Family of 12 🥰 What we eat in a week! Dinner Edition: Quick, Economical, Large Family Meals❤️

What we eat in a week as a family of 12 living in NYC. I am always trying to keep the family fed and happy. (Haha ok I can't make EVERYONE happy) but if most of the kids like it I usually put in on the menu more often. We use a lot of legumes in our recipes to keep costs down and bellies full. Also they are healthy, full of fiber, and vitamins. Thank you for coming along for our food journey! I'm always tweaking things. Marc got a job recently (an answer to prayer!) But still when he gets off in time he helps me with dinner which is so sweet! #largefamilylife #largefamilymeals #familyof12 #momof10

[@bobo102458]

I am astounded at how well your kids eat everything. No one seems too picky. ❤

[@angelaame6148]

It starts very early, as you see everyone eats the same thing... From the baby on up, very healthy eater's for sure...

[@cumberlandquiltchic1]

I grew up eating everything except raw onions. We never had special meals, we all ate the same thing and we only ate out a few times a year if we went on a trip we might get a bucket of fried chicken or Pizza Hut. My kids are mid 30s. Same thing. We couldn’t afford to est out or have anything special. So they aren’t picky at all.

[@Urbaezfamily]

I love the interaction between parents and kids have in the kitchen, families that cooks together stay healthy, I just invented it! 😂but it’s true! Kids learn how to be self sufficient and parents are more conscious about ingredients they putting in their foods. In a society that fast foods are dominating our lives,it’s so refreshing to see families cooking together delicious, reliable homemade recipes. Thanks for sharing and inspiring awareness about how important is to feed our kids with affordable and healthy choices! ❤❤

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Aw thank you!🙏❤️

[@amyrivers4093]

Marc seems to be a natural cook or should I say future private chef. I have a lot of respect for the range of different cuisines, ingredients and meals in total you feed your kids. I am fascinated watching them at the supermarket looking at different products and wanting to try them including Moses. I think that is the best way to nourish ourselves and since you have done that from an early age they won't be fussy eaters like myself. I've heard you often say Mark is better at that than me and it makes me feel sad because I've never seen you do anything that isn't at the same standard and even if he did we all have different skills and passions. Believe in yourself because you are amazing.

[@sherrypuckett6686]

Ive made it for years and yes it is rough to make sometimes .bless ur sweet heart for helping mom and loving ur family to give them the best.God bless 😊

[@Mrs.Peachthriftyliving]

I love watching your beautiful family! Watching you guys put those dinners together and Mark intent on making delicious food to go along with what you're helping him do! Your family is beautiful and I pray God blesses you today❤

[@janebarscz5130]

Thank you for sharing these meals with us, I know it takes a lot of work filming and editing! Your family is so precious and Moses is adorable!

[@TheHappyCaravan]

🙏❤️

[@tinafisher-mf6db]

Nice to see dad wearing all of the new clothes that the kids got him

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Yes! ❤️❤️❤️

[@shynncat9647]

What kind of dad do you have that doesn’t do that??

[@tinafisher-mf6db]

@@shynncat9647 a dead one

[@notsheepish8304]

​@@tinafisher-mf6db😢

[@tinafisher-mf6db]

I thought it was wonderful to see dad wearing the clothes..my somewhat cold post was to the person who said what dad wouldn't.. mine because he didn't get the opportunity..he passed away....

[@abhijitachatterji6097]

Mark is so calm and also a very good cook, the kids are so well behaved. Love your vlogs

[@dedrajade5394]

Your older boy helping out like that! What a beautiful family you have!❤️

[@Maggies87]

Your house must small SO good. What a beautiful space in which to cook together. For Amber…small batches cooks meat at the proper temperature - if you put all in a sauté pan all at once, the temperature drops too low. BTW, MSG is in seaweed and celery. A little is okay. As for casserole ‘sauce’ you can make them yourself - flour, butter roux plus milk, salt & white pepper can become white sauce (bechamel), add add cheese if you like (Mornay sauce), or make a homemade gravy for a shepherds pie in a big casserole dish in winter.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Glutamates occur in seaweed Not msg That is a processed substance man has made Very concentrated Nitrites, not glutamate, occur in celery Again very little in the celery

[@michellewilson4815]

Again everything looks delicious 😋 and amazing! Great team work in the kitchen Marc and Amber. All your children enjoy your cooking.

[@MaryNigrelli]

Your family is precious. I look forward to all your videos. Thanks for sharing you daily life with us. God bless all of you .

[@maxinebellows741]

That minestone soup looks good!!! Who doesn't love soup! You must spend a lot of time planning your meals and grocery list!

