06.18.07
Meal Prepartion Shortcuts to Save Time
The past 8 years I have been working full time plus keeping up with the demands of six children. I quickly realized that I had to find ways to save time when preparing meals for my family. Here are a few shortcuts that I use to save time:
- Use inexpensive paper plates. They not only save time, they are sanitary.
- Buy already washed and cut vegetables. Yes, it is more expensive, but if you don’t have time to wash and cut up veggies, it is better to spend a little more money and continue to eat vegetables with your meals. I am convinced that eating plenty of vegetables helps cut down on trips to the doctor’s office. My favorite place to buy washed and cut vegetables is Costco.
- Purchase restaurant size Stouffer’s lasagna. They are great tasting and only cost $8 to $10 for twelve large portions. Stouffers lasagna will satisfy even growing teenage boys.
- Hamburger Helper and Supper Bakes are economical and fast to prepare. They taste great even when using lowfat cuts of meat like turkey, and lean beef.
- Tina’s Burritos and Tony’s Pizza, although they are higher in fat, when they are eaten with lots of fresh veggies, it is a healthy meal.
- Buy in bulk when possible so you can make less trips to the grocery store. Again, my favorite place to buy in bulk is Costco. They have good quality, large bulk meats, fruits and vegetables, and prepared foods. A couple of my favorites are their pressed frozen hamburger patties, and frozen bagged chicken breasts.
- I think in terms of a meal as a main dish and veggies. Keeping it simple will alleviate stress, and keep a happier atmosphere in your home.
- If you are having a dessert, popsicles, creamsicles, rice krispy treats, frozen Marie Callendars pies that often go on sale, and already prepared cookie dough are fast choices that save time. Even better than buying prepared cookie dough, let your kids have the fun of making cookies for the family.
Please share ways that you have found to save time when preparing meals for your family. I would love to hear from you.