The Sandwich Generation

I am the definition of the sandwich generation. I'm taking care of my family and my mom. I help my grandma and my oldest brother. Sometimes I feel like I take care of everyone, but myself!

My mom is having surgery next week, so I'm madly trying to figure out where the kid will be when I'm taking care of her. Menu planning and grocery shopping so they have quick and easy meals to eat. Cleaning my house so that I don't come home to a total disaster. Because Thanksgiving is a week after her surgery, I'm trying to cook ahead and freeze and plan for that as well.

My sister in law suggested pizza for Thanksgiving. That would be fine with me!!

Compared to a lot of people, I've got it easy. I took care of my dad before he died, but mom was fine then. My mom takes the brunt of my Grandmothers' cares. I have a brother who helps out with mom. I don't have anyone living with me and I don't have to care for inlaws or other extended family. I know people who have a parent living with them, several of their own kids, and they care for many of their extended family.

I shouldn't complain, but I'm feeling very frazzled right now! I'm thinking we're going to be eating a lot of sandwiches for dinner in the next few weeks!

So, it's sandwich recipes I share today. They're quick. They're comfort food. They're easy. And clean up is a breeze.

Peanut Butter Cup Grilled Sandwich

This is a treat, not necessarily dinner, but add a big glass of milk and some carrot sticks and fresh strawberries and I suppose you could rationalize that the peanut butter IS protein! Serves 4 at 5 Weight Watchers Points per serving.

8 slices light bread

4 TB peanut butter

4 TB mini chocolate chips

nonstick cooking spray

Spread one tablespoon peanut butter on four slices of bread. Sprinkle with 1 TB of mini chips on each slice. Top with another piece of bread. Preheat a nonstick griddle or pan over medium high heat. Spray with nonstick cooking spray and add sandwiches. Spray the tops of the sandwiches. Cook until browned on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Flip and brown the other side.

Midnight Snack Attack Banana Split Sandwich

On a similar note, this sweet sandwich is really dessert. Coming in at a whopping 9 WW Points, you've got to plan ahead for this one!! I suppose you could lighten this one up with light bread, get rid of the butter, but it's just fabulous on it's own. I got this recipe from Cooking Light. Great magazine, but many of the recipes are a bit fussy and higher in calories than their magazine title implies.

2 (1-ounce) slices firm white sandwich bread, divided
1 teaspoon butter, softened
1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
2 teaspoons honey
1/2 teaspoon semisweet chocolate minichips
1 large strawberry, thinly sliced
1/2 small banana, cut lengthwise into 3 slices (about 2 ounces)
1 tablespoon pineapple jam

Spread one side of each white bread slice with 1/2 teaspoon butter. Combine peanut butter and honey; spread over plain side of 1 bread slice. Sprinkle with chocolate chips; top evenly with strawberry slices and banana slices.
Spread pineapple jam over plain side of remaining bread slice. Carefully assemble sandwich.
Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add sandwich; cook 2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned.

Souper Easy Beef French Dip

Serves 8 (at least, I think it's more like 16 because we don't eat large servings of red meat) at 10 WW Points per serving. Now, this calculation includes all of the au jus, so it's probably much less than that. Serve on light buns to cut the total down from 10 Points to 9. Serve with Point free raw veggies or a big tossed salad. Sweet potato fries are also good with this.

4 pounds rump roast
1 (10.5 ounce) can beef broth
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed French onion soup
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
French rolls

Trim excess fat from the rump roast, and place in a slow cooker. Add the beef broth, onion soup and beer. Cook on Low setting for 7 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Warm rolls in the microwave or toast under your broiler.
Slice the meat on the diagonal, and place on the rolls. Serve the sauce for dipping.

Some other quick sandwiches. I can't even call them recipes:

• The "Busted" Egg: My dad named these, I think. Serve a fried egg or two with the yolks "busted" on toasted bread. You can add cheese, sausage, ham, or bacon.
• The Reuben or Rachel: Corned Beef or pastrami on rye, with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut, grilled.
• Cheese Toast: in a toaster oven or under the broiler, place bread with a slice of cheese on top. Toast until cheese is melted and bread is toasted.
• Glorified Grilled Cheese: add bacon and avocado, tomatoes, ham, sprouts and tomatoes, smoked turkey, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, etc.
• Peanut butter and honey, grilled or cold.
• Open faced: poached egg, roasted asparagus, and fat free mayo mixed with hot sauce on toasted ciabatta bread; turkey, roasted red peppers, and Muenster cheese, toasted; avocado, sprouts, and your favorite cheese, toasted; sourdough bread, arugula or other spicy greens, thinly sliced roast beef, horseradish sauce or blue cheese crumbles; ciabatta bread, broiled portabella mushroom cap, roasted red peppers, Parmesan cheese.