Meal planning can seem like such a huge undertaking, but it can save you so much time and money if you’re willing to put in a little bit of time and effort. I want to help other busy moms experience the freedom that comes in the evening when you don’t have to think about what the heck you’re going to make for supper. It’s exhausting!
I recommend starting simply. Don’t try to follow somebody else’s meal plan. You don’t need to begin by taking on a week’s worth of unfamiliar recipes. Instead, create your own plan. Full of the stuff that your family likes, and the staples you already have in your pantry. Prep what you can ahead of time to make each evening as simple as possible. I created The Busy Mom’s Meal Planner to help others simplify their weeknights, and you can get if for free here.
When it comes to breakfasts and lunches I’ve found that sticking to the same thing during the work week works really well for me. For example, some weeks I’ll make an egg bake and reheat a piece every morning for breakfast. Other times I’ll do hard boiled eggs and fruit, or overnight oats, or yogurt parfaits. It doesn’t have to be the same thing every single week, but making one thing for each week is helpful.
For lunches I usually make myself a salad. My toppings will vary in an effort to mix things up a bit. I make all of my salads on Sunday so I’m ready for the week. My husband brings leftovers to work for lunch every day. It’s a pretty good system!
Another trick is having a master meal list. I have a list of all the meals that we like, and I use that when I’m building my weekly meal plan. It saves me the trouble of having to remember all of my options, because when it comes time to put pen to paper, sometimes my mind goes blank. When I try new recipes that are a hit I add them to the master list and they go into rotation.
If you’re looking for a realistic way to start creating a weekly meal plan that you can actually stick to, then try the Busy Mom’s Meal Planner. It’s free and it’s simple.