I feel like I hear “meal planning” in the air everywhere now. It’s such a popular idea, and it’s time to jump on the bandwagon if you haven’t already. It seems simple enough. I am going to plan what meals my family will eat this week. Done. But then you sit down to do just that and realize that an hour has gone by and you are still searching through recipes you saved on Pinterest and you have only decided on one meal for the week. My goal is to walk you through getting started in your meal planning. Let’s do this, meal planning getting started… right now!

Before we get too far, make sure to download my FREE copy of my Meal Planning Template! All the moms who use this LOVE it! 

First, you will need to start by asking yourself these questions.

• What produce do you have in your fridge, freezer, or pantry that you want to use up?
• What meats, proteins, beans, legumes do you have for the center of your meals?
• What does your schedule look like this week? What days would a crockpot meal work best? What social events do you have? What are the kids’ schedules like this week, and how will that impact your dinner time?
• Use the meal planner form to start with your dinners. What will the source of protein be?
• How can you use that same protein later in the week?
• Add the vegetables in next.
• Carbs and starches come last.
• Plan for at least one day of leftovers.
• Where can you try a new food or ingredient?
• What recipes do you have saved on Pinterest that you’d finally like to try?  
• Is there anything on sale at your grocery store? (look at online ads for 5 minutes)
• Once you know what your dinners are going to be, what are the recipes? What ingredients do you need?
• What will you have as a side dish to your dinners?
• Compile the recipes together in one place.
• How can you buy in bulk to save money for all of the recipes?
• Can any of the recipes be easily doubled to fit your family size or doubled for leftovers or lunches?
• How can you prepare items together to save time later this week? (chop veggies, brown meat, etc.)
• What parts of the recipes can be prepared ahead of time?
• Casseroles, crockpot meals, sauces, cooking dried beans, etc. can all be made ahead of time and frozen.
• What kitchen items do you need for meals this week? (e.g. freezer tins, freezer ziplock baggies, better storage for leftovers, better storage for work?)

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Meal Planning Methods

Method #1

• Pre-make meals in the beginning of the week for dinners (making at least 5 meals at once)
• Doubling if necessary for extras or leftovers
• Use dinners as leftovers or lunches
• Eat out or make meals as a family one night a week
• Best if you have 2-3 hours on a weekend to commit to making meals and you have extra freezer space
• You still need time in the evening to cook or bake the meal – usually 30-45 minutes each evening. Even if these are crockpot meals, you still need time to shred chicken, assemble ingredients, etc.

Method #2

• Cook only 2-4 meals throughout the entire week, but double the recipes to make the meals last longer
• Prepare lunches ahead of time. This can be pre-baking chicken, roasting veggies, making salads, and so on
• Best for those who enjoy less cooking and more leftovers
• Best for those with small families or live alone
• Must have time to cook entire dinners 2-3 times per week, at a minimum
• Still need to start with a plan and make sure your snacks and lunches are ready to go at the beginning of the week

Method #3

• Prep the “throw and go” items on the weekend to make easy, convenient meals all week long
• Making a big batch of grilled or baked chicken to use multiple ways
• Shredded into tacos, diced for salads, chopped in soups, stirfry, etc.
• Brown a big batch of ground turkey to have ready for tacos, sloppy joes, etc.
• Washing and chopping fruits and veggies for snacking & quick cooking
• Cook quinoa, beans, eggs, and roasted veggies. Then store and use with recipes.
• Prepare juice bags to dump into the blender
• This is a good method for those who do have more time each evening to put meals together, but need things to go a little faster.
• Still need a plan, need to have items conveniently pre-cooked or ready to throw together.

“Method” #4

• Not doing anything and leaving it all to chance
• Spending more money on eating out, fast frozen meals, and junk food
• Spending more money on groceries
• Not a good method for anyone.

Methods:

• • All methods start with a plan
  • Use a blank meal planner resource every week! Put it in a sheet protector and use a dry erase marker with it each week so you don’t have to reprint. Take photos of your meal plans to use in the future.
• Knowing your meals ahead of time really is the biggest time savor.
• Making the shopping list, finding the recipes, and planning it all out will take the longest.
• It gets easier with time!
• My personal method? A mix of all three. I look at what type of week I have coming up, what my work schedule looks like, and how I can best prepare.
• If you struggle with picky eaters, review this blog post on Picky Eaters, and this one on Why the One Bite Rule Isn’t Working. 

Equipment:

Click on links to see recommended brands.

Mason Jars

Tin foil

Ziplock freezer bags

Glass tupperware containers

Portioned to-go containers

Lunch bag

Reusable or one-time use casserole baking dishes

Optional:

Hard boiled egg maker

Vitamix or high quality blender

Food processor

Good cutting knives and cutting boards

 

Does it seem daunting and overwhelming? Do you find yourself being all gung-ho for a week or two and then your planning just goes out the window? I get it! We’ve all been there! Developing a healthier lifestyle takes time, but you get out of it what you put into it. Try to commit to a full month, and then see how you feel. I know that you will love your results and that urge to quit will go away.

I’d love to hear how you’re all doing with your meal planning! Comment below with your success stories! Or, if you’re finding that you can’t stay on track, let me know – I’m here for you!

Don’t forget, inside the Mommy Feeding Family Online Program we cover meal planning, batch cooking, and more in much more depth! Sign up Today!