All About Life Without Maids

[laughingcat]

ThinkingLoft:

2) For cooking, I set aside a particular day for ingredients preparation and for that morning, I will try to do all the washing, cutting up of ingredients, marinate, etc for the whole week and pack them up in ziplock bags. So when I cook, it's like having pre-packed ingredients and it saves a lot of time. And because I focus on doing that thing for one morning per week, you can do volume processing.

Hi Thinkingloft,

Can you explain in detail how do you go about preparing the ingredient for that particular day? Do you mean the preparation of 1 week ingredients are to be done on 1 particular day? Can share your secret?

[hokkiengirl]

Hello!


I've got 3 boys and I've never had a maid. Wouldn't know what to do with one in my flat. No regrets!!!

I think getting the right equipment helps:

1) thermomix or Happy Call Pan! I don't own the thermomix, which is apparently the best machine in the kitchen around (it dices, minces, stir-fries on its own, cooks according to your pre-set temperature, and CLEANS itself!!!), but I have read glowing reviews about it. the HCP is a god-send. Makes cooking veggies a breeze. And the kids are less resistant to munching their greens cos they're cooked till soft.

2) Try marinating a lot of chicken wings and throwing them in the oven for around 25 min. No-fuss, easy food which tastes good.

3) The thermal pot helps with soups.

I vacuum everyday cos my flat gets dusty easily. It takes around 15 min. The baby just entertains himself in the meantime. I call it independent play. Ha! Mopping twice a week. Toilets alternate days.

I've got part-time help to do the ironing, so if you can afford it, you may want to consider that. It makes life that much easier.

Ultimately, the most important thing you need to have is a mindset change. Know that your flat won't be superlatively clean all the time. Know that gourmet meals are probably not coming out of your kitchen till your kids all hit secondary school. Know that there's a difference between being house-proud and a cleaning Nazi. Know that the most important things are that you spend time with your kids when they get back from school and that you are a HAPPY mum. Few things are more painful than a grumpy mum who resents the sacrifices made for the kids and complains about it all the time.

And... make use of your child labour!!! See it as training them to be independent useful beings next time. (I think many men have been too pampered by their mums, so they can't do nuts at home cos they haven't been TRAINED. Sorry, guys.)

Last words: Can one! Go for it! :rahrah:

[ThinkingLoft]

laughingcat:

ThinkingLoft:

2) For cooking, I set aside a particular day for ingredients preparation and for that morning, I will try to do all the washing, cutting up of ingredients, marinate, etc for the whole week and pack them up in ziplock bags. So when I cook, it's like having pre-packed ingredients and it saves a lot of time. And because I focus on doing that thing for one morning per week, you can do volume processing.

Hi Thinkingloft,

Can you explain in detail how do you go about preparing the ingredient for that particular day? Do you mean the preparation of 1 week ingredients are to be done on 1 particular day? Can share your secret?

First you have to know what you are going to cook for the whole week. I literally have a menu for the week. Then you look across and see what are the common ingredients you need, eg. garlic, chop enough garlic for the whole week; or carrots, cut enough pieces for the whole week & dun be so particular. No need some cubes, some slices, etc. Just try to make all the same. And so on and so forth. So each time you cook, you just use part of the ingredients and then put back into fridge.

Ingredients might not be the most fresh but it sure beats having to do preparation before cooking. It also gives you a lot more time flexibility.

[daranic]

BeContented:

5. Washing school shoes
Used to scrub and scrub the side (the plastic/rubber part) with brush, still seem dirty. Realised it's more effective to just use those 3M sponge to scrub.

This is interesting. When you said 3M sponge, is it the yellow or green sponge?

[nms1]

I have a maid so I’m not speaking from experience here but one thing I notice is that people tend to under-use their freezers.


Try cooking in bulk then freezing in portions. If it is frozen immediately you don’t lose any goodness. Things like pasta sauces, stews, soups & curries are great for this. There are a lot of other recipes that you can follow, particularly Western food, where the cookery book while tell you at which point to freeze e.g. making burgers or fish cakes - you can prepare then freeze before cooking then all you have to do next time is cook, not chop and mix as well.

Cheat a little bit sometimes as well by using ready-made sauces; a lot of them now are MSG free.

[Claudine Heng]

SMH Forest, am at similar state as you. Have only one kid now, so personally felt that i dont need a maid, so will not be renewing her contract after august. But hubby feels that with a maid, then i can spend more time to enjoy the bonding with the kid. And both of us dont need to fret over household chores.

[Claudine Heng]

Hi all, I am looking for a Magic thermal pot - Is Zojirushi or Tiger a better brand?


Anyone can let me know if there is a any shop that sells cheaper Brandt Condenser dryer?

Thought these are the 2 necessities once the maid leaves. Is considering letting her to leave before contract expires.

Many thanks

[BeContented]

daranic:

BeContented:

5. Washing school shoes
Used to scrub and scrub the side (the plastic/rubber part) with brush, still seem dirty. Realised it's more effective to just use those 3M sponge to scrub.

This is interesting. When you said 3M sponge, is it the yellow or green sponge?

I use the green sponge. IMO, 3M sponge though is more expensive, it seem to last longer and of better quality. I have bought different types of sponge before....some disintegrate and some sponge will 'produce color water'.....in the end, I have discard all the rest and just go back to 3M.

[24hr-mum]

i used to have a condenser dryer but discovered it takes longer time to dry full load cos using cold air. so i switched to electrolux edv 705 model whc is a venting dryer but doesnt need to install the tube, just like a condenser dryer. it has also a buzzer and anti creaser function and its a sensor dryer so u dont need choose the time

[buds]

Errr... why are YOU washing your children's shoes? :skeptical: