Cook at Home Even with your Busy Schedule

So you'd really love to be able to cook at home more often, but you just don't have the time and energy for home cooked meals? With an insanely busy schedule it can sometimes feel impossible to actually enjoy your opportunities to cook at home. With this video, I'm sharing my favorite tips and tricks to making meal planning and cooking at home feel attainable.

1. Have a Plan

   1. Taking the time to create a plan that will work for your unique situation with save time while you’re cooking and immeasurable mental energy

2. Dedicate 30 minutes or less to meal planning

   1. Set a timer for yourself or do this task while waiting for an appointment to end

   2. Focus on ingredients you already have on hand to help the planning go more quickly

3. Don’t shy away from convenience meals

   1. Make a note of which evenings you can cook and which ones require convenience options

   2. Convenience meals can include drive-thru and take out AND also, grocery store meal kits, frozen leftover soup or casseroles, or leftovers from last night’s dinner

4. Implement Meal Prep Strategies one at a time

   1. Set aside 1 hour to meal prep, if possible

   2. Wash and chop veggies

   3. Prep lunches and breakfasts

5. Cook one-pan meals when possible

   1. also includes sheet pan meals and crock pot meals

   2. clean your kitchen while the meal is cooking

   3. Prep a future dinner while the meal is cooking

6. Upcycle your leftover meals and leftover ingredients

   1. Leftover cooked meats like pulled pork, crockpot lamb, or rotisserie chicken

   2. Make an extra large batch of soup or a casserole for meal leftovers

   3. Cook a large pot of rice, pan of roasted veggies, or other side dish to pair with meals throughout the week

7. Let the Grocery Store help

   1. Consider purchasing pre-chopped veggies, pre-cooked proteins (rotisserie chicken), or pre-made sauces.

8. Delegate and celebrate!

   1. Delegate grocery shopping to a Chef - Chef Nakia! ;)

   2. Ask a family member to plan meals for the week

   3. Ask your partner to meal prep

   4. Trade with a neighbor - take turns cooking dinners for each other