|
|
Speedy Kitchen Tips for Busy Moms
by Brandie Valenzuela
With so much to do, how do you do it all? I know that I can't answer
that question completely, but I do have a few tips that help me get in,
and get out -- of the kitchen that is!
1. Make use of kitchen appliances such as crockpots, microwaves, and
breadmakers. Plan your meals around the use of these and other
time-saving appliances.
2. Plan one night per week to be your "YOYO" night, which means "you on
your own". On this night, each member of your family can decide for
themselves what they would like to have for dinner. In my home, the kids
heat up leftovers, frozen burritos, have cereal -- you name it.
3. Plan one night per week to be a take out night. In our family, we
love to have pizza delivered on Friday nights.
4. Each weekend, jot down what the family will eat that week for dinner.
Post it on the refrigerator so everyone will know what to expect. This
helps to keep you focused on what meal is on what day.
5. Give each child in your home a specified amount of money to spend on
dinner. You can allow them to go wild, or set rules such as no candy or
dessert type items.
6. Have your children pick one of the meals for the family each week.
This helps to make meal planning easier while also making sure everyone
has a say in what is served.
7. Make use of prepared items in your store -- your children aren't
going to love you more if you make homemade waffles, rather than the
frozen ones.
8. Think simple! Save elaborate meals for special occasions.
I know that my children often prefer to have hotdogs and french fries
over a meal that might take me an hour to prepare.
9. Bring your children into the kitchen and put them to work. Depending
on age and skill level, many children can grate cheese, shred lettuce,
mix batter, and more.
10. Once your children start to reach age 8 or so, they should be
learning to prepare simple foods. Practice makes perfect and before you
know it, they will be able to make a complete meal all by themselves!
11. Try once-a-month cooking, or similiar methods. Visit http://cookonceamonth.com/
to get started.
12. Always make double of time-consuming meals. When you make lasagna,
make sure you have enough sauce, cheese, and noodles on hand to make a
second pan. Freeze the extra and you have a meal for another night.
13. One night per week, plan a "one dish recipe". Usually these meals
have the protein, grains or legumes, and vegetables in one dish. One
dish means you aren't cooking each item seperately and you have less to
clean up.
14. Always start cooking in a clean kitchen and keep a sink half filled
with hot soapy water while you are preparing the meal. As you finish
using an item, place it in the water. Even if you use a dishwasher, this
will help make your dishes even cleaner.
15. Always make sure your dishwasher or sink is empty, so that after
dinner each person can rinse their own dish and place it in the
dishwasher or sink.
16. Make and use master mixes. Not only are they economical, they make
meals a snap. To get some great master mixes, visit:http://www.melborponsti.com/mastermx/index.shtml
17. Always clean as you go -- everything is easier to tackle in small
amounts.
About the author
Brandie Valenzuela is a freelance writing wife and mother of three
children, and the editor of HomeMade Living -- a free newsletter for
stay-at-home mothers. She is also a scrapbook artist who sells her
scrapbooking sets.
|
|
