Would you like to MAKE MEALS EASIER?As you know, to make meals easier is a goal for which many homeschooling moms strive.
All the while you are teaching lessons each day, LIFE is still happening all around...many times, LIFE IS THE LESSON!
Your homeschool can thrive and better reach its full potential for joy in learning and productivity if you do not feel so overwhelmed and "beckoned" by that running "to-do" list which is always nearby.
One way to smooth the rough edges is to simplify and become more organized when it comes to cooking for your family.
Keep these ideas in mind when planning your meals for the coming week:
*USE A WEEKLY MENU
I will tell you from personal experience, that I am NOT a “chart” person. I was always rather opposed to the idea of a menu for the family…I finally implemented a weekly menu in an effort to save money on groceries. I can’t say enough about the POSITIVE changes this brought about in our home! I have indeed saved A LOT of money by making a menu and a “needed items” shopping list. Much time is saved by checking what’s on the menu in the morning, making any preparations ahead that are possible… and then simply setting a nice table and finishing things up at dinner time! You can even enlist the help of your kids in choosing the meals for the week…they LOVE this!
Stay tuned for new twelve week Handy Dandy Meal Planner Coming SOON!!!* USE THAT CROCK-POT IF YOU HAVE ONE
There are so many tasty recipes out today for the use of a crock-pot. This handy little item REALLY saves time in the school day…you just put in the ingredients in the morning…and turn it on! Add your salads or side-dishes at dinner time, and that’s it….your meal was cooking for you while you were in school!
Refrain from allowing your children to “graze” throughout the school day.This can be difficult for families who carry out their lessons at a kitchen or dining room table! However, keeping meals and snacks to several times a day, with all the children being served at the same time, keeps the day running more smoothly. If you have LOTS of children, perhaps doing lunch in two shifts (Littles first, and Bigs while Littles nap) would make this easier. We have 10/10 time each morning…close to 10 o’clock, we take a 10 minute snack break…it’s a nice pick-me-up, and gives the kids the energy needed to hold them over until lunch. Once school is over, you can allow the kids to get fruit or whatever your family rules are, at will…but during the school day, stick to scheduled eating times.
Don’t fall into the trap of “trying to do it all yourself”.Let the kids help !Even very young children can set a simple, attractive table.Older children can help by compiling a shopping list, creating a menu, or cooking a couple days a week.Enlisting the help of “junior chef” is another way to make meals easier.Let one child be your “kitchen helper” for the day. He/she can help prepare meals, clean up, set the table, or whatever else you need in the kitchen. With two of you working together, you'll save time AND get more done!
Every dinner does not have to have three courses.Serving meatless dishes several times a week, or large, one-pot suppers can save you time AND money too!Home-made pizzas, pastas, and chef salads provide tasty menus that are quick to prepare and satisfying as well; especially if served with some delicious, crusty bread, or fresh fruit on the side!
Visit
MAKE MEALS EASIER AT FOR YOUR TASTEBUDS
to find great links to sites that help you provide frugal food ideas for large families!
If you know you will be having a day that will make it difficult to prepare a nice lunch, use the traditional “brown bag lunch”, prepared the day before to save time!Kids LOVE picnics, and they enjoy seeing their name decorating their own special bag!If the weather’s nice, head outside to share your lunches in the yard…clean up is simple if all the contents are disposable!NOTE: This idea works for DINNERS once in a while too!
I hope you will try implementing one or more of these suggestions! Meal times in your home should be enjoyable from the prep time to the table! These suggestions can help your family make the most of its time together. Have an idea that wasn't mentioned? Send your thoughts to us on our CONTACT US PAGE and we'll add them to our site! Many times something that seems common-place to you has not been thought of by others...but it might just be the idea they need to make their family meal time better! So, please share your ideas with us ~ and help others to have The Best of Homeschool, Faith, and Family Life!
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