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Yes, it’s a 3 hour job lol, but it’s so nice to have everything planned for the week!

[@carilynjackson5737]

All of your videos are so entertaining, but I really appreciate the menu videos. They give me so many ideas. It’s wonderful to see the healthy ingredients.

[@TheHappyCaravan]

🙏🙏❤️

[@geninejames9473]

Enjoying your videos. The food looks delicious. You have a beautiful family. God Bless😊

[@christieostler]

I love all the interactions your family have with each other. It is wonderful! Everything looks delicious .

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Thank you!🙏❤️

[@shirley1091]

I usually drain the grease as well. But I learned the hard way about not draining it down the drain. You two look like lovely ppl.

[@TheHappyCaravan]

❤️❤️❤️

[@charlakelley5606]

The talent that your kiddos have in the kitchen is Amazing! They share with no qualms doing it. Mark and you are a beautiful couple with beautiful Kiddos. If I'm not over stepping I know you home school the children and they are very smart but what kind of work does Mark do? God bless you and your sweet family ❤. I look forward to seeing another video

[@TheHappyCaravan]

❤️🙏Marc works for a sign company downtown called ISA signs.

[@kates1118]

Everything looks delicious ❤ nom nom. Great recipes to fill up tummies and everyone eats so well. 🥰🇦🇺

[@BarbaraCullum]

Excited to hear baby girl and you are doing well. Enjoy your videos so much. I continue to pray for all of you. Love looking at the snow, no snow here where I live yet in Arkansas. Love you all, from Barbara. 🤗

[@davisreed9002]

I love this kind of video that is inserted into the daily life of the family during the meal making gap, thank you for sharing! !

[@TheHappyCaravan]

🙏🙏❤️

[@Nancy-xr3wh]

So many great recipes, thank you for sharing! The vegetable choppers from Amazon with the various size attachments save so much time on chopping vegetables - and make it easier for little ones to help out, too. Just thought I would suggest - since you have so much chopping to do every week. Also, Josiah's 🤫 at 45:34 was very funny. 😆

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Aw thank you for the idea!❤️

[@rbrb9404]

Okay, I will always scream it for the back of the bus to hear. I love these videos where you cook the food from your grocery hauls!

[@TheHappyCaravan]

🙏❤️

[@alinewright1093]

My mom cooked a big pot of almost every week it was always delicious. Noq as an adult, I have Soup at least 5 times a week😊 Mostly home made, I cook a large pot and freeze in portions.

[@priscillavelazquezs]

I love Jamie Oliver! Still have his kitchen line, spatula from years ago. Older cookbooks are great!

[@shauntaestewart3846]

Beautiful banana pudding. I love a creamy yummy banana pudding with the vanilla wafers and bananas ❤. Great job Naomi. I am going to make the beef with potatoes and stew. And the lamb korma. I love all the spices and naan bread.

[@tbarnes6]

We make tater tot casserole in our house with homemade cream of mushroom soup. I also make hash brown casserole with homemade celery soup so those are some casseroles you can make with homemade stuff in them

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Wow that sounds so good!

[@Kimberley_Black_White_TV]

It would be so good also, to add in just a bit of browned, lean ground beef! Even half a pound or so. Looks yummy! Edit to add that I am talking about the minestrone soup.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Yes NEED actual broth and actual meat Not that boxed fake stuff, no taste either

[@barbanscombe3435]

You are very good at finding flavourful cost effective meals for your family. X

[@BeverlySmithJohnson]

All the meals look delicious made from scratch with fresh ingredients. I really want to try the minestrone soup. It looked wonderful. Thanks for sharing! Lots of work planning, shopping, preparing and filming your meals for a week.

[@VikingUffDa]

Looks delicious! We don’t eat soy either. I make my hot dishes (casseroles) from scratch without using any canned soups. But most of my meals are a meat, veggies, and salad. We just finished our lentil soup.

[@melissawingfield8666]

Thank you for sharing your ideas ... it all looks so delicious! The banana pudding looks really good too ... I might have to try it!

[@naturalsimpleliving]

Happy 21:57 Independence Day!🇺🇸 beautiful food, as always! It's fun to watch other large families who eat very similar to us. Have a blessed week; I hope you're feeling well.

