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One Minute Here, Seven Minutes There |
One Minute Here, Seven Minutes There.
Valuable Timesaving Tips That Add Up.
Summer’s almost here. Yippee! Sun’s shining brighter, and days are getting longer. So why does it seem like there’s less time than ever to get things done? Oh, wait, there is less time — Between chauffeuring here, schlepping there, cleaning this, fixing that, there’s hardly time for tying a toddler’s shoe, much less preparing wholesome, fresh, nutritious meals 3 times a day, 7 days a week.
So, take a deep breath, and slow down just long enough to read these timesaving tips for shaving minutes off your meal prep and clean up time.
Form Your Game Plan Early
Determine your menu for the week before you go grocery shopping. Buy everything in one trip, so you have all you will need on hand all week long.
Speaking of grocery shopping, you can save valuable time by sorting your groceries at the store. Simply put like foods together on the conveyor belt, then ask the bagger to put all the perishables in one bag, snacks in another, and canned goods in a third. Unloading will go far more quickly when you get home.
Cut, Slice, Dice, and Bake Extra.
As long as you’re chopping veggies for one meal, chop extra and toss them in a sandwich bag to keep in the fridge for tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. That way, you will have everything you need readily available to make soup, salad, a pizza or a simple sauté.
And next time you bake a casserole, or make soup, double-batch it and stick the extra in the freezer, where it will keep nicely for months.
You can even pre-bag your kids’ chips and raisins for their school lunches. Prepare them on Sunday, and you’ll save minutes every morning, all week long.
Clean as You Go.
You probably heard your mother say it over and over when you were growing up, but she’s right: Clean and wipe as you go. In addition, keep your sink filled with soapy water while you’re cooking or baking. That way, food doesn’t harden on pots and pans, and your kitchen is clean when you sit down to eat. Which means more after-dinner free time to spend with your family.
Be Lazy
Keep an empty Sorrento® Ricotta Cheese container on the counter and put all vegetable ends and other food refuse in it as you prep your meal. When you’re done, empty it once and drop it in the top rack of the dishwasher so it’s ready for the next time you need it.
Another way to eliminate countless trips to the garbage can is to peel your potatoes and carrots over a newspaper spread out on the counter. When you’re done, simply fold it all up and drop it in the garbage.
Store Smarter
This one seems like a no-brainer, but make sure your dishes, plates, bowls and flatware are close to your dishwasher. That’s an easy way to save countless steps and time.
Last, but not Least, Delegate
Seriously! Why should you be the one doing all the work? Get the whole gang involved — especially the kids. They can handle quick jobs like washing vegetables, mixing batter, or emptying trash cans. The best part: they won’t just be helping you out — they’ll be learning skills, building self-esteem, and becoming involved in a vital part of family life. Moreover, they’ll be much more likely to enjoy food they’ve had a hand in preparing. |
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