Thank you all for your emails about my article on Meal Planning (see link below). I've had some requests from wives who want to cook for their husbands and family, but unfortunately aren't very good at it. Kudos to you, Ladies. I remember when I was first married and didn't do so well in the kitchen. Hang in there, you're doing the right thing by seeking out help!

Even though cooking and cuisine are handled well other places on BellaOnline (again, see link below) I feel compelled to address some of the comments I've received based on my knowledge of the "Titus 2" platform.

"In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine. They are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and children, to be sensible, pure, good homemakers, and submissive to their husbands, so that God’s message will not be slandered."

What kind of teacher would I be if I ignored requests of readers? (Not a very good one!) I'm not the best chef in the world, nor am I the best wife or best mother, but I think we're all in the same boat. We try to do what we can and learn as much as possible, after that, we apply it to our lives.

The best way to become proficient in the kitchen is to find a few meals your family loves and practice. You don't have to be June Cleaver or Martha Stewart to please your family--don't listen to the people who tell you that nonsense! God sees your heart and your motive and maybe it seems trivial or silly, but I encourage you to pray! If your desire as a wife is to treat your family to home cooked meals, God will honor your heart. He always honors a woman who seeks the best for her family and nothing is trivial or mundane to God. He cares so much about the little things.

Crockpot Lasagna may not be "Biblical" but if your husband enjoys a home cooked meal and you desire to please him, that is indeed Biblical.

You'll need a crock pot or a cake pan (the 13x9 is preferable). Your grocery list will include:

Ground beef (hamburger) one pound
Spaghetti Sauce of your choice, one can or jar
Lasagna Noodles, one box
Cottage Cheese, one large (16oz) container
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, one package, unless you love cheese, we use 2 packages.
Frozen Garlic Bread
(optional: salad fixings!)

1. Brown ground beef. Drain and return to pan. While the ground beef is browning, boil lasagna noodles, drain and rinse.

optional: If you want to spice it up a bit, you can chop an onion up and put it with the hamburger while you brown it. I also add about 2 tablespoons of Italian Seasoning, a teaspoon of the jarred crushed garlic, and sometimes a chopped zucchini or squash.

2. Add spaghetti sauce to the browned ground beef. Mix.

3. Either in your crock pot or 13x9 pan, layer:
lasagna noodles
meat and sauce mixture
cottage cheese
mozzarella cheese
repeat ending with mozzarella cheese.

4. If you've used the crock pot, put it on low while you're at work or church. If you've used the 13x9 pan, bake for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees or until the cheese is a nice brown.