[@TheHappyCaravan]

🙏🙏🇺🇸❤️

[@marykirkpatrick9382]

The minestrone soup looks delicious!! I don't eat meat, so that is perfect! 💐💐💐

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Yes! It’s really yummy!❤️

[@maryjogarofoli377]

I love your healthy and economical cooking for your large family. In the beginning of this video you mention you shy away from casseroles due to their normally needed canned cream soups. Well, fear casseroles no more! You should follow Lisa M. Leake, creator of 100 Days of Real Food for some amazing casserole recipes with all clean, real food. She’s even created healthy recipes for cream of mushroom, etc.

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Wow thanks! I’ll have to check that out!

[@lailabamigbade7861]

i love keeping up with you and your beautiful family, thanks for the video!

[@TheHappyCaravan]

🙏❤️

[@MyTableofThree]

All the meals look great! Kids are adorable as always! Hope Pearl has a wit time in Canada!

[@TheHappyCaravan]

🙏🙏❤️

[@JJLiverbird]

Thanks so much for sharing. We love watching your weekly eat vlogs we watch it then choose a recipe to try ourselves ❤ stay blessed 🙌

[@TheHappyCaravan]

🙏🙏❤️

[@mamamia9740]

Your children are beautiful, extremely talented and so kind to each other. I'm fascinated by the fact that they eat whatever you put in gront of them. I've watched and enjoyed all of your KZbin videos but have noticed one particular thing in every video.... beautiful little Melody is always overlooked. The attention is always on Mo or the older kids, but never her. 😢😢😢

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Aw thanks. Melody is usually busy with whatever she is doing but she does like to be in videos too.❤️

[@margheritacardelable]

You salt the soup before putting the pasta in so it absorbs the salted broth and is tastier. And traditionaly no one makes minestrone with chicken broth.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

It also beef This has no meat n chicken stock 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@cherylduncan5158]

Your meals are healthy and delicious 😋

[@Liz-sq9pf]

I love hearty soups , My Polish mum cooked soups a lot my favourite “ borscht “ beetroot soup. Mo so cute loves his food 😊

[@marykirkpatrick9382]

Sweet Moses is so patient!! 💕

[@kaylamorse769]

Thank you for sharing your meals! I struggle sometimes mixing things up with my large family. We eat alot of soup, sandwiches, pasta and veggies. Im from NY but now im in Alaska. Prices here are about double for most things. I love your channel and sweet family! Love from Alaska ❤

[@riku9044]

thank you! i love videos like these. very helpful and inspiring!❤

[@beverlymitchell1892]

Your meal videos have given me much needed inspiration this summer - to get out of my rut of usual recipes and to try new ones. Thank you!

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Aw thank you!❤️

[@ncpdelrosario2122]

Looks so delicious! 😋 Thanks for sharing Amber. 😍 Happy independence day! 🥳

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Thank you!❤️🤍💙🇺🇸🥰

[@vernareid4738]

All your meals looks so good.

[@TheHappyCaravan]

🙏❤️

[@lindamcauley4728]

Happy New year, beautiful family 🎉😊❤

[@sherrypuckett6686]

You are a good mom keep doing what u are doing its the right thing . So so good for all. I would if i were you i would make my own bread save u a lot of money. Making bread is fun and very easy recipes . My kids did not eat baby food have u seen where in the oats and other baby cereals the have used magnetic to pull out metal shavings . Have seen it. So just be careful with that sweet baby girl. Im 72 i have 12 grandkids and do things the old way cooking and all. You do a fantastic job.God bless you and yours and that is the most important God in ur family.

[@annacastillo1663]

Wow God bless you what a beautiful family! ❤

[@kelliejackson1191]

All of your meals looked delicious and the banana pudding looked yummy! I enjoy your meals of the week videos! Moses eats very good and is just the cutest!

[@TheHappyCaravan]

🙏🙏❤️

[@canineeverything]

As a high schooler I went to a month-long chamber music camp every year in Ontario called Music at Port Milford. Would love if that’s where Pearl is going as that place brought me so much joy and happiness as a teenager!

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Yes! I’ll have to ask if that is where she went!❤️

[@Nana_D75]

Making your own cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup is SO easy. And it freezes great. Make a large batch and freeze it in sizes that are easy to pull out and use in place of canned soup.

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Wow that’s a great idea!

[@ashleybailey9569]

I make a chicken casserole and instead of soup I use chicken broth and heavy whipping cream. It is the best casserole and doesnt have the added junk in it.

[@michele-kt]

It was big news when Magnolia Bakery released their banana pudding recipe a couple of years ago. Lol!! I've made it many times. It's sooo delicious!! 🍌😋

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Yes! It’s really hard to resist!😅

[@katieg.6831]

Great video,great dinner ideas and again different! it's always fun to make different recipes!! Can't wait for the next one you guys!!many kisses from Greece ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheHappyCaravan]

🙏🙏❤️🥰

[@suzigreer7053]

Have you ever thought of shopping at Aldi’s? It is a Trader Joe family discount food chain with great ingredients and cost less than Trader Joe’s. Their produce is so awesome.

