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Meal Planning

How To Make Meal Planning Easier On Yourself

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Having to feed you and your family member’s three meals a day isn’t always an easy task. There’s a lot to think about and do to ensure everyone is satisfied and well-fed.

If you work or have a busy schedule, then meal planning becomes even more of a burden. The last task you want to think about when you get home at the end of a long day is what to put on the table for your loved ones to eat. Therefore, be proactive and plan so that you can make meal planning as effortless as possible for yourself.

Research Easy Recipes in Advance

The key here is to research and find easy meal ideas from trusted sources such as looking into some of the recipes from themediterraneandish.com. The more work you do upfront and ideas you have collected, the better so that you can begin to plan out your week of meals. Narrow it down by thinking about what types of foods you and your family like to eat and which recipes are the least complicated and involved. Save which recipes you enjoy so that you can remake them at a later date and add them to your rotation.

Grocery Shop & Cook on the Weekend

There’s a lot of time on the weekends to take advantage of if you plan your days right. Therefore, consider using Saturday and Sunday to grocery shop and cook for the week. There are certain meals that freeze well and that you can pull out in the future when you’re short on time. Make meal planning easier on yourself by not leaving all of the heavy lifting to the days during the week when your schedule is more chaotic.

Ask the Kids to Pitch in

You don’t have to do all the meal planning yourself and should ask for help from your loved ones. For example, ask the kids and your spouse what meals and types of foods they enjoy eating to help you gather some additional dinner ideas to make. You can also engage them more by assigning out duties and tasks such as setting the table or helping you cook so that everyone is pitching in and helping with getting food on the table each night.

Schedule A Lazy Night

You can also make meal planning easier on yourself by scheduling on a lazy night. Pick a day of the week when you know you’re going to be swamped and eat leftovers or get takeout food. You can’t be afraid to admit when you’re low on energy and need a simple solution that won’t cause you any additional headaches. You may also want to gather up your family members and pick one night to go out to eat and use it as a chance to have fun and visit with each other over dinner.

Conclusion

These are a few ways that you can make meal planning easier on yourself and avoid feeling stressed out about it. You’ll find that the task of getting everyone fed isn’t so bad when you have a plan in place for how to approach the situation. Be happy to know that you can now look forward to and enjoy mealtime instead of dreading it.

Monday Meal Plan (11/06/17-11/12/17)

  meal plan monday

Monday. Once the bain of my existence is now one of my favorite days of the week. Not only does it give me the opportunity to start my week off to a new productive pace, with new sets of goals in place but I also get a new set of meals to look forward to as well! 

This week’s menu again reflects our need to eat down our food stockpile. As we are planning to consume everything we have on-hand first, we did not purchase anything new this week with the exception of fresh salad greens, cilantro, coconut oil, and organic nut milk.

In lieu of making individual meals, we are again using up pre-made freezer meals and frozen blanched veggies this week, which is enough to feed a family of three for right under $42.00, including tax for this week’s menu plan cost!

olive and caper salad spread

And what’s my favorite item on the menu this week? My favorite Olive and Caper Spread. So quick. So good! Perfect for quick snacks, luches, and for entertaining this coming holiday season too!

So here is what we will be having this week, friends!

Monday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Olive and Caper Spread with crackers, grapes, and almond milk. 
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Pioneer Woman Veggie Stir Fry, served with brown rice. 
Dessert: Strawberry, stevia, and almond milk smoothies.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Avocado, Banana, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Olive and Caper Spread with crackers, grapes, and almond milk.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Taco Salad and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Grilled cheese sliders, grapes, and Crystal Light lemonade.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Easy Instapot Chili with brown rice, corn on the cob, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, stevia, banana, and almond milk smoothies.

Thursday
Breakfast: Avocado, Banana, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, steamed broccoli, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Lasagna Roll-Ups, green beans, and tomato and cucumber salad.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Friday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Grilled cheese sliders with grapes and almond milk.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Croissant Veggie Pizza and crystal light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Saturday
Breakfast: Granola Cereal with Strawberries and Almond milk.
Lunch: Grilled cheese and almond milk.
Snacks: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Crockpot Mole, served with steamed rice, corn, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and soy milk smoothies.

Sunday
Breakfast: Banana pancakes, strawberries, and almond milk.
Lunch: Grilled Spaghetti, green beans, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Grilled Spaghetti leftovers, green beans, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Monday Meal Plan (10/30/17-11/5/17)

 Meal Plan Monday (10/30/17-11/5/17)

Monday. The start of a new week and a new to-do list. Including a brand new weekly Monday Meal Plan! This week’s menu will again reflect a little bit of a change. For the past six months, we have made a point of eating our freezers down to zero. Now we will be switching gears and making a priority out of eating down our home pantry stockpile.

This week in lieu of making individual meals, we are using up pantry staples for the bulk of this week’s menu. We do this to keep costs on this menu plan low and to eat our stockpile down before buying new food. Please note, this menu is designed to feed our family of 4 for one week for under $40.00 each week. 

