{"id":13105,"date":"2022-07-14T12:28:03","date_gmt":"2022-07-14T10:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-west\/blog\/2022\/07\/14\/feeling-burnt-out-five-tips-to-simplify-dinner-time\/"},"modified":"2022-07-14T12:28:03","modified_gmt":"2022-07-14T10:28:03","slug":"feeling-burnt-out-five-tips-to-simplify-dinner-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-west\/blog\/2022\/07\/14\/feeling-burnt-out-five-tips-to-simplify-dinner-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Feeling burnt out? Five tips to simplify\u00a0dinner time"},"content":{"rendered":"

Juggling working full-time, caring for a family and staying on top of housework and admin, can quickly lead to burnout. After a busy work day, preparing dinner can often feel like a chore.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On top of the pressure of preparing a wholesome meal that will feed the whole family, there\u2019s the added stress of rising food prices and the fact that time is often limited during the week. Laager Rooibos’s<\/a> partner dietician, Mbali Mapholi, share five practical tips and tricks to reduce stress when it comes to planning and cooking meals for the family.<\/p>\n

1: Do a regular food inventory<\/strong><\/p>\n

Frequently check the fridge and freezer, as well as cupboards and pantries, noting the expiry dates on food and rotating food closest to expiry to the front of the cupboard so it is used first. A food inventory should be done before any grocery shop to prevent repeat buys and make sure items that are needed are purchased to prevent multiple trips to the store. A food inventory saves time, reduces waste and eliminates uncertainty.<\/p>\n

2: Work with what you have<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be scared of canned, boxed or frozen foods \u2013 things like frozen veg, boxed fish fillets and canned beans and legumes have a lot of nutritional value and are simple and easy to prepare. Check what you have available and try to mix it up a bit. Variety is key when preparing meals.<\/p>\n

3: Plan your meals ahead of time<\/strong><\/p>\n

Half the stress of feeding the family is deciding what to actually cook. So, take this anxiety out of the equation by putting together a meal plan ahead of time. This could include writing out the meals for the week; bulk cooking and freezing for later use; chopping in advance and storing in containers in the fridge; and checking which ingredients you have available ahead of time.<\/p>\n

Consider your budget, food preferences and available ingredients when preparing your meal plan so that you\u2019re not pushing yourself unnecessarily. Take inspiration from generic, online meal plans but make it your own so that you\u2019re reducing food costs, reducing frustration and encouraging your family to eat healthily.<\/p>\n

4: Delegate and share responsibilities<\/strong><\/p>\n

While you might be the primary chef in the household, this doesn\u2019t mean you have to do all of the work. Delegate tasks to your family members such as chopping, peeling and soaking. Get someone to take the food items out of the freezer to defrost them ahead of time so you\u2019re not frantically defrosting food close to dinner time.<\/p>\n

5: You don\u2019t need a full, cooked meal every night!<\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no shame in taking a break once or twice a week with simple meals like store-bought soups, egg on toast, or French toast! You can even delegate this duty and have a complete break from cooking for the family.<\/p>\n

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Laager Rooibos mince and frozen veg recipe<\/strong><\/p>\n

This simple, freezer-friendly recipe is a great one to add to the roster to minimise stress and avoid burnout! It can be cooked in bulk over the weekend and frozen into portions for quick, weekday dinners. This means less time in the kitchen, more time with the family, and a more cost-effective meal option.<\/p>\n

Serves 4\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll need:<\/strong> 15ml canola oil; 1 onion, medium, peeled and diced; 15ml curry powder; 500g lean or extra lean beef mince; 15ml mixed herbs; 30ml flour; 30ml tomato puree (or tomato sauce); 2 teabags of Laager Rooibos tea \u2013 brewed in 500ml water; 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables; handful parsley, finely chopped; 5ml salt; 5ml black pepper, ground<\/p>\n

How to:<\/strong><\/p>\n