Trying to plan meals around kids, activities, and various schedules is a tough task. The challenge doesn’t stop there for me. Some weeks, I eagerly anticipate creating and trying new dishes, while other times, the mere thought of cooking feels overwhelming.
To simplify the process and avoid burnout, I follow a straightforward approach when preparing my menu. I often repurpose dinner into the week’s lunches, and I prioritize quick and uncomplicated breakfasts to minimize the mental energy spent on meal planning. Sticking to the plan helps free up my mind to handle other responsibilities. While the occasional treat like warm pizza gets the kids excited, I usually stick with the plan to avoid second-guessing and unnecessary mental clutter.
My Planning Flow
First, I always start by looking at my weekly schedule.
Second, I do an internal scan of how my coming week makes me feel. If just thinking about my week makes you feel overwhelmed, I keep my menu simple – burgers, tacos, instant pot/slow cooker meals, casseroles, one-pot meals, and so on.
Third, I start with Dinner, followed by breakfast, and end with lunch. I make sure, at a glance, that I have some color with every meal, that each meal has protein, and that no meal will take me longer than 30 minutes.
Confession
I am not the best at making sure my family has their vegetables. I am not the best at ensuring we get all the nutrients we need as a family. I do my best and supplement with protein powder, and multi-vitamins, and doing the best I can in any given week.
Leave a Reply