Tips and Advice - Cooking Tips and Techniques

Do’s

1. Shop only once a week. We’re looking to reduce the time you spend going to and from the store as well as the time you spend in the store. Making multiple trips can be a drain on your time and energy. If storage is an issue, try creative ways of storing your foods and other kitchen items or shop twice a week (at most). Link to post on storing kitchen supplies.
2. Make a list and stick to it. That generally means knowing what you’re going to be cooking next week. You don’t have to plan out every meal, but knowing what seven dinners you’re going to prepare helps a lot when making a grocery list. Link to post on menu planning.
3. Get to know the grocery store employees. Ask the produce guys when they get fresh fruits and veggies, so you get first choice. Make friends with the butcher and you’ll get meat trimmed and cut up faster. Find out who the manager is and ask for items the store isn’t carrying that you’d like to see. Knowing the people at the store can make your life a lot easier.

1. Shop when everyone else is shopping. Try going on weekday mornings between 8am and 11am or on weeknights after 7pm. Avoid Sunday afternoons at all costs.
2. Shop when hungry. You think you can resist buying more, but you’ll inevitably end up with more food that you set out to buy. Plus, who wants to be surrounded by food while they’re hungry?
3. Bring the kids. If you’re not chasing them down the aisles, chances are you’ll be busy putting back the stuff they added to the cart. Surprises at the checkout counter are never fun. If they’re young enough to sit in the front of the cart, you may end up soothing a crying baby the whole time. You’ll get in and out faster if you go it alone.

You can find more great tips for busy parents at Macaroni and Peas.