Life hack

Hacking is usually associated with computers, the internet and software. Life hacking refers to any productivity trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method to increase productivity and efficiency, in all walks of life; in other words, anything that solves an everyday problem of a person in a clever or non-obvious way. Thanks wiki!

There are two famous sites(both called lifehack) that tally the newest hacks http://www.lifehack.org/  and  lifehack.com  I have accumulated some myself. I want to share them in this blog because DinnerSmith is really a major life hack. Having a personal chef service is not a lottery dream. We will work for any family at family sized rates. The hack is that the kitchen stays clean and dinner gets served up healthy and yummy. Like sending out the dry cleaning, Every day dinner can be done be us and enjoyed by the family. No need to iron every shirt, or chop every vegetable.

One of my favorite hacks is zip lock bags. If they get used and are still cleanable. i give a wash and set in drainer to dry. I put a few in my luggage for traveling. I put tights in them, hair clips, underwear, little white socks. always a few for the dirty laundry. In my every day handbag  I use them to keep iphone cords in one place. or pens and pencils. Zip lock baggies : one of my favorite little organizing tools.

Resolution: Make a weekly menu

Resolution: Eat better meals, eat more vegetarian

When I have a full pantry and frig, it is so much easier to make dinner. When I start the week with a rough menu, shop with the list based on that menu, it all seems easier, quicker and less stressful. Most people don't make a menu for the week or even shop with a list. There isn't a lot of support out there for that kind of organizing. Certainly no one ever reminds me about my planning and list making.

In my work at DinnerSmith, I got to see what that kind of planning does for families especially for moms. Mostly I have a conversation with the regular customers once a month where we planned the month. We try to balance favorites and proteins. It is so easy to add some vegetarian meals and some fish or seafood meals when making a list of 20 meals for the month.

Try it this week. Think of 10 meals you would might want to have. Balance the proteins by adding more. Look for synthesis: ground beef and tomatoes diced might into chili and spaghetti with meat sauce. Leave out new (I-never-tried-this-before) recipes. Make your shopping list: adjust in store for sales or unreasonable pricing. I won't pay $5 a pound for beef steak.

At home, do some prep while putting away. Cut some veg or onion and freeze chopped and ready to use. Divide the meat in to meal size. Post your possible menu on the frig. Starting from ten possibilities, there could be seven left.

I think it is easier to plan dinner in the morning if I know everything is there ready to cook. I can look at the menu, make a choice and on the way home think about cooking and prepping, Or ditch the whole thing and order Chinese. I am not forced to get Chinese because there is nothing else. I choose!

Happy New Year!