Once a Month Cooking – Lean or Not?

Its not a bad idea, but sheesh, among other things you’ll have to calculate the cost to carry (freeze) the inventory, the rework (reheating) cost, and other waste (packaging).

I’ve found that mixing lean six sigma with home life is a disaster. The economics are all wrong, I don’t actually pay the workers (kids), and, well, the push has to come from the top, and I’m just middle management 😀

I hear you about being middle management Matt!

Hey Mark, isn’t it fun how a silly post like this generates all this discussion. This proves the point that as educators of Lean and Six Sigma we must keep it real and even make fun our wives a little! Ha!

Hi kt cat,

Ahhhh… I look forward to the day when my wife and I can enjoy some nice meal preparation together. Our current reality is the kids hit their witching hour around this time and my wife is not interested in “enjoying” the moment if you know what I mean. But one day… yes one day… I promise we will follow your great advice!

I have a friend of mine who does this type of cooking, which I never really saw the value in.

As for me & my crew, a lot of times my wife is JIT on the thinking, preparing & delivering of the food. Most weekends I have to remind her in gentle ways, like on the way to Mass, ask her what is for dinner (in case I invite guests), typical is I knew I forgot to do something this morning. Now to make it visual.

Hey Guys – you‘re missing one key ingredient – spending two hours cooking and talking with your girlfriends is building culture and corporate culture keeps workers happy. Happy workers (especially wives) like to have a girlfriend culture! So, it my not be lean in the strict sense, but think about it – guys:

When was the last time you spent 2 hours with your buds that had an edible outcome?

Ah – a new concept – when guys want to spend time with their buddies, they must bring home the dinner, too! Oh, this has potential.

I’m a great cook but during the week, I believe in the JIT cooking. I have a wonderful grocery store that has great food and also some ready to eat. I can slide into the driveway before my hubby and get the food out of its wrappers, stir fry a veggie and I’m happy, we’re all fed, and we always spend less $ and more time talking than going out to dinner. Hmm – may be one of the reasons were still married after all these years.

New thought – getting kids to cook. I bribed my kids to each cook a meal in exchange for not having to go to after care when they turned 10. I now have a daughter with a master’s in culinary education and a son that can cook exceptionally well. I must say that the 6 sigma black belt husband is still mystified by the large metal boxes that reside in our home. He has mastered the frig but the stove, washer, dryer are scary.

Lean in the family – c’est la vie!

One more very late observation as my wife does this too. We’re also leveling the work too, and maybe responding to TAKT time. With two kids the work to be done preparing a meal can’t always be acomplished JIT. The goal for us is to make satisfying meals within our budget. A little planning and two trips to the market a month and some preassembly and the “company” goals are met and all of the workers are happy.