Back to school is a busy time for all. Ensuring you are setting yourself up for success can be key to lessening the stress of those busy weekday nights. Whether you make lunches for the kids in your life or you simply need to ensure your home is ready for the hectic schedule of after-school activities, arranging your kitchen for optimal meal prep will help you throughout the year.Â
Organize Lunch Box Essentials
Making lunches for the whole family can be quite a task, especially if you don’t want to serve a week of only PB&J sandwiches. Now is the time to evaluate your current lunchbox items and see if there is anything missing, broken, or that has been outgrown. Take the time to make a list of anything that needs to be purchased and set up a prep zone for making daily lunches. Keeping all lunchbox essentials where you normally prep the food makes prep seamless and reduces mess.
Set up a Grab-and-Go Snack Station
Whether you’re facing a rushed morning or hungry sports players, having a handful of grab-and-go options on-hand will likely ensure everyone stays fed and happy even when time is short. Consider taking a moment to reorganize the pantry and prioritize a section for grab-and-go options. You’ll thank yourself later.
Purchase Meal Planning Items
Having a meal plan is vital for busy families. A meal plan can reduce stress, help everyone achieve their health goals and ensure food doesn’t go to waste unnecessarily. Whether you choose to have your meal plan in a binder with your family’s favorite recipes or you want to write everything on a big chalkboard so kids know what to expect, it’s the perfect time to purchase anything you’ve been missing. Find new recipes for your binder and include them with a binder sheet protector, or make your menu visuals more engaging by purchasing some colorful chalk markers for your menu board.Â
No matter what you use to plan, be sure to make it fun and engaging so you are motivated to stick to the plan, and don’t forget to include fun days out or easy options like pizza nights. Digital options are available as well, but a physical option may be best if you would like to get the whole family involved.
