My Weekly Meal Planning Routine

As a busy mom, finding time to prepare healthy meals for my family can feel like a juggling act. Between school, activities and the farm, cooking during the week can sometimes take a backseat. That’s why I’ve embraced the art of meal planning and prepping! It’s become my secret sauce for keeping our family nourished and our week running smoothly.

Every weekend, I dedicate a few hours to plan and prep meals for the week ahead. Not only does this save time during our hectic weekdays, but it also helps me make sure my family eats healthy and minimizes food waste. I’ve discovered that the key to successful meal planning lies in organization and a little creativity.

Here’s how my weekly meal planning routine looks:

• Assess the Week Ahead
  I start by reviewing our calendar for the week. Knowing our commitments and activities helps me determine how many meals I need to prepare and what types of dishes will work best for our busy schedule.
  
• Choose Recipes
  With my calendar in hand, I select a few family-favorite recipes and experiment with one or two new ones. I like to include a mix of proteins, veggies, and grains to ensure we’re getting a balanced diet. My go to meals tend to be Mediterranean based.
  
• Creating my Grocery List
  As I go through each recipe I add each item to my online cart. This keeps my shopping efficient and focused, minimizing those last-minute trips to the store. I then pick up my groceries later that day or the next morning.
  
• Meal Prep Day
  I usually set aside Sunday mornings for meal prep. I chop vegetables, marinate proteins, and cook grains in bulk. I love batch cooking meals like soups, casseroles, or stir-fries that can easily be reheated during the week. After cooking, I portion out the meals into containers. This not only helps with organization but also makes it easy for my family to grab meals when they’re hungry.
  
• Weekly Review
  At the end of the week, I take a moment to reflect on what worked and what didn’t.
  This helps me tweak my meal plan for the following week, ensuring that it meets our needs.

To help you get started with your own meal planning journey, I’m excited to share my exact weekly meal planner! It includes sections for your meal ideas, notes, and even a spot for your upcoming appointments and activities. This way, you can keep everything organized in one place.

Meal planning has transformed our family’s routine, reducing stress during the week and allowing us to enjoy more time together. I hope my tips inspire you to create your own meal prep routine, and don’t forget to download my weekly meal planner to kickstart your journey!

PIN FOR LATER

You Might Also Like!