2012 is right around the corner, and it is time to create your goals for the new year. It is easy to incorporate goals geared toward creating easy meals. Here are some ideas that will help you accomplish this:
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Look up recipes online and create a cookbook using recipes that will be easy to prepare. Print each recipe and place it into a section of a binder, separating each section with an index divider. It is best to place recipes in sheet protectors.
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Create a menu once a week or month. You can do this in the word processor of your computer. Simply open a new document, create a chart, label the days of the week and title, and then save. Each time you need to create a new menu, open the document, add the details and print. There is no need to create a whole new document each time.
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Create a shopping list of ingredients to stock the pantry with. Shop to restock once every month or two. This will allow you to spend less time shopping weekly.
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Create weekly shopping lists for items needing to be purchased fresh.
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Be sure you have the essential cooking equipment on hand. A smoothie maker is helpful if you have smoothies often. A slow cooker is essential. A roasting pan will aid in cooking as well. Choose only the equipment you know you will use.
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Walmart and Kmart, both located in the Bangor area, have the above items available, but you might do well to check out Goodwill first.
Now set your goals for the year. For example:
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Plan to cook meals in a slow cooker on days when you are home. Try new recipes using this method.
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Decide to cook ahead once a week or month to make meal prep easy during the coming week or month.
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Plan to start a windowsill herb garden in January so you always have certain herbs on hand for a cost of next to nothing.
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Decide to have a healthy smoothie each day to aid you in getting all your servings of fruit.
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Organize your recipes so you know where they are located.
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Create new recipes on your own to add to your cookbook.
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Join a challenge to eat healthier this year, and incorporate the nutritional information that you learn into your meal planning efforts.
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