Batchin’!

Batch Cooking Tips

Finding the time to cook nourishing meals can sometimes feel as easy as finding a good repair man!!

More often than we’d like to admit, we settle for convenience food when our bodies deserve better.

The bad news is that we are likely overloading on additives, excessive salt, and nutritionally-void fats, sabotaging our energy levels and health. Additionally, we are giving our dollar to companies who have no interest in our welfare – or our local economy!

We all seem to be suffering from a chronic lack of time. So what are we going to do about it? Start batchin’!

Batch cooking is a smart way to save time and money while eating healthy and delicious meals. It’s about preparing a quantity of something at one time, so you can have options for later.

Batch Meals are how I conquer the cooking time warp!

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Soup: Crock Pot Can dos. Make a big pot of soup and freeze it in individual portions. You can also use leftover veggies, meat, or bones to make your own broth.

Casseroles: Making 2-3 at a time. Casseroles are easy to make in batches and freeze well. You can use different sauces, cheeses, and toppings to vary the flavors.

Grains: Make 1 batch = five meals and freeze. Cook a large amount of rice, quinoa, or other grains and freeze them. You can use them as a base for salads, stir-fries, or bowls.

Beans: Soak overnight, cook all day (Medium), you can add grain, meat, veggies, put on at 5, ready at 6-7 pm. Beans are a great source of protein and fiber, and they are cheap and versatile. You can make a big batch of beans in a slow cooker and use them for tacos, burritos, chili, or hummus.

Freezing: Make more and store. Freezing is a great way to preserve food and prevent waste. You can freeze almost anything, from meat and cheese to bread and muffins. Just make sure to label and date your containers.

One Stop Chop: Get what ya got out there -chop till ya drop – (compost scraps)

Start with one veggie at one time – Bag and freeze or make MORE SOUP! Store Soup in Containers and freeze as well! Chopping your fresh and root veggies ahead of time can save you a lot of time and hassle.One Mess one clean up and a great get it done in advance. With these batch cooking tips, tricks, and ideas, you’ll be able to enjoy healthy and tasty meals without spending too much time or money. Happy batchin’!