Last week I listened to Dr. James Dobson interview author Emilie Barnes on the Focus on the Family radio show.  Emilie Barnes has written many books on organizing your home and life.  I had a light bulb moment when she started talking about making meal prep easier.  She suggested that when you get home from the grocery store have your children help unload the car, put away the groceries, and even clean the produce.  She offered a wonderful idea for prepping lettuce for salads.  Wash the lettuce and cut it up into pieces and store it in plastic zippered bags in the fridge.  That way when it’s time for supper, the KIDS can grab a handful of lettuce and put it in a bowl for their salad.  I have been chopping it up before every meal!  What a waste of time.  It’s just like the bagged salads from the grocery store, only less expensive and it lasts longer.  Mrs. Barnes also strongly suggested planning out your meals a week or even a month at a time.  I know that Teal does this, but I need to start doing it also.  She suggested sitting down with your family and asking them what they would like to eat.  Have one child write the menu on the calendar the other child can start making the grocery list.  She also said have your kids cut out the coupons.  They love to use scissors!  Mrs. Barnes said that 70% of our stress at home is caused by disorganization!  I think I’m going to look for her book, “500 Time Saving Hints for Every Woman”, at the bookstore this week.