Why Healthy Habits Begin Before You Cook
When people try to build healthier eating habits, they often focus on motivation and willpower. What is usually overlooked is planning. Preparation, done in advance, removes daily decision fatigue and makes good choices easier to maintain. Having essential ingredients ready to go can be the difference between cooking at home and reaching for convenience food.
Shopping Seasonally to Save and Simplify
Healthy eating does not have to be expensive. One of the simplest ways to reduce food costs is to shop seasonally. When produce is abundant, it is fresher, cheaper, and more flavorful. Tomatoes, for example, are ideal for batch cooking when they are in season, making them perfect for a versatile base that can be used across multiple meals.
Building a Tomato Base from Scratch
A reliable tomato base starts with fresh tomatoes that are skinned, peeled, and seeded. A simple blanching process loosens the skins, making preparation easier. Once peeled, the tomatoes are strained to remove seeds, resulting in a smooth sauce. This hands-on step is tactile and accessible, even enjoyable, especially when shared in the kitchen with others.
Ingredients
Fresh tomatoes
Onion
Garlic
Olive oil
Mixed dried herbs (or fresh herbs if available)
Salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Optional, depending on availability:
Fresh basil
Parsley
Coriander
Chillies
Letting Time Do the Work
Once combined, the sauce simmers slowly for up to an hour. This extended cooking time allows flavors to fully integrate, creating depth without complexity. The result is a concentrated base that works across many dishes, reducing the need to start from scratch each time a meal is prepared.
Freezing for Everyday Ease
After cooling, the sauce is portioned into ice cube trays and frozen. Once solid, the cubes are transferred to reusable freezer bags, where they keep for months. This small act of preparation turns a homemade sauce into a pantry staple. On busy days, a few cubes can transform a simple meal in minutes, removing stress from the question of what to cook.
