Meal Prep Time Saving Hacks
One of the biggest time-sucks for ADHD adults is meal planning and grocery shopping. We get to the grocery store and forgot our list or didn't make a list. We don't know what we will be inspired to make on Wednesday and it's Monday so we're not motivated. You have to put it all away once you get home and that's boring, etc.
I use several different tools that have streamlined and made this part of my life so much easier. I love cooking, cookbooks, cooking shows, and eating. I hated being overwhelmed by planning, shopping, putting it all away, and cleaning up.
For years I struggled with shelves full of cans and boxes of food I had doubled and even tripled up on because I either forgot I bought it or couldn't see it on the shelf. Food would go bad in the fridge because I couldn't see it or forgot I had it. It was a huge wast of time and money. Not to mention a wast of food.
Enter whiteboards, laminated lists, and my smart phone!
A few of my meal planning hacks:
Laminated lists
"Go to" menu and pantry items
"Chopped Kitchen" challenge
The camera on my smart phone
Voice memo app
I have a whiteboard hanging in my pantry and I jot menu plans for the week on the board. If we are entertaining I will write the menu, ingredients, and any time-sensitive preparations on the board.
I use laminated shopping list of our most used items that follow the lay-out of the grocery store I shop at. I keep a list in my pantry and on the fridge. As we run out of things or need specialty items for a particular recipe I check the box with a dry erase marker or add it to the list if not on it.
I have a list of "go to" menu items that I can throw together when I don't know what else to do or I'm pressed for time. I try to always have the ingredients in my pantry, fridge, and freezer.
Chopped Kitchen challenge: I love a challenge and I love the show "Chopped" on the food network. Sometimes I set myself the challenge of assessing what's in the fridge and on the shelf, pick a few items and see what I can come up with. It's often resulted in some new family favorites. This is definitely using my strengths and preferences to my advantage.
Clear storage containers: If I can't see it I don't have it. I've gradually transitioned all of my storage containers to OXO containers for the pantry and Rubbermaid brilliance containers. I watch for them to go on sale at Homegoods, Amazon, or Target.
Voice memo app: I have a client whose preferred learning style is auditory who also loves to cook. He uses voice memo apps for everything from grocery lists to recording recipes.
Camera on my phone. I often take a picture of my pantry shelves and fridge before shopping, that way I can take a look at what's at home if I have a moment of meal inspiration and buy only what I need. It's saved me many a double up on items.