Regardless of your feelings toward Back to School week... it's coming. What are some of the things you notice with Back to School? One of the things I like about school getting back in session is the return of routine. We do less flying by the seat of our pants, and things are slightly more predictable. But the first week is usually a free-for-all... only it's not free. Right? Bringing everyone back to the table is as much for our peace of mind, and calm as it is for our nutrition and budget. Cooking at home is a money and time saver (really.) if you plan ahead!
Start the week off prepared! This is Day Zero.
TODAY, look at your calendar. I mean CALENDARS, because if you have more than one person in your family, there are multiple calendars. #iykyk The first few weeks of school have lots of extra things thrown in like schedule pickup, meet the teacher, pep rallies, band previews, etc, etc, etc. Make sure you know what TIMES these things are happening, not just the days. Is your kid in sports? What time are practices? What's your work schedule? When is that piano lesson?
Factor in your drive time. You can't leave food on the stove to go pick up a kid from practice, even if TECHNICALLY, practice is over in time for you to cook. That extra 15 minutes there *and back* can sometimes derail a cook at home plan. (Enter heroes: crock pot, rice cooker, etc. they can cook while you are gone!)
Once you've timed out your week, find your open pockets. When will you cook? If it's only once or twice the whole week, that's totally workable, you just need to make a plan.
How much time will you have on the days you will cook? If you have an hour or more, you can cook for dinner AND breakfast, if you have 45 minutes, you might want to make a double batch of something basic that can be rolled over to those days you have less than 30 minutes or when kids and husbands are fending for themselves and need a heat and eat option.
The key is to know it's coming before tummies are rumbling, and your teen is eating straight out of the fridge asking when dinner will be. I may or may not be speaking from experience on this one. (OK, I definitely am.)
I'll help you! How often will you cook this week? Tell me!!
Part 2: Heavy Cooking Days
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