8 Cooking Tips for the Busy Working Woman

Eating healthy can sometimes seem like more of a chore than a priority, especially when you are already working a full-time job. The temptation to order out or simply microwave a frozen meal can be overwhelming after a hard day at work.

Thankfully, cooking doesn't have to be a punishment and eating healthier is easier than you may think. The key is taking advantage of some of the best tips and tricks discovered by working women to make cooking easier.

8 Cooking Tips for the Busy Working Woman
If you want to make cooking healthy meals easier than ever and avoid adding more stress to your already busy life, here are some great places to start.

Plan Ahead
Everyone has heard of meal prepping and how efficient it can be. While efficient, eating the same meal every day with only slight variations throughout the week can get dull. Fortunately, there are other ways to plan without being so strict. Rather than cooking one or two meals for the entire week, you can plan several different meals and shop to make sure you have exactly those ingredients.

You can cook ahead for more complex dishes or just get a head start on certain things, such as chopping vegetables. You can get menu ideas from the internet or local grocery stores. Check out Kmart catalogue and Coles catalogues for special offers on meals they may be offering.

Invest In Time Saving Cooking Tools
Technology has advanced so quickly and in so many ways. One area you may have overlooked is the kitchen. From eight- in- one cookers to instant rice, there are a plethora of appliances and tools ready to make cooking a breeze and your life easier. You would be awed by all the new inventions that come out each year just to take the hassle out of cooking.

Take Advantage Of Your Freezer
Freezer food is not always bought in the freezer aisle. Instead, you can make and freeze your cooking to reheat at a later time. This not only cuts out on the chemicals that can be used in store-bought freezer food but can also save you a lot of money by avoiding convenience purchases. A quick internet search can show you exactly how to store certain foods in the freezer and you can always make extra to freeze to cut down on cooking.

Slip In Fruits And Veggies Where You Can
It can be hard as a busy person to find time to guarantee you are getting enough fruits and vegetables in your diet. Salads also tend to get boring after a while. An easy way to make sure you are getting all essential minerals and nutrients in your diet is to add fruits and vegetables into basic dishes. Adding them to portions of pasta, sandwiches, and cereals is a simple, yet effective way of staying healthy. Check out Aldi specials for any fruits and veggies on sale.

Look For One-Pot Recipes
If you don't want to waste time doing dishes after cooking, you can also check out one pot and one pan recipes. This drastically cuts down on the amount of time spent cleaning up afterward and can provide you with new recipes you may not otherwise have tried.

Make Sure You Store Things Properly

There is nothing worse than spending the time and energy shopping and cooking meals, only to find out it has gone bad. That is why it is so crucial to properly store your food. This means not only storing leftovers but also produce, spices and meat to make sure you get the most for your money. Look into getting a good set of Tupperware or airtight glass dishes to make sure you not only keep your food from spoiling but also make it easy to reheat.

Stock Up On Staples
There are going to be those nights where you just want to make something simple and quick. You also may not want to eat a planned meal that night and instead want something fresh. Therefore, it is important to have the staples in your kitchen.

From pasta, sauces, spices, oats and even frozen fruits and veggies, it is nice to have some easy meals ready to make up when you want them. It also allows you the opportunity to make something if you have guests, rather than relying on ordering food.

Another way to stay continuously stocked up while saving money it to check the store catalogues, such as Coles catalogue, to find discounts and sales that change daily.

Indulge Every Once in A While
While you should never get into a habit of lazy eating, it is okay every once in a while to go out to eat or order in. You don't want to deny yourself a fun night out now and again, but you should do it in moderation. It can be very difficult to get back in the habit of cooking and eating healthy when the convenience is so nice.

Conclusion
Cooking doesn't need to be overly complicated or time-consuming if you do it right. By utilizing the tips provided here and taking control over your cooking schedule, you can eat a healthy, home-cooked meal every night after a hard days' work.

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