Who says managing your kitchen and family menu is impossible while being a working mom? With a little advance planning and lots of creativity, you can take charge of your kitchen and your family’s meals.
- Turn menu planning into a family project. Ask your spouse and kids to list their favorite dishes. When given a chance to participate, family members will enjoy their meals more.
- List down your family’s weekly menu, and then plan your grocery shopping. If possible, involve everyone. You even get to spend some more time together.
- Surprise your family by serving a new dish once a week or every two weeks or at least once a month—whichever you can manage. Exchange recipes with friends or relatives. Search the internet. Or dive into one of those cookbooks gathering dust in your kitchen shelf.
- Change your meal pattern. Don’t just stick to tried-and-tested, all-American food. Once in a while serve some Italian pasta, or Chinese food. If you’re having an all-inclusive nutritious salad and you have young picky eaters, try to introduce a new fruit or veggie one at a time. Trying out a new taste could be exciting.
- Train your house help to be proactive. Teach them to make a list of things that have just run out and should be on your next shopping list. If not, you can designate a few minutes each week to (before your scheduled grocery) to sit down with your helper to find out what supplies are needed.
- Lastly, learn the basics of food storing and preparation. Get some tips from your mom or mom-in-law. Read some books and magazines. Just some good general advice:
- Quickly use up the food stored in the fridge. Don’t depend on the listed maximum storage time for foods....
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Author: Ae Dechavez