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There’s never enough time in the day to do everything we want, is there?
I was mulling that thought the other day as I put dinner in the oven, and then I had an epiphany! I was checking my watch as I set the timer for dinner and I realized that I had just enough time to go for a walk while my meal was baking. What a great opportunity to multitask — by baking my meal, I could prep dinner and meet my daily step goal all at once!
Baking offers some serious hands-off cooking time, which is perfect for busy nights when you need to do a few things at once.
To make the most of this kitchen hack, I found that it was easiest to toss a piece of frozen fish or chicken into a preheated oven with a potato or sweet potato, set the timer for an hour, and then go for a walk. With that approach, I routinely got home with just enough time to prep a simple salad or steam some veggies before pulling the rest of my meal from the oven and sitting down to a healthy dinner.
If you don’t have an hour to spare at dinnertime, I have an alternative kitchen hack for you. Cook a potato or sweet potato in the microwave for 3 minutes, then toss it into the oven with some slices of fresh (not frozen) chicken or fish. Now you have time for a 15-20 minute walk before returning to a perfectly-cooked dinner.
Remember to add an extra lemon or two to the baking sheet for a flavor boost!
Safety Note: Keep an eye on the time so your dinner is not over-cooked. Never leave items on the stove or in the microwave unattended.
For more kitchen hacks, check out the links below...
- Shortcuts to More Fruits and Vegetables
- Single Skillet Meals
- Add Beans to Meals
- Baked Lemons
- Equipment Review: Silicone Oven Mitts
But wait, there’s more! There’s a whole ‘nother round of kitchen hacks available exclusively for members. Don’t miss the post Kitchen Hacks: Inspiration and Meal Perfection — it’s loaded with fantastic tips and tricks, along with a free handout!
Speaking of handouts, here’s a handout with today’s kitchen hacks, available in both printable and emailable forms for your convenience.
Oh, and don’t miss these amazing cooking resources, available now in the Nutrition Education Store!
Healthy Kitchen Poster Value Set
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Stephanie Ronco has been editing for Food and Health Communications since 2011. She graduated from Colorado College magna cum laude with distinction in Comparative Literature. She was elected a member of Phi Beta Kappa in 2008.
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