I love that people are talking about food, thinking about it, asking questions. But I still hear people complaining that they don’t have time to cook healthy foods from scratch. It really is so much easier, and less time-consuming, than most people think. May I offer a few ideas? Yes? Well thank you, you’re too kind! I promise to be brief.

Make 1 day of the week “food prep” day. Invite family members or friends to help out. Make it fun! Make a list of what you want to make & shopping lists.Do the shopping together. When back in the kitchen put on some funky music and get cooking! My mum and I do this every Monday for our meals. We’ll make enough food for the upcoming week. Some examples?

• We’ll make a big batch of soup (perfect w/ pappadums and a salad)
• Brown rice noodles tossed w/ soy sauce, tamarind, garlic, ginger, chillis, tamari and sesame oil (just saute and have w/ seasonal veggies and a protein)
• Roasted beets ( when cooled just peel, dice, toss w/ some olive oil, fleur de sel and fresh pepper — gorgeous beet salad that compliments any meal), or a big batch of rice ( brown basmati, wild, red, or a combination) that, when done, you can season how you like. ( a glug of olive oil and some fresh herbs?)
• Boil some beautiful whole potatoes, cool & refrigerate. For a dinner slice into 1/2 inch rounds & saute in olive oil till crisp & golden. Mmmm!

A few more ideas…

• Buy fresh fish and portion in baggies. Then you just have to season and quickly saute when needed.
• Get some lamb or pork shoulder, or shanks, and braise them w/ lots of garlic & herbs. Then just heat up what you want when you want through the week.
• Roast a couple of chickens ( or a turkey!) that can be enjoyed all week, either cold or heated slowly in the roasting juices that you saved. — You can also make batches of chili, stews…. let your imagination fly.

There now, your fridge is full of beautiful healthy foods made w/ love. During the week you just have to heat and add your veggies and salad. Not bad, huh? One day spent w/ people you love, having fun, chopping, dicing, boogying, sauteing, braising, snacking, laughing, filling your kitchen w/ incredible smells, sharing stories and ideas—phew! That’s some kind of fun — the fabulous meals you’ll be eating will be the icing on the cake! ( You could even make a cake!)

Tastefully Yours, Luke