Time-Saving Tips
We know your days are busy—and evenings are even busier. You need ways to make the most of your time, and we're here to help.
Myth Busted
A common myth is that eating healthier takes more work, but au contraire! Our White Bean and Tomato Salad is fat free, and takes only 10 minutes to make. Another nutritious choice is our Broccoli Chicken Stir-Fry. It's an excellent source of both fiber and vitamin C, and it only takes a half hour from start to finish.
Stew on This
In these cold winter months, nothing can warm you up like some stick-to-your-ribs stew. Our Hearty Beef Stew takes just 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes total until it's finished. It's one stew that won't have you spending all day in the kitchen.
Punt Some Responsibility
If you're looking to save time with your Big Game party this year, make it a potluck. Request that guests bring one dish to share, and you can provide one or two big entrées. You'll save money and you won't have to spend so much time on prep work. Plus, there will be more food for everyone to enjoy—a definite win.
Bring It Online
Holiday shopping online is supposed to save you time, right? Instead of a mall-like experience, clicking from site to site searching for just the right gift, try browsing the website Froogle. It works like Google™, but it's focused on products. Submit what you're looking for, and get results from all different retailers, all in one place.
Turkey-Day Table Tricks
Simplify Thanksgiving entertaining by setting the table the day before. Consider the tiniest details—will you be using Grandmother's silver gravy boat? Polish it and set it on the table. Include everything—plates, napkins, silverware, glassware, coffee cups, serving utensils, butter dish, bread basket, and salt and pepper shakers. Finally, arrange your centerpiece. Voilà! You're ready ahead of schedule.
Tailgating Tip
October is the month where tailgating swings into full gear. If you're hosting a tailgating party, try packing all your nonperishable food and gear into your car the night before your bash. You'll reduce the risk of forgetting anything, and you won't feel rushed as you head out to your destination.
Soup's On
Freeze some of a larger batch of soup in a few smaller containers so you always have a quick lunch on hand.
Back-to-School Breakfast (for Dinner)
As the kids head back to school and evenings get a lot more hectic, try having breakfast for dinner one night a week. A lot of breakfast dishes (scrambled eggs, pancakes, cereal, oatmeal) are quicker to prepare than dinner dishes, and can be just as nutritious.
Grocery Lists Made Smart
Try to write your grocery list according to where the items are located in your favorite store. This will keep you from retracing your steps as you go back through the aisles for the items you missed on the first pass.
Trade the TV for Time
Try one TV-free night a week at your house. You'll be amazed at how much you can get done in the time you'd normally spend watching the tube!
Supper Made Simple
Keep your pantry stocked with all of the essentials for a quick pasta dinner. On nights when everyone is in a hurry and no one wants the hassle of cooking a full-course meal, pasta and Hunt's® Tomato Sauce can be quick and easy.
From Allspice to Vanilla
It might sound a bit type A, but organizing your spices in alphabetical order can help save you valuable search time.
Create a Keepsake
Forget searching the stores for a perfect Valentine's Day gift! Why waste the time and money? Instead, create a scrapbook filled with mementos of your relationship. Include movie stubs, concert tickets, restaurant menus—anything you've saved as a keepsake. Your homemade sentiment will hold more meaning than any store-bought gift.
Tidy Trash Disposal
When you are hosting a party, keep some unopened trash bags at the bottom of your garbage can (under the bag currently in use). Then there is always a new bag underneath the old bag ready to be put to use.
Establish a Routine
Mornings can be chaotic. Avoid an a.m. scramble by establishing an evening lunch-packing ritual. Have the kids help, and show them how to create a well-balanced meal. It's a great way to encourage healthy eating habits.
Pack Your Bags
If your kids are involved in after-school activities, pack duffle bags the night before to ensure you get out the door on time. Don't forget to stash some healthy snacks in each bag so the kids aren't tempted to hit up the vending machines.
Snack Smart
Apple slices and Peter Pan® peanut butter make for an easy after-school snack. This healthy combo is packed with fiber and protein, which will help tide the kids over until dinner. Plus, there's next to no cleanup for mom!
Supermarket Swap
Make your grocery store trips more efficient by planning out the week's meals before you make your grocery list. Then, organize your list by aisle, and stick to the list when you hit the store.
Manage Your Mornings
Two tips for helping your mornings run smoothly: Set out and iron your (and your family's) clothes the night before and pack book bags, lunches, purses, etc., the night before. These two things can shave valuable minutes off your morning routine.
Consolidate Coupons
Keep your collected coupons in one envelope attached to your refrigerator door. Before you go to the grocery store, take quick stock of what you need and write it on the envelope.
Plan Ahead
Plan your week's meals on Sunday, opting for pasta or casserole on nights when you expect to be especially busy. Make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for your next hectic evening.
Double the Pasta, Half the Trouble
Next time you make pasta, save some for your next meal. Just cook up a few extra servings of plain pasta, store them in an airtight container, lightly drizzle the pasta with olive oil, and keep it in the fridge. The leftover servings will last about seven days, heat up in seconds, and save you a step in your next meal.
When Life Hands You Lemons
Next time you have leftover lemons or limes from a party, squeeze the juice into an ice cube tray. Then, when a recipe calls for fresh lemon or lime juice, you'll be all set.
Make-Ahead Meals
To cut down on the stress levels the day of the big holiday, choose some dishes you can make ahead. Then make them!
Stock Your Pantry
Canned tomatoes can last anywhere from 12 to 18 months, making them a prime pantry-stocking item for impromptu meals. Try them in homemade soups, salsa, and sauces when strapped for dinner ideas.
Cook for Convenience
Preparing pasta sauce from scratch? Simplify your life by using canned tomatoes. Whole or crushed tomatoes work wonders for whipping up homemade marinara sauce in minutes.
Keep 'Em Separated
Before you freeze burgers or chicken breasts for later, put wax paper between each piece of meat. This makes it easier to separate the pieces when they're ready to thaw.
