Using Time Wisely

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Using Time Wisely: 3 Time-Saving Dinner Strategies

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Marinca Kasiske-Enders)

Among homework assignments, sports schedules, and family outings, squeezing in a nutritious dinner is challenging. By the time we complete homework, snag a few minutes of reading, and look at the clock, the time has come to start dinner.

Going to the kitchen and staring into the pantry, I come up with nothing. So, I go to the freezer and the refrigerator with the same result. Returning to the pantry, I open the door and expect a meal’s ingredients to magically congregate on the second shelf.

With my hopes dashed, I have wasted time and energy seeking for a solution to my “what’s for dinner?” quest. If I find no inspiration, then our family will also waste spend money at a restaurant.

In using time wisely, I find using a menu plan, my crock pot, and my freezer wonderful time-saving dinner strategies. These 3 time-saving tips help bridge the gap between “what’s for dinner?” and “supper’s ready.”

Menu Planning

Photograph Credit: Stock.xchng (Maxime Perron Caissy)

Finding a tool that works for your family and schedule is the key to your success. Though I use a monthly plan, I only fill in a few days to a week at a time. Seeing the full month allows me to plan our meals around busy seasons and entertainment events.

Are you overwhelmed at the sound of menu planning? It’s okay! As you gain knowledge, the fear of the unknown will subside. Allow me to walk beside you via links to this three-step process:

1. Discovering your type of plan

2. Starting with the food in your house

3. Finding creative inspiration

Crock Pot Options

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Tanya Gordon)

Knowing that the day will be long, I love coming home to the smell of our family’s favorite pork chop dinner slowing cooking in my crock pot. A little work in the morning (or previous night) makes dinner time delightful.

If you seek crock pot inspiration, look no further than Stephanie O’Dea’s website: A Year of Slow Cooking. For one year, Stephanie made at least one dish each day in her crock pot. Her recipes range from entrées to desserts. Whatever your occasion, your crock pot can save the day.

Freezer Cooking

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Alexandra Munier)

Making meals ahead of time saves you money, energy, and time. Coming home, popping a complete dinner in the oven, and snuggling with your little ones is a blessing.

On days when we arrive home near supper time, I get bombarded by my children, who need attention. Before I can place my purse down, I hear a barrage of questions, requests, and excitement.

Addressing these issues and having to prepare dinner overwhelms me. But with dinner ready, I can enlist help and get dinner warming while spending time with my family.

If you enjoy freezer cooking, The Money Saving Mom’s Guide to Freezer Cooking by Crystal Paine is a great  resource. In addition to her free downloadable e-book, Crystal documents her monthly freezer cooking days on her website, moneysavingmom.com.

By incorporating menu planning, crock pot options, and freezer cooking in your schedule, you can turn the “what’s for dinner?” anxiety into “supper’s ready.” Implementing these time-saving strategies will save you money, energy and time as you continue using time wisely. Happy planning!

Question: What are your time-saving strategies for getting dinner on the table?

Food on the Table: Lifetime Menu Planning Subscription for FREE

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Photograph Credit: Food on the Table

Wow, Food on the Table extended their free lifetime subscription for another month! If February got away from you, then don’t delay.

Food on the Table is a menu planning service that combines sales at your local grocery stores with your meal preferences. For those busy seasons when you still want to save money, energy, and time, Food on the Table comes to your rescue.

Though I plan our family’s meals by what food I have on hand, I love the inspiration and recipes Food on the Table offers. To sign up for this free lifetime subscription, click on this link for step-by-step instructions. Just enter the new promotional code: MARFREE.

This service normally allows you to plan 3 free meals a month before receiving a $5 charge. With your free subscription, you will get free menu planning for life! Don’t hesitate. Go sign up. Even if you don’t need it now, you might need it next year. Happy savings!

Beat the Summer Heat: Bake at Night and Oven-free Meals

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Beating the summer heat - oven-free options

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

The temperatures here in South Carolina have dropped to the high 80s. The “cooler” weather is a welcome change from the low 100s we have experienced already. In using time wisely to feed my family, these two solutions beat the summer heat.

Bake at Night

With the cooler temperatures in the evening, I bake before going to bed. This way, I escape upstairs to bed while the heat dissipates downstairs. Also, the heat from the oven does not seem to warm up the house as much at night as it does at dinner time.

Create Oven-free Meals

Using a crock pot, the grill, and stove to create meals minimizes the amount of heat needed to feed my family. I also like the free printable oven-free menu options from Penny at MeetPenny.com for June and July. Sometimes viewing someone else’s menu jump starts my creativity when planning our summer meals.

By baking at night and creating oven-free meals, my family can enjoy dinner without extra heat. In planning and using time wisely, you can save money, energy, and time while feeding your family. Stay cool!

Question: How are you beating the summer heat?

MeetPenny.com: Free Oven-free Menu Plan

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Meet Penny.com's oven-free August menu plan

Photograph Credit: MeetPenny.com

For those who enjoy the warmth of summer, is it hot enough? I am amazed at how often my air conditioner kicks on during the day. The evening is more sporadic, but the daytime cycles seem much too frequent.

In keeping the heat out of the kitchen, Tabitha from MeetPenny.com offers a free printable August oven-free menu plan on her blog. Woo hoo!

To maximize your savings, compare her menu to what you have on hand. Start with those meals while you scour your store ads for sales and buy one, get one free items. Then enjoy feeding your family without turning on your oven.

Keep enjoying your summer before it’s gone. Stay cool, and happy menu planning! 😉

Question: What is your favorite non-oven-needed meal?

Freezer Cooking to the Rescue

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Freezer Cooking to the Rescue

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

On field trip day, the morning progressed along beautifully. By the afternoon, I was getting tired and my allegories flared. With a stuffy head and lack of energy, I made it through the activities and was ready to go home.

Upon arrival, I needed to rest. Getting the toddler tucked into bed and my older children settled to play quietly, I retired to bed for some rest. When I awoke, I felt a little better, but cooking or even standing in my kitchen required too much exertion.

Though the menu plan suggested baked chicken with sides, I needed something simple. So, I went to the freezer. Tucked inside were a number of options. Choosing Mexican Dip, corn, and a salad, our dinner came together without spending lots of time or energy.

In using time wisely, I often bake or cook double batches to save money, time, and energy on days that just don’t go as planned. As you plan for the best but prepare for the worst, freezer cooking can save the day. Happy saving!

Question: At your house, how has freezer cooking saved the day?