Work, exercise, training, study or an afternoon of extra-curricular activities for the kids produces ‘hungry everyone’. No news there, but what you do about it can determine whether you refuel with productive or unproductive calories, leading to feeling more energised and satisfied (or sadly, tired and looking for more).
Double up on freezer hero meals
Try to cook in double batches so you’ve got a meal ready to go when you need it most.
Having on hand portion-friendly foods for time-poor moments is key, while also taking advantage of appliances like rice cookers and slow cookers—useful for cooking and keeping meals warm until home time.
Not all food is created equal when it comes to flavour and appeal following a reheat from the freezer. Yet many are just what a hungry family needs. From freezer to stove, oven or microwave, while cooking up a side of rice or pasta, and preparing some veggies or salad, you can have a nutritious and delicious meal ready in no time.
Freezer hero meals can include:
- Spaghetti bolognaise, the Queen of Freezer Hero meals!
- Chicken cacciatore
- Lamb shanks
- Chili con carne
- Minestrone soup
- Veggie lasagne
- Vegetable curry
- Cauliflower and curried lentil soup
- Beef tacos or repurpose the mince for a baking dish full of nachos with heaps of grated veggies and guacamole
Note—pasta doesn’t freeze well so best to cook it fresh.
No (or low) cook nights
Pop a list on the fridge of quick, easy and healthy meals for ‘no time to cook’ nights like baked beans or egg on wholegrain toast with a side of tomato, mushrooms or spinach. Scrambled eggs can take on main-meal status if you add some frozen or tinned veggies or herbs from your prep stash. A healthy breakfast cereal is also an option if time is really tight.
Here’s a few more recipes to keep on hand for low-cook nights:
- Last minute, five-minute fried rice
- Omelette with a good handful of herbs or grated veggies
- Quesadillas (tortilla filled with cheese, beans or leftover chicken and veggies)
- A tin of tuna, heated with veggies, served over rice
- Toasties. Get creative and add finely chopped or grated veggies or even tin lentils
Lastly, #StressLess
Living life, feeding people and generally adulting, even for the most competent among us is stressful at times. So, on those days when it all feels too much, take the pressure off and be kind to yourself. People over things wins every time. Put on some music and make boiled eggs or baked beans and toast for dinner. Done.
This blog was provided to us by our friends at Health & Wellbeing Queensland!
Make sure you tag us in snaps of your healthy meals by using the hashtag #bridgetobrisbane!