Planning daily meals for the family
This article forms a continuation of what has been discussed in the previous article on how to reduce stress in planning daily meals for the family (1). If you have not read the article, you can quickly have a read through by visiting the link above
6. Consider preparation and cooking time when planning daily meals
Some meals will require a lot of preparation and cooking time.
The best way to handle this is to get the ingredients ready ahead of time or buy them pre-prepared to make it easier.
Commonly, it is best to start with the food with the longest cooking time, and then prepare the others while this cook. However, if all the foods cook at the same amount of time, then start with the one that will hold the best.
7. Invest in modern kitchen gadgets for planning daily meals use
There are a lot of kitchen appliances that make work in the kitchen easier. Some can be modified for multi purposes.
For example, Beans shell can be peeled for moi moi (beans pudding) using blender. Add enough water and use pulse knob.
Beans, meat, fresh corn can be boiled easily using pressure cooker.
Pounded yam is easier with a food processor….
8. Gradually, get the children involved in the kitchen.
Yes, that is exactly what I mean.
You can get helpers but at a time, it comes back to you when the helpers are not available because you have to feed your family.
Gradually get your children involved in the kitchen depending on their age.
First, let them watch and go for errands. Then teach them basic safety cautions in the kitchen and how to make simple dishes.
You may ask, what age is appropriate.
You will decide that based on individual child but don’t tolerate non chalant attitude from either male or female.
9. As long as you can eat, you can learn to prepare your meal.
When I started with my sons, it was looking as if I was stressing them, afterall they are boys. They don’t need that so much.
Teach the basics and let them experiment.
Don’t be scared of messed kitchen, you are making an investment.
Today, when they’re around, I make soup and they handle the family meals.
Even my young daughter will plan her dish and I will be there for her to practice.
That’s the fun.
Ooooh, the Covid-19 months lockdown was a ‘reward time’ for me.
Many mothers complained of planning and preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I simply stock the store (pantry), paste a menu to choose from and they make what they feel like eating and family meal as I request.
How on earth do you want to keep cooking and serving teenagers whom we know, eat …..
We started when they were in primary/elementary now that they are in the university, it’s easier.
If they eat their food and it’s not delicious, they will ask questions.
Don’t criticize. No matter what happens, correct after praising them.
I believe as we apply these tested steps, the workload in planning and preparing family meals will not only become easier but more fun leaving the mother time to breathe and plan other areas of her life and family.
What is your own stress control in planning the meals?
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