3 Tips To Simplifying Your Meal Planning Strategy

Meal planning can feel like a chore. A headache. Something that gets overlooked. Anytime there is food involved it may feel far from simple in your household. It surely did in mine before I figured out a few important keys to nailing the meal planning strategy like a pro. 

I am mom to three young kids and am no stranger to burnout and fatigue when it comes to cooking every week.

I am here to say burnout doesn’t need to come in the kitchen anymore. It’s time to start feeling on top of meals and the planning that uninvitingly comes along with. 

THE EVOLUTION OF MY MEAL PLANNING STRATEGY

I used to go to the grocery story and aimlessly throw things into my cart and pray that a good meal would come out of it. 

Truly, I had no plan which caused me to spend more money every week on groceries than I needed to. It was very unorganized, but I was against meal planning.

This says a lot for me because I am a type A planner by nature. So why did I have a mental block with meal planning? 

At one point I tried to download of those free meal planning block schedules offered on my Pinterest feed. It just didn’t work for me. It actually made my life more complicated. 

While I am not totally against block schedules, it just didn’t totally work for my thinking type. So I slowly made shifts in the right direction to figure out how best my brain worked for meal planning strategy and how to consistently stick with it long term.

I then figured out a few keys that made my life so much easier in the meal planning department. As a mom of three young boys I will take any convenience I can!

I stand by this process of meal prepping and planning, and truly cannot wait to share it with you all. 

We eat balanced and diverse meals each week, and I do not ever stand with a blank “ I don’t know what I am making for dinner” stare anymore! 

EASY TIPS TO SIMPLIFY WEEKLY MEAL PLANNING

1. Start taking inventory and make your list 

Before I sit down to write my list I peek in my pantry and fridge to get a visual on the things I HAVE. I do not spend more than 2-3 minutes doing this. 

I then sit down with a few cookbooks or my Pinterest feed. 

This happens on the same night each week. I do this on Sunday night when my kids are asleep, because I have a few hours of help on Monday mornings from 8:30-11. This is when I do my shopping.

You do you on timing during the week when you can sit down and think out some meals.

I get a blank sheet of paper out with one side dedicated to being my “grocery list” and the other side being my “meal ideas” list. 

I like to choose 5-6 meals throughout the week I want to make for dinner. I will browse my Pinterest feed and my favorite cookbooks to choose these meals. I also will do a repeat favorite recipe each week. 

I leave a free night in case we have a DIY pizza night,  dinner out or we are given a meal. 

I write the ingredients needed to make those meals on the “grocery list side” , and as mentioned above I leave out what I already have from my “visual inventory” I did before sitting down.

Dinner prep for the week is done! Whew.

2. Plan for breakfast, lunch, and snacks

• Go back to the meal idea side of you sheet of paper.-
• Write:“Breakfast Options” “Lunch Options” “Snack Options”

These are loose ideas you guys! 

These are just outlines for what you have on hand that you could make, or ideas that sound good. 

I like this loose system so it gives me some quick ideas for when my brain cannot think normally in a pinch. 

3. Don’t be afraid to use the same meal for lunch and dinner!

Leftovers are a game changer in our household. If we make chicken enchiladas for dinner the night before, you better believe that is whats for lunch the next day. 

I love larger meals like this because they save you time on a meal for the next day. If you don’t eat them for lunch, they will serve as a great dinner the next night too. 

Simple meal planning tips like this are huge time savers especially on busy nights!

 

MY FAVORITE  MONEY AND TIME SAVING TIPS

CHECK THE CLEARANCE PRODUCE SECTION

When you shop at the grocery store don’t be afraid to check the produce clearance items for ripe or damaged food. 

I love buying their bananas on discount. When I get home I slice them up and throw them into a baggie for smoothies. 

If you have a general idea of the meals you are making that week you will have the confidence to buy produce like zucchinis or squash that need to be cooked right away if it is on your menu.

Huge money saver.

PRE-PACKAGED SNACKS BREAK A BUDGET

Hear me out here. I know they are convenient but you are paying for it big time.

Store bought granola bars versus homemade granola bars are very different in cost and nutrients. Pre-packaged bars are loaded with more hidden sugar than just making them on your own. 

If your kids love raisins as much as mine do, buy them in bulk. Trader Joes has a wonderful bulk section for dried fruits and nuts. I reuse those little raisin boxes and refill them time and time again.

CHECK THE DISCOUNTED MEAT SECTION

On Monday mornings at my local store there are always great deals on larger cuts of meat. There is nothing wrong with these pieces of meat, and they are not expired. I love saving anywhere from $10-$20 on meat each week.

While I would love to buy all of my meat from local farms around my area. It is not always an option. 

You may get lucky by checking these areas of the grocery store for ways to save money!

USE SMALL AMOUNTS OF FREE TIME TO CHOP AND PREP VEGGIES

 

I dislike chopping onions and veggies when I am crunched for time. If I ever have a ten minute gap of time before my kids wake from their naps I will go and chop a few onions and veggies in prep for my next meal or next day’s meal.

I love going to the fridge and having it ready to go when I fire up the grill or stovetop!

There you have it. All of the tools and tips to get you through your meal planning and cooking week! 

I love that the meals are not assigned to a day in case you have a busier night than previously planned. It is a foolproof versatile way to help you simplify meal planning and save money week after week.

When you know what meals you are making ahead of time the urge to order food to go almost instantly disappears.

 

Xo

Lauren