Tips for Busy Moms: Plan Ahead Meals

by Jennifer Worthington Lower

I am not a big cook. I would love to be, but I have a few problems.

#1 I have a crazy schedule

#2 It’s just me and two toddlers eating most meals together because hubby works nights and is on his own schedule.

#3 I have what I have dubbed “Culinary ADD.” This means that I get all fired up about making something and then about 15 minutes into it I lose steam and get distracted. I burn a lot of things this way (not proud of myself).

One of my favorite ways to pacify my guilt over this is to make meals ahead of time that will keep in the refrigerator or freezer that I can easily put on the table.

Here are a few of our family favorites:

• Chili (freezes well)
• Quiche
• Marinated chicken breast (great for dinners or chopped in salads)
• Pasta salad
• Waldorf chicken salad.

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Sometimes we opt for bigger lunches (especially on the weekends) and these are all great midday meal ideas! I know that there is a whole community of people who make freezer meals and have them at the ready. I have been intrigued by this idea for a while and I am trying to build a library of meals that will freeze well and are going to appease the little ones.

Are you a make ahead meal mom? What are some of your favorites? Please feel free to comment if you are interested in our family recipes and to share your own!!

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Jen is Wife to a wonderful man who has been the love of her life since she was 15 years old, Mother to two adorable munchkins under the age of two and an Entrepreneur who spends her free time writing. You can hear more from Jen at MamaZen, and on Facebook and Twitter.