The Searcy Life

As I am about to start my second child on food other than breast milk, I am reminded of the challenge mothers face when it comes to feeding their families nutritious, well-balanced meals. 

There are a lot of options, much of which in this household are not appreciated but deliver a false sense of convenience.  Think pizza and pop tarts!  I will be sharing more on this in a webinar on Monday July 1st, 2012 at 9:00p.m. EST.
I am fortunate to have the luxury to be home with my children as they grow.  I do say luxury because for some, there is no choice.  Working is a necessity and they have to rely on what is quick, easy and affordable.

Meal time in this house, even though I am the one making the decisions and preparing the food, still leave me longing for simplicity and convenience without sacrificing flavor or nutrient content.  My biggest concern is that their little bodies are nourished in the most effective, beneficial and affordable way.  I consciously buy organic whole foods, but in the back of my mind I remember learning that even those foods are more depleted today of crucial vitamins and minerals than they once were. Eek!

At times, I find cooking tiring when mixed in with the rest of my responsibilities of running the home.  I could relate to grabbing all the boxed food off the grocery store shelves in order to save the extra 15-30 minute prep time, even though I know that whole food tastes better, holds more nutrients and makes my family feel better.  The illusion is that meal preparation takes so much time but it really doesn’t have to. 

I’m not going to claim to be an amazing cook but what I can do is plan.  So let’s take a look at one way to simplify and find enjoyment in your meal preparation experience.

Prep-Time Tool #1.

Make your Menu for the week.   Try it out.  It’s fun to sift through my cookbooks and dream about how new dishes might tastes.  I have learned a lot from that experience.  It really saves me time and money when I decide what I intend to make for the week.  When I get to the market, I buy only what I need.  Food last longer without spoiling in the refrigerator or being thrown out.  That’s a BIG WASTE.  I despise throwing out food we didn’t eat because I didn’t get around to figuring out what I could make with it.  You can pick recipes that have lower prep times or that you can make in advance and freeze.  You can even choose recipes with similar ingredients that will save you more money and create less waste.

Next week I will be sharing how my family gets the nutritional support they need and that gives me peace of mind in addition to time saving tips in the kitchen that helps me out.  Maybe you’ll find them helpful too whether you work inside or outside of the home.