Episode 175 Preparing for a Busy Season
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Everyone faces busy seasons of life. There are many reasons you may be facing a hectic season.
- Having a baby
- Moving
- Remodeling project
- Sports season
- Work season (I see you accountants in March and April)
There are dozens of reasons and I am facing one in my life right now. Starting a new job is definitely a hectic season.
6 Tips to prepare for a hectic season:
Tip 1- Clean out your freezer and pantry.
I have two podcasts on cleaning out your freezer and pantry.
It is a good idea to clean out your freezer and pantry a couple of times a year, but when facing a busy season it is much easier to have control over the food in you house when you start with a tidy freezer and pantry.
Tip 2- Take an Inventory of your Freezer and Pantry.
This does not have to be a big formal thing, but take note of a few things.
- What do you have on hand?
- What do you need to buy?
- What do you keep buying and not using up. (I seem to think I need oxy clean and have 3 tubs of it in my pantry.)
- What season (fall, spring, winter, summer) are you heading into?
- What special items do you need for the season like sunscreen in the summer and allergy meds in the spring?
Tip 3- Make a list of the basic items you need and do a deep dive shopping trip to stock up.
I have a checklist for the deep dive shopping trip in the Holiday Planning Guide.
Episode 99 is all about deep dive shopping.
Tip 4- Make a list of backup and basic meals.
During a busy season you need to rely on basic meals. There will be days when you need to hit your backup meals.
Stock up on the basics.
Tip 5- Do a little freezer prep.
I like to make “meal components” rather than full freezer meals. Some of the things I like to stock my freezer include:
- Big Batch Taco Meat
- Roast Chicken Meat
- Bone Broth
- Lemony Chicken Thighs
- Breakfast Sandwiches
- Turkey Sausage
- Make Ahead Hamburger Patties
- Meat for Cheeseburger Baked Potatoes
- Cooked Ground Beef
If you want the easiest way to make 6 full freezer meals in 1 hour, check out my friends Polly and Rachel at Thriving Home. Use the code Marie20 to save 20%.
Tip 6- Be realistic with yourself during busy seasons.
It is okay to be boring.
- Have the same menu every week for 4 weeks.
- Use grocery store shortcuts.
- Chicken nuggets and boxed mac and cheese count as dinner.
This post contains affiliate links.
Marie Fiebach is a married mother of four active teens. She helps busy families plan and execute weeknight dinner so they can recapture a little calm in the crazy. Check out her YouTube Channel or listen to the Feed Your Family Tonight Podcast.
For a transcript click here.
