Full-time Working Mummy: Feeding the Family

Managing to feed the family healthy meals 7 nights a week can be a tough ask for many families, throw in full time work for both parents and then it can almost seem impossible!

Fear not my time-stretched friends! 

I have been working on my time management skills and I have implemented a few little things into my weekly routine to help ensure that my family is fed healthy meals every most nights of the week:

1. Meal Plan & Be Mindful

Meal planning is the single most effective way to be time and financially savvy when it comes to feeding your family. Planning your meals for the week ahead and then writing your grocery list saves so much time and money.  Once you've written your meal plan, check the fridge and pantry to see what you already have, so you don't double up and don't forget to check the freezer - there are always hidden gems in there!  Then write your list for the things you need for those specific meals and other items like bread and milk and other staples.  

Really think about how much you use in one week and get as much as you need - bread from the freezer is still like fresh bread!  Getting everything you need in one shop saves you having to go back out again during the week and being tempted by impulse buys and wasting time. Also, think about how much time it takes to cook each meal; you know you don't have time to cook a roast after work, so be realistic.

2. Leftovers are a godsend and so is the freezer

If I didn't do leftovers many nights a week, my life would be so much harder. I know that if I make a large lasagna, it will feed my family of 4 for 2-3 dinners and a lunch or 2 for my partner and I.  In saying this, we don't eat it that many nights in a row! For instance, say I cook a lasagna on Sunday for Mondays' dinner, the Mr and I can eat it for lunch on Tuesday and dinner for the family on Wednesday.  If there are still leftovers, I pop it into a freezer friendly container and then whenever I get stuck, I can defrost and eat it immediately.

I tend to bulk cook and then freeze - however, creamy dishes do not defrost well, so I make sure I cook less when cooking a creamy dinner as I know it doesn't last as long in the fridge and can't be frozen.

3. Utilize 'free' time

"What free time?" you might be asking.  And at first, I found finding 'free' time really difficult, and still some days I just can't even! I get an hour for my lunch break at work and while there are definitely days where I sit, each lunch, try to regroup and get some energy, I try to make the most of it.  I have meal planned in that time, gone to the bank to pull out money for grocery shopping on the way home and Pinterested recipes. 

Also under the 'free' time category is the bulk cooking, or cooking smart.  There are two dinners I can make that are both freezer and allergy friendly (my Mr N is allergic to dairy, eggs and peanuts) in the time it takes me to cook one meal. The recipe is coming shortly!  But until then, basically you take one kilo of beef, cook it with onion, garlic and some grated veggies, then divvy it up into 2 saucepans - one dish turns into bolognese sauce and the mexican beef and rice. This is my go-to when I'm stuck for ideas and the kids love it!

The other massive time saver is a slow cooker!  These babies are worth their weight in gold.  Very sadly mine broke the other day; safe to say I'm just as shattered as it is.  Pop your meat and veg in in the morning, put it on low and when you get home, dinner is waiting!  It takes very little effort and many of the recipes I've found for slow cookers are extremely budget friendly too.  Here is the website I use to find new slow cooker recipes: Slow Cooker Central.

4. DON'T BE HARD ON YOURSELF.

Some days will suck.  Maybe you didn't plan enough meals and you got stuck with only toasted sandwhiches, or packet migoreng noodles.  This was me on Friday night:  I had to make an unexpected stop in at the doctors and chemist after work, so I didn't end up getting home until much later than planned. Time for making a hearty dinner had gone.  Luckily my kids love baked beans and tinned spaghetti, because that's what they had.  And you know what - it didn't kill them.  It was that, or MacDonalds, we all know I made the right choice!

So there it is guys, there are my top 4 tips to providing meals for your family that won't wrack you with guilt, or leave you counting your pennies and saying "I don't have time".

I would love to hear how you do it too!

Ash x