Life is hectic and the last thing you want to do after a long day's work is slave over a hot stove. That's time that can be far better spent on homework, housework or even gym work. It is possible to enjoy a healthy, home-cooked meal without spending all evening in the kitchen. There is a time-saving technique that will minimize your meal prep time during the week. It's called cooking in bulk. We're talking about doing a week's worth of cooking - all in one day. Designate Saturday or Sunday as your cooking day. Expect to be in the kitchen from six to eight hours. If you're feeling super-motivated, you can even work on batches of food for up to a month. From chili to chicken enchiladas to beef stew, the possibilities are endless. The first step is to formulate a menu of the dishes you'll be making. Try to do dishes that incorporate a lot of the same ingredients. Write up a calendar for which meal you'll serve on a specific day. Also, keep grocery store ads handy so you can see which types of meats are on sale. Consider hitting warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's to save additionally by buying in bulk. The goal is to get the most bang for your buck.