Deciding what to make and eat on a weekly basis used to be challenging and time consuming for me. I would aimlessly wander around the supermarket pondering what to make for dinner for the family. Often, I would order take out as the easy option as I didn’t leave myself enough time.
This affected me and my family in multiple ways, especially from a health perspective. Personally, by not eating healthy, I felt that my energy was low, my body held a few extra kilos plus I would feel guilty for not having provided a healthy option for the family and me.
Food to me is a necessity, it is fuel that gives me energy so that I can perform at my best and keep up with the kids while staying stay lean and healthy. I do still do have takeout, go out to eat and indulge treats (way more than I should 😂😂😂).
​My Simple 3 Step Weekly Meal Prep Process:
​This process does involve investing time in up front planning however throughout the week you will save more time as your mind is free and not wondering what to make for dinner so this means you can play more with the kids playing or do what you love.
The other benefit I found was I saved money as I was not spending on takeout or buying groceries we didn’t need.
1. Simple Recipe List
Thinking of what to make is usually the biggest challenge. I would ask hubby what he wants or my then 2-year-old (who would answer ‘cake’ – not sure if that is the best option). Instead, I created a list of simple and delicious meals. I then choose from that list weekly.
Â
Having a list of recipe ideas means that I do not have to think of what to make. I pull out my list and choose meals from it.
TIP – Have reoccurring weekly meels. We have Mexican every Tuesday and mix it up by change the meat (usually beef or chicken) and then changing it by using it to make other dishes such as nachos, wraps, tacos or salads.
When I compiled my recipes list, I had 3 rules, nutritious (with at veggies), quick/easy and delicious. This means we can eat food we enjoy that is nutritious and doesn’t take us long to make. Also when I get help they can easily make the recipe.
Â
I am in the process of collating my quick and easy recipes that can be made by anyone with none or minimal cooking experience. ​Sign up to my mailing to be the first to hear about it when it is released.
2. Plan Weekly
Within my weekly Plan I have another 3 steps I follow:
1. Write out the Plan
Every week on a Saturday I print out my weekly meal plan (grab the template here), pull out my recipe book and last week’s meal plan then I sit down and fill it out for the week.
To start I look at my weekly schedule and determine which days I require lunch or dinner. The days I do not require food (as I may be out for a party), I put a line through the box. Then I go ahead and fill out the rest of the form. You can find a sample of a completed form here.
Breakfast – I do not plan for these daily I have a set of standard options that the kids can choose from. My husband and I tend to do intermitted fasting and do not have breakfast
Lunch – Lunches are fairly simple in our home for me and hubby, Monday to Friday we take leftovers to work that we warm up in the microwave. For added nutrition add spinach to the bottom before the food and then sprinkle cheese on top of the food. I always make sure that extra is made for dinner so we can take it to work. For the days I do not have leftovers I tend to make myself a sandwich or wrap to take to work
During the day for the kids, the snacks are fairly simple such as eggs with cucumber and homemade pizza on pita bread. When the kids are at kinder or school the lunch boxes are packed. Lunch box ideas recipe book coming soon.
2. Update the Shopping List
​This is my husband’s responsibility, he will update the shopping list. We use the app Google Keep and I have a joint shopping list with my husband so that we both can add grocery items through the week as we run out of items. For example, if the toilet paper is running low during the week, I add it to the list and on Saturday when we go shopping, we get some.
My husband will then go through the meal plan, check pantry for ingredients and add what is required. He also checks for our family staples and basics.
3. Go Grocery Shopping
Once the list is completed it is shopping time (this is my husband and kids responsibility). They follow the list and buy all that is listed. The key is to shop after a meal, for us is typically after breakfast so that you are not hungry and tempted to buy unnecessary goodies.Â
3. Implement the Plan
For the fun and easy bit… Follow the meal plan!
Â
Now you can use your extra time to come up with new ideas to play with the kids or time to yourself as opposed to have to think, worry and stress of what you are going to cook and eat every mealtime.
Â
Do you have any recipes that your family loves which are quick, easy and delicious? We would love to hear them, please share them below.
Leave a Reply