Slow cooker recipes for feeding the family

Hey there.
My old man has this habit of eating straight out of the pot. It’s like, he walks into the kitchen, stands right by the stove, opens up whatever nutritious thing happens to be simmering, and acts like he’s the only soul living in the house. He just scoops it out, stuffs it in his mouth, and slams the lid back on...
And then he leaves the spoon sitting right in there—if that even matters at all...😉
...
I’m feeling pretty burnt out from dealing with all the psychological stuff that's been hitting me over the last seven or eight years, so I suppose I'm looking for some perspective from someone who's actually sane.
...
Talking to him about any of this just isn't an option. 😵

Just set aside your own portion, and if he’s really that insistent on eating straight out of the pot, let him have his way.
He might just be messy, or perhaps there's something more going on. It's possible he's overcompensating by trying to maintain this rigid sense of control, thinking that way somehow limits how much he consumes—rather than just sitting down at the table, plating a meal, and having a decent, proper dinner.

Proper social distancing—not just for germs, but as a way to heal and prevent burnout—might actually be the secret fix for chronic exhaustion. You’ve gotta calculate exactly how much space you need to put between yourself and the energy vampires, and maybe even watch where you're getting your fuel from. It makes you wonder... can an energy vampire get burned out too? Maybe they're even targeting people on purpose... If you can't step away, then that might be the real heart of psychological burnout, with the "drainer" just being one more symptom showing exactly how much help you actually need...

I see two likely reasons here:

1. He’s unsure if he’ll actually like the flavor, so he just wants a taste first.
2. He doesn't want to mess up the plates.😛 Is that because he's trying to save himself the dishwashing, or is he thinking about whoever else in the house has to deal with the cleanup?🥳

Does this necessarily have anything to do with psychology?🤔 Maybe.🍿 I mean, you don't exactly eat straight out of the serving bowl when you're at a restaurant, right?🤔

hiddenmarlin14 said:I see two likely reasons here:

1. He’s unsure if he’ll actually like the flavor, so he just wants a taste first.
2. He doesn't want to mess up the plates.😛 Is that because he's trying to save himself the dishwashing, or is he thinking about whoever else in the house has to deal with the cleanup?🥳

Does this necessarily have anything to do with psychology?🤔 Maybe.🍿 I mean, you don't exactly eat straight out of the serving bowl when you're at a restaurant, right?🤔

What’s to say someone isn't out there stealing underwear while they're alone at home, or maybe they've just been doing it since they were kids and carry that habit everywhere? Who knows... psychology...Maybe it’s some kind of psychoactive stuff from Microsoft... people either get banned or they just get a pass to do whatever they want... psychology...Honestly, when things get hot, most people just strip down without giving a second thought to what anyone else thinks...

Deep down, way beneath all those layers of psychology, being naked is just natural. It’s like how it might be more instinctual to just sear some meat instead of cooking it, maybe grab a quick drink of blood first before you even start chewing—assuming there aren't any big predators lurking around. You just take whatever scraps are left over and bring them back to the den... for the kids. It’s really just a few layers of ritualistic practice... psychology... What actually separates us from animals?

I usually just use the serving platters and bowls if they’re already out on the table—you know, the ones meant for the main course, the soup, or maybe a side salad. It’s mostly what I do when I’m just eating by myself; honestly, it’s just one of those little life hacks to save me from having to deal with an extra pile of dishes in the sink later.

Harold Rogers6 said:Hey there.
My old man has this habit of eating straight out of the pot. It’s like, he walks into the kitchen, stands right by the stove, opens up whatever nutritious thing happens to be simmering, and acts like he’s the only soul living in the house. He just scoops it out, stuffs it in his mouth, and slams the lid back on...
And then he leaves the spoon sitting right in there—if that even matters at all...😉
...
I’m feeling pretty burnt out from dealing with all the psychological stuff that's been hitting me over the last seven or eight years, so I suppose I'm looking for some perspective from someone who's actually sane.
...
Talking to him about any of this just isn't an option. 😵

Just move. 🤷

I mean, look—we can sit here all day complaining about how much of a disaster this situation is, sharing our own stories, or venting about everyone's different personalities and attitudes, but if you can't actually talk to him, then what? What's the point? You got some magic solution? I honestly don't know what you're even hoping to get out of this thread.

