Soccer Season Dinnertime Blues
My boys are in the middle of their soccer season, and boy is it exhausting! Last year our two bigs were on the same team. That was a huge time saver. Soccer brings us to two different teams this year, Under 8’s and Under 10’s.
Weeknights are a crazy hustle. Oh, and have I mentioned the crying toddler hanging on my legs—‘cause that’s super fun! So here are my 5 time saving tips for easier evenings.
5 Time Saving Tips
Crock Pot Love
You’ve heard it 75,000 times….make friends with your crock pot. Or better yet, ditch the crock pot and get yourself an Instant Pot. I can hear you. You don’t think you need a trendy new piece of equipment in your kitchen, but trust me you won’t be sorry. The freezer and the IP have become my very BEST friends this season. Therefore I suggest you research it, and think about adding one to your kitchen if you haven’t already.
Set your table in the A.M.
Set your dinner table after breakfast. I can’t remember where I first heard this one, but OMG it really saves time. Plus…added bonus: it keeps the hubs from using the table as his desk. Sorry hubs!
Leftovers, Anyone?
Leftovers! It’s so simple and obvious, but so often overlooked. Double Sunday night’s dinner throw it in the freezer or the fridge. Re-heat in your Instant Pot or your microwave on your busiest nights. This works great with pasta dishes, casseroles, soups and stews.
BFD
BFD. Uh, that’s Breakfast for dinner. My kids love it! Few home cooked meals are as fast as cooking up some nitrate-free bacon and scrambling some eggs. Slice up from fruit and you’ve got a well-rounded meal. Oh, and go ahead and cook your eggs in a little bacon grease because YUM!
Meals on the go
So if you’ve decided that 4:00 PM is too early for dinner because you aren’t 80, but 8:00 PM is too late because you aren’t in Italy it’s time to whip up a homemade meal to-go. I’m talking super simple, but nutrient dense meals in a lunch box. Eating at the field is definitely time saving. Some of my family’s favorites are:
- Snack boxes filled with nitrate-free salami, some whole grain crackers, slices of cheese, & apples
- Tortillas filled with turkey, lettuce, tomato, cheese and mayo. Call it a wrap and feel fancy!
- Chicken salad sandwiches. Throw in my super-secret ingredient, grapes and it’s a well rounded meal between 2 slices of bread.
Sometimes you gotta just drive thru on your way home. When I have no choice, well wait. I guess I have a choice, but it doesn’t feel like it, ya know? Let me re-phrase. When you choose the drive thru option, bring it home sit around the table as a family and enjoy your meal together. Just try not to make a habit out of the drive thru because we all know that sh—ain’t good for you!
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