You may have noticed that I love eggs. I think many many people love eggs too. But not everyone knows how to make eggs that are just perfect.

I’ve practiced a lot over the years and I want to share how to make the perfect versions of my favorite ways to eat eggs.

In our next addition of How-To Tuesday, Molly and I are adding video tips to The Dinner Dance.

Here’s how to make soft boiled eggs. All you need is to add a slice of toast and life is good.

Molly, my friend and collaborator for The Dinner Dance series, adds a few tips at how to be able to mom better. Her answer? Read her tips below.

Cutting Corners

“I don’t know how you do it?” This proverbial question is commonplace amongst mommies. The mom with one child says it in awe to the mom of multiples. The stay-at-home mom says it to the working mom and vice versa. The mother of girls says it in amazement to the mom of boys. You get the idea. The “it” has yet to be defined. I can, however, offer some insight into the “how.” The “how” is by cutting corners, plain and simple. Call it efficient or even lazy – but cutting corners is the key to successful mothering.

There’s no better place to take short cuts than in the kitchen. Although I’m not (yet) proficient in the kitchen, I’ve cooked enough to acquire tips on simplifying. Here are five quick and easy ways to streamline your mealtime preparation and cooking.

1. The Magic of Mirepoix

Martha Stewart lauds, “Mirepoix is a combination of aromatic vegetables that gives a subtle background flavor to dishes such as soups, stews, and braises.” Available at every grocery store, pre-diced mirepoix lends a fresh and healthy addition to many meals.

2. “Involving” your Kids

Since starting “The Dinner Dance” series, everyone offers their cooking advice and tips. My hairdresser (also a culinary queen) suggests “involving” the kids in a way that gets them out from under foot, whilst still feeling participatory. Her go to trick is seeking their assistance in washing. From potatoes to plastic cups – your little sous chefs can assist and allow you to cook. They’ll love washing and getting wet and are safely stationed at the sink. This activity will hopefully harness their pre-dinner fervor. My grandiose notions of cooking collaboratively with my kids are still aspirational. The reality is, at this stage in my cooking abilities, I put the T.V. on and hope it engages them until dinner. My youngest is generally unenthused by T.V., which is great for her development and not so great for the prospect of our dinner, hence the next tip.

Molly’s kids learning how to make eggs

Molly’s husband gets the kids involved in the kitchen

3. The Witching Hour Antidote

Babywearing, not limited to babies, is a lifesaver in the kitchen. Come 5 p.m. the stars align to create a horrific scene. Whether you have a wailing baby or whining kids, or both, putting a frozen pizza in the oven can seem like an easy option. However, try babywearing before succumbing to frozen food. Baby carriers soothe and contain the fussiest babies, making cooking possible. Although my youngest is almost three and I rarely wear her anymore, I grab my ergo like a life jacket on a sinking ship when she starts to fuss the moment I begin cooking. Her new view from above brings with it hilarious commentary and the occasional seasoning of drool in the pots.

4. Feed the Lions

A guaranteed way to keep your lions tame is to offer crudités or fresh fruit while they wait. If they’re truly hungry they’ll reach their daily vegetable and fruit requirements before dinner is served. Your fresh and healthy meals’ vegetables will be a bonus.

5. Creative Leftovers

Like a chameleon changing colors, last night’s dinner needs to change into something unrecognizable and still savory. Deceiving your little dinner dates is key. Cooking once and reaping two, maybe more meals is the epitome of optimization.

There you have it, a dash of cooking tips to minimize the burden that cooking brings to us less adept mom-cooks.

Molly and I are so please you are joining us for tips and recipes. We look forward to hearing your thoughts along the way! There’s power in accountability – please take photos of your meals and share them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, be sure to hashtag #thedinnerdance & #tiptuesday. We’d love to hear what works, what you’d love to learn and more!

Molly England is the founder of  Bluebonnet Babies, a virtual hub for all of your pregnancy, birth, baby, breastfeeding and parenting needs. In November 2014 she became a Bradley Method® Natural Childbirth Educator, a passion of hers since giving birth to her first daughter in 2010. She strives to find the best resources, most reliable information and healthiest products for her family, her childbirth education students and now a wider community. Bluebonnet Babies blog and website provide resources based on evidence, research, experience and love for parents making healthy and informed choices.