• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Restless Chipotle

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Meal Plan
    • Meal Plan Help
  • Newsletter
  • Video
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Meal Plan
    • Meal Plan Help
  • Newsletter
  • Video
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Meal Plan
    • Meal Plan Help
  • Newsletter
  • Video
Γ—
Home Β» Meal Plans

Real Life Meal Planning

Published: Jul 25, 2023 Last Updated: Jul 25, 2023 by Marye 2049 words. | About 11 minutes to read this article.

A woman writing down the weekly meal plan with a text overlay for Pinterest.

Tired of the daily mealtime chaos?

After decades of cooking for a family of 10, I've learned a few things about meal planning. Here are my secrets for real-life family meal planning and how I brought sanity back into my kitchen.

Someone filling in a meal plan sheet.
Jump to:
  • ❀️ What is meal planning?
  • πŸ™‹Why should I do it?
  • πŸ“–Β How do I get started?
  • 🍽️ What do I need?
  • Join the Free membership Group
  • 🧾 Comparison of meal planning techniques
  • πŸ“š How to choose recipes
  • πŸ›’ Efficient grocery shopping
  • πŸ’­ Things to know
  • πŸ‘©β€πŸ³ FAQs
  • πŸ”ͺ Meal Prep for Success
  • πŸ“ž The last word
  • πŸ““ Meal plans in minutes
  • πŸ’¬ Comments

❀️ What is meal planning?

  • Preparing weekly menus in advance for your family's meals
  • Grocery shopping just once and getting everything you need
  • Reducing food waste by factoring leftovers into your week

Though sometimes cooking dinner can feel like a thankless task, family meal planners help you gain control of the dinnertime rush and make it enjoyable once again.

Meal planning saves resources, eliminates stress from your life, and makes the dreaded "what's for dinner?" decision easy.

πŸ™‹Why should I do it?

A family meal planning system can truly revolutionize your day-to-day life.

Save time

First off, it saves you timeβ€”and who couldn't use a few extra minutes in the day? Say "goodbye" to last-minute runs to the grocery store and standing clueless in front of the fridge.

Having a meal plan also gives you the ability to plan ahead for the unexpected chaos that happens in everyone's life. Plan to double your favorite recipes and freeze a few for those types of days.

Save money

Meal planning also helps you save money.

Instead of randomly grabbing stuff at the grocery store and tossing it away, uneaten, advance preparation ensures that you buy only what you'll use.

Rather than relying on take-out, delivery, or other unhealthy options, making a healthy meal plan keeps the whole family filled with nutritious, satisfying choices.

Less stress

These days, families don't have much time to spend together.

Meal prepping is a great way to eliminate dinnertime stress, so you can enjoy more quality moments togetherβ€”despite balancing busy schedules.

It also cuts down on decision fatigue - that feeling that if you have to make one more decision today you'll scream.

Whether you've got picky eaters, family members with food allergies, or you're struggling to stick to your food budget, meal planning works for everyone!

πŸ“– How do I get started?

Making a menu plan isn't tricky, and once you start, you'll never want to stop! If you're new to meal planning, here are the first four steps:

  • Decide how often you'll do it. Once a month? Once a week? Bi-weekly?
  • Set a Planning Routineβ€”choose which day of the week or month to plan meals and add it to your schedule.
  • Gather Family Inputβ€”involve everyone in the planning process (as age appropriate) to accommodate schedules, preferences, dietary needs, etc.
  • Take Inventoryβ€”assess your pantry, fridge, and freezer to see what you have and jot down what you need to use up. This cuts back on waste.
  • Createβ€”use one of the techniques below to map out your meals for the week and create a grocery list.

Another thing I did was cook multiple meals in one day and put them in the freezer. Freezer meal prep works great along with your meal plan.

🍽️ What do I need?

There are a few popular ways to meal plan: in a notebook, using free meal plans online, or with a meal planning service/app.

However, while all of the methods are great, some have more benefits than others. It's important to choose one that feels best for you!

If you enjoy meal planning, you'll be more likely to stick with it and meet your food goals.

Simple notebook technique

If you have a notebook and a pen, you can meal plan! Start by jotting down the name of each day of the week, or sketch out a few boxes, like a calendar. Don't worryβ€”it doesn't have to be pretty!

You can also use a printable template. Join the free membership group below and you'll get a pretty printable meal plan for free.

Join the Free membership Group

Join today and get a printable meal plan absolutely free!

