Doing some prep work when you get home from the grocery store will save you time and make getting your meals on the table throughout the week a lot easier. These tips will help you get your meals on the table in a flash:

• Wash and chop vegetables when you get home from the store. If your veggies are in the fridge and ready to use, you’ll be more likely to use them. Proper storage will also keep them fresher for a longer period of time. Different vegetables have different storage needs. Here is a link to a storage chart that you can print out and keep in the kitchen: http://www.midamericaparts.com/faqrefrigans1.htm

• As you are sorting out your groceries, you may want to prepare meal kits. You can find large, inexpensive plastic containers at the grocery store. You simply keep all your ingredients in these storage containers. When it is time to make dinner, just grab your meal kit and you are ready to get cooking.

• For example, to prepare a chicken soup meal kit, fill your large plastic container with a box of chicken broth, a smaller plastic container or Ziploc bag of veggies, and another Ziploc bag with your pre-measured amount of rice or pasta (to make things even speedier, cook the rice and pasta ahead of time, but only do this a day ahead of time. Otherwise, the rice or pasta could get dried out). Store everything in the fridge until ready to use. This is also very helpful if you have teenagers who will be getting the meal started while you are on your way home from work.

• Buy a rotisserie chicken from the deli and cut it up into portions when you get home. This will allow you to make several meals from one chicken. For instance, if you are going to want a portion of it thinly sliced for fajitas and another portion cubed for a casserole and yet another portion shredded for chicken salad, do this as soon as possible. If you wait, you may get busy with other things and forget. The next day you may be in too much of a rush to do it, and instead of using the chicken as planned, you end up picking dinner up at the drive through (which defeats the whole purpose of meal planning).

Remember, the more work you can get ahead of time, the easier it will be to throw a few things together when you need a speedy dinner during the week.

Meal planning can save you a lot of time throughout the week, as well as money. If you are not used to sitting down at the beginning of the week and planning your meals, it can almost become a frustrating process. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Ask For Suggestions: Simply figuring out what to make for dinner can be harder than the cooking and cleaning up. It isn’t easy trying to think of something that everyone will like, and that you haven’t already ate three times in the last month. If you run out of ideas for what to cook, ask your family for suggestions.

• Watch Cooking Shows: Watching the shows on the Food Network can be a great way to learn new cooking methods and techniques, inspire ideas for new recipes, and can simply be quite relaxing. If you haven’t already got a favorite cooking program or “TV chef,” tune in and see what new tips you can learn.

• Experiment And Have Fun: Preparing your family’s meals doesn’t have to be a chore; it can actually be quite fun. As you plan your meals, experiment with new foods, flavors, and textures. If you normally have sandwiches for lunch, try wraps instead. If your family’s routine was stuck in a rut of hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza and spaghetti, break out of that routine in a big way and try Pasta Primavera or a Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry. You’ll never know what your family will and will not like until you try it.

• Get Everyone Involved: One of the best benefits to meal planning is that you will have more family time. Studies show that families who eat meals together are happier and more connected. Get your family involved in the process, whether it is helping you cross items off the list at the grocery store, chopping vegetables, setting the table or washing the dishes. Everyone should be doing their part!

• Have Theme Nights: Since you are planning your meals and know what you will be having for dinner from one day to the next, you can get creative and have “Theme Nights”. If you are going to have a Chinese-inspired entrée, create a fun environment by setting out chopsticks and hanging paper lanterns. Having a Mexican dinner? You can find a piñata at a party supply store and fill it with a few small treats and let your kids have fun whacking it open.

It may take a few weeks, but sooner or later you will get into a rhythm of meal planning. You will find ways to add your family’s personality into the process, and that can add up to a lot of fun, family dinners.