New Year Resolutions for the Gluten-Free
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Happy New Year! The New Year is the time for making resolutions so we've compiled a list of actions that you can take to help you stay on track eating gluten-free with as little effort and expense as possible.
In 2018 consider resolving to:
1. Make a weekly meal plan
Making a weekly meal plan allows you to shop for ingredients all at once minimizing the time you spend at the grocery store. As an added bonus you may find that you spend less money when you buy only what you need to prepare planned meals. When you make a meal plan there's very little unused food that goes to waste.
The best part about having a meal plan is that it eliminates the question "What am I going to cook for dinner?" A meal plan can be a lifeline when you're already tired from a long day at work or exhausted from a day of family responsibilities.
Knowing what you're going to prepare in advance means no last minute trips to the grocery store to purchase convenience foods like gluten-free pizza or gluten-free frozen dinners. There's also less temptation to 'cheat' - serving food that contains gluten because you didn't have the ingredients on hand to prepare a gluten-free meal.
I like to make my weekly meal plan on a weekend while I'm enjoying my morning coffee. This gives me plenty of time to make my grocery list and shop for the ingredients necessary to make the meals.
If you need suggestions for making a weekly meal plan consider purchasing our Easy Delicious Gluten-Free Skillet Meals cookbook that contains a month's worth of gluten-free one-pot meals that use common ingredients you probably already have in your pantry or refrigerator.
$3.99
Easy Delicious
Gluten-Free
Skillet Meals
Cookbook
At $3.99 this electronic cookbook (ebook) is a bargain. You can view this electronic cookbook on Kindle readers. You can also view on other electronic devices - smart phones, I-phone, I-Pad, Macintosh computer, Windows-based personal computer, and most mobile devices (iOS, Samsung, Android) when you download and use the free Kindle Reader App.
Simply download the cookbook to your computer or mobile device and bring it into the kitchen with you to cook. Once you get used to using an electronic cookbook you'll wonder why you never thought of it before.
In 2018 consider resolving to:
2. Cook a double batch and freeze the second portion
Making meals ahead of time allows you to have a day off from cooking when you're tired, you have to work late unexpectedly, or you have unexpected family responsibilities. Simply pull that gluten-free casserole or soup out of the freezer and put it in the microwave or your oven for a hassle-free gluten-free dinner.
Many of the recipes in our Easy Delicious Gluten-Free Skillet Meals cookbook double well and freeze well. If you'd like to try a free sample of a recipe that is perfect for doubling and freezing then try our Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet recipe. You can load this recipe to your computer or mobile device or select the printable version.
Be aware that if you're doubling the recipe you'll need to substitute a larger capacity 6-quart stockpot instead of the 12-inch skillet that is used for a single batch.
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet
In 2018 consider resolving to:
3. Prep your ingredients ahead of time
I do most of my cooking on weekends. I prep the ingredients for meals in advance so that I can quickly cook a recipe during the week. After I make my meal plan and shop for the necessary ingredients I chop the meats and vegetables and put them in my refrigerator. I put a piece of masking tape on the container or plastic bag and write the name of the recipe that the ingredient is used for so there's no confusion when it comes time to prepare the dish.
I also prep my seasonings ahead of time. I measure the herbs and spices into small bowls and cover the bowl with plastic wrap (you can also use a small snack-sized plastic bag). Then I take a Sharpie marker and write the name of the recipe the seasonings are used for on the plastic wrap or the plastic bag.
If I'm feeling ambitious I'll even measure any rice, lentils, gluten-free grains, or gluten-free pasta necessary for the recipe into containers and label them too.
This saves me hours of time during the week because I simply pull the chopped meats and vegetables out of the fridge, grab the bowl of mixed herbs and spices, and if I've measured in advance I've even got the rice or pasta ready for cooking. This only leaves ingredients like water, milk, and canned goods to measure and add to the cooking pot.
If you don't normally like cooking you may find that you will begin to enjoy cooking when you aren't in a rush to chop and measure ingredients. I like to pour a glass of wine for myself and my husband and we unwind from the day without the pressure of having to pay close attention to the cooking. Simply adding pre-measured ingredients into the pot while you're having an intimate Kitchen Happy Hour is relaxing and fun.
And that leads us to our final resolution for 2018:
In 2018 consider resolving to:
4. Enlist the help of family members in the kitchen
Often the gluten-free person in the family ends up cooking every day, either because the other non-gluten free family members don't know how to cook or they don't have a vested interest in ensuring gluten doesn't get into the meal.
In 2018 set aside time to teach your spouse, children, roommate, or other family members how to prepare a gluten-free meal free of cross-contamination with gluten-containing foods.
In exchange offer to do one of their chores, buy them a small present, or treat them to an afternoon together enjoying their favorite activity to entice them to learn to cook gluten-free. This will pay off when they surprise you with a gluten-free home-cooked meal that you didn't have to prepare.
Whatever your New Year resolutions may be we hope 2018 is a happy, healthy, prosperous, and gluten-free year for you!