Make Ahead Meals

Planning your meals a week or more at a time is a time saver for even the busiest people, meaning healthier eating with fewer trips to the drive thru and more meals at home. This will also help you stick to your budget!

By setting aside time to plan weekly meals and eating meals at home, you can control your portions and avoid eating hidden calories. In addition, meals eaten at home tend to be less expensive and more nutritious. Your family will also be eating few preservatives and avoiding hidden additives that you don't want your family to be eating.

First, get ideas from family members what they like to eat. Even the pickiest eater will be more likely to eat what is prepared and it will be easier to get help with the meal preparation and the cleaning up process if their food preferences are considered. Also this is the time to lay down the law that you are only going to cook one meal. That the days of eating out and multi meals are over.

Next, make a list of all the main dishes you normally fix, favorite dishes of family members. With a well stocked Pantry you will find yourself not omitting meals because of missing ingredients. List the ingredients that you will need to prepare these meals using a shoppinglist.

Then, ask yourself these questions: How can I make these meals quicker and easier? If I can cook a wholesome meal quicker, then will my family eat out less? I find that using a modified "Batch Cooking" to be the trick for eating out less and making meal times less stressful.

Add staples to your shopping list. Having a well-stocked pantry makes it easier to create quick and nutritious family meals. Remember, the food you have on hand will determine how easy meal time will be, so always keep your pantry well stocked.

Once you've got the meal plan, here are some other tips that can help make your life simpler:

Look ahead for extra-busy days and plan something quick for them. Make an extra meal the week before and mark it with the date to be used.
Use a shopping list. Before you go to the store, plan your shopping lists so you buy everything you need. I try and shop for 2 or 3 weeks at a time, but if you are just starting out you may want to only weekly shopping.
Make twice as much (modified Batch Cooking) of whatever you are cooking and freeze half. It doesn’t take much more time or energy to make two batches of lasagna, a bigger pot of stew, or a larger pan of casserole, all you'll have to do is thaw, heat, and serve.
In addition to our double duty meals try these tips:
- Browning ground beef for dinner? Do at least a pound, freeze the rest to make a meal that isn't batched already.
- Baking chicken breasts? Cook two more, and then cut up later.
- Cook extra rice, put into a container, and freeze. On a busy night, microwave it, stirring occasionally, until heated through, then use as you would fresh, or throw in a can of mushrooms and chopped chicken for a quick casserole.
- Grate extra cheese and store it in a zippered plastic bag in the freezer.