Stephanie is looking for some advice! Can you help her out?
I’m looking for tips or advice please! Two jobs, shift work for both. I can’t seem to plan meals or find time to cook them, so I’m always eating in the go. I like to eat healthy, and try as much as I can, but that’s hard when you generally get 2 days off a month.
Anyone with ideas? I would greatly appreciate it!
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Oh and if you like fish and seafood, those can be ready in about 5-7 minutes 😀
1. Try to make a menu. It doesn’t have to be set in stone, but that way you know you have everything on hand.
2. Using the slow cooker.
3. Good more then you need and freeze in portion.
4. Prepare your veggie/cheese,etc in advance (ie: cut carotts, celery, etc)
We eat lots of salad at this time of year. Greek, garden, Fruit salads. You can cook up quinoa and have that with some veggies. Wraps with chicken or you can do tuna salad and sandwiches. Check out Mrs. January she does a lot of simple receipes which are healthly and frugal. Good luck
There are so many nutritious and quick meals that you can cook when you get home that eating out won’t provide. Thaw your meat during the day while you’re at work so it will be ready to cook when you get home.
Wraps are easy and quick, throw sliced chicken breast pieces into a frying pan, add veggies (red pepper, sliced mushrooms and zuccini squash), put them into a wrap with a bit of mayo and cheddar cheese, and you have a meal.
Pork chops done on the grill, with pasta and spaghetti sauce and parmesan cheese
Chicken breasts on the grill with bbq sauce, grill some veggies and a baked potato at the same time
Soups are quick and easy, broccoli cut up, chicken soup broth, a bit of flour to thicken and cheddar cheese or cream cheese to taste.
Fry up a LB of hamburger, add garlic, red pepper, celery and spices, drain off the fat, throw in some pasta, add a can of cheddar cheese soup and a can of tomatoes chopped up. Makes a great, quick meal.
These will take just a few minutes and will save you money and are much more nutritious than eating out at fast food restaurants.
Once a month mom ( http://onceamonthmom.com/ ) it does have a monthly fee but it is a generally good idea. They give u a meal plan for a month and grocery list. Ten u do all your cooking and freezing one day for the month. They have menus for vegetarian and diet and paleo and tons of different menu boards for desert BBQ and other things. I don’t use the monthly feature as I have more than 2 free days a month but I do use a lot of the recipes and ideas and tips on freezer cooking
I’ve started cooking large amounts and freezing some, there are lots of books you can get about freezer cooking that are quite good. Sometimes a friend comes over and we do it together. If it’s going to be a busy week I try and get most cooking done on the weekend.
And definitely get a crock pot, if you don’t have one.
Good luck, I’m sure you’ll come up with something that works for you 🙂
Good job on trying to eat healthier! Meal planning has really helped me manage my time. I do this by the week, but if you don’t have the time maybe try planning for the month. Even if you get one week of your month planned that is a step in the right direction. I also dedicate one chunk of time a week to pre-cooking food for my lunches. Having a crock pot/slow cooker has saved me a number of times for meals as well. I basically have “go to” meals that I know will last a certain number of days and take very little effort to make. With your schedule, freezer meals might be the best option. There are things that freeze well enough that a lot of people might not think about (a turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy for example)
This is one of my favourite easy recipes. It takes time to bake (1 1/2 hours) but you don’t really have to watch it at all. It is from “La Dolce Vegan” cookbook.
Lentil Brown Rice Casserole
3/4 cup dried red lentils
3/4 cup brown rice
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cups vegetable stock
1 14-oz (398 mL) can crushed tomatoes (I used diced, I doubt it makes much difference)
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
3/4 cup vegan “cheese” (optional), grated (Like any good, healthy veggie person I don’t measure the cheese. It’s one of the best parts!)
Preheat oven to 350*F (175*C).
In a large casserole dish, combine the lentils, rice, onions, stock, tomatoes, basil, oregano, and stir it together. (AKA, throw all ingredients in dish)
Cover with lid and bake for 1 1/2 hours, stirring every half hour. (I’ve gotten lazy and now only stir this at the 45 minute mark. I don’t notice any difference at all)
Remove lid, sprinkle “cheese” on top of casserole, and broil uncovered until “cheese” has melted.
Makes 2 large or 4 small servings. (I find it makes AT LEAST 5 generous servings which is why I love it–it takes me through an entire work week.)
Another really easy thing to make is Quinoa. If I’m needing something super easy I buy pre-washed spinach, a can of chick peas, and make some quinoa. In a bowl, put cold spinach, spoon cooked quinoa (I do hot, you could do cold), dump on some chick peas, and drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar on top.
Good luck! 🙂