15 Simple Time Saving Kitchen Tips

by Jenny Irvine // May 5, 2014 // No Comments

15 Simple Time Saving Kitchen Tips

Sharing 15 Simple Time Saving Kitchen Tips today to help you work smarter not harder. I can honestly say, I have never met someone who wasn’t looking to save time or money- myself included. Even as a busy work at home, homeschooling mom of four the one place I could certainly spend the most time is in the kitchen — does anyone else have kids with hollow stomachs?

I am always looking for kitchen tips and ways to cut a corner or two in the kitchen: but, most importantly without putting my family’s dietary needs at risk and without compromising our healthy living lifestyle. Cooking gluten-free, dairy free,and nightshade free has certainly had a learning curve of its own. However, like anything once you have your routine down and a good plan –the shopping, cooking, and clean up can be streamlined allowing more time with family and less time spent slaving over the stove.

Kitchen Tip #1) Keep a well stocked pantry, freezer, and fridge….see how my family of 6 shops once a month here.

2) Organize Your Shopping List – whether you organize your list based on the layout of a specific store or if you simply do it like myself — which is, by store location (Trader Joe’s, Costco, Farmers Market, Etc.). Regardless of how you do it, the key is knowing exactly what, how much, and from where you will need to purchase a particular item(s).

3) Bake and cook in bulk- Why should waffles and pancakes only be served on the weekend? Why make one meat loaf when you can make two? While you have the griddle or waffle iron out double or in our case triple your favorite recipe, make extras, and freeze the rest for later. Once they are cool place in gallon sized zip-lock bag and freeze. Those busy school mornings that were once filled with heavily processed convenience waffles from the grocery store are now spent enjoying a homemade family favorite. We take the homemade waffles straight from the freezer and pop them directly into the toaster–no thawing necessary–grab, toast, and enjoy.

Soups, stews, stocks, and sauces are the perfect big batch cooking items.Take my tomatoless sauce recipe for example a batch made on a Sunday afternoon can be froze in individual size portions and used for weeks to come. Make the mess once and enjoy the fruit of your labor for weeks to come.

4) Pre-cut, dice, chop, and freeze produce that is used regularly.Buy onions and peppers in bulk– prepare and freeze in quart sized freezer bags for later use. I can not emphasize enough how much time this step alone saves–no more cutting onions for chili, meatloaf, and sauces–it’s a one time deal. Buy, cut, freeze, measure out what you need, and refreeze the rest. (Do not thaw the entire bag– just measure out the desired amount for use).

5) Dinner and Lunch Salads in a Flash — no excuses. Making salads admittedly although, one of my favorite things to eat is not my favorite thing to make– too much washing and cutting for this girl. I have found buying lettuce, giving it a quick wash, a rough chop, a spin through the salad spinner, and then proceed to line the spin basket which contain your mixed greens with paper towel it is there that you can safely store them for future use (I have kept washed and prepared greens for up to a week using this method of storage).

6) Keep a garbage bowl on the counter for all the peels, wrappers, and scraps that our not needed for your meal. A large bowl or container on the counter during your food prep can save a fare amount of time walking to and from the garbage can– hey, every bit helps, right?

7) Clean as you go — I have experimented with this several times, but I still feel I save the most amount of time when I clean as I go. Who really likes cleaning a pile of dishes at the end of a meal prep? I work better when I start and end with a clean space. A sink full of soap can be a great start for soaking dirty pots, pans, and utensils–a spray bottle of vinegar water can be a life saver for keeping the counter tops clean and crumb free eliminating any potential gluten cross contamination issues.

8) Ice cube trays don’t only make ice – make batches of frozen basil, mint, and coffee cubes for all of your future recipes. Fresh basil frozen into cube form is the perfect fit for a pot of homemade soup. Add a thawed coffee cube to your favorite brownie recipe–and mint, oh’ how I love thee–from teas to flavored water there is nothing quite like it.

9) Cook ground meat in large quantities in your crock-pot. Yes, if you have never done this your missing out. Simply put a bulk amount of raw beef, turkey, etc. in your crock-pot (it can still be frozen) cook on low/medium heat. Cook until heated and cooked through. I find in our crock-pot I can cook 3 lbs in 2-3 hrs–a quick rough chop with a spatula, let cool, and freeze in recipe size portions for future dates.

