Hey gal,

We celebrated the Bear recently, and we ate well. I cooked some and ordered out some, and it was a perfect mix. Sometimes you have to order out. No worries, Gal. You want to be with your people and you want to eat well and you want to get some of the meal prep done ahead. That is a lot of wants.

I have a Three TIPS for how to get ready for a busy weekend and solve some of the Wants of being present with your people. Because isn't that what really matters? When your people are home, you want to eat well and spend time with them having conversations and being present. Here are some ways to do just that.

1. Write down all your meals on one piece of paper. One place.

Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. I write down all of these meals so that I can go back to it and remember what the heck I am cooking each meal. Otherwise, I am constantly rethinking and replaying what comes next.

This way- I just look at the list, and it tells me what to do. I just freed up 2.8 GB of mind space by doing that. Writing down the meal plan also helps with the grocery shopping that week.

2. Make a notebook and stock with all your recipes that you will cook

Print off your recipes and then slide them into plastic sleeves so they don't get all gunked up. I have a small notebook that I put them in. I arrange them by day so they are easy to find. Some of you might like to only use your phone, but I find if you print off the recipe and slip it in to the plastic protector you have just simplified your life.

I take out the recipes I need when I start cooking and lay on the counter top. Maybe I am a messy cook, but these plastic sheets help keep things tidy around here when the sauces and veggies start flying.

Also, you can hand the recipe over to someone who asks, "What Can I do to help, you?"

Bam. "Well, you could make this recipe," I say, and hand them the plastic coated plan. They find the ingredients, and I have now doubled my work force and given myself more time to be present. Plus, who doesn't love the conversations taking place whilst chopping and stirring?

3. Prepare Some Food Ahead. Buy Some. Prepare some Menu Items with your People.

I did a combo of the above. I made some things ahead and froze or refrigerated. I bought the Birthday Dinner, and we finished preparing the dishes here by popping each one in the oven. We also cooked together some, with people helping out and chopping and setting tables. I am always thinking about how I can "double use" a recipe or prepare a familiar recipe so I can breeze through it. A double use recipe is one that makes a bunch and you can serve at more than one meal. This weekend used lots of old favorites for our family and a I included few new recipes.

It helped to plan all the meals out the week before and start some of the cooking early. I also really enjoyed ordering in the big dinner and just popping the prepared food in the oven.

I hope these tips help you enjoy your next event and also Be Present with your guests.

Stay Hungry and Cook what is fun for you!

XXoo