Easy Meal, Made in the Shade

If you haven’t heard, you’ll be over the moon to learn that on April 8, 2024, Saline County will be a prime spot for viewing Arkansas’s first total solar eclipse in over a century! In all of recorded history, Arkansas has only been in a solar eclipse’s path of totality two times. The first time was in 1834, while Arkansas was still a territory. The most recent total solar eclipse in our area took place in 1918. 

Since Saline County Lifestyles readers live along the narrow path of totality, we can witness the moon’s shadow completely covering the face of the sun during the April eclipse! The process takes place gradually, with the partial eclipse beginning in our area around 12:33 pm and a few minutes of daytime darkness occurring between 1:51 and 1:54. The partial effects of the eclipse will continue until midafternoon. 

While Arkansas won’t see another eclipse like this again until 2045, you might feel like your efforts to provide nutritious and delicious meals for your family are being eclipsed on a daily basis! If hectic schedules and rising food costs cast a shadow on your meal planning, here are some down-to-earth ways to save time and money that are as easy as A, B, C.

Advance Planning

First, consider your scheduled commitments for the week. Identify your busy days when cooking will be difficult and the days when you can spend more time in the kitchen. Plan your meals accordingly and make a grocery list. Picking up everything you need in one trip to the grocery store will save you time and money and help you avoid impulse buying on multiple trips.

Bulk Cooking

If you will use the same meats, vegetables, sauces, or grains for a recipe later in the week, prep once and eat twice! For example, pre-cut all your veggies for both recipes at one time. Brown all the ground beef or cook all the chicken you need for the week simultaneously, saving the second batch for later.

Crockpot Cooking

Reintroduce yourself to your slow cooker, pressure cooker, or instant pot! These appliances specialize in saving time and simplifying cooking! With a few minutes of prep in the morning, you can come home after a hectic day to a fully prepared hot meal. 

Double Portions

Purposefully cook more than you need for one meal and pack the leftovers for lunch on another day. Celebrate a Smorgasbord Night one night a week, where everyone can choose their favorite leftovers for dinner.   

Eat Out for Less

Save dining out for your busiest days. When choosing to eat out, save money by taking advantage of Kids-Eat-Free deals on certain days of the week, inquiring about daily and early bird specials, using coupons or app offers, drinking water, skipping dessert, and taking home a doggie bag for tomorrow’s lunch.

Save time and money by picking up your main dish at a drive-through or grab-and-go and supplementing it with a few quick and inexpensive extras at home. Toss a salad, pop a side dish in the air fryer, or add your family’s favorite bread. Enjoy a fast and easy meal without paying for extras at the restaurant. 

While we can’t promise you the moon if you set these tips into motion, following them will help make mealtime easier, more efficient, and as budget-friendly as possible.