My goal is to eat at home, and try to eat as organic and clean as possible. Does it always happen? NO! Do we eat junk and processed food from time to time? YES! But balance and giving myself a break are the two things I'm putting into practice these days.
I know there's a lot of frustrated , overworked parents that find cooking for their families challenging and about as fun as a hangnail. I get it. I really love to cook, but I've learned that cooking during the week doesn't quite get my culinary creative juices flowing. I've learned to save those meals for friends and weekends. I would like to share with frazzled parents everywhere (and I say parents because I know just as many of you dads cook just as much as moms) some of my tips for providing home cooked meals for your family.
I would also like to point out that I am far from a health nut, and I could lose a few pounds myself. I do, however, try to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle, and do my best to create one for my children. It amazes me that we are the richest, most innovative country in the world, and we are also the fattest. Obesity is an epidemic in this country, and the rise of childhood obesity boggles me. I do believe it starts in the home. Providing healthy meals and teaching our children how to eat and what to eat starts with us and the example we set for our families. Now that I'm done with my soapbox moment, here are a few tips from this imperfect, frazzled mom.
I do my shopping on Sundays or Mondays, but preferably on Mondays when I'm off. I like to get it done in the morning, and I shop once a week. I don't buy in bulk at SAMs that often (maybe once a month for paper and cleaning items) because I don't find it to be any cheaper. I also try to buy organic meat and a lot of fresh seafood.
This is how I start:
I'm off on Monday and Thursday, so I usually cook meals that take a little more time and effort on those days. I work late on Tuesday and Wednesday, so I plan a crockpot meal on one of those nights, and my husband is responsible for a meal on the other night. We had friends down this past weekend and made fajitas, so there are a lot of leftovers and we did do some heavy grocery shopping for that on Friday.
Now it's time to see what's in my fridge, my pantry and my freezer.
I know you're mesmerized by the organization going on, right?
Pulling out meat and veggies from the weekend.
Okay, now it's time to plan my meals for the week. Keep in mind this is a list that for the most part gets followed, but can change with an extra swim practice or an overly tired mom! I know I have leftover broccoli, fajita steak and tilapia in the freezer.
Here is my five star dinner menu for the week:
Real complicated, huh?
I knew I had red beans, rice and cornbread mix in the pantry. I also keep stir fry sauces handy and spice them up with fresh ginger, brown sugar and soy sauce for quick stir fry meals.
Now keep in mind, my husband hit the store for me while I was at work on Friday, so my fridge is stocked with lunch meat, milk, eggs, and enough groceries to feed my three teenage monsters for the week. But check out my "grocery list" for the week!
It really doesn't get any easier than that!
I hear so many of my tired clients start talking about what they're going to feed their families for dinner when they sit in my chair at the salon. This is a time where they should be relaxing at the end of their day, not trying to figure out dinner. It also cost more if you make multiple trips to the grocery store, especially when you're tired and you don't have a plan. I find taking a few minutes to plan your menu and grocery list saves money, time, and creates healthier meals!
I hope I've helped in some small way by sharing a few of my tips. I'd love to hear some of yours!
Now, do I read a book or organize that pantry?
