Lets Talk Meal Exchanges

[StrawberryFields]

SF -

We've tried the meal exchange thing, and it's not as simple as FHE exchange. Allergies and food preferences. Family size (one family is only receiveing 4 - 4-serving meals, but has to make 2 - 6-serving meals and 2 - 8-serving meals). Budget (it can become a bit of a competition to make "fancy" meals, which is silly, objectively, but is so natural anyone can fall into the trap). Containers (unless you all have the same size & shape containers).

In the FHE section I mentioned an idea about exchanging FHE packets/lessons.

http://www.ldstalk.com/forums/index.php?sh...t=0entry95080

I mentioned the same idea with meals and wanted to get some more idea's about this.

Would it work if you had a dollar limit on each prepared meal and worked with families who had many things in common?

Things to have in common.

The size of family.

The complexity (fanciness) of the meals.

The ages of the children.

There is a place around here called My Girlfriends Kitchen. I have never been there but I have seen promos from there. You go there and make several meals while you are there and pay the price, take them home and prepare them when you want. I have a group of friends who get together often for lunch or shopping. This idea came up of meal preparation and exchange.

Can it work?

[shanstress70]

I belong to a local moms group who tried to do this, but I think they gave up after a while of trying to organize it. I was kind of bummed because I would have loved to participate.

If there are 8 women (or men, I guess) involved, each makes 8 dinners of the same thing. Then each person takes one of each - like a cookie exchange.

It's a great idea, but I bet it is tough to plan it all. You would have to organize a group of families who are not picky, and have no special requirements.

And yeah, it would be tough with all you Mormons having so many darn kids! I can't make a lasagna big enough for 10 of ya's! (I'm getting on your bad side today with this and other posts, aren't I SF?)

As far as the meal preparation place, we have three different ones around here, including My Girlfriend's Kitchen. I've been trying to get in there, but am having trouble getting in because they're always booked! Let me know if you go.

[StrawberryFields]

I belong to a local moms group who tried to do this, but I think they gave up after a while of trying to organize it. I was kind of bummed because I would have loved to participate.

If there are 8 women (or men, I guess) involved, each makes 8 dinners of the same thing. Then each person takes one of each - like a cookie exchange.

It's a great idea, but I bet it is tough to plan it all. You would have to organize a group of families who are not picky, and have no special requirements.

And yeah, it would be tough with all you Mormons having so many darn kids! I can't make a lasagna big enough for 10 of ya's! (I'm getting on your bad side today with this and other posts, aren't I SF?)

As far as the meal preparation place, we have three different ones around here, including My Girlfriend's Kitchen. I've been trying to get in there, but am having trouble getting in because they're always booked! Let me know if you go.

Shan, Heck NO! You are not getting on my bad side I still love you.

BTW, I only have 3 children and only two live at home.

[shanstress70]

Wow, only 3! Don't let Fiannan hear, or he'll have you excommunicated.

(Now I'm on Fiannan's bad side too!)

[StrawberryFields]

Wow, only 3! Don't let Fiannan hear, or he'll have you excommunicated.

(Now I'm on Fiannan's bad side too!)

That is funny...

He is welcome to discuss this with my hubby who said no to more children.

[Acez]

man ...this is certainly getting weird....

i better start coming more often....

[mom_of_jcchlsm]

you could do everything in 4-6 serving sizes (what's that? a 9 x 9 or 7 x 11 pan?)

then larger families (like mine!) could take home doubles, but still only take as many dishes home as you make (for instance, if I make 8 batches of chicken enchiladas for the exchange, I can come home with 8 other dishes, but I would choose 2 each of four flavors instead of 8 different meals)

and if you had enough families in on it, and worked it as "however many you bring, that's how many you take home," then each participant could choose how many meals they want to stock up on. (how much room do you have in the freezer?)

there could be some sort of lotto system for who chooses first which dishes to take home. or it could be like our annual RS Christmas ornament exchange, where you choose a dish and the person after you can either choose a different one or "steal" yours and you have to get an alternate.

Important: every dish should be tried and tested before sending it off to other families (does it freeze well? does it taste good?) and every dish should come with clear cooking instructions.

I'd be game to try this again. Last time was in a different Ward. Maybe a different set of people could make it work.

[Laureltree]

I only wish our sisters did it, what a great break......