If you’re anything like me, the number of apps on your phone is quite a bit larger than the number of apps that you actually use on a regular basis. I mean, there’s the Norad Tracker that one gets used but once a year; all those iPhone items that can’t be deleted (I really should delve into some of those a bit more); the exercise apps for when I’m feeling inspired on the road (still waiting for that inspiration to hit); etc.
Most of my phone app time is spent in the social media and shopping realms, and there are the Hail Mary apps for when the phone needs to be a kid diversion, don’t judge.
Another way I’ve started using apps that dips a little bit into the shopping realm (Yay!) is for cooking/meal prep. With kids (and a husband), there’s always a need to satiate an appetite. We certainly have a rotation of go-to favorites, and there is a selection of ready-made items that can do in a pinch: soup & crackers, cereal, the gourmet delicacy of chicken nuggets (Air fry these or just about anything else to add more curve to those well-fed grins), etc.
I’m going to be honest though; sometimes I just can’t think. Yes, I’m sure this is a shocking mama revelation! I stare at the fridge or the freezer or the pantry, and I simply can’t fathom how to get something on the table that checks the nutritious and simple and crowd-pleaser and ingredients-on-hand boxes. I throw up my hands in defeat, select an overused go-to or fire up an app like Beyond Menu or Door Dash. While my family’s stomachs may be full, the experience can leave me (and my wallet) feeling a little empty.
Apps are all about ease and convenience, and this applies to the frazzled mama department, too. A trip to the App Store can make having a decently-stocked pantry and figuring out what to do with what’s on hand a lot easier. Bundle the go-to picks in a Meal Sanity folder, and some of the headaches of feeding the masses begin to fade. While apps don’t cook the food for you, they do wonders for the reminder and idea aspects of shopping and cooking.
Shop
Everyone has their go-to grocery store. Maybe it’s Kroger, Aldi, Meijer, Whole Foods, or some other regional favorite; if apps exist for your favorites, download them now! These are typically free (Mama bonus!), and they can do wonders for helping you keep track of your everyday items/lists, sales/coupons, and even delivery/pickup options. They are awesome, they will keep your pantry well-stocked with the essentials, and they can even help you pinpoint the location of items in the store while you’re shopping. Trust me, I’ve used that locator A LOT!
Meal Ideas
Grocery assistance is fantastic, but sometimes the bigger conundrum comes from what to make with what’s on hand or what to add to the list for some new favorites. This is where cooking/meal idea apps are hugely beneficial.
Here are 3 that can be downloaded for free:
Allrecipes Dinner Spinner – It seems like whenever I Google a recipe idea, my go-to favorites mostly come from Allrecipes.com. The app does not disappoint! Recipes can be searched based on numerous factors: what to include, what not to include, prep time, etc. It’s also easy to save favorites, put together shopping lists, watch cooking videos, share with friends, and more! There are lots of options with the free download, and a couple of additional specialty options are available for a low price.
BigOven Recipes & Meal Planner – Users can clip and load recipes from different sites to a single location. BigOven becomes the recipe box of yore. One really cool feature is Use Up Leftovers. It’s always inevitable that we have some of those at our house, and this helps generate some more creative ideas to do with them than a simple reheat. Having leftovers to use for new creations becomes a goal! Lots can be done for free with this app. If it becomes a go-to solution for you, it will likely save money in the long run, so the subscription price could replace the money lost on tossed leftovers or unnecessary shopping purchases.
Epicurious – This free app has experienced an overhaul that has made it even more user-friendly. Many online recipes have you scrolling endlessly through a bunch of unnecessary banter to get to the heart of the recipe. Epicurious has a button that will immediately pull up ingredients and get you started. The Smart Kitchen Timer feature offers the standard cooking time and temps for over 40 foods that are often prepared sans recipe (e.g., pork, salmon, chicken). There are weekly content updates, and the recipes within the collection come from professional sources like Bon Appetit and Gourmet, but there are also many recipes that have been generated by home cooks.
I love to cook, and I love to be creative in the kitchen. Sometimes, I need a little inspiration, though. Downloading a free app is a great way to get those creative juices flowing. No more cumbersome cookbooks or scattered recipes to gather and peruse. I can meal plan while I’m waiting for practice to end or while I’m taking a quick work break or while I’m sitting in a waiting room.
Shopping apps help my kitchen stay well-stocked, and cooking apps help me figure out what to put on the table. Ease and convenience help me ensure my family is content with nutritionally-filled bellies, and that is more than worth the time it takes to download a few apps.
