The importance of a routine for busy people.
When I was a kid life was really predictable. Monday was baking day, Tuesday was washing day, etc etc. When I left home I threw out my Mother's restrictive rules and predictable life and vowed to always live life freely - cleaning, cooking and shopping only when the cupboards were bare or mice were jumping out of them (oh yes, that really happened in a share house in London! ). I flourished in a world of freedom!
Oh hello slap in the face when my own children arrived. Yes, that sneaky little voice that sounded scarily like my Mother's turned up on my doorstep about the same time my second child arrived. As much as I tried to ignore it, douse it in flames or throw it out with the dirty nappies, it was always there waiting for opportune moments to say slyly "Yeah, your Mum knew best". Argghhh... after too many times being caught out with hungry screaming kids at the supermarket (or at a smug childfree friend's house who didn't quite understand my dilemma!) I relinquished control and got myself a routine.
Anyone that knows me know that I have all sorts of To Do lists going on in my life, but by far the most important is my food routine. I want to share mine with you because if you don't have one yet, this simple little gem is going to save your butt! There are 3 parts to this routine:
1. Use a weekly meal planner
2. Allocate a food day
3. Always be prepared (like a good Girl Guide!)
Weekly Meal Planner
Here is my meal planner for you to download and use as you wish. It is so important to know what meals you are going to make for the week - it will save you huge amounts of time, energy and money. There's nothing worse than trying to decide at 5pm what you're going to have for dinner, only to discover that you've run out of 2-3 key ingredients. It causes everyone to be a bit rushed and frazzled by bedtime - not the greatest cocktail for a restful night's sleep.
Some key points about meal planning:
- Allocate quick meals to busy days
- Delegate meals to older kids and the hubby or house mates
- Write down the ingredients you need as you go
- Shop once and only once!
Allocate a food day
Food day for me is Monday. On Monday I shop and prepare all of my basics for the week (pesto, hummus, baking) that way I know there's always something I can whip up in a hurry.
Always be prepared
Before I leave the house I always have some snacks prepared. Some of the kids favourites are yoghurt, bliss balls, nuts, carrots and hummus. My favourites are fruit, chia pudding and kale chips ( I'll share these recipes another day)
Do you have a food routine? What' your favourite snack on the run?
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