We ate in restaurants too much over the summer. We need to reform our sinning ways and reign in the runaway budget. So, it’s time to return to return to my zombie apocalypse cooking methods. Those damn boys eat too much food.

On Monday, a friend who was here on a business trip came over. For the five of us, I prepared a pot of risotto, a pound of shrimp, beats and goat cheese, salad (lettuce, tomatoes, kohlrabi, radishes), peas, leftover rice for Ian, one store bought rotisserie chicken, sliced melon, and cookies. It all went.

Last night, the family plowed through a whole platter of baked ziti — one pound of pasta, 3 cheeses, spinach. I haven’t made a casserole type dish in ages, because it’s all just carbs and garbage, but I needed a quick meal between swimming practice and back to school night.

I’ve got some turnips and potatoes from the CSA share, so I think I’ll make a stew tonight.