As a family, we are also looking for more ways to incorporate health-conscious efforts into our diet. This includes Meatless Monday meals and more streamlined weeknight dinners. Meals which intentionally be turned into lunches during the week. All minimalist means to keep our food waste to a minimum as much as possible! It’s all about consistency, meal prep, and a little planning!

As well, please note that our menu is designed to feed our family of 4 for one week for under $40.00 each week. 

 Meal Plan Monday (10/30/17-11/5/17)

Here’s what we will be having this week:

Monday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Olive spread, with crackers, grapes, and almond milk. 
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Ragu Spaghetti, with Boca Crumbles, side salad, and ice water.
Dessert: Strawberry, stevia, and almond milk smoothies.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Avocado, Banana, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Olive spread, with crackers, grapes, and almond milk.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Taco Salad and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Grilled cheese sliders, grapes, and Crystal Light lemonade.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Instapot Chili with brown rice, corn on the cob, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, stevia, banana, and almond milk smoothies.

Thursday
Breakfast: Avocado, Banana, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, steamed broccoli, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Lasagna Roll-Ups, green beans, and tomato and cucumber salad.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Friday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Grilled cheese sliders with grapes and almond milk.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Crosant Veggie Pizza and crystal light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Saturday
Breakfast: Granola Cereal with Strawberries and Almond milk.
Lunch: Grilled cheese and almond milk.
Snacks: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Chicken mole, served with steamed rice, corn, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Sunday
Breakfast: Banana pancakes, strawberries, and almond milk.
Lunch: Grilled Spaghetti, green beans, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Grilled Spaghetti leftovers, green beans, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

October Meal Plan Monday (10/23/17-10/29/17)

This week’s menu will again reflect a little bit of a change. For the past six months, we have made a point of eating our freezers down to zero. Now we will be switching gears and making a priority out of eating down our home pantry stockpile. So this week’s menu, in lieu of making individual meals, we are using up pantry staples for the bulk of this week’s menu. This is done to keep costs on this menu plan low and to eat our stockpile down before buying new food. Please note, this menu is designed to feed our family of 4 for one week for under $40.00 each week. 

As a family, we are also looking for more ways to incorporate health-conscious efforts into our diet. This includes Meatless Monday meals and more streamlined weeknight dinners. Meals which intentionally be turned into lunches during the week. All minimalist means to keep our food waste to a minimum as much as possible! It’s all about consistency, meal prep, and a little planning!

As well, please note that our menu is designed to feed our family of 4 for one week for under $40.00 each week. 

 

October Meal Plan Monday (10/23/17-10/29/17)

Here’s what we will be having this week:

Monday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Olive spread, with crackers, grapes, and almond milk. 
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Vegan Pot Pie with Cornbread Crust
Dessert: Strawberry, stevia, and almond milk smoothies.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Avocado, Banana, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Olive spread, with crackers, grapes, and almond milk.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Taco Salad and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Grilled cheese sliders, grapes, and Crystal Light lemonade.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Instapot Chili with brown rice, corn on the cob, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, stevia, banana, and almond milk smoothies.

Thursday
Breakfast: Avocado, Banana, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, steamed broccoli, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Lasagna Roll-Ups, green beans, and tomato and cucumber salad.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Friday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Grilled cheese sliders with grapes and almond milk.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Crosant Veggie Pizza and crystal light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Saturday
Breakfast: Granola Cereal with Strawberries and Almond milk.
Lunch: Grilled cheese and almond milk.
Snacks: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Chicken mole, served with steamed rice, corn, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Sunday
Breakfast: Banana pancakes, strawberries, and almond milk.
Lunch: Grilled Spaghetti, green beans, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Grilled Spaghetti leftovers, green beans, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

October Meal Plan Monday (10/16/17-10/22/17)

October Meal Plan Monday (10/16/17-10/22/17)

This week’s menu will again reflect a little bit of a change. For the past six months, we have made a point of eating our freezers down to zero. Now we will be switching gears and making a priority out of eating down our home pantry stockpile. So this week’s menu, in lieu of making individual meals, we are using up pantry staples for the bulk of this week’s menu. This is done to keep costs on this menu plan low and to eat our stockpile down before buying new food. Please note, this menu is designed to feed our family of 4 for one week for under $40.00 each week. 

As a family, we are also looking for more ways to incorporate health-conscious efforts into our diet. This includes Meatless Monday meals and more streamlined weeknight dinners. Meals which intentionally be turned into lunches during the week. All minimalist means to keep our food waste to a minimum as much as possible! It’s all about consistency, meal prep, and a little planning!

As well, please note that our menu is designed to feed our family of 4 for one week for under $40.00 each week. 

 

October Meal Plan Monday (10/16/17-10/22/17)

 

Here’s what we will be having this week:

Monday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Olive spread, with crackers, grapes, and almond milk. 
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Spicy Peanut Sauce Udon Noodle Bowls
Dessert: Strawberry, stevia, and almond milk smoothies.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Avocado, Banana, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Olive spread, with crackers, grapes, and almond milk.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Taco Salad and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Grilled cheese sliders, grapes, and Crystal Light lemonade.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Instapot Chili with brown rice, corn on the cob, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, stevia, banana, and almond milk smoothies.

