ith our busy schedules we are all looking for a quicker way to do things. In doing so, we make fast food places richer while we spend more on our food budgets. These tips are aimed at getting you back on schedule with doing your own 30 minute or less meals. The secret is in the planning and organizing. Using these simple tips you too, can get your food from the stove to the table in under 30 minutes and still have a smile on your face.

[1] Choose the right menu. You will not be able to bake a chicken or make a beef roast but you can do wings, legs, tenders, steaks and several other meat cuts. Keep your protein pieces to personal or bite size.

[2] Line up all the utensils, spices, pots, skillets and hand tools you are going to use before getting your food from your refrigerator and cabinets.

[3] When cooking, try to use oven to table cookware to save time on transferring the food, not to mention the time spent washing pots and pans.

[4] The same food sizing you are using for your protein, works just as well for your vegetables. If you are serving broccoli, squash or any other large vegetable, don’t try cooking it whole, cut it up into bite size pieces.

[5] Precise measurements are not necessary in most cooking. So if the recipe calls for 18 oz’s of tomatoes and you only have 12, go with it. You can make up the difference with another vegetable or leave it out altogether. Baking is the one place you will need to be exact in your measurements. A meatloaf will forgive you but a cake will not.

[6] Do not take the time to clean as you go. If a piece of lettuce drops to the floor, leave it. True, it might get a little messy but you can sweep it up while you are doing the dishes after dinner.

[7] Let others help you. Children can set the table. Husbands can fill the glasses with ice or milk. Give everyone a job.

[8] Do some of the work the night before or in the morning. You can chop onions, peppers or make hamburger patties before leaving for the day. Don’t forget to store the food in a proper place.

With a little thought, planning and time management, most of us can get a good hot meal on the table for our families in 30 minutes or less.