Life as a busy mom can be overwhelming at times.
There is a seemingly never-ending list of things to do: school runs, toddlers to look after, work deadlines, homes to manage, meals to prep and cook, etc.
It is an endless juggling act; the last thing busy moms need is to spend hours in the kitchen!
The good news is that following these five simple hacks below will make all the difference to your daily routine:
Batch Cooking
Meal planning and batch cooking are not just buzzwords – they are kitchen game changers!
Taking time out of your Sunday might not be at the top of your list after a long and busy week, but it can make a massive difference to the rest of the folllowing week.
When you know what you are having for dinner each night, you eliminate the 5 pm stress of figuring out what to make and inevitably settling on unhealthy takeout or binge eating.
Batch cooking involves cooking large portions of your family’s favorite meals and freezing extras. Some meals that freeze wonderfully and are easy to reheat include stews, lasagnas, and vegetable bakes.
One-Pot Wonders
If you are new to the busy mom life, here is a little secret.
To save on cooking time and spend less time in the kitchen, make one-pot wonders your go-to move for weekday dinners. Pasta bakes and sheet pan dinners are always winners.
They are easy to prepare, cook, and serve – making them perfect for manic midweek dinners when time is short and patience is even shorter. They also use fewer dishes, so you save on cleaning up time too!
Sharpen Knives
Sharp knives save time in the kitchen because they require less force and effort.
You would be surprised at how much more efficient you can be in the kitchen – and safer!
Food preparation with dull knives is dangerous because it often leads to slippage and injuries.Invest in a good quality sharpening stone to keep your kitchen knives and tools sharp and ready for use.
Kitchen Gadgets
Kitchen gadgets can seem like a waste of time and money, and if you think back to the infomercials of the late 90s, you might want to avoid them like the plague.
Modern kitchen gadgets, however, are marvelous. They can streamline prep and cooking, save time, and add versatility to your kitchen life. If there is anything that will make food preparation easier, embrace it!
Slow cookers, dehydrators, and air fryers significantly decrease cooking times and make meal prep a breeze.
These gadgets can cook and prepare foods while you focus on other things – all while making healthy and tasty meals in a fraction of the time.
Stay Organized
Keep your kitchen, pantry, and fridge organized. That way, you always know where everything is and when you are running out of anything.
That means you are less likely to waste or overbuy ingredients. Use clear containers and label everything so each item has a place. Do a weekly inventory count before heading to the shops.
It sounds simple, but it helps shave time off a grocery shop when you know exactly what you need.
To End
Follow these simple hacks above to make your life easier and have more time to do things you love rather than sweating it out in the kitchen.