Try these kitchen timesavers to cut back on time and make less work for you. By taking the stress and hassle out of cooking, you’ll have more time to enjoy it and to spend with your loved ones.
Organize your kitchen. Keep frequently used items such as cooking oils/sprays, spatulas, cutting boards, and spices within easy reach. This will save you from having to search for them later.
Clear the clutter. Before you start cooking, clear off your counters. This allows more room for prep space.
Chop extra. When chopping up veggies for a meal, chop more than you need. Take the extra, place in a reusable container and freeze. Then next time you need it, you can skip a step.
Have everything in place. Grab all ingredients needed for your meal – chopped vegetables, measured spices, and thawed meats. It will be easier to spot missing items and avoid skipping steps.
Double your recipe. For your next casserole or stew, try doubling the recipe and freezing the extra. You’ll save time and make cooking next week’s dinner a snap!
Clean as you go. Fill up the sink with soapy water and wash the dishes as you cook. It’ll make clean up go much smoother!
Save some for later. Freeze leftover soups, sauces, or gravies in small reusable containers.
MyPlate, MyWins Tips: Meal Planning Made Easy
Planning healthy meals ahead of time can help you stick to a healthy eating style. If you’re new to meal planning, start small and work up to more.
Map out your meals
Outline meals you plan to eat for the week and use it as a guide. Be sure to list beverages and snacks too!
Find balance
If you have veggies, dairy, and protein at one meal, include fruit and grains in the next to cover all 5 food groups.
Vary protein foods
Choose a variety of protein foods throughout the week. If you have chicken one day, try seafood, beans, lean meat, or eggs other days.
Make a grocery list
Start by listing ingredients for meals you plan to make. Cross off items you already have on hand.
Love your leftovers
Prepare enough of a dish to eat multiple times during the week. Making leftovers part of your plan can save money and time.
Cooking for Your Family
You can easily prepare foods for a large family without spending a lot of money. Try these tips to save time, money, and stress when making meals for your friends or family.
Keep it simple. Healthy and creative meals don't have to be complicated. A simpler menu will usually cost less money and will be easier to prepare in the end.
Allow your family to help. Divide jobs among family members. Remember -- kids love to be in the kitchen! With help, you can get more done and have more time to enjoy with your family.
Stretch recipes by adding ingredients. Get more servings out of your favorite recipes! Add rice to soups or stews, frozen vegetables to favorite pasta dishes, or beans to burgers to serve more meals.
Options for the holidays. Try having a holiday brunch. Breakfast foods like eggs are less expensive and make a great protein for the main dish. Another fun idea is to have a yogurt parfait bar, where everyone can add their favorite toppings to yogurt.
Make it a potluck. Potlucks are a great option for large families. If you are hosting, prepare the main dish and leave the sides to the rest of the family. It creates less work for you and allows everyone to make and sample each other’s creations.
This is also a good book. I have a copy and use it sometimes, but it's really good to help people learn about meal prepping.. It is full of tons of different recipes. Feel free to check it out and possibly purchase.
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