Feeding Our Family Under a Time Crunch: Part Two
In Part One of this series, we shared how having a strategy helps us stay on track with grocery shopping, meal prep, and fueling our family without letting food become another source of chaos.
Now, let’s talk about execution. Because as we’ve learned, ease is the greatest virtue in execution.
We’re both full-time working parents, and like we said in our blog on life’s biggest surprises, “time wealth” is in short supply. We don’t want to spend every evening in the kitchen while our kids are waiting for us to play. And since childhood is so fleeting (credit to Sahil Bloom for reminding us that our kids will only be this little once), we’re always looking for ways to simplify.
Here are some of the practical things that work for us.
Make Fruits and Veggies Simple (and Last Longer)
Yes, we love shopping at the farmers’ market, but we’ve also learned to keep backups handy:
A pre-cut veggie tray from the supermarket or Steamfresh organic veggies in the freezer
Frozen edamame (a protein-packed lifesaver)
A paper towel in a container of berries or veggies to absorb moisture and keep them fresh
Wrapping banana stems with saran wrap to slow ripening
Little hacks like these buy us extra days before food spoils, and they make weeknight meals far less stressful.
Say “Yes” to Sharing
Here’s one that surprised Dan: when our kids offer us food off their plates, we say “yes” - even if it’s something we don’t want.
Why? Because kids mimic what they see. If we’re open to trying new things, they’re more willing to try, too. It’s a subtle way to nudge them toward vegetables and healthy proteins without a power struggle.
As we learned in our blog on keeping organized, sometimes small habits make the biggest difference.
Sweets Aren’t the Enemy — But They’re Selective
We don’t want desserts to become a forbidden fruit. Instead, we stock the house with healthier treats, like:
No corn syrup, no food dyes - and our older son, Brooks, thinks they’re the best. It’s a win-win.
Let Them “Help”
Okay, we don’t really expect our 13-month-old to unload the dishwasher. (Yet.) But letting our kids “help” us in the kitchen has been huge. They feel included, and it turns meal prep into family time instead of another tug-of-war for attention.
Why It Works
These small, simple choices save us time, reduce food waste, and take the fight out of mealtimes. More importantly, they give us more energy and more time back, which means more moments to enjoy our boys while they’re still little.
Just like with traveling as a family, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s finding systems that make room for joy.
Your Turn
That’s our two-part series on how we fuel our family while juggling careers, parenting, fitness, and life.
But we know every family finds their own rhythm.
What works for your family? How do you keep healthy eating doable and fun?
Want to catch up on Part One? Read it here
Looking for more? Check out Keeping Organized with Young Kids and Busy Jobs and The Biggest Surprise As We Became Parents.
Because whether it’s food, travel, or organization, the Modern Parent Juggle is all about building strategies that help us show up for our kids, our work, and ourselves.