Too Hot To Cook?

Too hot to cook?

Summer in South Louisiana means sunshine and humidity - and the last thing we want is to crank up the oven every night.

If mealtime feels like a chore (or a sweat session), it might be time to adjust your approach for the season.

Here are 3 easy ways to lighten the load and still feed your people well.

1. Create "No Cook" or "Low Heat" Go To Lists 

Skip the stove and stick to simple, satisfying options:

•  wraps
• salads
• sandwiches
• sheet pan dinners (batch cook once, eat multiple times)
• crockpot meals

Pro Tip: Write out 5–7 of your favorite low-effort/low-heat meals and keep the list somewhere visible. When life gets hot (literally), you’ll have a bank of ideas for quick and cool dinner prep.

2. Use Theme Nights to Cut Down on Decision Fatigue 

Even when routines shift in summer, a loose weekly meal rhythm can keep planning simple.

• Monday - Salad Night
• Tuesday - Taco Night
• Wednesday - Leftovers or Picnic
• Thursday - Sheet Pan or Slow Cooker
• Friday - Takeout or Grill

This helps everyone know what to expect and makes planning way easier.

3. Prep Just Enough - Not Everything

Summer doesn’t have to mean a full meal prep marathon. Try prepping ingredients instead of entire meals.

• Chop veggies and fruits once a week

• Grill chicken or boil eggs in batches

• Portion snacks ahead of time

A little prep = a lot less scrambling later.