Knowing what to do with Christmas leftovers is easy enough. Even if the weather is too grim to go anywhere, you can still separate the turkey and veg into boxes and make something up on the spot, which can help you save money in the kitchen.
However, things change when the summer rolls around. Rather than being stuck inside, you’re out, you’re doing things, you’re seeing people and basking in the sunshine. As fun as this is, it also means you might struggle to maintain your meal planning routine. Have no fear though, you can still find ways to make it a success.
Embrace The Change
As beneficial as food planning can be, you might have found that you’re making the same meals over and over again. This makes it easier to prepare everything, but it can also become a little monotonous. With summer coming around, you have the chance to embrace the change. You might not want to feast on your go-to rainy day comfort food such as stews and casseroles. Instead, the sunny skies make you more adventurous, and you can explore a wide range of other cuisines that still work for meal planning. Paella, slow-cooked pulled pork, or a colourful salad are all options to consider.
Look For Healthy Alternatives
You can also look for healthy alternatives to the expected summer meals. You’ll likely have your fair share of barbeques while the sun is still shining, but rather than go for the traditional burgers and chicken drumsticks, think about lean meat kebabs that are packed with aubergines or mushrooms. If you’re hosting, it might be time to upgrade your grill to make it more efficient. The Kamado Joe bundle is the perfect addition to your summer fiestas and comes without the burned-on food that could make unhealthy food even worse for you.
Don’t Succumb To Impulse
You have embraced the meal-palling lifestyle because you hate wasting food. But, if you’re out to dinner with friends, you may feel the temptation to order some food when they do. This can become a problem, even if you tell yourself the meal in your fridge will last another day, it also shifts all other meals back. So, while it will be challenging, make sure you don’t succumb to impulse and save your appetite for the food at home.
Give Yourself A Day Off
All this being said, you don’t need to be so strict about your meal planning as long as you don’t make a habit of it. Everyone is allowed a cheat day now and again, so if you know you won’t get home for a while or simply don’t have the energy to prepare anything, you don’t need to. For many, it’s this guilty feeling that can chip away at our self-esteem with meal planning, so feel free to give yourself a break.
Summer Food And Fun
You’re supposed to have fun during summer, but if you’re serious about maintaining a meal plan and preventing food waste, you also need to know the right time to indulge and the right time to resist. And if you can achieve this over summer, you can achieve it at any time of the year.
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