Which Homeschooler/mom/parent/adult/human being doesn't want to make life a little easier? I started meal planning in order to make life easier, and most weeks it ended up being more work then just whipping something together! I found it really hard to keep things exciting, shop, and still stay within a budget. Then I came across THE greatest thing ever. An organic produce delivery service.
Wait!
I am married to the cheapest man on the planet, and even he agreed it was about the same/less then we'd pay buying things at the grocery store, plus it's delivered, AND organic. We save so much time, it's unreal.
Wait!
I am married to the cheapest man on the planet, and even he agreed it was about the same/less then we'd pay buying things at the grocery store, plus it's delivered, AND organic. We save so much time, it's unreal.
Now that I've shared that, (which I'm not saying you need to do in order to meal plan, but I don't think I'll ever buy produce in the grocery store again I'm so happy with it - I had to spread the word!) I can get into how I actually meal plan! The first thing I had to change in my new system of meal planning, was trying to make each night exciting. I somehow got it in my head that I couldn't make the same thing twice because that would be boring. Well, that was stupid. I tell my kids not to say stupid, but really, it was stupid. There is NOTHING wrong with repeating recipes. For those of you with picky eaters, as I have, I'm sure you'll agree that repetition is best because they'll eat things they are familiar with. Why did it take me so long to figure this out?
So here's the breakdown, how I make it so simple.
Choose 3-4 different breakfast options.
Choose 8-10 snack items
Choose 5-7 different lunch options.
Choose 15-25 different dinner options.
Once you have your master list, based on your own circumstances/preferences, plan your meals accordingly.
This is where I went so wrong before... I would spend 2 hours browsing pinterest for meal ideas to try, then have to read the recipe, write out a list, save the recipe, and realistically never went back when it came time to cook. By having a master list, I know how to make everything. I know what I need. I know what my family likes! It is wonderful.
I don't use a meal planner printable, but there are hundreds of free options online if that's your thing. I have a day planner that I use to write lesson plans, meal plans, and workout schedule all in one (Here is where I give a shameless shoutout to Bikini Body Mommy for the free, fast, effective workouts that any mom can fit in.).
Now, what kind of wannabe-blogger would I be if I didn't share my list?
So here it is.
Breakfast:
Granola and yogurt
Pancakes and fruit
Eggs and toast
Muffin or quick bread and fruit (This in itself allows for many different options)
Snacks:
Smoothie - good way to use up whatever is on hand
Berries, or grapes and Nuts
Peanut butter yogurt fruit dip with sliced fruit - apples, banana, etc.
Homemade granola bars
Energy balls
sugar-free Dried fruit
Raw veggies with dip
Cheese and crackers
Lunch:
Grilled Cheese with cucumber
Salad with egg and cheese
Turkey spinach meatballs/burger patty and sweet potato fries
Chicken nuggets and fries with veg of choice
Ham sandwiches or wraps
Mary's crackers with PB&J, raw veggies
Dinner:
Curry chicken stir fry with brown rice
Chicken bok choy (Or other green) one-pot pasta
Summer vegetable pasta salad with pork chops
Fried rice (with whatever ground meat we have on hand)
Crock pot Roast beef with potatoes, onions and carrots
Pulled pork with coleslaw and homemade biscuits
Burrito bowls
Chili
Crock Pot chicken pot pie stew
Chicken drumsticks, corn on the cob, and salad
Creamy chicken pasta with bacon and broccoli
One pot Mexican Quinoa
Baked chicken with Mashed potatoes and steamed veg or salad
Chicken Parmesan with whole wheat pasta and veg loaded sauce
Beef and Broccoli stir fry with brown rice
Sweet and Sour Pork with mixed vegetables
Turkey burgers and zucchini fries
Sausage Pepper Mushroom hash
Mushroom Risotto with chicken breast
Ham and bell pepper cauliflower "alfredo" pasta
So here's the breakdown, how I make it so simple.
Choose 3-4 different breakfast options.
Choose 8-10 snack items
Choose 5-7 different lunch options.
Choose 15-25 different dinner options.
Once you have your master list, based on your own circumstances/preferences, plan your meals accordingly.
This is where I went so wrong before... I would spend 2 hours browsing pinterest for meal ideas to try, then have to read the recipe, write out a list, save the recipe, and realistically never went back when it came time to cook. By having a master list, I know how to make everything. I know what I need. I know what my family likes! It is wonderful.
I don't use a meal planner printable, but there are hundreds of free options online if that's your thing. I have a day planner that I use to write lesson plans, meal plans, and workout schedule all in one (Here is where I give a shameless shoutout to Bikini Body Mommy for the free, fast, effective workouts that any mom can fit in.).
Now, what kind of wannabe-blogger would I be if I didn't share my list?
So here it is.
Breakfast:
Granola and yogurt
Pancakes and fruit
Eggs and toast
Muffin or quick bread and fruit (This in itself allows for many different options)
Snacks:
Smoothie - good way to use up whatever is on hand
Berries, or grapes and Nuts
Peanut butter yogurt fruit dip with sliced fruit - apples, banana, etc.
Homemade granola bars
Energy balls
sugar-free Dried fruit
Raw veggies with dip
Cheese and crackers
Lunch:
Grilled Cheese with cucumber
Salad with egg and cheese
Turkey spinach meatballs/burger patty and sweet potato fries
Chicken nuggets and fries with veg of choice
Ham sandwiches or wraps
Mary's crackers with PB&J, raw veggies
Dinner:
Curry chicken stir fry with brown rice
Chicken bok choy (Or other green) one-pot pasta
Summer vegetable pasta salad with pork chops
Fried rice (with whatever ground meat we have on hand)
Crock pot Roast beef with potatoes, onions and carrots
Pulled pork with coleslaw and homemade biscuits
Burrito bowls
Chili
Crock Pot chicken pot pie stew
Chicken drumsticks, corn on the cob, and salad
Creamy chicken pasta with bacon and broccoli
One pot Mexican Quinoa
Baked chicken with Mashed potatoes and steamed veg or salad
Chicken Parmesan with whole wheat pasta and veg loaded sauce
Beef and Broccoli stir fry with brown rice
Sweet and Sour Pork with mixed vegetables
Turkey burgers and zucchini fries
Sausage Pepper Mushroom hash
Mushroom Risotto with chicken breast
Ham and bell pepper cauliflower "alfredo" pasta
I keep this master list printed on a sheet inside my planner, so when it comes to meal planning, I look at what I'm expecting in my produce delivery, and plan accordingly. I also try to limit my trips to the grocery store by going to Costco and stocking up on proteins and bread every 3 or 4 weeks. I can literally go 2 weeks without seeing the inside of a grocery store, but I tend to spend a good chunk at Costco - my last trip was $253, but I bought household items, case or organic pasta sauce, other pantry staples, eggs, egg whites, and 6 weeks of meat. So therefore, with our produce delivery ($47/week, and approximately $120/month on proteins, then say $50 on other misc things like spices, pasta, etc, we are spending less then $400 a month on groceries to eat clean, healthy meals. Not to mention my meal planning sessions are down to 10 minutes, and my kids actually eat their food.
What are your meal planning tricks? Or do you just wing it?
If you try out this method, let me know how it works for you! I hope it helps out!
Tiffany
What are your meal planning tricks? Or do you just wing it?
If you try out this method, let me know how it works for you! I hope it helps out!
Tiffany