We all lead busy lives, and even if we aren’t as busy as we lead others to believe, chances are, the last thing we want to do is try to prepare a meal for ourselves or our partners. The kitchen can be a very intimidating place, even with a myriad of television shows and cookbooks designed to make it appear more accessible.
The truth is, most Americans have become so detached from their food and where it is prepared that they feel like they could never live up to the standards seen on television or in restaurants. Eating in restaurants is very easy, but is very costly in the long run. There has to be a simpler way to create delicious and healthy food at home without having to impress anyone!
Here are a few tips to help you get more connected with your food and your kitchen, and to help avoid the money trap of constantly eating out.
Don’t be afraid of slow cooking
Using a slow cooker is a great way to make a decent meal on budgeted time. It takes a little planning, but in most cases, the instructions simply involve adding all ingredients, at once, and hitting the “start” button. By the time you come home from work, the heavy lifting has already been done and it can then be enjoyed. The good news is, if you’ve made enough, you can save the rest for another meal!
Leftovers are your friends
As mentioned in the last tip, having and reheating extra food may not be glamorous, but can help stop the urge to head to the drive-thru or reaching for the phone to order take-out. Plus, there is the added benefit of knowing exactly which ingredients you are putting into your body. Get creative! Leftovers can be transformed into different dishes if the thought of eating the same meal from yesterday doesn’t appeal to you.
Buy only what you need at the grocery store
Keeping extra ingredients and foods on the shelves that have the potential to spoil before being consumed is a big risk for single people or couples. By limiting purchases at the store, it can be more economical in the long run, even if it may appear “cheaper” to go with larger quantities.
“Let it go!” and embrace frozen vegetables and fruits
Because these items tend to spoil first, purchasing flash frozen veggies and fruits keeps waste at a minimum. There have also been studies that suggest that frozen foods, such as these, actually contain more of the nutrients that traditional produce may lose during its shipment and shelf-time in the store.
Stop buying junk food
It may seem puritanical and boring to advise this, but junk foods, offering no nutritional benefit, also eat at the budget for other foods. Inexpensive they may be, but dollar here, and a dollar there can make a difference when purchasing proteins and produce. Deciding to shy away from junk food also forces you to eat the better foods that you’ve already purchased. A bag of potato chips is not a meal.
Buy dry items in bulk
Cereals, grains, beans, and dried fruits, etc. can be much more economical when purchased from a grocer’s bulk bins. By only purchasing the amount that you need, you reduce the risk of waste and it is often cheaper than buying pre-packaged, name brand equivalents.
Simplify
There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Eggs can make a great meal all by themselves. Scramble up a few eggs, throw in some seasonings and voila! Impromptu pizzas can be great, too. Have some extra pita bread? Throw on some cheese and any odd ingredients that you may have lying around in your refrigerator for a satisfying delight. Embellishing canned soups or salads is also a great approach. Not every meal needs to have a side dish.
Invest in small appliances
Half of the battle of cooking is the preparation of all of the raw ingredients. By purchasing a small food processor, rice cooker, or juicer, you can take a lot of the pain out of the process. It also makes the cleanup process a breeze by limiting the amount of items needed for the task.
Put it on ice
Find a sale on protein or veggies? Buy what you can afford and freeze what you know you won’t need immediately. Most items can last up to six months in a frozen state. Pulling from the freezer to the cooler to let it thaw is a lot easier than rushing out to the store when it’s time to make the next meal.
Plan ahead
Maybe you struggle in this area. Planning meals in advance not only helps with grocery shopping, but also saves time. You won’t be wasting precious free time trying to come up with a meal if you’ve already got a plan in place. It may seem silly, but planning meals also can give you something to which you can look forward. Taco Tuesday, Pizza Friday, or Wok Wednesday are all great ideas.
