The kids are back in school and we are all ready to return to some form of routine. Now is a great time to re-prioritize eating real food and making a commitment to you and your family. Here are a few ideas to help you get back into the swing of things:
5 Steps to Re-Prioritize Real Food
1. Meal Plan
This is the number one way to ensure real food makes it on your table each day of the week. I may not ‘love’ this task each week, but I do love not having to think about it come dinnertime each weeknight. Everything is in the fridge and ready to go.
2. Keep it Simple.
Real food does not have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler the better. We like utilizing skillets, stir-fries and frittatas. Why? Because anything can go in them, I can change up the seasoning to whatever we have/want that day and I can load up each of these with plenty of vegetables.
3. Befriend the crockpot.
You know those days with a bazillion kid activities? Or, the end of the week and you just want to put your feet up? That crockpot is a savior. As we head into fall, it is divine to come home to a savory soup or stew all ready to go.
4. Make leftovers.
If you make a big breakfast on the weekend, make extra to have on hand for Monday morning. Made so much stew you are sick of it? Freeze a lunch-size portion for another week. I am a big, big fan of leftovers to help streamline the week.
5. Prep ahead.
You can cut up veggies and store them in the fridge for several days in advance, pull out meats to thaw a couple of days ahead, even mix spices for your meals for the week. If you have a little extra time while making today’s meal, do a little work for tomorrow’s too. I know we are all a little more tired at the end of the week and these little ‘gifts’ of prep work are lovely.