Meal Prep Tips For  Busy Parents

Prep your daily family meals with these Easy Meal Prep Ideas to get you through the week. It’s meal planning made easy! If you haven’t tried it, here’s why you should:

The Benefits:

• Healthier Option than grabbing fast food especially on busy days
• Fuss-free meals cooked super fast – Grab, Heat, and Go!
• Well-portioned meals = less food waste

Image Credits: Green Healthy Cooking 

How To Meal Prep?

Create a menu with meals that everyone in the family loves. Use a meal planner notepad to write down the meals you have planned each day and have a list of your easy meal prep recipes ready. Check your family’s schedule to know which days you only need to prep for. Take note of days when you’ll all be out, so there’ll be no need to have meals prepped. 

What’s Next?

Now that you have a menu plan ready, it’s time to check your kitchen and pantry for your ingredients. Create a shopping list to note all the things you need to buy for the upcoming week, or if you’re feeling extra organised, get the whole month’s supplies sorted out. This all depends on your schedule and budget, of course! When you’re done with your list, go for your groceries and market run! 

Prep Up!

Set aside half the day for prepping. Post your menu plan on your fridge and use it as a guide to see which ones you’ll need to prep first. Personalise your own pantry labels and have your containers ready and labelled. 

An organised kitchen or prep table helps to quickly grab anything you need like spices and herbs, condiments, etc. Then let the cooking fest begin. Once done, make sure everything is cooled down before you cover all containers.

Image Credits: Womans Day

Store and Label!

Choose the best reusable and freezable containers then use dry erase labels, so you can properly label each meal. Remember to put the date and if it’s cooked or just frozen. Add a name to the meal pack if it’s for someone in the family with a special diet or allergies. Store in chiller or freezer. 

Image Credits L-R: Bright Kids Labels Dry Erase Labels, Walking on Sunshine Recipes

Easy Meal Prep Recipes

Check out more meal prep recipes below:

Freezable Friendly Meals

On The Go Meals

Weekly Meal Prep 

Meal Preps Made Easy

Image Credits: All Womans Talk

Want To Share Your Meal Prepping Tips?

Share them with us! Post and tag us on Facebook and Instagram. Who knows? We might just feature your amazing tips and hacks on our blog!

Looking For Easy Meal Recipes For Your Kids?

Check out our Picnic Food Ideas and Easy Camping Meals. You can also teach your kids some Easy Cooking Recipes. We’ve also got Healthy No-Cook Meals for kids you can easily whip up in an instant!

Organising Your Kitchen For Easy Meal Prepping?

Prep and plan all your meals for the family with our dry-erase shopping list and meal planner notepads! We’ve also got our dry-erase labels and markers perfect for all containers! The best part? These are all made for you in Australia and shipped super fast! You’re going to love them!

The post Easy Meal Prep Ideas And Meal Planning Made Easy appeared first on Bright Star Kids.

Potato Recipes: 10 Quick and Easy Potato Recipes You Can Make At Home

Love potatoes? We’ve got super easy-to-make potato recipes you can whip up at home anytime. Perfect for any occasion!

1. Easy Homemade Potato Gnocchi

A Gnocchi Recipe is an easy recipe to make to satisfy those potato cravings!

2. Twice Baked Potatoes

Indulge yourself in this Baked Potato Recipe that’s sure to complete your day.

3. Smoked Chive Blossom Potato Salad

Bring this Potato Salad Recipe into your menu for your next family gathering! It’ll be a sure hit. Something familiar but with just a little twist. 

4. Oven Roasted Potatoes

Simple Roasted Potatoes Recipe is something that you can easily cook anytime and is perfect with any of your meat dishes!

5. Yukon Gold & Sweet Potato Au Gratin

How about a Potato Gratin Recipe for filling your tummy with heavenly potato goodness? 

6. Leek & Potato Soup Recipe

Make this Leek and Potato Soup Recipe a staple dish when you are looking for something light and creamy potato taste.

