Carmen shared a few tips from Kate Battistelli (Francesca Battistelli's mom!) on making your holiday meal prep time stress-free! 

Here are my 8 TIPS for making holiday meal prep stress-free!

1. Stock up on pantry essentials now, before it gets crazy. Look for sales of the holiday items and pantry foods you love and, buy now.
2. Purchase veggies that are pre-washed and cut. You’ll save tons of time! Make sure to check the expiration date.
3. Consider prepping, cooking and freezing some of your favorite recipes before the holidays.
4. Use your slow cooker. You can use less fancy cuts of meat and the crockpot will make them nice and tender.
5. I don’t have one (yet) but I know folks love their Instapots and I’m told they make cooking a breeze! Consider investing in one.
6. Buy in bulk whenever you can. I love shopping at Costco or Sam’s and the deals are amazing. Now you can double or triple cook your favorites and have plenty to freeze!
7. Your freezer is your friend so fill it up now to make meal prep a breeze when schedules start to get crazy.
8. Make lists. I have lists for everything because I’ve learned if it’s not on my list it won’t get done. They help, I promise!