Raines Realm

Have you ever had that moment where you just finished cooking dinner after a stressful, hectic, crazy day, and its much later than your family's normal dinner time, and as you triumphantly announce that its ready, you realize that the table has not been set? Now dinner is getting cold while everyone pitches in, grabbing the plates, saucers, flatware, glasses, napkins, and condiments. Dinner is now cold. What's the solution? Everyone knows that I am a big planner. I am a firm believer that meal planning can make life so much easier. And meal planning is crucial for this habit to work. Its best if you know what the next meal is going to be, or at least have a basic idea of what it will consist. You can find more information on meal planning and prep  here . After you clear the table following a meal, set it for the next meal. Simple right? At minimum, put out the plates, saucers, and cloth napkins. Then, if you have children they can put out the flatware and condiments whi...

With everything that has to be done to prepare for the holidays, struggling to think of what to cook shouldn't be one of them. Here's a list of 10 dinner ideas to take the guesswork out of your evenings. Easy Broccoli Quiche Garli Roasted Chicken Breasts Quinoa and Black Bean Crockpot Chili Pork Chops and Sauerkraut Potato Soup Shrimp and Grits Hamburger Steaks Chicken Enchilada Casserole Crockpot Barbeque Meatballs Quinoa Stuffed Butternut Squash Hopefully these ideas help your holidays run a little smoother! Do you have a go-to recipe for when you're stuck in a rut? Don't forget to subscribe to receive all of the relevant news when it comes to food.

Ahhh, the time of year when planning family trips, preparing for Thanksgiving di,ner, and shopping for presents make your already busy life almost unbearable. Well, the good news is that with these simple tricks, you can make meals a snap and eliminate some of the stress. 1. Plan your meals With so many things competing for your time these days, the grocery store should not be one of them. Plan your meals a week in advance so that you go to the store armed with a complete list. Try opting for simple breakfasts, such as fruit and yogurt or smoothies. Here's a quick and easy smoothie recipe: https://youtu.be/neil5RiwnRQ  Leftover dinners can make great lunches and cut your prep time in half. Think casseroles, chilis, and other one pot dishes. 2. Utilize Meal Prep Using a portion of your morning or afternoon on a day off to prepare meals ahead of time is an excellent time-saver. Make several meals in advance and freeze or refrigerate for the rest of the week. You can h...