7. Baked Sweet Potato Chips

Make a healthy version of chips with this Sweet Potato Chips Recipe! Best eaten fresh to enjoy the potato crispiness in your mouth!

8. Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Good ol’ classic Mashed Potato Recipe is always our potato winner! Pair with good steak and wine! An easy yummy meal is complete! 

9. Potato Fritters Recipe

We bet this Potato Fritters Recipe will be an instant hit with the kids! Easy potato snack you can make at home and even for their school snack! 

10. Chorizo-Queso Potato Skins

Potato sides all day? Why not?! When you’ve got these sinfully yummy Potato Skins Recipes that call for a party at home.

Looking for More Easy Meal Ideas?

Here are Family Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes for you to enjoy on long weekends and holidays! Wrap up your meals with Fun Christmas Food Ideas for the whole family to enjoy! 

Preparing For Your Meals?

An organised kitchen starts with a great plan for your meals. Get a meal planner and shopping list prepared before your next trip to the grocery. We’ve also got a chalkboard panel where you can easily jot down what you need to buy or write down a quick recipe to make the next day!

The post Potato Recipes: 10 Quick and Easy Potato Recipes appeared first on Bright Star Kids.

Looking for sausage recipes to try this weekend? Whether it’s for a simple supper with the kids or a fancy dinner date at home with the better half, here are 10 fuss-free sausage recipes to get you started. Give any of these a spin and let us know how it turned out. 

1. Curried Sausages

Image Credits: https://www.kidspot.com.au/

This Curried Sausages Recipe will seriously bring back fond childhood memories of fun family meals you had growing up. Coated with a rich curry sauce that easily hides vegetables you can easily sneak into hungry little mouths, this dish will surely be your new Sunday lunch favourite. 

2. Sausage Rolls

Image Credits: https://www.bbc.co.uk/

Who wouldn’t want savoury sausages stuffed in pillowy puff pastries? I don’t know about you, but I would never be able to resist these sinful Sausage Rolls. This recipe is so easy to follow, you can practically make them every day.

3. Devilled Sausages

Aren’t one-pan dinners just divine? This Devilled Sausages Recipe is jampacked with flavour, showcasing a rich, spicy tomato sauce that will be a sure hit with chilli lovers. The fact that this dish involves minimal dishwashing is a major plus point, too! 

4. Christmas Pigs In Blankets

It’s almost that time of the year again! These Pigs In Blankets are perfect snacks to have ready for the little and not-so-little ones. Be sure to save some for Santa or you’ll be on his Naughty List. 

5. Sausage Casserole

Who says healthy can’t be delicious? This Sausage Casserole, featuring sausages you can pick up from your nearest deli, is so easy to whip up, especially if you’re looking for a fast but nutritious meal for the family. 

6. Spicy Sausage Pasta

Dreaming of idyllic Sunday lunches in sunny Tuscany? Let this Sausage Pasta Recipe take you there! You just need a couple of your best Italian links, chopped tomatoes, a dash of your favourite Italian seasonings, and some whole wheat fusilli. Don’t forget to pop open a bottle of Sangiovese to complete this Italian-inspired meal. 

7. Italian Sausage and Kale Soup

It’s almost winter and there’s nothing better than having a hearty bowl of Sausage Stew to warm up the soul. There are lots of sausage recipes out there, but only a few call for healthy ingredients, like the hugely popular Kale that can effortlessly take this dish from zero to hero. 

8. Barbecued Sausage Rolls With Caramelized Onions

Planning a Game Day Sunday for the boys? Forget them steaks and try out this Sausage Sandwich Recipe instead. One stuffed roll is more than sufficient, but have a few dozen ready just in case the boys are extra famished–which they often are. 

9. Sausage And Mash

Proteins and fats. Check. Carbohydrates. Check. Potassium-rich vegetables. Check. This quick and easy Sausage and Mash isn’t only super delish, but also gives you and the fam-bam a well-balanced meal you will all enjoy. 

