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In today's fast-paced world, juggling work, family, and personalcommitments often leave little time for meal preparation. However, with alittle meal planning and meal-prep, you can reclaim your time, save money, andnourish your family with delicious and nutritious meals.
Whether you're a seasoned meal planner like me or just starting out, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the tools and techniques needed to streamline your dinner times and help you fall back in love with them!
1. Set Clear Goals: Begin by defining your meal planning objectives. Are you aiming to save time, eat healthier, reduce food waste, or cook from scratch more often? Establishing clear goals will help you tailor your meal planning approach to suit your needs.
2. Take Inventory: Before creating your meal plan, make a list of what you already have – you’ll be surprised at how many ingredients there are already in your cupboards, fridges and freezers! This will not only prevent food waste but also inspire creative meal ideas based on what you already have available.
3. Plan Your Meals: Start by outlining your meals for the week ahead – I create my online plan on a Wednesday (using my Delicious and Real, meal-planning tool). Consider factors such as dietary preferences, budget constraints, and time availability: I always plan with my diary open – busy nights often call for a slow cooker dinner or a meal I have been able to fully prep in advance.
Theming nights helps you to narrow down your search for dinner ideas: we always have meat-free Monday and Thursday and fish on a Friday.
4. Create a Shopping List: Based on your meal plan, compile a shopping list of ingredients you'll need for the week – if you are a Delicious and Real member, my website does this for you!
5. Shop Smart: When shopping, stick to your list to avoid impulse purchases – this is why I like an online shop.
6. Prep in Advance: Spend some time prepping ingredients in advance to streamline meal preparation throughout the week. Wash, chop, and portion out fruits and vegetables, marinate meats, prep whole meals, make up your slow cooker and pre-cook grains or beans to save time on busy week nights. I give my members ideas on how to do this in their weekly email.
7. Embrace Batch Cooking: Batch cooking means that you can have dinners and lunches ready and waiting in the freezer: bolognaises, chillis, curries and soups are perfect for this.
8. Stay Flexible: While having a meal plan is beneficial, it's essential to remain flexible and adapt to unexpected changes. Keep a selection of staples (and batch cooked meals) on hand for quick and easy meal options on hectic days.
9. Get the Family Involved: Encourage family members to contribute ideas and participate in meal planning and preparation. This not only fosters a sense of ownership but also provides an opportunity to bond over shared meals. If you have older children, get them involved in cooking dinner once a week – I have an online course that teaches them the basic skills and recipes they need as they prepare to fly the nest!
10. Review and Adjust: Periodically review your meal planning process to identify areas for improvement. Reflect on what worked well and what didn't and make adjustments accordingly to optimise your meal planning routine.
By following these practical tips, you can master the art of meal planning and transform your family's eating habits for the better. With a little foresight and preparation, you can enjoy stress-free, home cooked dinners every night of the week!
Remember, meal planning is not only about saving time and money but also about making mindful choices. And, if you find the whole process a little daunting and are not sure where to start, let me help you out with one of my memberships: it takes the stress and decisions out of dinner-times!
So, roll up your sleeves, sharpen your knives, and embark on your journey to meal planning success!
In today's fast-paced world, juggling work, family, and personalcommitments often leave little time for meal preparation. However, with alittle meal planning and meal-prep, you can reclaim your time, save money, andnourish your family with delicious and nutritious meals.
Whether you're a seasoned meal planner like me or just starting out, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the tools and techniques needed to streamline your dinner times and help you fall back in love with them!
1. Set Clear Goals: Begin by defining your meal planning objectives. Are you aiming to save time, eat healthier, reduce food waste, or cook from scratch more often? Establishing clear goals will help you tailor your meal planning approach to suit your needs.
2. Take Inventory: Before creating your meal plan, make a list of what you already have – you’ll be surprised at how many ingredients there are already in your cupboards, fridges and freezers! This will not only prevent food waste but also inspire creative meal ideas based on what you already have available.
3. Plan Your Meals: Start by outlining your meals for the week ahead – I create my online plan on a Wednesday (using my Delicious and Real, meal-planning tool). Consider factors such as dietary preferences, budget constraints, and time availability: I always plan with my diary open – busy nights often call for a slow cooker dinner or a meal I have been able to fully prep in advance.
Theming nights helps you to narrow down your search for dinner ideas: we always have meat-free Monday and Thursday and fish on a Friday.
4. Create a Shopping List: Based on your meal plan, compile a shopping list of ingredients you'll need for the week – if you are a Delicious and Real member, my website does this for you!
5. Shop Smart: When shopping, stick to your list to avoid impulse purchases – this is why I like an online shop.
6. Prep in Advance: Spend some time prepping ingredients in advance to streamline meal preparation throughout the week. Wash, chop, and portion out fruits and vegetables, marinate meats, prep whole meals, make up your slow cooker and pre-cook grains or beans to save time on busy week nights. I give my members ideas on how to do this in their weekly email.
7. Embrace Batch Cooking: Batch cooking means that you can have dinners and lunches ready and waiting in the freezer: bolognaises, chillis, curries and soups are perfect for this.
8. Stay Flexible: While having a meal plan is beneficial, it's essential to remain flexible and adapt to unexpected changes. Keep a selection of staples (and batch cooked meals) on hand for quick and easy meal options on hectic days.
9. Get the Family Involved: Encourage family members to contribute ideas and participate in meal planning and preparation. This not only fosters a sense of ownership but also provides an opportunity to bond over shared meals. If you have older children, get them involved in cooking dinner once a week – I have an online course that teaches them the basic skills and recipes they need as they prepare to fly the nest!
10. Review and Adjust: Periodically review your meal planning process to identify areas for improvement. Reflect on what worked well and what didn't and make adjustments accordingly to optimise your meal planning routine.
By following these practical tips, you can master the art of meal planning and transform your family's eating habits for the better. With a little foresight and preparation, you can enjoy stress-free, home cooked dinners every night of the week!
Remember, meal planning is not only about saving time and money but also about making mindful choices. And, if you find the whole process a little daunting and are not sure where to start, let me help you out with one of my memberships: it takes the stress and decisions out of dinner-times!
So, roll up your sleeves, sharpen your knives, and embark on your journey to meal planning success!
