I like to think of myself as a problem solver. Not of complex mathematical equations or issues with technology, however. Leave that to someone else. I simply find great satisfaction in finding a practical solution to an everyday problem. For example, last week, after searching the internet and local repair shops, I was unable to find a suitable replacement weight or loader for the broken base of my halogen floor lamp. My husband suggested buying a new lamp until I enlightened him on the cost of such an item. The lamp is attractive and otherwise in good working order and I saw no need to purchase a new one just because he insists on rocking it around like a rock star with a microphone. Thankfully, youtube had a simple DIY suggestion: fill the base with Quikrete vinyl concrete patcher. Now it’s as good as new.
How about the time we didn’t have enough space to set up Michael’s drum set, so I had to get creative with storage solutions? Try hiding a bass drum when you’re short on closet space. Eventually I sourced a used end table with the appropriate dimensions to conceal the drum underneath. Dressed up with a few decorative elements, including painting with a stencil, I had a custom furniture piece that doubled as storage.
Why Am I Telling You This?
Because I began this food blog with the goal of helping those who weren’t used to cooking at home and needed some simple, practical advice. What are the solutions that help me simplify grocery shopping and daily meal prep while continuing to enjoy the process? You learn them all on this blog if you continue to read and subscribe. And in case you haven’t yet seen this video posted on my social media platforms, it will explain my basic approach:
Among my core principles are:
- Shop strategically. Choose a day and time when the market is least busy and buy lots of fresh items that your family will consume within a reasonable amount of time. Always keep the freezer and pantry stocked with essentials that you can use to round out a meal and season it.
- Free yourself from recipes. I believe in sharing inspiration and ideas for combining ingredients in new ways, not in precise measurements and detailed step by step instructions. Learn to develop your intuition in the kitchen and create something delicious with what you have on hand. It’s simpler than you might think and very liberating.
- Work smarter, not harder in the kitchen. Set up your space in a way that makes sense for the way you use it. Prepare more than what’s needed for one meal so that you have quick, go-to elements at hand to create something new for a future meal.
- Waste nothing. Use your produce in the proper order necessary to preserve freshness. Freeze leftovers. Make stock from vegetable scraps, meat bones and shrimp shells.
- Expand your palate/palette. Food is more enjoyable when you embrace variety. Whether that means trying new spices and cooking methods or experimenting with unfamiliar vegetables, you can learn to enjoy cooking. Anyone can learn to love vegetables. Sneak them in if you have to in order to get your family more accustomed to eating them.
- Cherish mealtime. Make it a distraction-free event that the whole family enjoys because this is “where food brings us together”.