Hubby just asked if I was serious,

as serious as the fact we are having a baby in 6 weeks!

Enjoy!!

Would love hear what some of your favorite, go to places are!  Leave a comment below no matter the city and state. We have readers from ALL over!

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14 Comments

  1. 1
    cap says:

    Now THAT’S a plan!! Take-out and delivery are brilliant! Its can add up, but if your husband objects, tell him HE is welcome to be in charge of whipping up dinner after a long day and see if he cooks it or picks it up! :-)

    [Reply]

  2. 2
    Becky says:

    We never did carry-out until we had kids. Isn’t it wonderful?! Great menu – you’ll probably have lunches from the night before too!
    Becky´s last blog ..ZONE CLEANING – WEEK 3/OVERTIME My ComLuv Profile

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  3. 3
    tia says:

    Another good So Cal option for cheap and healthy…Wahoos Fish Tacos! Living in Norhtern Cal I sooooo miss this spot! Maybe you need tohave that on Saturday! :O)

    [Reply]

  4. 4
    Shanna says:

    Totally agree with wahoos! My order there is a chicken bowl, grilled with black beans OR if I’m in weight losing mode, then the wahoos salad with grilled fish. My problem for the dinner option is that hubby eats it for lunch a lot – bummer for me! But thx for the great reminder!!

    [Reply]

  5. 5
    SDLiz says:

    That all sounds good!!!
    One thing I think pick up stixs has a Tuesday 2fer offer $9.99?
    The Mexican place most likely has some good cheese for quesadillas for the kids…
    One of my favorites is Phils Bbq in San Diego if you are ever out this way must check it out…
    Also in n out my girls love this place!

    [Reply]

    shanna

    LOVING the In N Out shout out! It’s definitely a favorite…they are actually doing the food for the girls birthday party in February :-)

    [Reply]

  6. 6

    All those places look great! I’m thinking I should drive down, pick it up and bring it to you!! (Nice plan by the way – enjoy)
    Andrea Fellman´s last blog ..Eco-Savvy Lunch Break! My ComLuv Profile

    [Reply]

  7. 7
    Satakieli says:

    You know, that’s a good idea. I think I need to take some time off from the kitchen.

    Stopping by from SITS.
    Satakieli´s last blog ..Coffee My ComLuv Profile

    [Reply]

  8. 8

    It sounds like a great plan. My husband went out of town for the weekends and I ordered take out. I never do that. Stopping by from SITS!

    [Reply]

  9. 9

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by MyFavEverything: I’m boycotting the kitchen next week! Here’s my meal plan, http://ow.ly/ZJSR...

  10. 10
    Lindsey G says:

    when I can’t possibly muster an energy to cook I jump on my computer order at http://www.ROTR.com (restaurants on the run) I have also used gourmet shuttle here in So Ca (they were 30 min late without as much as an apology so I don’t favor them)… anyhoo delivery isn’t cheep BUT… I get emails from them with coupons and sometimes they twitter discounts, when that happens IT’S ON and I can look forward to CPK BBQ CHIX PIZZA delivered right to MY DOOR!!!

    PS – right now COUPON CODE 2010 – gets you 15% OFF

    [Reply]

  11. 11

    Yum, Rasta Pasta….my favorite!!

    Love all those places. You can tell that I’m local. I’ve been to every one of those places.
    Angry Julie Monday´s last blog ..Watch out for those Legos My ComLuv Profile

    [Reply]

  12. 12

    Instead of boycotting the kitchen, I’ve just resorted to having slow cooker means all week. :) It’s almost as easy as takeout…
    Diapers & Divas´s last blog ..Mrs. Organization…Who me? My ComLuv Profile

    [Reply]

    Shanna

    Totally agree! Crock pot is a great time saving option….but for me this week, I was boycotting big grocery store shopping, prep work and dishes too…and I have to say, it’s been HEAVEN!! I think everyone should treat themselves to this at least once a year!

    [Reply]

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