Honestly, just eating straight out of the pot is way more practical.🤣

There’s less dirty dishes to deal with—you don't have to bother carrying everything back and forth from the table, either.

And look, I guess your old man isn't the only one with these kinds of habits.

hiddenmarlin14 said:I see two likely reasons here:

1. He’s unsure if he’ll actually like the flavor, so he just wants a taste first.
2. He doesn't want to mess up the plates.😛 Is that because he's trying to save himself the dishwashing, or is he thinking about whoever else in the house has to deal with the cleanup?🥳

Does this necessarily have anything to do with psychology?🤔 Maybe.🍿 I mean, you don't exactly eat straight out of the serving bowl when you're at a restaurant, right?🤔

3. He's just a pig.
4. He simply doesn't know how to enjoy food.

I’m not trying to downplay what you’re going through—believe me, I get it—but we definitely need more discussions like this on this forum.

Eric Gray2 said:Just move. 🤷

I mean, look—we can sit here all day complaining about how much of a disaster this situation is, sharing our own stories, or venting about everyone's different personalities and attitudes, but if you can't actually talk to him, then what? What's the point? You got some magic solution? I honestly don't know what you're even hoping to get out of this thread.

Sometimes, I guess, a person just wants to vent and leave it at that.

My old man has some seriously unhinged eating habits too. Whenever there's a birthday celebration, he’s got this ritual where he’ll grab a massive slice of cake with a knife and just shove the whole thing into his mouth at once. Of course, one slice is never enough; he just keeps gorging himself like a maniac until my mother finally loses her mind and starts screaming at him. She usually doesn't realize what's happening until the chaos is already in full swing, and by then, most of the guests have already decided they've had quite enough dessert once they see him going absolutely feral.
Fortunately, those birthdays don't happen all that often, so I don't have to witness that lethal spectacle too frequently.

Rosey said:Just move out.

I mean, we can all sit here and vent about how much of a disaster this situation is, share our own stories, deal with different personalities, but if you can't actually talk to him, what then? Do you have some magic solution? What are you actually hoping to get out of this thread?

Maria Price3 said:Sometimes, I guess, a person just wants to vent and leave it at that.

That... that quote is exactly what I was getting at. It’s a lot easier to process things when you see other people's perspectives, when you can 'verbalize' the issue, and so on.
In my view, that's the whole point of this place, and I think this topic is a bit of a breath of fresh air compared to the usual modern-day problems we see here.
...
I experienced the whole thing as a total mess and a kind of humiliation—mostly because the old man acts like he's the big boss, even though he hasn't earned that status. But reading these posts from other users acts as a sort of neutralizer.
So, just go on. My goal is being met, so thanks for that! 👍

Edit: I did move out, but I had to come back for a little while because of a virus. I'll be moving out again soon!

Harold Rogers6 said:That... that quote is exactly what I was getting at. It’s a lot easier to process things when you see other people's perspectives, when you can 'verbalize' the issue, and so on.
In my view, that's the whole point of this place, and I think this topic is a bit of a breath of fresh air compared to the usual modern-day problems we see here.
...
I experienced the whole thing as a total mess and a kind of humiliation—mostly because the old man acts like he's the big boss, even though he hasn't earned that status. But reading these posts from other users acts as a sort of neutralizer.
So, just go on. My goal is being met, so thanks for that! 👍

Edit: I did move out, but I had to come back for a little while because of a virus. I'll be moving out again soon!

Mine too. 😁

He basically "marks his territory" if you catch my drift.

