Time and Food

Cooking in a Busy World

When I talk to parents about cooking, their limited time is often the first topic. Parents will mention that their kids are busy, that one child dislikes what another loves, or that after a long day, they barely have the energy to look in the refrigerator and figure out what can be put together. Usually, though, they’ve got a vegetable, a protein, a fat, and a carb to work with, and a good meal comes together.

The challenge, it seems, isn’t making nutritious meals but integrating nutrition into a hectic lifestyle with parents and kids going in many directions. This means cooking methods must be efficient and thought out, particularly on weekends when there might be some breathing room. Many parents say their weekends are just as busy as weekdays.

Efficient Cooking Strategies

Kitchen appliances like Crockpots and Instant Pots are invaluable for preparing and storing multiple meals. However, storing entire meals can feel impossible when kids have to run to lessons or work on school projects. A possible solution? Store components of meals instead. Cook extra portions of vegetables or proteins that can be creatively combined later.

For instance, after breakfast today, we had extra steamed carrots and the juice from cooking them. We added chicken stock, water, leftover chicken, onion, and spices. The result? Chicken soup for the week. Simple, quick, and nutritious.

Slow Cookers: A Timeless Helper

Slow cookers have been around forever. My first connection to them was in the 1980s, when I was a kitchen appliance reporter for Home Furnishings Daily. I have found them great ever since.

Here’s a story from Phil’s side: one of his sisters gave him a Crockpot. I didn’t see it when we married and bought a new one. I later mentioned it to his sister, who said, “I gave him one, but he probably gave it away or threw it out.” Whether he did or didn’t, it didn’t win him any points!

Today, Phil is a Crockpot believer, especially for Thanksgiving, where they’re perfect for cooking and warming dishes. We now have four Crockpots, including a tiny one just for cranberry sauce.

The Instant Pot Advantage

An Instant Pot is like an intelligent mini-stove—a lifesaver in our kitchen. It steams, sautés, boils, and pressure cooks. We have two Instant Pots, which often save the day when time is tight. With them, we’ve pulled off meals like Spaghetti Squash Bolognese in record time: less cleanup, more efficiency, and excellent results.

Getting Kids Involved

Some parents say getting kids involved in cooking is impossible—they’re too busy with their activities. While this can be true, teaching kids kitchen skills is as important as their soccer scores. It’s a life skill they’ll thank you for later. Plus, it can be fun.

This past summer, my goddaughter from Taiwan visited. While exploring New York City, we also spent time in the kitchen. She found our mantra of vegetable, protein, fat, and carb at every meal fun. Together, we even organized my spices.

Once she was settled in at her new host home and her exchange school, she sent me a video in which she included the phrases “vegetables in every meal,” “Instapot in every kitchen,” and “more greens.”

Her mother said, she makes her own breakfast every morning and then hurries off to catch the school bus. Her mother added, “I told her to have breakfast as healthy as possible since she usually has very simple lunch in school, such as snacks and fruits.”

Tools for the Busy Kitchen

A food processor or stand mixer can work wonders with large food items, saving precious time. They’re great for making breadcrumbs, chopping vegetables, or mixing bread dough. Tuna is a quick meal. We put tuna, avocado mayo, mustard, celery, carrots, and onion into the food processor. Add a sprinkle of paprika, mix a bit and we’re done, ready to go between two slices of bread!

Final Thoughts

Cooking nutritious meals in a time-crunched world is complex. Planning, kitchen appliances, and creativity are necessary ingredients. From soup using leftovers, involving kids in the process, or turning to kitchen appliances to do the heavy lifting, there’s always a way to make a nutritious meal. And who knows? Along the way, you might inspire the next generation to love cooking just as much as you do.

Thank you to my goddaughter and goddaughter’s mother for their support!