Thursday
Breakfast: Avocado, Banana, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, steamed broccoli, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Lasagna Roll-Ups, green beans, and tomato and cucumber salad.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Friday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Grilled cheese sliders with grapes and almond milk.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Crosant Veggie Pizza and crystal light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Saturday
Breakfast: Granola Cereal with Strawberries and Almond milk.
Lunch: Grilled cheese and almond milk.
Snacks: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Chicken mole, served with steamed rice, corn, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Sunday
Breakfast: Banana pancakes, strawberries, and almond milk.
Lunch: Grilled Spaghetti, green beans, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Grilled Spaghetti leftovers, green beans, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Meal Plan Monday (10/9/17-10/15/17)

Happy Monday, everyone! This week is starting off to a sunny start here in Dixie and as there’s no better way to start a week off than a well-thought-out meal plan I can’t wait to share with you all what we will be having this week!

This week’s menu will again reflect a little bit of a change. For the past six months, we have made a point of eating our freezers down to zero. Now we will be switching gears and making a priority out of eating down our home pantry stockpile.

This week we are using up pantry staples for the bulk of this week’s menu. This is done to keep costs on this menu plan low and to eat our stockpile down before buying new food. Please note, this menu is designed to feed our family of 4 for one week for under $40.00 each week. 

As a family, we are also looking for more ways to incorporate health-conscious efforts into our diet. This includes Meatless Monday meals and more streamlined weeknight dinners. Meals which intentionally be turned into lunches during the week. All minimalist means to keep our food waste to a minimum as much as possible!

As well, please note that our menu is designed to feed our family of 4 for one week for under $40.00 each week. 

 

meatlessmondays

 

Here’s what we will be having this week:

Monday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Olive spread, with crackers, grapes, and almond milk. 
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Vegan Singapore Stir Fry 
Dessert: Strawberry, stevia, and almond milk smoothies.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Avocado, Banana, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Olive spread, with crackers, grapes, and almond milk.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Taco Salad and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Grilled cheese sliders, grapes, and Crystal Light lemonade.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Instapot Chili with brown rice, corn on the cob, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, stevia, banana, and almond milk smoothies.

Thursday
Breakfast: Avocado, Banana, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, steamed broccoli, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Lasagna Roll-Ups, green beans, and tomato and cucumber salad.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Friday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Grilled cheese sliders with grapes and almond milk.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Crosant Veggie Pizza and crystal light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Saturday
Breakfast: Granola Cereal with Strawberries and Almond milk.
Lunch: Grilled cheese and almond milk.
Snacks: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Chicken mole, served with steamed rice, corn, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Sunday
Breakfast: Banana pancakes, strawberries, and almond milk.
Lunch: Grilled Spaghetti, green beans, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Grilled Spaghetti leftovers, green beans, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Meal Plan Monday (10/2/17-10/8/17)

Meal Plan Monday (10/2/17-10/8/17)

Happy Monday, everyone! This week is starting off to a sunny, humid, and unseasonably warm end-of-summer start here in Dixie and as there’s no better way to start a week off than a well-thought-out meal plan I can’t wait to share with you all what we will be having this week!

This week’s menu will again reflect a little bit of a change. For the past six months, we have made a point of eating our freezers down to zero. Now we will be switching gears and making a priority out of eating down our home pantry stockpile. So this week’s menu, in lieu of making individual meals, we are using up pantry staples for the bulk of this week’s menu. This is done to keep costs on this menu plan low and to eat our stockpile down before buying new food. Please note, this menu is designed to feed our family of 4 for one week for under $40.00 each week. 

As a family, we are also looking for more ways to incorporate health-conscious efforts into our diet. This includes Meatless Monday meals and more streamlined weeknight dinners. Meals which intentionally be turned into lunches during the week. All minimalist means to keep our food waste to a minimum as much as possible!

As well, please note that our menu is designed to feed our family of 4 for one week for under $40.00 each week. 

 

Meal Plan Monday (10/2/17-10/8/17)

 

Here’s what we will be having this week:

Monday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Olive spread, with crackers, grapes, and almond milk. 
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Vegan Chili, served with white rice and cilantro salad
Dessert: Strawberry, stevia, and almond milk smoothies.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Avocado, Banana, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Olive spread, with crackers, grapes, and almond milk.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Taco Salad and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Grilled cheese sliders, grapes, and Crystal Light lemonade.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Instapot Chili with brown rice, corn on the cob, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, stevia, banana, and almond milk smoothies.

Thursday
Breakfast: Avocado, Banana, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, steamed broccoli, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Lasagna Roll-Ups, green beans, and tomato and cucumber salad.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Friday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Grilled cheese sliders with grapes and almond milk.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Crosant Veggie Pizza and crystal light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Saturday
Breakfast: Granola Cereal with Strawberries and Almond milk.
Lunch: Grilled cheese and almond milk.
Snacks: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Chicken mole, served with steamed rice, corn, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.

Sunday
Breakfast: Banana pancakes, strawberries, and almond milk.
Lunch: Grilled Spaghetti, green beans, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Grilled Spaghetti leftovers, green beans, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Strawberry, organic cocoa, and almond milk smoothies.