Hi Everyone,

I just joined. My name is Sheila. I'm a huge Eating Well fan! I have a question that hasn't yet been answered on the site. My husband and I are trying to prepare for the upcoming month of October during which, we will attempt to take on a huge amount of work. My hubby will work two computer jobs at 75 plus hours a week and I will be working on a college campus, two editing jobs and running my tutoring business. Once October is past, life will become more sane. My question is... Are there any shopping, cooking solutions for us? I want to still try and eat healthy but, all the recipes I see for people in a hurry, still require too much time and I can't seem to locate healthy make ahead meals. Ideally, I would like to cook all Day Sunday for the week ahead. My husband and I like to eat as healthy as we possible can manage.. Any ideas? THANKS!!

I'm sorry that nobody has answered your post, and the month is half over.

I am lucky because I am able to cook at my leisure almost every day. But there are things that I have found for the "crazy" weeks that help meal prep.

On Sunday, cook. Brown ground turkey (or beef), grill chicken, etc. and refrigerate. You can make rice about 5 days in advance and pasta 2 or 3 days ahead. Veggies take little time to cook, so prep them (chop bell peppers, cut up broccolli and cauliflower, etc.) and store in plastic bags in the refrigerator. My latest time saver are "cooking sauces" by Archer farms (at Target). I buy several and use those, with the protein and veggies, to make really quick meals.

For example, take some grilled chicken breasts out of the fridge and slice into strips. Quickly saute red and green bell pepper and onion. Add chicken strips and a half jar of Roasted Poblano cooking sauce. Simmer for 15-25 minutes. Serve over warmed rice (or in steamed corn tortillas).

Just a thought. Hope your October is going well!

THANKS!!!

We did make it through, thank goodness, but I appreciate your contribution nonetheless, since I am now busier than I once was workwise. So I WILL use your great advice! Target, huh? I'll have to check that out...