Tips to Getting Dinner on the Table Faster
When you made the decision to be a stay at home mom, did you visualize yourself calmly and peacefully turning out a three or four course dinner every single night with no problems whatsoever—all made from scratch? If so, you may have been slightly disillusioned to discover that reality usually consists of a mad dash just to get dinner on the table and that dinner usually falls far below your once rose tinted expectations?
While reality usually is far different than our daydreams, there are a few techniques you can use to get the evening meal on the table without feeling as though you just endured a major battle.
To get things moving a little more smoothly, consider whether or not you have the kids involved in the process. Many parents lament later on that their kids are completely helpless when it comes to certain chores, while the solution to that particular problem is getting them involved from a young age. Even small kids can help with things such as setting the table with napkins and flatware. Older kids can help with tasks such as salad prep.
Another important key to helping get things in order faster when it comes to the dinner hour is to get your pantry organized. This doesn’t have to be a monumental task; however. Start by taking stock of everything you have, the items that you use frequently and making a master grocery list. Keep a copy on the fridge or in a convenient drawer in the kitchen so that you can make a note when you run out of something. This will help to cut down on those days when you’re in a rush and realize too late that you’re out of a necessary ingredient.
Taking one weekend a month to double recipes that you cook often and then freezing them is a great technique to use to help on days when you’ve been shuffling kids around all day and come home wondering what to prepare. Simple slide a home cooked container out of the freezer and reheat for a healthy and delicious dinner that’s also amazingly fast.
Don’t forget the power of your slow cooker or crock pot, either. While many of us leave these wonderful devices to gather dust in a far corner, they can be a lifesaver when it comes to preparing delicious meals with very little effort. Get in the habit of at least once or twice a week, throwing in the ingredients for a tasty soup or stew and you’ll be amazed at how much difference it makes in your dinner time routine.
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