Advertise on podcast: Feed Your Family Tonight Podcast

Friends- This podcast was a hard one to record. Sitting and writing this post my eyes are filled with tears. But I am choosing joy today!  It is time to close down Feed Your Family Tonight. This project I started in 2017 has taken so many twists and turns that I would never have imagined! I have met so many amazing people and helped so many families make life just a little bit easier. I could not have done it without you! Thank you for all your support over the years! I will dearly miss you.  For now, the website will remain up. I will archive the Facebook group in May.  If you have questions, message me on Instagram. I am still always happy to help you with your questions. For now friends, take care! Marie For show notes and a transcript click here.

Ground Beef is a staple in many homes, but there are some basic techniques to make the most of your ground beef!  For full show notes and a transcript click here. 

Lots of life has been happening behind the scenes. In this podcast I talk about how things have been going the past month as I started a new full-time job. There have been ups and downs.  The most challenging thing for me has been grocery shopping. Join the conversation in the Feed Your Family Tonight Facebook Group. I want to know when you do your grocery shopping.    For a transcript  click here.

 I am in the middle of a really busy season in my personal life and I am relying on my pantry to help me get dinner on the table fast. Pantry cooking is using ingredients that you keep on hand to make meals. For me this includes my pantry, freezer and refrigerator staples. 4 Tips for Pantry Cooking: Tip 1: Have a well-stocked pantry and freezer.  Tip 2: Create a list of pantry staples.  Tip 3: Add fresh ingredients to make pantry dinners delicious. Tip 4: Create a list of "base ingredients" to make lots of different meals.  For full show notes and a transcript click here.

We all have days when there just isn't time to fix dinner. You may be running kids to activities and need to eat in the car or at the activity. For many families that means hitting the drive thru and that's okay. If you know you are going to eat out on a busy night, put it on your meal plan. Plan for it! This helps you not feel guilty about hitting the drive thru on a busy night because you chose it on purpose. If you don't want to hit the drive thru I have six tips for feeding your family when there isn't time to cook. 6 Tips to Feed Your Family When There Isn't Time to Cook: Tip 1: Make a cold dinner. Tip 2: Fix dinner at 10:00 AM. Tip 3: Use the grocery store as your drive thru.  Tip 4: Use a backup meal. Tip : Make a snack board dinner. Tip 6: Have a leftover night.  For full show notes and a transcript click here.

Everyone faces busy seasons of life. There are many reasons you may be facing a hectic season. Having a baby Moving Remodeling project Sports season  Work season (I see you accountants in March and April) There are dozens of reasons and I am facing one in my life right now. Starting a new job is definitely a hectic season.  6 Tips to prepare for a hectic season: Tip 1- Clean out your freezer and pantry. Tip 2- Take an Inventory of your Freezer and Pantry. Tip 3- Make a list of the basic items you need and do a deep dive shopping trip to stock up. Tip 4- Make a list of backup and basic meals. Tip 5- Do a little freezer prep. If you want the easiest way to make 6 full freezer meals in 1 hour, check out my friends Polly and Rachel at Thriving Home. Use the code Marie20 to save 20%. Tip 6- Be realistic with yourself during busy seasons.  For full show notes, links, and a transcript, click here.

I love kitchen gadgets. Some are essential and some just make life a little easier. Years ago I did a presentation for parents of teens and young adults about setting up a first apartment kitchen. I made a 1st Kitchen Essentials list.  For links and show notes click here. 

