Life in the Fast Lane...Makin’ Meals When You Don’t Have a Lot of Time
Author: Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Whether you stay at home, work at home, or make a daily commute, chances are you may feel like you are living "life in the fast lane" once you have children. As dinnertime approaches, there may no longer be time to linger, think, make a plan and then actually cook.
To top it off, a hungry child may also be a cranky child. With a munchkin at your feet, you may find it difficult to cook with two hands and spend more than a few minutes preparing the evening meal.
How can you make it happen? Can you make it happen? Is there such a thing as making a nutritious meal that won't have you in the kitchen all day? Absolutely!
- Plan. Make a list. You may be thinking that planning takes too much time. Trust me, 15 minutes of planning will save you hours of frustration in the kitchen. Before tackling the grocery store, make a list. Map out a dinner plan for the week. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it does have to be thoughtful of your family and the week's agenda. For instance, depending on the daily schedule, you may find that one night you have time to leisurely grill out or make your favorite homemade dish. Other nights may warrant quick fixes such as sandwiches, salad, soup, or pasta. Once you have mapped out your meals for the week, you won't have to think during the week about what to cook. It's done.
- Use your resources. My favorite is the crock-pot. It's almost magical. You get up early in the morning, you put something in (think chicken, homemade mac and cheese, pot roast, etc.) and you walk out your door. Eight hours later, there is dinner! If not the crock-pot, think about other short cuts you can use (partially cooking a meal the night before or cooking ahead on the weekends) that may save you time.
- Freeze. One of the best things about cooking a meal is the leftovers! Sometimes, the day after, leftovers aren't so glamorous. My favorite thing to do with them? Freeze them for another day. Bring them back out in a week or two and chances are you already have a great foundation for another evening meal. Jazz it up with a salad or some fresh fruit. Easy as can be!
- Finally, give yourself an out. Our family gets one meal out per week. It's not fancy and it is often reserved for those nights when no matter what the plan was, it's gone awry. With kids, the number one rule is flexibility. Even if you had a plan, sometimes you have to make a new one. Eating out provides an alternative when nothing else can happen. If funds are tight, this may be the night when breakfast comes to the dinner table or simple sandwiches (there is always PB&J) are packed and enjoyed al fresco in the backyard or at a nearby park.
With these few tricks, you'll find that even when your family is busy, you have time for "good eatin'!"