10) Buy chicken, beef, and pork in bulk, prep, marinate, and freeze. Let’s make something clear–I do not like cleaning meat. So any opportunity to make the process a one shot deal I’m going to jump at it.

11) Make that 5 lb bag of fresh chicken breasts your new best friend–trim of all fat, prep for kabobs, chicken nuggets, chicken strips, fajitas, and just plain marinated breasts. I like to prepare any marinades in advance and then add to the gallon zip-lock bag of prepared meat. While the meat thaws it is marinating in all of those juices adding extra flavor and moisture to your dish.

12) Wash grapes and strawberries in those perfect colander like hole containing packages. Make what you have work– there is no need to dirty another kitchen gadget if the freebie one it came with will work. Spray, wash, and rinse your produce in the package.

13) Broccoli, cauliflower, brussel-spouts, and other stem like produce can be cut directly off the stem straight into a colander. There is no need to cut it on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife and holding one end of the stem cut away from you with a downward motion (this works best if you do it over a sink) cut the produce off directly into the colander where it will then be washed, rinsed, and used.

14) Portion out snacks when you first arrive home from the store. Whether you are separating out baby carrots in snack sized bags or pretzels. Those few extra minutes of prep when you first get home can make a world of difference when packing lunches or when temptation for a convenience snack should arise– be prepared and plan ahead.

15) sign up —-> for your free copy of “The Homestead Daily” for meal plans, tips, tricks, and freebies.

Although, the kitchen certainly does take up a good deal of our time– it doesn’t mean there aren’t a few areas we can cut some corners–whether, you are a newly wed, a half crazed mom like myself, or a seasoned veteran in the kitchen the recipe is the same- work smarter not harder.

I would love to hear some of your kitchen saving tips–share them in the comment section below. I love hearing from you.

Image courtesy of Simon Howden/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A Well Planned Day; 24 Hrs to Live Purposefully

by Jenny Irvine // February 27, 2014 // No Comments

If you are anything like myself, you love schedules, routines, and structure. I work best when I know everything has a place and a time to be accomplished. If that is the case you might also be a bit curious at times as to what other peoples schedules look like.

Or maybe, you are the complete opposite and can fly by the seat of your pants and change plans at the drop of a hat. If that is you please contact me, I would love a lesson or two from you on how to roll with the punches a bit more.

I can remember a time long before I had kids of my own; I was babysitting a family, who coincidentally home-schooled. I, a traditional schooled child found myself ever so inquisitive as to just how this family made it all work. Where did they do school? How long did it take? How do they “do” school and live their life? What do their meals look like? I wanted to know everything. I was intrigued and OK a bit nosy. Ha, there I said it.

When peoples lives differ from our own it’s only natural to want to learn more. My fascination of schedules and/or routines runs deep and getting a behind the scenes look of how others “do it” provides a window into their life that we wouldn’t otherwise have.

Ironically 16+ years later here I am being asked these same questions. I am now the one answering “how we do it“. Rest assured there is no “right” or “perfect” schedule or method to getting things done. I certainly don’t have all the answers nor do I have it all together. However, if have learned anything over the years it is despite my instinct to plan every minute of my day leaving room for the unseen is among the most important.

If you are feeling unproductive in your day, not accomplishing your goals, and feeling stressed a schedule or routine that makes room for those things might be just what you need. If you have a schedule and still are stressed, unproductive, and defeated at the days end then let me encourage you to revamp it.

– Make a list of all that you do in a day. Over the next 2-3 days write down all that you do every 30 minutes. (Meal prep, school, laundry, etc.) I know this sounds daunting but, trust me you will thank me later.

– Now, write down all like or similar activities together and put them in order of how you would like them accomplished. (Example: take shower, blow dry hair, and apply make up would become one; a “morning routine“) You are not writing your activities in a given time slot. You are simply making a list; a routine of sorts. You are not bound by time but rather, the tasks at hand that need be accomplished.

Here is an example of my typical morning;

Morning routine (shower, pray, read/write)…someday when I sleep more than 4hrs at night this time slot will include work out.

