| Once-a-month cooking, also known as freezer or | | | | amount of chopped onions you need for all of |
| investment cooking is a terrific way to save time | | | | your recipes. Then chop all the onions you need at |
| if you approach it in an organized fashion. | | | | one time. |
| Purchasing a month’s worth of potentially | | | | * Pick up talking books from the library or |
| perishable food could become an expensive waste | | | | download four free books from Audiobooks. |
| if one is not quick to preserve it for help visit You | | | | Don’t plan to watch television as you cook |
| need two days to cook a month’s worth of | | | | because it is visually distracting. |
| meals. Use these steps for both days and you will | | | | * Purchase the supplies you require. Return to |
| be rewarded with over twenty days of easy | | | | your kitchen immediately after you shop and put |
| family meals. | | | | the perishables into refrigerator. Put all the |
| Day One | | | | remaining groceries away. |
| * Clean your kitchen. Clear the clutter to | | | | * Don’t be tempted to leave any of the |
| maximize your workspace. | | | | purchase on the counters. You will need all of your |
| * Ensure house is tidy and scheduled chores/jobs | | | | work space free from clutter. |
| are completed. | | | | Day Two |
| * Clean your freezer. Toss any food too old to | | | | * Get dressed and slip into comfortable, |
| eat. | | | | supportive shoes. |
| * Arrange childcare for younger children or pets. | | | | * Ensure house is tidy. |
| For older children, arrange activities that will keep | | | | * Serve a good breakfast and tidy the kitchen |
| them busy and pick some cooking chores for | | | | afterwards. |
| them. | | | | * Complete any necessary chores. |
| * Assemble each recipe in written format, a pen | | | | * Start on first common ingredient preparation. |
| and a shopping list. | | | | * Divide the common ingredient into the amounts |
| * Decide how often you want to serve each | | | | required for each recipe. |
| meal per month. Write the number at the top of | | | | * Clean the kitchen. |
| the recipe page as a reminder. | | | | * Start on the next common ingredient |
| * Sitting in your kitchen, work through each recipe | | | | preparation. |
| and record on the shopping list what you need to | | | | * When all of the common ingredient preparation |
| purchase. Likely, you already have some of the | | | | is completed, start on the first recipe. |
| ingredients in your kitchen. | | | | Tips |
| * Plan how you will store the meals in your | | | | * Clean the kitchen after each step. |
| freezer. Do you need freezer bags, foil loaf pans | | | | * If you are hand washing dishes, wash, dry and |
| or tin foil? | | | | put away ALL of the dishes before you start on |
| * Do you have any coupons for your purchases? | | | | the next item. |
| * Pick up a few treats to keep your spirits joyful | | | | * A clean kitchen will keep you cheerful and |
| while you work. Perhaps you like a certain fruit as | | | | energized. |
| a rare indulgence. | | | | * Do not leave out common ingredients. Take |
| * Write out your step by step plan for the | | | | three seconds and put away the salt, etc after |
| cooking day. Start by looking through your recipes | | | | each use. This will keep your counters clear. |
| for common prep items. Many recipes have | | | | * Use food safety awareness. |
| common ingredients. You can save time by | | | | * Take regular breaks to rest and have your |
| preparing the ingredients for all of the relevant | | | | special treats. |
| recipes at one time. For example, many recipes | | | | * Drink lots of water to stay energized. |
| call for chopped onions for help visit Calculate the | | | | |