HEALTHY HOME COOKED MEALS THAT SAVE YOU TIME

A common misconception about healthy food is that it is extremely ‘time consuming’ to prepare. Many of us already feel stretched so thin over the responsibilities of meeting work demands, running a household and maintaining relationships, to name a few; and the additional task of creating healthy meals feels impossible.  What if we told you that preparing even a few meals in the week could unburden you?

Eating just one healthy meal per day can help to improve your energy levels, mood, appetite control and the feeling of wellbeing.  The positive knock-on effects of these benefits are endless.  Start with a single meal. Choose something that is:

• familiar,
• easy to make,
• made with healthy ingredients,
• suitable to be made in bulk.

The recipes provided should cover all of these requirements.  Examples include:

– meals: stews, soups, curries and other ‘one-pot-wonders’.

– snacks: savoury or sweet muffins, meat balls and mini-quiches.

Double or triple the quantities so that you will have left-overs which can be kept in the fridge to be eaten the following day for lunch or supper.  Freezing left-overs in suitable portions is also very useful.  You can take the frozen meal out before going to work in the morning and when you get home from work, all that is required is a quick re-heat.  There is nothing better than a hearty, home cooked meal for lunch or for supper.

The initial preparation of the meal may feel time consuming, but once it has been made you save yourself the time taken to order and pick up a ‘ready-made meal’ (even if it is just a pick up from your front gate).  You also have the additional advantage of saving money as well as the satisfaction of knowing you have nourished your body.