Harold Rogers6 said:That... that quote is exactly what I was getting at. It’s a lot easier to process things when you see other people's perspectives, when you can 'verbalize' the issue, and so on.
In my view, that's the whole point of this place, and I think this topic is a bit of a breath of fresh air compared to the usual modern-day problems we see here.
...
I experienced the whole thing as a total mess and a kind of humiliation—mostly because the old man acts like he's the big boss, even though he hasn't earned that status. But reading these posts from other users acts as a sort of neutralizer.
So, just go on. My goal is being met, so thanks for that! 👍

Edit: I did move out, but I had to come back for a little while because of a virus. I'll be moving out again soon!

That would be A. possibility. Option B. possibility might be this: imagine if the old man acted like a happy little puppy who just loves his guy so much he practically pees himself with joy. Instead of those subtle eye rolls and disgusted faces, what if—when you intentionally provoke him by drooling over the food bowls—you just trot up to the "criminal caught in the act" like a buddy? You pull a spoon out of your pocket, sit down next to him with a huge grin, and join in on his routine of trying to "disgust" you...

The thing is, in his head, you're just his offspring... just a tiny part of him. Eventually, once you grow up, you've gotta step up and take over as the alpha, which means his job is done. Picture this: you both start scavenging through the bowls, licking and slurping... actually, nah, forget that, considering how much slobber is flying back into the bowls. As the new alpha, you use a spoon or a fork—maybe even a knife—to grab the best bits. And even though he instinctively lunges for the prime cuts, he'd humbly pull his spoon away from them, basically performing a public ritual to show everyone that the power dynamic has officially shifted.

The best stuff always comes 😁

Lawrence Wells said:The best stuff always comes 😁

So Lawrence Wells thinks that's how it works. Statement's invalid... 😬

ironrider11 said:So Lawrence Wells thinks that's how it works. Statement's invalid... 😬

Just stay quiet 😁. Seriously.

ironrider11 said:That would be A. possibility. Option B. possibility might be this: imagine if the old man acted like a happy little puppy who just loves his guy so much he practically pees himself with joy. Instead of those subtle eye rolls and disgusted faces, what if—when you intentionally provoke him by drooling over the food bowls—you just trot up to the "criminal caught in the act" like a buddy? You pull a spoon out of your pocket, sit down next to him with a huge grin, and join in on his routine of trying to "disgust" you...

The thing is, in his head, you're just his offspring... just a tiny part of him. Eventually, once you grow up, you've gotta step up and take over as the alpha, which means his job is done. Picture this: you both start scavenging through the bowls, licking and slurping... actually, nah, forget that, considering how much slobber is flying back into the bowls. As the new alpha, you use a spoon or a fork—maybe even a knife—to grab the best bits. And even though he instinctively lunges for the prime cuts, he'd humbly pull his spoon away from them, basically performing a public ritual to show everyone that the power dynamic has officially shifted.

That's a very vivid Option B... but...
Aren't we living in some "new" century?
Some "new" world?

... ... ...

In some "old" world, maybe we could have slaughtered a cow and shared it—me with the heart and neck, and him with... I don't know, some other part. A kidney?
Or perhaps we could just take a pot full of grits and, well... as you put it... symbolize the transition of roles..?

,,,
Reality might be Option C. Maybe. A person was happy once... a long time ago... back when people lived simply, without rules, free, out in the rural countryside, poor... The question back then was whether there were even three spoons in the family, or if there was a single fork, or if there was even a plate at all... so you just ate... however... in a pile...🙂
The question was whether there was more than one pair of shoes for two or three kids...
There were all sorts of questions, but somehow, people seemed happy during those times. And I get the impression we return to that often. We reflect... we apply it... we remember...

...
...
...

I'd actually love to hear/see an Option B that fits the century. Something B. decent, let's say...

Harold Rogers6 said:That's a very vivid Option B... but...
Aren't we living in some "new" century?
Some "new" world?

... ... ...

In some "old" world, maybe we could have slaughtered a cow and shared it—me with the heart and neck, and him with... I don't know, some other part. A kidney?
Or perhaps we could just take a pot full of grits and, well... as you put it... symbolize the transition of roles..?

