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Meal Planning for Busy Weeks: Less Stress, More Time, and Delicious Dinners
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We’ve all been there – juggling work, kids’ activities, grocery shopping, house chores, and maybe even a pet or two. When life gets hectic, figuring out what to cook can feel just like one more overwhelming task. Below are some meal planning tips to hopefully help make dinner time easier, save money, and reduce stress – even on your busiest weeks!
Tip 1: Take a Look at Your Week
Before planning meals, check your schedule. Which nights do you need quick, easy dinners? When do you have a little extra time to cook? Knowing this in advance helps you plan meals to fit your lifestyle.
Tip 2: Plan Ahead for Shopping
If you don’t have a meal plan, you can waste time and money. You might end up wandering the aisles or grabbing more items than you need that might spoil before you have the chance to use them. And whatever you do, never shop hungry. It’s amazing how much extra food ends up in the cart when you do!
Don’t forget to also check your local store ads for deals and specials to get the most out of your money. Write down what you need for the week and don’t leave it at home. A little planning will make grocery shopping faster and cooking less stressful.
Tip 3: Don’t Forget to Check Your House First
Look at your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Do you have items you already need to use? Do you have a roast buried in your chest freezer? Thaw it out and incorporate that into your weekly meal plan! Be sure to plan for proteins, fat, and carbohydrates in your meals as well.
Tip 4: Plan for Meal Prepping and Leftovers
Is there a day of the week that best for meal prepping? Cooking chicken, chopping veggies, or making a big batch of rice ahead of time makes dinner a breeze on your busier nights.
One of the best tricks for meal planning is to use ingredients in multiples ways. For example, if you make pulled pork in a crock pot for sandwiches you could also:
- Take the pulled pork and some coleslaw to make tacos one night.
- Another night, take buns and make meatball subs.
This will help use up ingredients, so you don’t have to throw things away if they spoil.
Tip 5: Don’t Forget About Lunches!
Do you need to plan lunches for work or school? Plan meals that make great leftovers and don’t forget your proteins, fat, and carbohydrates. Pre-packing lunches is an easy way to save time and avoid the last-minute “What am I brining for lunch?” scramble.
If you stick to it, it will get easier each week.
The first week or two of meal planning might take extra effort, but it will eventually become second nature. Over time, you’ll find your favorite go-to meals, save money, and make dinner planning easier. You’ve got this!