One of our fuss free strategies is the idea of “Touch It Once”. What does that mean? It can mean a variety of things depending on the situation. My favorite “touch it once” strategy is with meat. I like to buy meat in bulk and then prep and freeze so it is ready to be used in a variety of recipes. It makes cooking on the fly easier (although I try to avoid that by sticking to my meal plan). For example, I prep the family pack of chicken breasts for a multitude of uses. If you have a favorite marinade, include that before freezing and then it is ready to go the day you need it.
One of the benefits to having a monthly meal plan is being able to purchase meat/poultry in bulk and prep it for all the different meals during the month at the same. This is a HUGE time saver throughout the month.
Touch it Once-Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- Diced for recipes like chicken fried rice
- Cut into strips for chicken fajitas
- Cut into large uniform pieces for kabobs
- Cut thinly for grilling so they cook faster
You can also apply this strategy to vegetables. Many people shop weekly for what they need all week. Wash and prep your vegetables right when you get home. Not only will this make weeknight cooking a breeze but you are also more likely to choose fresh vegetables for a healthy snack if they are ready to eat.
How can you apply the Touch It Once principle to help your grocery shopping and meal prep easier?
-Lindsay