,,,
Reality might be Option C. Maybe. A person was happy once... a long time ago... back when people lived simply, without rules, free, out in the rural countryside, poor... The question back then was whether there were even three spoons in the family, or if there was a single fork, or if there was even a plate at all... so you just ate... however... in a pile...🙂
The question was whether there was more than one pair of shoes for two or three kids...
There were all sorts of questions, but somehow, people seemed happy during those times. And I get the impression we return to that often. We reflect... we apply it... we remember...

...
...
...

I'd actually love to hear/see an Option B that fits the century. Something B. decent, let's say...

It’s official. We’re in a new century, supposedly living in this "modern world," but honestly... I don't know about all that. A guy from the last century—someone who wasn't just breathing, but actually *living* (you know, happy)—could he even exist in this mess? Could he still cling to what actually made life worth living? And how would he even explain that to his kid today? A kid who probably grew up completely clueless about how things used to be, let alone caring about old-school values... maybe the parent gave everything up just so the kid wouldn't have to know. Is it just a massive generational gap? Probably feels even wider when the rules and the info dump change this fast every single day...

How do you even talk to a kid who doesn't get it? They have zero concept of "how things used to be," so they just spend all day whining and making drama out of nothing. I get that human nature is built on being dissatisfied—that restlessness is what drives progress, the constant hunger for more, better, faster... but still. You try to explain how much of a blessing we actually live in, but it's hard to make them see. Like, we've got central heating running 24/7. There was no waking up at dawn to chop wood just to get a single stove going to heat the whole house. A decent steak was a luxury back then. And eating? It wasn't this calculated, clinical thing where you track exact calories or follow some strict meal plan to hit specific macros. People ate when they were hungry, gathered around a pile of food like a pack, and actually enjoyed it. It was primal. Clothing wasn't about expressing your "personal style" or following trends either. You wore what worked, and clothes were passed down from one person to the next because that’s just what you did. It was survival, not a fashion statement...

Look, for someone who actually grew up in those lean, gritty times—times that feel worlds away from today—those memories are the only sanctuary left. It’s where you go to find bits and pieces of who you used to be. You spend your whole life grinding, fighting, and pushing forward just to build something... or maybe just to build yourself. You struggle, you fall, you get back up, all to reach some kind of goal. Self-actualization, right? But then you hit this realization in the modern era. You look at your kid, and they’re watching you with pure disgust. They don't get it. While you're over here just trying to scrape by, scavenging whatever little scraps you can find to survive—just like back in the day—they’re looking at you like you're some kind of animal. They can't even stand the sight of you, let alone share a meal with you. It’s a total paradox... living in a world where everything is supposedly more abundant, yet you've never felt more disconnected from the next generation...

Look, even if I was being a bit extra before, maybe my "Option B" wasn't actually that extreme? Given how much we rely on our comforts, it’s easy to stay ignorant about how brutal life gets when systems fail. When things hit the fan out of nowhere—think a global pandemic or an economic meltdown like the Great Depression—and everything starts getting restructured, it doesn't matter what century we're in. If basic stuff like toilet paper, running water, sewage working from a high-rise, cleaning supplies, or even just groceries becomes scarce, you realize how clueless modern generations are. No panic or hysteria intended, but most people can't even wrap their heads around what a life without these standards looks like... let alone how to actually live, almost like animals, just trying to survive...

If there's any love left in you, then maybe it isn't such a bad idea once in a while to use your imagination. You could try to step into someone else's shoes—call it empathy—and without going overboard with Option B, just meet them where they are. Enjoy their company in a way that's decent and fits their vibe. Give yourself permission to stop being that rigid version of yourself who needs everything to be absolutely perfect and strictly by the book. Let someone you actually care about just be who they are in this modern age, rather than trying to force them into your own mold...

But if there isn't, or if you don't really care (honestly, self-love usually outweighs caring about anyone else anyway), then it's pretty simple: compare yourself to everyone and find every reason to get away from them as fast as possible. Just build your own little bubble where people think and act exactly like you do. Surround yourself with your own kind and, unless it's absolutely necessary, never leave that comfort zone. There be dragons...