Taking the Guesswork Out of Eating at Home

Time always seems to speed on by. By the time you’re done with work, commuting home, helping kids with their homework, you’re simply burnt out. Because of this, it’s easy to see why many people resort to grabbing quick pre-made meals from the store or a fast-food joint. It doesn’t have to be this way, though, because with some careful planning and preparation you and your family can be eating healthier homemade meals in no time.

Prep, Prep and More Prep

Set up a day, possibly Sunday where you can chop vegetables and prepare healthy foods to use for meals throughout the week. Don’t be shy about recruiting a member of the family to help, the more people involved, the faster it goes. For example, consider beef stew, a delicious and heart-warming meal that can easily be sorted out ahead of time. Simply dice and chop carrots, onions and celery to your liking and trim some chunks of beef and freeze. With a pressure cooker or Instant Pot you can enjoy a tasty meal in about 40 minutes with minimal effort. If you’re in the mood for tacos, chopping onion, cilantro and tomatoes prior can be a real lifesaver. All you have to do is finish cooking chicken, beef or even chickpeas with taco seasoning, which is quick and easy. Pair it with some lightly pan-heated corn tortillas and boom, flavor explosion in your mouth.

But I Don’t Want to Eat the Same Thing

There is a misconception that all freezer meals have to be boring. The examples above say otherwise. Set up your phone or tablet, make sure it has one of the best screen protectors to prevent damage to the screen while you cook, and use Google to find new recipes that suit your family’s tastes.

If you’re feeling adventurous, make multiple items on a day off to easily feed your family on those hectic days which involve after school football practice and ballet classes. One crowd pleaser is a make-ahead lasagna which freezes brilliantly. Who doesn’t love layers of pasta with succulent tomato sauce, gooey cheese and their favorite meats and veggies?

Meal Plan

Take a moment to consider the family favorites and plan accordingly. Put a schedule together and there will always be something delicious to eat. Monday has homemade meatballs and spaghetti, Tuesday is of course tacos, Wednesday can be stuffed peppers and the rest of the week you can sort out. Be sure to switch it up from week to week to keep the masses happy and fed.

Shopping for This How?

Shopping for food is really easy when you know what you’re making in advance. Plus it also save money because when you stick to your list, you avoid impulse buys. Hey and here’s an extra bonus, being the savvy cook you are, you’re less likely to waste food because everything is accounted for in the meal plan. Keep a list on your smartphone so you don’t forget it at home on the counter.

Meal planning helps save time and cuts down on the indecision that leads you to the drive through. With these tips in mind and in action, you too can be a kitchen superhero.