Just in case I am not the last person on the board to see this book, I wanted to recommend the More With Less cookbook for those working to simplify meals. I really enjoyed the introductory chapters, and the recipes look great although I haven't actually tried any yet.

One thing the book talks about is how it is ok to just have one main food for a meal and not worry about elaborate sides. This is one thing I have been working on. I find it much more freeing to be able to cut up some apples or carrots or some bread with butter and serve that as a side for dinner. However, I was always raised with dinner being a meat, potato and a veggie, and I have to admit that I still feel a twinge of guilt when I don't do dinner this way - I feel like I'm being lazy or that I am not giving my family a "real" meal. I think I just need to shift my thinking about what makes a meal, and this cookbook helped address some of that for me.

Maryalene ~ I have heard of this book but have never read it.

I used to think the same way: you need a meat, potato or starch, and veggie.

Over the years I have really changed my thinking. I began slipping in vegetarian meals - at first just "normal" meals with no meat (pizza, spaghetti, etc). Then I got more bold and we started to eat veggie meals every other night. Now I even go a couple of days without serving meat. My reason for saying this is to show that you can make changes over time and sometimes that makes the changes more easily accepted.

I think your idea of cutting up an apple, carrots, or bread is perfect! If you have spent time on a main dish I don't think anyone should have to make elaborate side dishes.

I have been known to just pull some things out of the fridge or off the pantry shelves for side dishes (apple sauce, cottage cheese, baked beans, etc.)

It can be difficult to make changes, but go slowly and I think you'll do just fine. Even though the cookbook's name is _More with Less_ I tend to think that sometimes less *is* more.

Kristin :)

Yep, love it. If you get a chance, read 'Living More with Less', all about simple living, and WHY you should live simply, how people live in other parts of the world, etc.
They are putting together a new cookbook, you can submit and test recipes. I think it's www.more-with-less.org but if that doesn't work I can look it up for you if you're interested.

Kristin: I absolutely agree that less in more is so many aspects of our lives. Before buying anything, I always try to ask myself 'how is this going to improve my life or am I better off without having one more thing to take care of.' Now if I could only get my family to go more veggie. I try to cook meatless on Wednesday or Friday, but I feel like I'm pushing my luck with that. The kids like fish but are not bean fans, and DH would have probably have a conniption if we actually went two days in a row without meat.

Renee: Thanks for mentioning the book - I'll have to borrow it. Also, the link doesn't come up but if find the address, I would love to check out the website. Thanks! :)

It's my favorite of all my cookbooks. The food is good, simple, nutritious, inexpensive and unelaborate. The kind of stuff a mom could actually cook.

I also like the first part that isn't recipes. The whole feel of the book is just plain nice.

I also like that the dessert recipes are already reduced in sugar ;)