    Built with ConvertKit

    Now, fill up your plan with meal ideas. Take inspiration from your favorite recipes, and feel free to add new ones, too.

    When planning, keep in mind the types of meals that will have leftovers, and consider factoring those in for another, busier day.

    For example, if Wednesday nights are filled with sports, dance classes, and appointments, plan to cook a main dish on Tuesday that'll give you easy, quick leftovers.

    As you make note of your weekly recipes, start to build a grocery shopping list of all the items you'll need to pick up for that week's meals. Don't forget to plan side dishes and desserts, too!

    Free meal plans

    If you tend to find yourself in a repetitive recipe rut, consider following my free meal plan online! This is an awesome way to get just a little help with your menu planning.

    Each weekly dinner plan includes seven complete, homemade meals that everyone in the family will love.

    There are 52 weeks of meal-planning recipesβ€”that's enough for one whole year!

    Plus, you'll learn tips (like the best way to use up certain leftovers) and enjoy plans based on seasonal flavors, foods, holidays, and more. With free online meal planning, you'll never run out of meal ideas again.

    • Collage of images from the November 5-11 meal plan.
      Meal Plan 46: November 5 - 11
    • Meal plan collage August 20.
      Meal Plan 35: August 20 - 26
    • Collage of images from this meal plan.
      Meal Plan 17
    • Collage of the main dish images for this meal plan.
      Meal Plan for Jan 29 to Feb 4
    See more Meal Plans: What to Cook This Week β†’

    Meal planning app

    Searching for an even better way to meal plan? With the Restless Chipotle meal-planning app, you can save even more time and simplify the process further!

    Meal planning apps are ideal for busy families because:

    • You can create shopping lists instantly
    • Find delicious meals that are easy to customize
    • Follow weekly recipes closely, or substitute other foods
    • New recipes are added daily (never get bored in the kitchen again!)
    • Easy to work around specific diet restrictions
    • Adjust serving count (Hosting a big family dinner at your house this week? Kids away at summer camp? You control it!)

    Most of us already use our phones to find recipes and make lists, so, why not streamline everything into one, easy-to-use app?

    In just minutes you can plan a week's worth of meals (and make a grocery list) with no fuss, no stress, and no ads.

    Overhead view of a plate of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and corn.

    🧾 Comparison of meal planning techniques

    TechniquePro ConCostWeekly Time Investment
    Notebook-Easy
    -Use recipes you know your family likes
    -Time consuming
    -Have to hunt down recipes
    -Have to make grocery lists
    Inexpensive1 to 2 hours
    Free Meal Plans-least amount of time investment if you use the meal plan as written-Family might not like the foods
    -Have to make grocery lists
    No cost10 minutes
    Meal Plan Ap- Example meal plans done for you
    - Easy to adjust meals to your family's tastes
    -Auto-created printable grocery lists
    -Easy to create your own meal plans

    -Monthly fee
    - Recipes may be limited
    Varies - usually less than $20 a month15 minutes or less
    No Meal PlanTakes no time and requires only last minute decisions-Unhealthy
    -Mom guilt
    -Expensive
    -Decision fatigue
    Expensive- convenience foods, take out meals, etc.0 time

    πŸ“š How to choose recipes

    Wondering where to start? There are plenty of great resources available to home cooks that offer ideas to suit everyone's tastes and dietary preferences.

    I always like to check out food blogs (no surprise there!) and recipe websites for inspirationβ€”they're easy and free.

    However, don't forget about good 'ol cookbooks, too! Blow off the dust from the cover and crack one open, or download an electronic cookbook on your tablet reader.

    Some of the most delicious, classic recipes are hidden between the pages of Mom's old, dog-eared cookbook.

    Active on social media? Feel free to follow your favorite food bloggers and join cooking communities.

    There, you can learn tips and tricks from professionals and home cooks, alike!

    However, once you've found a dish you love, don't stop there!

    Experiment with variations on family favorites to keep things fun and exciting. Changing around a few flavors or ingredients is a great way to turn a classic recipe into a new creation!

    Closeup of a serving of casserole.

    πŸ›’ Efficient grocery shopping

    Do you often find yourself wandering up and down every aisle of the grocery store, simply going through the motions?

    Save more time each week by making your grocery trips efficient and organized!

    To start, plan your shopping list based on your weekly meal plan (if your weekly meal planning method doesn't make a shopping list for you.)

    Then, stick to a budget by focusing on just the essentialsβ€”I know it's tough, but try to avoid impulse purchases.

