Now that the kids are settled in school, it’s time to get back on track with your cooking routine. The transition from the relaxed attitude toward dinner that set in over the summer to something more organised that can get the kids to bed at a decent hour can be one of the toughest parts of going back to school, so here are some tips for making this time easier.

1. Start small

Miracles aren’t going to happen overnight. Don’t set yourself up for failure by going from a summer of ordering takeaway, grilling and scraping together leftovers to making a restaurant-quality meal five nights in a row.

It will take some time to work your way back up to your previous level, so start out by gradually increasing the number of nights per week you cook in increments to make the return more manageable.

Start off planning for those busiest days. When are you taxying the kids around for their extra curriculars, with little time to cook? Having a plan for these days will make things easier for you and everyone. If you struggle to meal plan, don’t miss tip number 7.

2. Seek inspiration

Getting back into the routine of cooking every night doesn’t have to mean making the same old familiar meals night after night. Why not shake things up a little by seeking some new inspiration to mix into the repertoire?

Buy yourself a new cookbook or look online for new recipe bloggers. Not only will you find plenty of great new ideas, but you’ll also get step-by-step instructions and photos to make it that much easier to get back on track. I share plenty of cooking inspo on my Instagram and Facebook, too.

3. Start by making food your family enjoys

Even the most health-conscious mums among us tend to relax a little over summer. That’s nothing to be ashamed of, but you do need to be aware of the fact that your kids probably really enjoyed the less-healthy foods that crept into their diet and may not be too receptive to going back to healthier meals at first.

So, start by making foods everyone enjoys, even if they aren’t as high on the nutrition list as you’d like – homemade pizzas and burgers are still way better for you than any of the prepared meals you had over the summer. Then you can worry about reintroducing healthier dishes as everyone’s taste buds adapt. 

4. Get your groceries delivered

Honestly, the hardest part of cooking is often just conjuring up the energy and patience to go to the grocery store. If you’re having trouble overcoming this common hurdle, turn to grocery delivery services. There’s something that feels so triumphant about having your groceries magically appear on your doorstep without having to brave the traffic, crowds and long lines. 

5. Look for simple recipes

The work involved in dinner doesn’t end when everyone sits down at the table. You’ll still have to face a kitchen full of pots, pans and dishes afterward. Make things easier on yourself as you get back on track by learning some sheet pan and one-pot recipes to keep clean-up quick and easy. Add a simple salad or a loaf of crusty bread, and dinner’s done!

6. Embrace batch cooking

Your family has to eat every night, but that doesn’t mean you have to actually cook every night! When you batch cook, you can get away with cooking every other night and have some extra meals in the freezer to boot for those days when things just get out of hand.

7. And most importantly…meal plan

None of the above will happen magically or on a whim…there does need to be a plan in place. The good news is, preparing a meal plan and a shopping list shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes max. And I can show you exactly how to do that.

Join my next Meal Planning Challenge, running from Monday 21st October till Wednesday 23rd October, and meal plan with me using the exact (3) steps I take to swiftly meal plan in just 10-15 minutes per week (shopping list included).

Spots are limited, so hurry, get yourself signed up HERE.

When you know what’s for dinner, and have the ingredients at home to cook, and an easy recipe to follow, it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders. This can be your future!

>> JOIN THE MEAL PLANNING CHALLENGE <<