Easy Prep for Simple Meals

guest post by Vanessa Tan

Preparation for the upcoming school year is an important task for every single family. Buying back-to-school supplies, getting organized, and probably most importantly, wondering about what kinds of meals to put on the table that will please the entire family.

Thinking about what to cook for the family can be an overwhelming task. Prepping for meals during the week can be time-consuming and tiring. However, cooking meals for the family can be turned into a simple and trouble-free task when you know easy prepping ideas. Involving the kids to help you prep for meals can also help them learn and understand the foods that they are eating. The main point is to plan ahead of time so that you can spend more time enjoying a meal rather than cutting up ingredients in a hot kitchen!

Some easy prepping tips for simple meals:

       Plan a list of meals in advance

In order to maintain good eating habits, it is important to plan meals in advance. Sit down with your family for a few minutes once a week and create a menu. It is easier to come up with a grocery list once you have a menu in place. You will be surprised at how much time and money you can save with a little planning in advance.

       Pick one day  to cook ahead

Picking one day out of the week to prepare and do as much cooking ahead will save you time during the week. Cut up fruits and vegetables, portion out meats, mix together seasonings, and store them in the fridge for easy access. You can also pan-fry or bake meats in advance so that all the ingredients are ready to be put together for a quick week night meal. Rice, potatoes, and beans can be cooked before hand and stored away to be reheated later on.

       Storage containers & bags are your best friends

Storage containers and bags are very useful to store small portions of foods to ensure easy access as well as to practice portion control. Storage containers can also be used to pack lunches for you and your family for the week.

       Get creative! Cook one food item and use in multiple ways!

Cooking one food item in advance that can be used in multiple ways can save time during the week. For example, Baked or grilled chicken can be used in quesadillas, pasta, salads, or even just simply paired with rice and vegetables.