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Yes, I want to go to the one by Costco again. Marc went once and he said the store was really tiny but maybe they’ve expanded it!

[@Gardengirlie04]

Are the spices in the beef potato pea dish the same you would add to samosa’s.. sounds delicious.. all the dishes look delicious.. I remember when my son was three or four he came home from visiting a relative and told me you could buy soup in a can and cookies in a box…

[@carmenbrown3437]

All your food is so healthy. I love that.

[@TheHappyCaravan]

🙏🙏❤️

[@hoosierladyus48]

Amber, there are two of us, we are retired and we never go out to eat. It is way too expensive. I can just imagine what it would cost your family to go out and eat. It's hard enough buying groceries for your family. I'm just like you, I love my soups and stews also. Depending on what you put in them, they are actually better for you. I love the fact that your kids are not picky and it's because you started them out young eating what you prepare. When I was young, we had to eat what Mom made, or we went hungry. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Thank you!🙏🙏❤️

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Honestly most ppl spend $15 a plate to eat out modestly $20 isn’t unusual So for 12…

[@forrestclone138]

Try making your own condensed soup. It's so easy and healthy.

[@melissapinto8403]

I am from Toronto! Omg I wish I could meet Pearl and show her around. We are around the same age

[@hollydawsonjames1999]

I’ll have to try making the soup, looks very good yummy!! Banana pudding is a southern dish. Love it…made it so many times…Some recipes calls for cream cheese which makes it even richer and creamer

[@debbiemcglamery6529]

A great thing for little ones (especially Mo and Melanie) screen time is ABC Mouse. We used something like it, as well as, reading lots of books and our 15 monrh old (at the time) was talking in sentences. I understand each child moves at their own pace and time line. I think this helped my son and thought I'd send it along to you❤

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Aw thank you! Yes, Mo is taking his time learning to talk. Noah and Enoch also took their time too so I’m trying to not get nervous about him. Thank you for the advice!❤️

[@leslieprebyl6238]

Everything looks so yummy. I am with you when it comes to cream soups. If I see a recipe that calls for it, I generally move on. The thought of eating it creeps me out. I know I can make homemade cream soups that are healthy, but I haven't done that yet. I might do that this winter. Thanks for sharing.

[@sarabonniya3931]

People in china, Japan in Asia generally use MSG all the time and they are more healthy than Americans.. So No MSG is not bad

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Yes - it is terrible for u

[@Cri_austria]

Lovely Family❤

[@DJ-os5ih]

For the casseroles, depending on what kind of soup need to use sometimes you can find organic MSG versions of them.

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Yes! I tried the healthy choice versions, they feel a little less rich though. I imagine you can make similar casseroles with cream and flour for thickening. I just have to learn to cook better to try it!😅

[@valerieleblanc8066]

You cook very well. I would say it’s just about learning a new recipe. Sometimes it just feels like it’s not the time. Especially when what you are doing works well :)

[@lucindaryan4217]

What a great couple and their equally wonderful family. They deserve the best. I love how they ear#t everything put in front of them but it looks very tasty so I am not surprised

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Sub white sauce for cream of soups Add cooked mushrooms or celery, don’t need much

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

So awesome he got a job! What a relief! It’s so hard nowadays too. I have a terrible job but I won’t get food stamps, HEAP, medicaid etc so at least I can put food on table as a single mom w/zero child support.

[@marygraham6207]

I use basmati rice in chicken veggie soup as well as curries mmm

[@paigereinhart5445]

Hi! I'm curious what snacks your kiddos like? We, too, are a non-GMO, organic family. I'm so impressed you are intentional on buying quality food for your large family. Sometimes it's hard to find snacks that aren't processed. We also just recently discovered a gluten intolerance for one kiddo. Not fun! Thanks for the videos!

[@TheHappyCaravan]

The kids often have bread, or eggs or yogurt for a snack. But our meals are also pretty filling so that helps!❤️

[@CheapsKate77]

I think Mo is going to be a chef 😊

[@ConstantCompanion]

Oh! Are casserole recipes that don't use the soups. Because same thing. I don't like them. Y'all like stuff with assertive Mexican spin? I have a really good one for that.