How many times have your looked at a recipe and really underestimated the amount of time it takes to make the recipe? If you are like me, more times than you want to admit. Today I have 3 Tips for estimating the real time it takes to make a recipe and 4 tips to be faster in the kitchen, 3 Tips for estimating the real time it takes to make a recipe. Read the entire recipe. Do they have you preheat the oven in step 1 or step 6? Look for words that equal time like marinate, rest, and let sit. Look for words that equal multi-tasking like "meanwhile" or "while x is going do y." Know your personal cooking style. Are you comfortable chopping veggies while meat is cooking? Do you need everything measured and ready to go before adding heat? Rely on your past experience. How long does it take to brown hamburger? What skillet works best for this type of task? 4 Tips to be faster in the kitchen Do a little prep ahead. Thaw your meat the night before Salt your meat in the morning or the night before Use the "prep" section of the free weekly meal planning sheet. Use sharp knives and invest in your knife skills Look up YouTube videos or find a local culinary pro who offers knife classes Get a knife sharpener. Electric or Manual both work. Do multiple steps at once. Boil Water Cook Meat Chop Veggies Don't be afraid to use grocery store shortcuts. Buy frozen veggies (the are washed and cut) Buy chopped veggies from the salad bar. Have the butcher cut your meat in 1 inch pieces. For Full Show Notes, Links, and Transcript Click Here. 

This on air coaching call was so fun! Dana Malstaff is the founder of Boss Mom. As a co-parenting mom she faces some unique challenges to feeding her two kids. We talk about picky eaters, snacks, and how to systematically test new foods to slowly expand her kid's palettes. With kids who do not prefer pasta, potatoes, or rice, most of the "normal" tricks for feeding picky eaters are tossed out the window. I suggested polenta and Dana loved the idea! For show notes, links, and a transcript click here.

Groceries are getting more expensive. One way to save money is to buy grocery store markdowns.  You can often save lots of money buying marked down items. Use these 6 tips to be smart when buying markdowns. Tip 1- If you won't use it, it is not a bargain. Tip 2- Know the regular and common sale price of an item. Tip 3- Buy ahead when items are on deep discount. Tip 4- Consider your storage and freezer space before buying items in bulk. Tip 5- Repackage meat before freezing Tip 6- Learn the markdown habits of your favorite stores.   For a transcript and links click here. This podcast was sponsored by Yummy Crate. Get 50% off your first month and free shipping with code FYFT.

Everyone faces busy seasons of life. There are many reasons you may be facing a hectic season. Having a baby Moving Remodeling project Sports season  Work season (I see you accountants in March and April) There are dozens of reasons and I am facing one in my life right now. Starting a new job is definitely a hectic season.  6 Tips to prepare for a hectic season: Tip 1- Clean out your freezer and pantry. I have two podcasts on cleaning out your freezer and pantry. Episode 70 Spring Clean Your Freezer and Pantry Episode 128 Spring Pantry and Freezer Clean Out Tip 2- Take an Inventory of your Freezer and Pantry. Tip 3- Make a list of the basic items you need and do a deep dive shopping trip to stock up. Tip 4- Make a list of backup and basic meals. Tip 5- Do a little freezer prep. If you want the easiest way to make 6 full freezer meals in 1 hour, check out my friends Polly and Rachel at Thriving Home. Use the code Marie20 to save 20%. Tip 6- Be realistic with yourself during busy seasons.  For show notes and a transcript click here.

What is in your refrigerator that is taking up valuable space? Maybe you have some half-used jars of pickles or olives.  Maybe you have half a jar of pesto or miso. I have a small jar of flax seeds that I think may be over 5 years old. I didn't mean to forget about them for 5 years, but time gets away from you. I'm sure they are rancid by now and I promise by the time you read this I will have thrown them away.  We all have things that we keep way too long because we don't want them to go to waste. We may have purchased them for a recipe that our family didn't really like and we keep thinking we need to find another recipe to use it up. Friends- now is the time to use it up! Make a charcuterie board for dinner and use up the pickles and olives or make rice bowls and let your family pick all the things they like to top their bowls. Rice bowls are the best way to clean out the refrigerator. Anything your family doesn't eat throw out.  The clutter in your refrigerator is costing you brain space and physical space. Getting rid of the clutter leaves room for new things and new creativity.  For full show notes and a transcript click here.