Breakfast (eat and feed the little ones)

Morning maintenance (get dressed, make beds, brush teeth, etc.)

Start school

– Now, write out the 24 hours in your day again in 30 minute increments. Or go HERE and print your free worksheet already to go for you.

12:00AM

12:30AM

1:00AM

– You will now, fill in the time slots with the general things that need to get done and their allotted time slot. This is not binding you to these times but simply bringing awareness of what needs to get done in what time is available to you; 24 hours.

12:00AM sleep

12:30AM sleep

(No brainer, right?!)

You might be amazed at just how much you try to cram into your 24hrs and it is only when you write it out that you can gain a clear picture as to where or what might need to go. Staying focused on our priorities can help us better plan a purpose filled day. Don’t bog down your schedule with things that are not helping you accomplish your goals; let go of those things and “say no“.

A schedule or routine is not something that will forever remain unchanged. It is constantly evolving and in need of evaluation. Do only what works for you and you alone. We are all guilty of making comparisons. I assure you no man has it all together and no man can do it all. That includes you and I despite how we may make it appear.

It is only with a little planning, a rough outlined schedule, and through Gods wisdom we can begin to really do His work and focus on the things that really matter.

And for those of you who are dying to know what a “typical day in the life of myhappyhomestead.com” looks like CLICK HERE (go ahead… I would be curious too)

4 Ways to Reclaim Your Day

by Jenny Irvine // February 26, 2014 // No Comments

The phone is ringing.

Facebook is calling our name.

Our favorite TV show is on.

The cell phone is blowing up with text messages.

Does that sound at all familiar? Our lives are filled with distractions and temptation like no other time in history. We are inundated with information and the outside noise often pulls us away from the very things that deserve our utmost attention. Remember your priority list and goals?

Do you hear it? That noise; tick-tock,tick-tock. It is the sound of the clock and worst yet, it is your time slipping away.

All of the outside distractions are a constant pull on what really matters. Maybe it’s your time with God, your husband, children, a career, or your physical healthy that are suffering most.

I know the outside noise for me is certainly a ring leader in my procrastination struggles. I often am late because I choose to give my attention to something that at that exact moment is likely unnecessary and undeserving of it. The phone tends to be a big one for me. I hear the ringing and I proceed to answer despite my keen awareness that it will likely lead to a late arrival somewhere or at a minimum a severe falling behind of our schedule. With only 15 minutes to spare before running out the door; I pick up “hello“. Something so innocent; something, I clearly should have ignored. Now, we are going to be late and I am grumpy towards my children as a result of a choice I made. I rush them out the door, yell too much, and have an overwhelming sense of guilt. This is just one example of how how our choosing unwisely can directly affect our children. Can you relate? Unfortunately, It is often those that are the innocent bystanders that get the wrath of our poor judgement calls.

How can I do better? I know I can. How can you do better? There’s always room for improvement.

Here are a few ideas that I have/am taking up and hope you will join me in doing the same; let’s reclaim our days and precious time together.

4 Steps to Reclaiming Your Day

1) Turn off the ringers or do away with the house phone all together.

2) Set limits; strict limits as to when you can partake in social media. (apps like “Focus” and/or setting your phone timer for a given duration of time that you are allotting for such can help immensely.)

3) If you have a favorite TV show maybe watch that program only and then turn the TV off. There really is no benefit to watching the 2 shows before or after it. If you are really daring get rid of TV all together. (I’m pretty sure I could do away with TV but my family would not approve*)

4) Texting is great; I love it! You can’t hear my kids screaming and I can respond when I have time. However, looking at the top of someones head and the lack of real socializing that comes with texting is really quite annoying. Set limits. We are social persons made to be in the company of others not solely to communicate through machines.

At the end of the day we are left with choices and what we choose to spend our time doing on a given day directly effects how we feel and behave. How we feel or behave directly effects our productivity and priorities. It is a chain reaction. When our kids make poor choices there are consequences and as adults that still holds true.

Join me in choosing wisely the things that are deserving of our time.

*I do not recommend making any permanent changes that will affect the family directly without consulting them on such matters first (i.e. getting rid of the TV) it might not go over so well otherwise. *