[@christinad132]

I luv these cooking videos, home cooking is so much better than eating out. You all look very healthy probably because u eat clean Whole Foods. 👏👏💕🌻🎹🎶🎼🎵🌻

[@TheHappyCaravan]

❤️❤️❤️

[@nicolealexander5727]

I have celiac disease in the early days, gf cream soups weren’t around yet, so I’d he broth and Greek yogurt!

[@hayleyschaefferrocks]

Your video’s are awesomely enjoyable!!! ❤

[@TheHappyCaravan]

🙏🙏❤️

[@reno5964]

I made the Tuesday chicken last week. It was very good. Will definitely make again.

[@TheHappyCaravan]

❤️So glad you liked it!

[@julialee143]

You should do a what we eat for breakfast!

[@TheHappyCaravan]

A lot of times the kids make eggs or if there is a cereal they like they eat that. Sometimes Naomi or I will make something yummy like banana bread or muffins too!

[@shabbyshopper]

As always, great food!!

[@lucindasutt7365]

❤I never see any strange looks or frowns from anyone concerning your fresh cooked food recipes. Becuse of that, I am guessing they all love the food. 😊

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Aw thanks! Yes usually they like it.🥰Grateful for that!

[@EmxlyKxte]

Mo looks so much like Dad! 🥰

[@sherylbrown6943]

It gave me anxiety when I saw the baby under the boiling potatoes .. 😢 my great granddaughter was accidentally splashed with boiling water on her foot and had to flown to our major city for treatment.

[@madalina088]

My favorite videos of your channel❤

[@JohnMc1776]

Everything looks really good! Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

[@TheHappyCaravan]

❤️🤍💙 Thank you!🇺🇸

[@alexandralawson9578]

Omg Mo!!!!!!! Y’all look so precious in the thumbnail

[@TheHappyCaravan]

❤️❤️❤️🙏

[@gretaz1502]

Moses is going to conduct music when he grows up.

[@sherrypuckett6686]

Yummmmmmm

[@keeperofsecrets88]

I'm with you on cream of soups not being great, no matter the flavor i just get salt. 😖 I found a hack for it though! 3/4 cup broth of choice (depending on what your making) 3/4 cup milk & 3 Tbs corn starch makes a small can equivalent. Depending on the recipe you can add cheese, mushrooms, broccoli etc. but I often keep is simple & just use those 3 main ingredients with maybe some garlic & onion powder because the rest of the casserole will have the veggies & cheese necessary. It's so good & gives you freedom to customize, I often use nonfat milk because my mom needs to watch her cholesterol.

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Definitely have to try that!

[@keeperofsecrets88]

@TheHappyCaravan it's so simple, you dirty an extra pot heating it but as long as you stir it consistently it thickness up like the can & tastes cleaner 💖

[@janflan7783]

Did I hear correctly? Was that Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” gone classical? Loved it!

[@smann5915]

I really love these videos!

[@hopeloomis7888]

Starter Garden maybe then you can save a little bit more money that's what I did

[@brookidy]

Thank you for the video! I just discovered you on you tube and have been enjoying the videos. A fellow large family mama.💗 I wanted to share this because I felt like I needed to-please look into canola oil. It’s probably the top oil to avoid. Any seed oils or vegetable oils are very harmful to the body. I thought you would like to know since you care about healthy food. Blessings!

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Yes! I’ve heard that. I also saw that expeller pressed is usually better but I’m not sure if it actually helps.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Avo n olive oil are only ones to use N they’re suspect Better to use leftover animal grease, butter, cream, duckfat, etc😊

[@anonymousone2843]

Do you realize that using condensed soup is an option in a casserole, but not the original. Milk, butter flour, and spices equals a casserole. Also, if you like making your own soup, sumply make and freeze a s homemade soup to add to a casserole. Kids will appreciate a more expanded menu.

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Would love to do that!

[@hannahlee1093]

Time make my grocery list now that I have my meal plan. I’ll have to quarter the recipe though haha

[@thewovenknotcrochetthehand4721]

Very nice meals! 😊

[@kelliewallace8771]

Next to godliness is cleanliness ❤

[@Timbergal]

Hi Amber…I LOVE All of your videos and your fam bam! Amber do you ever make spaghetti?

[@TheHappyCaravan]

Yes! I want to make it more often because the kids really like it!

[@sherryloveshiking2175]

I'm looking to buy a stainless steel rice cooker; what kind do you have? Any suggestions for a good rice cooker? I'm so loving your what we eat in a week videos!

[@TheHappyCaravan]

I use an instant pot because it’s multi purpose, but I think there are lots of good brands out there!

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Instant Pot can’t be beat