Meal Planning: Everything I Know I Learned From a 1917 U.S. Food Administration Poster! by Jarman Fagalde

As a busy working mom, plate spinning – both literally and figuratively – is one of my main skill sets. A big time saver for our family that has a huge return on investment – both financial and in that elusive commodity, time – is meal planning. But in order to ensure that this task is in line with providing quality nutritional foods that also supports our family values, let’s take a trip back to … 1917?

• Buy it with thought. Select foods with a holistic approach in mind, considering your family’s unique requirements.

• Cook it with care. Experiment with colors and flavors vs. salty fats and sweet sugars to excite your family’s palate.

• Use less wheat and meat. We could all use more vegetables on our plates.

• Buy local foods. Look for local produce at the grocery store and also at your local farmer’s market – this can work for all budgets. Involve your kids and make it fun!

• Serve just enough. This is a great opportunity to talk about moderation and intentionality.

• Use what is left. Baked a chicken? Use the carcass to make stock. Leftover rice? Freeze it. Don’t waste it.

What methods do you use to be intentional about eating and preparing food in your home?