10. Grilled Sausages

Have no time to prep up a fancy meal? How about giving this no-fuss Grilled Sausages Recipe a spin. Toss a few summer vegetables you have in the fridge and pop them onto the grill together with your prized sausages. In no time at all, you’ll have a grilled dish you’ll be proud to bring with you to any family potluck. 

Want More Easy Recipes To Make At Home?

If you want some easy recipes for desserts and snacks, check out our blog for Mug Cake Recipes and Fun Healthy Snacks. These come in handy for busy days and can even be made for teacher gifts or holiday goodies! 

Looking for the Perfect Labels To Organise Your Kitchen?

If you’re planning to try all 10 recipes, an organised kitchen is a must! We’ve got meal planner notepads and dry erase shopping lists to get your kitchen and pantry essentials sorted. They’re all made in Australia and shipped super fast. You’re going to love them!

The post Sausage Recipes: 10 Easy Sausage Recipes appeared first on Bright Star Kids.

Easy Camping Meals That Everyone Will Enjoy

Going on a camping trip is a super fun summer activity. A lot of planning and packing is involved so when it comes to meals, you want Easy Camping Meals that you can prep, grill, eat and enjoy! Here’s a list of amazingly yummy recipes that you can cook in one pot, skillet or tin foil! These are all fun meals that everyone will love. Plus you can make them for any of your picnics or even just for some bbq backyard party!

1. Blueberry Banana Pancakes

Great mornings start with a good breakfast. Making pancakes is one of the camping meal ideas you can have for an easy and yummy breakfast. Just like the ones made at home!

2. Raspberry Dark Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats

Make ahead camping meals for breakfast are perfect to jumpstart your day at camp! This overnight oats recipe is light, healthy, and yummy! Wash and clean to reuse them for your other easy-to-make meals like salad or pasta. 

3. Lumberjack Breakfast

Get ready for the day with a big breakfast. Starting with good camping meals like this waffles packed with sausages, cheese, potatoes, and peppers. It’s the perfect waffle sandwich! 

4. Campfire Pizza

Pizza is always a good idea! Have it for one of your DIY camping meals. All you need is a flat pan over a grill or any fire. Easy-to-make, easy-to-eat meal that won’t leave you with a lot of mess to clean up after! 

5. Ham and Cheese Pudgy Pie

Sandwiches are our best friends when we want premade meals for a camping trip. They’re super easy to prepare and all you need is to heat or toast when you’re ready to eat them. 

6. Southern Skillet Pimento Macaroni and Cheese 

If you’re looking for one pot camping meals, this mac and cheese skillet recipe is a classic one that you can make as one of your camping trips. Everybody loves a good mac and cheese.

7. Walking Tacos

A classic camping favourite, walking tacos, is one of the best camping meals. Just pop open a bag of tortilla chips, pour over the dressing, some salsa and all your toppings and you’ve got instant tacos! Use a spoon or fork to enjoy!

8. BBQ Chicken Foil Packs

One of the best camping meal ideas is this BBQ Chicken cooked in tin foil over the grill. No need to transfer it to a plate so you can just enjoy a meal without having to think about cleaning up. Just make sure you have trash bags for proper disposal. 

9. Bacon Ranch Grilled Potatoes

This potato recipe is one of the camping friendly meals you can have. It’s great to pair with BBQ! Or top with loads of bacon and it’s sure to hit the spot! 

10. Grilled Corn on A Cob

When you’re looking for some easy camping snacks and meals, a good old classic grill recipe is buttered corn on a cob! Easy, yummy snack grilled to perfection that everyone will love!

11. Smoked Sausage and Potatoes

Sausage and potatoes are always top of mind for good meals for camping trips. It’s easy to prep, pack and cook. A complete meal that everyone will love! 

12. Grilled Vegetables and Brat Kabobs

Grilling is the easiest way to cook when you are out camping. This super simple recipe is one of those BBQ ideas for camping that you can prepare and pack ahead on sticks so all you need to do is fire up the grill. 

