I recently met a mom with an impressive, extensive background in the education and toy business. She had been looking for a new career opportunity that allowed her to combine her passion and skills, so she decided to launch her own brand and website.
In addition to working as a consultant, Anna Longo launched AltogetherAnna.com, an international brand focused on making the lives of busy working women easier. Through easy to-understand recipes, videos, slideshow tutorials, and helpful tips Anna shows you how to make life simpler!
AltogetherAnna.com teaches how to cook for your family in a way that guarantees fewer packaged foods in your kitchen and more healthy food choices. You will know exactly what ingredients have been used in each meal and how to save time and money by maximizing the use of your groceries.
Here are some quick, helpful tips from Anna:
- Wash fruits and vegetables when you bring them home from the grocery store or market. This cuts down on your preparation time during the week.
- Trim the less-than-perfect parts of vegetables, wash and freeze them in Ziploc bags for use later in broths, soups or stews.
- Cook vegetables that spoil quickly (such as Spinach, Rapini and Asparagus) and then reheat them during the week. Or freeze them for use at a later time.
- Cut up Watermelon, Cantaloupe, or Honeydew and store it in a Tupperware container for a quick healthy after school snack.
- Peel and cut Carrots into sticks and then place them in a Tupperware container in water. I often eat carrots as I am preparing meals so I don’t grab for an unhealthy snack.
- Cook rice in larger quantities on the weekend and then freeze rice in small containers for use during the week as a side dish. Precooked rice can also be used in soups and stews to make prep time faster.
- Use your weekends to plan meals for the rest of the week. (On weekends I like to hit the grocery stores for whatever’s on sale, and then plan meals for the week based on what I bought. Saves me so much time and money during the week when things get hectic! – Lisa)
- Crock-pot cooking can make preparation and cooking time less onerous. (I use my slow cooker several times a month. Cookbooks like the “Fix It and Forget It” series are great and you can borrow them at the library. – Lisa)
- Chili, stews, pasta sauce can all be made on the weekend and then divided up for quick meals when you are rushing after work. This eliminates the urge to stop and pick something up on the way home.
- Set a good example for the children; show them that eating at home is not only better for you, and more economical but also something to look forward to. Mom’s cooking is an expression of love and is the secret ingredient to great cooking.
For more info and tips, including how-to cooking videos, visit AltogetherAnna.com.
You can also purchase helpful products including Scrubby Soap (all natural soap with a scrubber inside), Swedish Dishcloths, Bouncy Bands (to help restless kids stay active while sitting!) and a variety of other items and gift ideas (including great gifts for Mother’s Day!).