Life is hectic but meal planning can be simple. You’ll be knocking out that dreaded chore like a boss and maybe even get a little excited about it. As part of ‘Life Hack’ series, we’ve included recipe favorites and tips.
STEP ONE- CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE
Before you even get started, change the way you view meal planning. Honestly, I used to dread trying to figure out what to feed my family and because of that, it meant making constant trips to the grocery store throughout the week. I used to think “why do these kids have to eat every single day?”…ha! Now I view meal planning like it’s simple. I sit down at the table and treat it like it’s something to celebrate which means I make a tasty little snack or pour a glass of wine and get down to business. Maybe it’s trite, but when I realize how blessed I am that to GET to prepare meals for my family, I don’t dread the whole act like I used to.
STEP TWO- WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER – USING APPS, A BINDER & A LIST
Love it or hate it, technology is our friend. Utilizing apps like Big Oven or Relish will allow you to pull all your favorite recipes and generate a grocery list. Take a few minutes and make a list of two week’s worth of go-to meals your family digs. A recipe binder like this one makes the whole process a little more fun. For the recipes available online, add them to your preferred app. Meal planning made simple is as easy as tapping the recipe, adding it to your grocery list and then swipe off the items you already have. The app automatically sections off the items (dairy, produce etc.) and allows you to add items to your list. Kids in tow? Give them your phone to swipe off items that go in the cart! Recipes not available online can be added to the app for future use. It takes a little time but worth the investment!
Can’t decide on meals? Open your notebook or spread out your favorite cookbooks and let each member of your family pick a favorite so if there’s grumbling at the table, you can remind the grumbler they’ll get their night soon enough. If you don’t want to give them that much freedom, mark the available options with post-it notes.
Jot down the week’s meals on your calendar or a notepad to have on hand and if you’re constantly being asked “mom, what’s for dinner tonight?”. Point them to the list!
Choose recipes that work best with your schedule. Planning a big elaborate meal might seem like a good idea on Sunday and then Wednesday rolls around and you’re the life-sized eye-roll emoji saying “what was I thinking??”. Slow cooker recipes are always a good idea! Check out some of our favorite slow cooker recipes here.
A favorite resource for easy and tasty recipes is The Chic Site. Rachel Hollis’ cookbook Real Life Dinners is jam packed with delicious recipes. Though super tasty, they’re not the most healthy. These recipes are a little healthier and still options the whole family will/should love!
CHOOSE A DAY
Meal planning made simple is about consistency, good ol’ boring consistency. Choose the best day that works for the season of life you’re in and your schedule and this will reinforce your routine. Saturdays or Sundays might be best with your work schedule or if you work from home, maybe you designate Monday as your day to knock out your list. Being consistent will keep you disciplined and it will become part of your routine. My hubby and I try to grocery shop together on Sunday. He’s pretty handy to have a around for those “how much salmon do you think we’ll all eat on Tuesday?” questions. Or maybe bring a kiddo along with you to spend some quality one on one time. OR if you can go by yourself, buy a treat from Starbucks and it’s like a date with yourself. That’s a real thing! Remember, it’s all about perspective.
P.S. – HAVE A PLAN B
For those days when nothing is going right and you need a solid Plan B, keep a frozen stash on hand. Trader Joe’s has an excellent assortment of frozen meals that take less than twenty minutes from freezer to table. Or what about breakfast for dinner, it is the most important meal of the day so who cares if you have it twice in one day. And when all else fails there’s always Uber Eats! ;)