Family mealtime (does anyone else call it ‘feeding time at the zoo?). Chaos, bedlam, a never-ending saga – trust me, busy mum, I’ve been there.
Your hectic day aside, by the time you’ve got everyone else organised at the dinner table, you are absolutely exhausted.
But you know what busy mum? It doesn’t have to be like that anymore.
Here are five helpful tricks from my kitchen to yours. These tips will help you feel more organised and you’ll eat healthier in the process (who doesn’t want that, right?!)
Photo credit to Pexel
1. Chop ‘til You Drop!
Chop all vegetables, herbs and fruit as soon as you get home from the shops. Store them in plastic containers in the fridge (this will make it easier to use for dinners throughout the week. I find that when the kids get home from school, they are more likely to eat these foods if they are washed, cut up and ready to go. *This tip also works for weekends and holidays – chop up some fruit for the little people to help them select healthier options.
Photo credit Lulu hypermarket
2. Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Simply put: I just don’t buy unhealthy food options (we live by this in our house). If the bad stuff is lying around I’d eat it and the kids would nag. So, I always keep a full bowl of fresh fruit (apples, bananas, or pears) on the bench. This way it’s the first thing the kids see and grab when they want a quick snack.
3. Eat Healthier at Snack Time
I prepare healthy snacks on the weekend so they’re ready for school lunches, after-school snacks or when I am rushing out the door. Having our healthy snacks ready to go in the fridge or freezer means I don’t even have to think twice about what I am going to have for morning or afternoon tea. Some examples: homemade muffins, biscuits, bliss balls, chia pudding and nuts in a small container.
4. Be Prepared
I make time every weekend to do a big batch of cooking. This helps me get ahead with meal preparation so on the nights we’re home late, a healthy dinner is already organised, ready and waiting. Voila! Batch cooking is SO MUCH BETTER than making a big mess in the kitchen every night (dishes, argh!), and it saves time so I can be more present with my kids.
5. Befriend Your Freezer
I make a big batch of brown rice, quinoa, smoothies, pizza dough, stock, biscuits and muffins and freeze them in small portions. This saves time and ensures healthy options are always on hand.
Do any of these tips appeal to? Let me know which ones you want to try, I’d love to hear from you.
Missed a post? You can check out my other Simply Happy blog posts here.
If you enjoyed these tips but are feeling like there’s never enough hours in the day to implement them. You’re always wishing you could just have a bit more time. Let me help you feel more organised so that you actually have time for the things that you want to do without letting anyone down. Book a free 20 minute ‘Time Review’ with me NOW.
