For those of you with small children, meal prep can be a bit of a challenge. However, there are many creative ways to get your children involved in meal prep. Get them involved in selecting recipes that they’ll enjoy. You can also have them help you by washing potatoes, counting carrots, and more. Another fun idea is to have a pizza night with your family. Pre-making the dough can help you streamline the process.
Cheap Meal Prep
For meal preparation, affordable meal prep is a great option for those on a budget. You can create various meals using ingredients in your pantry, refrigerator, or freezer. Reading a local grocer’s weekly ad can also be easy to find a recipe for a specific dish.
Many cheap meal prep recipes are also healthy and delicious. They can be doubled or tripled to serve more than one person. Roasted tofu is another great meal prep option that can save you money. Tofu is a cheap protein source and contains calcium, manganese, and phosphorus. Try seasoning tofu with seven different spices and roasting it with bell peppers and cabbage steaks for a fast meal.
Planning Ahead
Meal prep is a great way to save time, money, and taste buds. Instead of spending all day at the grocery store, you can spend the morning preparing healthy meals that you can keep on hand. It doesn’t have to be a complicated process; you can also make meals in your slow cooker or stovetop.
Planning meals ahead will allow you to shop for ingredients on a budget and avoid wasting food. The meals are then easy to reheat, and you won’t have to worry about portioning and cooking. As a result, the whole family will be happier, and your budget will thank you. Not to mention the time you’ll save by not throwing food away.
Using a Meal Planner
A meal planner is a fantastic way to stay on track when it comes to meal planning. You can create a weekly plan to fit your schedule and include recipes and macro tracking. The best part is that you can update your plan as needed. It’s also a great way to avoid buying things you already have.
You can also make breakfast. Breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated – you can make yogurt with granola and fruit, overnight oats, or even hard-boiled eggs. These meals can be made ahead of time so they won’t need to be reheated in the morning. Again, you can do this on a worksheet or meal planner.
Food Storage
One way to save money on grocery bills and save time while meal prepping is to store your food in the fridge or freezer. This can save you from purchasing duplicate ingredients or wasting fresh produce. Organize your food storage, so it’s easy to find what you need.
Before you begin meal prep, ensure your kitchen and pantry are organized. Then, label your items, stock your pantry, and clean your kitchen equipment. This includes mixing spoons, cutting knives, and cutting boards. You may also want to invest in a spiralizer or food processor. This will make meal prep easier and less time-consuming.
When shopping for food storage, be sure to buy durable containers that can last a long time. Glass containers are great because they can withstand being frozen or heated. Also, they come in many different shapes and sizes. You can also use them to portion your meals.
Meal Prep Party Ideas
Meal prep parties are a great way to have guests participate in the meal preparation and save time. Many ingredients can be prepared in advance and stored in the freezer to keep them fresh. The key is to plan the food and buy all the ingredients early. Also, label your containers to avoid mingling and store them properly.
One of the biggest challenges of meal preparation is cleaning up. You’ll often use several different bowls, measuring cups, utensils, and other items to make your food. Washing these items as you go will help keep your workspace clean. You can even reuse the same items to reduce the clean-up time.