Here are a few tips to help when exhaustion haunts all the details of meal planning.  

Been there.

Still there somedays.

However, meal planning helped change my entire attitude around the dinner hour. But, each season brings its challenge. Time to get my head back in the game and to share these tool with you.

1. Create Master Meal Menu:  list of ALL your favorite meals- ask children, check recipe books, ask friends.

Refer to this list when meal planning. Quick Reference tool that becomes your…

2. Theme Your Nights-

Monday- Chef’s Night- new meal, or favorite more complex meal

Tuesday- Crock Pot/Instant Pot meal

Wednesday- Soup or Sandwich night

Thursday- Favorite ethnic dinner; Asian, Italian, Mexican

Friday- Pizza or Calzone, buy or homemade

Create what works best for your family. Fill in the themes to fit your family’s flavor.

3. Follow the Plan with flexibility

Having a plan is super important however If you don’t want to eat something -switch. Shop with a meal plan so you have everything on hand. Having all the ingredients in house gives you options.

4. Create Quick “Go To” Meal Ideas-  a list of speedy meals and/or meals you always have on hand.

-Breakfast for dinner

-grilled cheese and tomato soup

-frozen pizza (every time you order a take and bake pizza buy two and freeze one for later)

This helps when 5:00 pm comes, you’re stuck and have no idea what is for dinner.

Dinner planning,

        prepping,

             making,

                  eating

                    and cleaning

                            happens over and over again,

        …EVERY SINGLE DAY.

It can and does get overwhelming. These tips can lessen the mental load of meal time. If you get intentional it will bring peace around the dinner hour.