Life moves fast, it's true. Taking the time to cook healthy, balanced meals can sometimes seem like a daunting task. However, good kitchen organization can not only simplify meal prep, but also allow you to spend more time on what really matters: family, friends, or simply, yourself.
We have joined forces with Cook It, a Quebec company that offers ready-to-cook meal boxes, including all the fresh ingredients and recipes needed to prepare meals at home, to offer you effective techniques for planning your weekly meals.
Together, we share with you the best ways to transform your cooking routine.
Plan your meals according to seasonal products
Meal planning is a simple and effective method that always works to avoid the last-minute question: "What's for dinner?" By planning your meals in advance, you know exactly what you're going to make each day of the week and reduce the time you spend shopping.
By opting for seasonal products, you benefit from the optimal freshness and flavor of the ingredients. Cooking with seasonal products is an excellent way to vary your diet and encourage more local and responsible consumption. This targeted approach saves time and reduces impulse purchases that can increase the bill.
Batch Meal Prep: A Tip to Simplify Your Week
Batch cooking is a technique that involves preparing multiple meals in one cooking session. By dedicating a few hours one day a week to preparing multiple dishes, you can ensure that you enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals all week long.
With Cook it's 4-serving family meal kits, ready in less than 30 minutes, this technique becomes child's play. You can say goodbye to evenings spent cooking after a long day at work.
Plus, batch cooking is great for optimizing ingredient usage. By cooking in large quantities, you can use ingredients whole and keep them from getting lost in the back of the fridge.
Avoid impulse purchases
One of the main causes of food waste is impulse buying. By planning your meals and preparing your purchases according to your needs, you can avoid buying products that you don't really need. This allows you to consume more responsibly and better manage your food budget.
Having a clear organization of your meals and shopping also helps you better manage the food in your fridge and pantry. By knowing exactly what you have in stock, you can better plan how to use ingredients before they expire. This not only reduces food waste, but also helps you consume fresh and healthy products.
Organize your refrigerator and pantry
Proper organization of your fridge and pantry is essential for effective meal planning. Use containers to categorize your food and make ingredients easier to access. For example, group foods by type (vegetables, meats, dairy) and by use (meals, snacks, lunches).
Label containers with the contents and the preparation or expiration date. This helps you keep track of what you have and makes sure you eat the food before it spoils.
Not sure where to start? We offer free consultations to discuss your needs and guide you to the best solution for you.
Planning your weekly meals, batch-prepping, and organizing your fridge and pantry are simple practices that can transform your cooking routine. Not only do they help you save time and reduce stress, they also promote more responsible and healthy eating. By adopting these techniques, you can enjoy a more efficient kitchen, a more managed diet, and more free time for the things that really matter.