Magic Meal Planning That Will Save Your Sanity

Trying to plan and eat healthy is doomed if you are constantly exhausted at the end of the day and you have no energy or creativity left to whip up a meal. Scroll down for a step by step plan to get you started.

For a long while I have been doing weekly meal schedules. It makes it much simpler to shop and prepare meals at home. I can take into account the days that are going to be really busy and plan a crock pot meal or a grab and go meal. I can also plan more snacks for the day that I'm running to different sports.

Recently I wanted to try a two week meal plan. I am leaving town and I didn't want to stress out about food for my family the same week that I will be leaving. It was hard to feel creative and not stressed about what my kids could make and still get some veggies in.

Here is a look at what I did:

This weekly plan is what we will be eating when I am home all week. I added a few meals that I have not made before. I made sure I had three meals and a snack everyday. My kids love some herbal tea and a biscotti cookies. I always ask my kids what they want to eat and what they would be willing to help/learn to make. That way I don't get complaints for every stinkin' meal.

This is the week that I will be going out of town for a few days. It's simpler. My kids know how to make a lot of these meals so they can do it themselves and will actually put some veggies in the meal.  

I HIGHLY suggest using some sort of weekly meal planner so that you can sit down for about 30 mins and plan out a bunch of meals that your family actually likes that are familiar and easy to make. It takes the guess work out of your day to day eating and it makes a fast shopping list.

Easy Plan:

#1 Get something to write your lists on

#2 Make a list of all of your easiest meals to make

#3 Make a list of your families favorite meals

#4 Make a list of to-go meals

#5 Make a time to do your weekly meal plan ( I choose Sundays and shop on Monday or Tuesday)

#6 Just do it! You have to just get started and make the plan.

#7 Go through each meal and write what you need on your shopping list

#8 Go shopping for the ingredients that you need

If you do this for a few a weeks it will get easier and easier.

GOOD LUCK!