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Let’s quickly review the steps for meal planning from the last few days:
- Determine who in your family is going to do what (planning, shopping, cooking, cleaning)
- Write down a meal plan for the week
- Make a shopping list and stick to it
- Schedule meal prep into times that work for you
It might take a while, but when you get into this habit it gets easier and easier.
No matter how much planning you do, though, there are going to be those days when things just don’t turn out as expected. In the past, this is when you would make a run to the nearest fast food chain, and (sigh) lots of plastic garbage results. But now, this is when it pays to be prepared. I have a freezer stocked with frozen soup, emergency meatballs, muffins, and other heat and serve meals. A lot of times when I cook, I double the recipe and freeze half. This is my “fast food”. It is healthier with less packaging and I can have it on the table in less than 15 minutes. In fact, it is probably faster than going out to eat.
Today’s Challenge: This is a two for one challenge today.
- Pick one meal this week and get enough ingredients so that you can double and freeze half. Plan to do this each week, and your freezer will be stocked in no time. Here is the Emergency Meatball recipe I use.
- Now, what about when you are stuck at a soccer tournament across town? Well, for your second challenge I want you to make a list of places where you can eat that minimize plastic packaging. Is there a place that uses real plates, silverware, and glasses if you dine in? Do you have a favorite burrito place that uses aluminum foil wrappers that can be recycled? Is there a pizza place where you can just grab a slice on a paper plate? Find places where you can just take the food without any wrapping, even a concession stand with unwrapped hot dogs will do. You can also eat at grocery stores that have a hot bar or salad bar. One in my town has reusable plates if you dine in and you can bring your own containers for take-out. It takes a little bit of thinking, but if you have a list ready with ideas you will know what to fall back on when in a pinch. I would love to hear your ideas for low waste eating out!
**Note: With the covid-19 pandemic many grocery store deli sections and buffets remain closed. You may have to get even more creative to figure out ways to minimize plastic packaging while eating out.
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