Meal Planning
Most of the time I feel like I’m being pulled in a million different directions. This last weekend my goal was to get the house clean as we have company coming this coming weekend. I had a few hours to tackle dishes, laundry, bathrooms, bedrooms, and vacuuming. Needless to say I failed miserably. My husband came home and said, “I thought you were going to clean the house.” I had gotten one load of dishes done, put one load of laundry in, and helped my daughter pick up a handful of toys in her room. What he didn’t (doesn’t) understand is that in between those few things my son got into the potted plants on the deck resulting in a bath, and I took the kids for a walk, and I made lunch and snacks which made more dishes to wash. It’s a never ending cycle of trying to get things done and life happening which makes more things to be done. Like I said… a million directions.
I like to be organized (not that it actually happens these days) and try to figure out how I can simplify things, but it can be so hard to put ideas into action when time is limited. One way I actually succeed is in my meal planning. So, today I would like to share my method to tame a little of the madness.
I have meal planned for a long time. It’s super helpful to sit and make out a menu and go through recipes to write your grocery list. You can double check what you already have on hand so you aren’t buying a bunch of things you don’t need. You can also make sure to use up the extra veggies you didn’t cook the previous week. Writing your list out also helps keep the impulse buys to a minimum. Another helpful trick is separate your list into categories while you are writing it so you aren’t running all over the store because you missed something in produce and then the dairy case.
Over time though creating a menu started to become burdensome for me. If I were planning just for me things would be simpler because I don’t mind eating the same thing a couple of days in a row. I am a huge fan of left overs! But I have to plan for other people who are picky and don’t like to eat the same things every week. Creating a diverse menu started to become stressful!
While reading Anne Bogel’s Don’t Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life, I realized things didn’t have to be so difficult. She suggested either eating the same thing everyday (not feasible in my family) or creating a menu matrix. I decided to try the second suggestion and it has been extremely helpful! Here’s what my matrix looks like:
Sunday - Tray bake
Monday - Meatless
Tuesday - Mexican
Wednesday - Grill
Thursday - Chicken
Friday - Pizza, Soup, or Seafood
Saturday - Out or Pasta
I don’t always follow this exactly, and now that summer is coming there will be a lot more cooking done outside on the grill instead of inside in the oven. But anytime I feel like I’m floundering for ideas I fall back on this matrix. It allows for the variety my family needs and helps make my life a lot less stressful. It also cuts back on decision fatigue.
Tailor your matrix to your families needs, and if you need recipe ideas here are some suggestions. I am one month into Noom (and down 5 or 6 pounds - high five!) and have found their recipes a great addition to my Pinterest collection. I also love many of the recipes in the Tone It Up app. Both of these sources provide healthy and clean dietary options. If you’re looking to start a program before summer click on the links below:
Noom - Receive a free trial and 20% off your subscription (diet and psychology based)
Tone It Up - Receive $10 off (provides workouts as well as meal guidance)
I hope my insight on meal planning and the menu matrix will help make your life a little easier. If anyone has suggestions on simplifying other aspects of home life please comment! You would truly be helping Heather!
Hugs and meals!