13. Grilled Maple Butter Apricot with Vanilla Ice Cream

Even when you’re out camping, you can enjoy sweet treats other than smores! Here’s a simple yet delectable camping dessert to cap off your camping meals. 

Can’t Get Enough of These Easy Camping Meals?

You’ll love our Picnic Food Ideas that you can take to camp for your kids. We’ve also got some Smores Recipe Ideas that everyone will absolutely go crazy for!

Planning and Packing For Your Camping Menu?

We’ve got a shopping list you can personalise so you can plan and prepare your meals when you do your grocery run. Use our dry erase labels when you pre-pack some meals or even some of your ingredients into small containers. These are perfect for the outdoors because they’re waterproof! The best part? These are made in Australia and shipped super fast! You’re going to love them! 

The post Easy Camping Meals: Kid-Friendly Recipes appeared first on Bright Star Kids.

Mini Strawberry Yoghurt Cupcakes Recipe

Check out this super simple mini cupcake recipe from Maree Mortimer:

Now that my two children have started kindergarten (first year of schooling in Queensland) this year, I am entering the world of parent-organised fundraising to help purchase resources. With a cake stall coming up soon I am going to get my daughters, Bear and Bee, to help make a version of their favourite cupcakes. These Strawberry Yoghurt Cupcakes are moist and delicious and their mini versions are sure to be a hot seller.

Mini Strawberry Yoghurt Cupcakes – Makes 30

Cupcakes Ingredients

• 50 grams unsalted butter, softened
• 1/3 cup (90g) caster sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup low-fat strawberry yoghurt
• 1 ¼ cups self-raising flour
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder

Icing Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups icing sugar or icing mixture (which is icing sugar with cornflour added to prevent lumps)
• 10 grams unsalted butter
• 1 ½ tablespoons of boiling water
• A few drops of food colouring

How to Make the Cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 180^oC and line 2 mini muffin trays with mini cupcake liners.

2. Beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until creamy and pale in colour.

3. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined.

4. Mix in the yoghurt.

5. Sift the flour and baking powder and gently fold them into the cake ingredients. Don’t use the electric mixer for this step as the cupcakes can become tough.

6. Spoon the mixture into the cupcake liners. Fill to about two-thirds full.

7. Bake for 15 minutes or until they spring back when lightly touched in the centre.

8.  Cool on a wire rack.

Icing Instructions

1. Stir icing sugar, butter, and boiling water in a small bowl until smooth.

2. Add in the food colouring and mix well.

3. Use a spatula to spread the icing onto the cooled cupcakes.

To package the mini cupcakes for a cake stall, place 8 cupcakes onto a small foam tray or foil-covered piece of thick cardboard. Wrap with plastic wrap or place inside a clear cellophane bag or use clear takeaway containers to hold the cupcakes. Don’t forget to add a label printed with the price, the name of the item, and a simple list of ingredients. This will help customers with allergies avoid any trigger foods.
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My name is Maree Mortimer and I am a stay-at-home mum to twin girls.  I share our cooking adventures on my blog threefootcooks. Threefootcooks is a blog about cooking with young children. On it, you will also find information on how to go about cooking with your child, as well as inspiration for what to cook.

http://threefootcooks.blogspot.com.au/

Got Your Own Mini Cupcake Recipe To Share?

Post and tag us with your easy and yummy cupcake recipes. Don’t forget to tag us on Facebook and Instagram. We might just feature them here on our blog!

Want to Make Personalised Cupcake Gift Labels?

If you’re making a bunch of cupcakes as gifts or giveaways, you’ll love our personalised gift labels or monogram labels you can put on small boxes for your mini cupcakes and other yummy little treats and goodies! The best part? These are all made for you in Australia and shipped super fast! You’re going to love them!

The post Simple Mini Cupcake Recipe You Can Make With Your Kids appeared first on Bright Star Kids.