Time Management Expert, Event Speaker: Mark Lamendola

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Time Tips: Batch Meals for Speed

I find that preparing a large batch of "major meal components" all at once is very time-saving. For example, I:

  • Make a big batch of my tuna/egg mix (eggs, tuna, yogurt, mustard, onions, various spices) and stick that in the refrigerator. I have it over the next few days, making "sandwiches" with it. Instead of eating bread, I use leaves of bok choy, kale, romaine lettuce, etc.
  • Make a big stir fry in a big pan. I put that into several containers that go into the freezer. I thaw one at a time in the refrigerator as needed.
  • Make a pot of beans, which I divide into containers and freeze, etc. In the summer, I buy canned beans because of the heat.
  • Make up several bags of raw nuts and raw soybeans, which I use as snacks when I am away from the house or get the munchies--about 100 calories worth stops the hunger.
  • Make a batch of salad dressing that I use over the next week or so (the stuff in the store is usually loaded with sugar, damaged fat, and other poisons--mine tastes infinitely better and doesn't try to kill me).
  • Boil 8 or 10 eggs right after cooking a morning omelet.
  • Cook several steaks, chicken, etc., at one time--cut them into chunks or sections for freezer storage. On this last point, I have pretty much given up on cooking meats at home. With my various networking meetings, I am dining out a few times a month and use those occasions to have a small steak, fish, or chicken portion. Anything larger than my palm goes into a doggie bag and into my refrigerator!

Note that I don't do all of this at once. It's just that when I need a component, I make enough to last a while. Depending on what it is, I freeze it or refrigerate it. Here are some advantages:

  • Quick meals or some "mix and match" components.
  • No temptation to eat junk--good food is ready and waiting.
  • Ability to throw together something tasty and nutritious--quickly.
  • Meal planning is quite easy, this way.
  • Because the meals are good and the portions are pre-controlled, I am able to eliminate hours of treadmill time, doctor visits, jogging, getting sick, etc. I'm pretty happy with my present 8% body fat level. The average man my age is at 30%--and he spends a lot of time getting there!
Note: this article was originally written in early 2003. I have since changed my diet a bit and also am happy with my body fat at 6%, not 8%.  -- Mark Lamendola, March of 2005.
 

Do you want to radically improve how well people in your organization make use of the limited number of hours in each work day?

Contact me to arrange a time when we can talk about a presentation: mark@mindconnection.com. Why arrange a time? So I can give you full attention during the call. There's a really powerful time management tip. Ask me why it works.