Healthy Family Healthy Budget - Summer Edition

Tips To Planning healthy fresh meals
On a savvy mums budget
Ever since having children I’ve really learnt the
benefits to dedicating some time each week to plan
for the week ahead.
Have you ever found yourself feeling so stressed
each afternoon, thinking ‘what are we having for
dinner?’.
I sure have, and found myself reaching for quick
and easy options, including lots of packaged and
pre-prepared foods. This was not only expensive,
but full of additives that I didn’t feel comfortable my
kids having so often.
If you are all too familiar with this stress, I hope that
my meal planning tips and tricks not only save you
money at the checkout, but inspire you to think
about how you can make healthier choices for your
family (without forfeiting the flavour!).
• Carve out the time
The first and most important step is to work out
when the best time to do this is. For me, I do it on
Mondays at lunchtime whilst my boys are having
their nap, so I can meal plan in peace!
• Inventory Check
Do an inventory check of your pantry, fridge and
freezer. Look at what you can put together for a
dish.
For example if you have a tin of kidney beans in the
pantry, mince in the freezer, avocado in the fridge,
you may just need some sour cream and onion and
you are on your way to a nice Mexican dinner!
• Bake instead of buy
Think about what you can bake instead of buying.
Packaged snacks are generally full of sugar
and preservatives, and really make the grocery bill
add up.
My boys just love these Choc Apricot Bites. The
added benefit of this is getting the kids involved in
the baking process which all kids seem to love
encourages them to eat their freshly made goodies!