5 Tips to Master Meal Planning

Have you ever found yourself staring blankly into the fridge at 6 PM, wondering what on earth to cook for dinner?

 
Or have you been about to lose your mind if one more person asks you what’s for dinner? (I mean what I’m going to talk about has pretty much saved my husband’s life. Just sayin’)

Meal planning might sound intimidating, but trust me, with a little bit of strategy and some weekly routines in place, you'll wonder how you ever survived without it. So grab your favorite kitchen apron and let's dive in! (Does anyone actually wear aprons?)

Let's kick things off by setting our intentions for this process. What does meal planning look like for you. Do you need to plan all three meals every day or is it just dinner and the others you are fine with on the fly? Do you want to make everything from scratch and with a million ingredients or is it more “the simpler, the better” mentality? I want you to take a few minutes to really define what it is you are hoping to accomplish. Because you can’t get to a destination if you don’t know where it is!

Take a few minutes to sit down and brainstorm meal ideas that you and your family or whoever you are feeding like. Fast meals, more elaborate meals, slow cooker meals, beef meals, chicken meals, etc. All the things. The key is to create a master list meal list. If you try a new meal and the fam likes it, add it to the list.

Once you've brainstormed meal ideas, it's time to plan out your menu for the week. I like to do this on Friday so I can place a grocery order for the weekend. But do this whenever it works for you. Grab some sort of a meal planner.

 
Grab that master meal list and jot down your chosen meals for each day. Make sure to compare with your schedule. Don't forget to leave room for leftovers and quick meals for busy nights. Having a plan in place will save you time and mental energy throughout the week. And bonus if you have health goals, you’ll be much more likely to stay on track.

With your menu planned out, it's time to make your shopping list. Take inventory of your pantry, fridge, and freezer, and note down any ingredients you'll need to pick up at the store. Organize your list by category—produce, proteins, grains, etc.—to make navigating the grocery store a breeze. And remember, stick to your list to avoid impulse purchases and unnecessary spending.

The secret to stress-free meal times? Prep ahead like a pro. Spend a couple of hours on Sunday prepping ingredients for the week ahead—washing and chopping vegetables, cooking grains and proteins, and portioning out snacks and lunches. Investing a little time upfront will save you tons of time and effort during the busy week ahead, and you'll thank yourself when you're enjoying a home-cooked meal in minutes.

And there you have it —a foolproof guide to mastering meal planning.

 
I gotta tell you that this process has changed my crazy full mom life. Like today, I’m in a mood. A bit of a funk and if I had to go home and figure out what to make for dinner… well we’d be loading in the car for a drive thru run.

 
Remember, meal planning is all about finding what works best for you and your family, so don't be afraid to experiment and make adjustments along the way. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you'll be well on your way to stress-free meals and happier, healthier eating habits. Bon appétit!

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