I own also own a home-style meal deliver service. We cook once a month and deliver frozen, vacum packed meals. Here are some suggestions for the meal preparation portion of your question, which should also help with time and budgeting as well. Many recipes that fall under these guidelines can be found right at the Dollar Stretcher Web site. Invest in a slow cooker and learn how to use it.
Many recipes are easy enough to put together in the morning to have dinner ready at night.
There are many vegetarian meals that kids enjoy, and opening a can of beans or creating a big pasta salad takes a lot less time than cooking meatloaf or chicken. As an added bonus, beans are healthier and cheaper than meat. Plus you can take the time to cook and debone a chicken, rather than buy skinless boneless breasts which are more expensive. When you do have time to cook, double the recipe and freeze the rest for another meal. It only takes an extra five minutes or so to double the ingredients, and the time saved is really substantial.