Turtle Box Blog

Meal planning to save time in the kitchen

Meal planning is an important part of maintaining a healthy diet. Not only can it help you spend less time in the kitchen each week, but it helps to make sure that you are using all those items that can sometimes get forgotten in the back of your refrigerator (don't worry, we do it too!). 

Each week when you are beginning the process of meal planning be sure to take an inventory of what you already have. Many items like potatoes, onions, and winter squash last a long time in the pantry (store in a cool dry place separately from each others), and you may also have items like rice, pastas, quinoa, etc. Be sure to check your freezer too, and begin to plan your menu around these core itemsIf you belong to a CSA that lets you customize your orders (with Turtle Box you can change your order until Saturday), you can plan your meals before the orders are due and you'll be able to order produce that accompanies your menu plan. 

Leave less to chance when it comes to overeating or straying from your diet by precooking your lunches. Preparing meals at the beginning of the week is also great if you work during the day. Instead of going out to lunch, if you've brought a meal with you, you can stick to your health/calorie goals and save money. 

If you know what is in your pantry, you will save money and you are less likely to have waste from forgotten items in the back of the crisper drawer. I know sometimes when I'm busy, I often end up eating out so that I don't have to spend the time cooking. If I've already made up a plan, I'll know I have the ingredients needed on hand, and I won't have to spend time planning the meal.  

Tips for successful meal planning:

Keep your favorites on hand - If you're like me, you may rely on the same staple items week after week. Make a list and be sure to pick up those items at the beginning of the week. There is nothing worse than needing to make a last minute trip to the store before dinner!

Write out the days of the week, and write down what you will eat for lunch and dinner each day - Planning takes some time, and so I recommend setting aside time each Sunday to plan your meals for the week. I take a big piece of paper and divide it into seven days. Throughout the week I save recipes I might like to try, and I add those in first. I fill in the other meals with simple staples I know how to prepare. Use this list of planned meals to make your grocery list. 

Prepare dishes instead of whole meals - At the beginning of the week it's helpful if you cook parts of meals (protein, veggies, etc.) so that when it comes time to prepare a quick meal, you can simply reheat and tie it together with a spic or a sauce.

Marinate your proteins! If you've pre-marinated your chicken, pork, etc., all you'll have to do is throw it on the grill or in the pan when you are ready to cook. This saves lots of time, and can keep you from being tempted to eat out instead of cook.

Cook once, eat twice (leftovers are your friend) - each time you cook you should cook enough to have leftovers. You can plan to each the leftovers for lunch the following day or you can set aside a "leftovers day" later in the week. 

Although meal planning takes time at the beginning of the week, it will save you time and money throughout the week if you stick to your plan. You will find that you have fewer items being forgotten about in the back of the fridge, and dinner can take less time to get on the table.