As a mom, you know that there are some days when everything goes according to plan and others when everything falls apart. On those latter days, it can be hard to come up with a quick and healthy meal for your family. Here are some ideas to help you out for the next time you're in a bind.
Keep a stash of quick and easy recipes on hand for when you're short on time
Do you often find yourself completely out of time when you had a meal plan ready to go? Why not keep a stash of quick and easy recipes in your back pocket? Brown-bagging it, ordering takeout, or forgoing dinner altogether can be exhausting and expensive. With some foresight and some smart shopping, you can have delicious, healthy dinners on the table in no time. Create a cookbook with all of your favorite meals that don't take long to prepare so when you're running low on time you know exactly what to make. Look for recipes that are simple, requiring only a few ingredients; even a meal as simple as chicken and rice can then be added to in a pinch with some vegetables and a sauce.
Make sure you have all the necessary ingredients for your chosen recipes
Shopping for groceries is one of the most common yet sometimes daunting tasks when it comes to cooking. To avoid food waste, it's important to make sure you have all the ingredients you need before you start making your meals! When you've made a list of recipes, try to make sure that you have preservable, long-lasting ingredients in your pantry that can be a base for many different meals. Things like flour, dried pasta, rice, canned sauces, and vegetables can be strong additions to the perishable, week-of purchases of meats and dairy. While it can be expensive to purchase them all in one go, if you make just a few long-term additions to your weekly grocery trips, you'll have a backup supply of ingredients in no time.
Set aside some time in your schedule to cook, even if it's just 30 minutes
It's always a great idea to set aside some time in your schedule to cook, even if it's only for 30 minutes. Not only does this ensure that you and your family have healthy, home-cooked meals on the table, but it can also be a great way to unwind after a long day. Set up a weekly schedule that is realistic and workable with your lifestyle - maybe Monday nights are tacos and Wednesday mornings are pancakes. Making these simple, quick meals won't take much time out of your day, but will provide tasty and nutritious options over take-out or processed pre-made food. Once you get into a routine of cooking at home in your precious 30 minutes, you'll start getting comfortable with the processes, and your cooking skills are sure to improve!
Use an air fryer or Instant Pot to make cooking easier and faster
If you're stuck for time when it comes to dinner and need ideas in a pinch, an air fryer or Instant Pot can be your savior. It can turn a boring dinner of frozen food or canned soup into something much more substantial. You'll be surprised by how quickly and easily you can whip up a healthy dinner with an air fryer or Instant Pot. Plus, not only will you save time and effort, but the meals themselves can boast some great health benefits that simply cannot be attained from store-bought alternatives. Investing in either of these appliances is the best way to get restaurant-worthy meals on the table quickly, without all the fuss!
Meal prep ahead of time so you can just reheat and eat when you're ready
Meal prepping isn't just a great way to stay organized and healthy; it also saves time when you don't have any to spare. With the right ingredients, some of your favorite recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer so all you have to do is reheat them when you're ready. It's like having a restaurant-quality meal whenever you need it, but better because you get to choose what goes into each dish! While sometimes we see “leftover night” as a negative thing, meal prepping takes that idea and flips it on its head. There’s nothing wrong with planning in advance and making food for eating throughout the week. Keep an eye out for easy meal prep ideas online and in cookbooks – with a little bit of advance planning, running out of time for dinner doesn't have to be a problem at all.
Take advantage of delivery or takeout options when you really don't have time to cook
While it's always best to cook an all-natural meal from scratch, sometimes, life just gets so busy that we simply don't have the time or energy to do so. If you're in a crunch in terms of time and need a delicious meal that won't send you back to the grocery store, delivery, and takeout options can be a lifesaver. It may not feel great, either on your stomach or your wallet, but it’s important to recognize that sometimes life plays out in some inconvenient ways at times. When push comes to shove, sometimes just getting pizza delivery can be the solution for a long day of living life. So long as it doesn’t become something you depend on at all times, it can be rewarding fun to take a night off and enjoy eating tasty takeout with your kids.
When you're short on time, these tips will help you make a delicious and healthy meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Keep quick and easy recipes on hand, make sure you have all the ingredients you need, set aside some time to cook and take advantage of delivery or takeout options when necessary. By following these tips, you'll be able to enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal even when your schedule is packed.