    Another way to cut down on grocery shopping time is to cut it out altogether!

    Okayβ€”you can't exactly not shop, but you can have someone do it for you! Take advantage of online grocery shopping and delivery services for convenience during extra busy weeks.

    I use Instacart and Amazon Fresh. It's saved me literally hours every week! I love walking out onto my front porch and have my groceries waiting for me.

    Finally, shop in bulk for pantry staples. Freeze extra portions (either raw or cooked foods) for future meals.

    πŸ’­ Things to know

    Expert Tip: When organizing meals, try to plan to eat the more perishable items sooner, rather than later. Leaving ripe produce to sit all week in the fridge could cause it to go bad before you use it up.

    • Feel free to leave certain days open for fun eventsβ€”not every single day needs planning. For example, if you often skip dinner on Friday nights and eat hot dogs at the football game, so be itβ€”a little flexibility is okay.
    • Do some research to learn how best to store fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Some last longer with refrigeration, while others don't!
    • If at all possible, avoid the grocery store on Sunday afternoons. It's the busiest time, which means long lines and lots of frustration!
    • You can buy pre-prepped veggies to save time (like diced onions and peppers.) However, pre-cut produce doesn't usually last as long, so proceed with caution.
    • Display your meal plan on a chalkboard or the fridge so that no one has to ask, "What's for dinner?"

    πŸ‘©β€πŸ³ FAQs

    Does meal planning take a long time?

    Nope! In fact, it'll end up saving you time in the long run. Getting organized has major benefits and it's not difficult at all!

    What happens if I can't stick to my plan?

    That's okay! Everyone has an off-week, and unexpected occasions do pop up. Try your best to recover the following week, and learn from what happened. If you start noticing patterns, take those into account when meal planning.

    How do I meal plan with picky eaters?

    Just the same as you would cook for them now! Choose recipes that your picky eaters like or are familiar with. Meal planning is a great way to get organized and save time, but it doesn't mean you need a whole new recipe collection. Use what works, and introduce new recipes slowly!

    A dinner table with chicken fried steak on it.

    πŸ”ͺ Meal Prep for Success

    Meal prep takes meal planning one step further, saving you more time and effort on busy nights. It's a major key in simplifying weekly dinners.

    Plus, you're already planning out your mealsβ€”why not start to prep them while they're on your mind? Do all the messy cutting at once, so you won't even have to look at your chopping board (let alone clean it) all week long.

    Set aside time each week to prepare some main ingredients or cook ahead of time. Some people like to do this right after they get home from the grocery store, while others prefer the first evening of each week.

    Here are some ingredients you can meal prep ahead of time for easy assembly later on:

    • Chop, dice, and slice vegetables
    • Marinate proteins
    • Brown ground meats
    • Pre-cook grains (such as pasta, rice, and potatoes)

    Don't forget to use some good, reusable storage containers to portion out the prepped food for the week. You can combine all of the ingredients together to make "grab-and-go" style dinnersβ€”easy, peasy!

    πŸ“ž The last word

    Meal planning is a game-changer for real-life families and the busy schedules we contend with. It helps you save money, save time, and cut down on kitchen waste, all while enjoying hearty, real food that makes your heart and tummy happy.

    Remember, with the right approach to family meal planning, you can regain control of your kitchen, reduce stress, and create memorable mealtimes that bring your family closer together.

    Start planning today and savor the joy of stress-free dinners!

    πŸ““ Meal plans in minutes

    Check out my meal planning system! It's easy, full of recipes from Restless Chipotle that y'all already love, and no ads!

    Clickable image of the meal planning app.

    More Meal Plans: What to Cook This Week

    • A collage of the main dishes from this meal plan.
      Meal Plan 53
    • Collage of main dishes from this meal plan.
      Meal Plan 52: December 17 - 23
    • Collage of main dish images with a title text overlay, "Dec 10 - 16 Meal Plan".
      Meal Plan 51: December 10 - 16
    • Collage of images from this week's meal plan.
      Meal Plan 50: December 3-9

    Love it? Share it!

    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




    Primary Sidebar

    Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

    Hey Y'all, I'm Marye.

    NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies.

    More about me β†’

    πŸŽƒ Pumpkin Spice

    • A stack of pumpkin bars on a plate showing the layers of spice cake and pumpkin.
      Pumpkin Gooey Bars
    • A close up of a square of the bread pudding showing the texture.
      Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Bread Pudding
    • Baked pumpkin scones glazed with icing.
      Classic Pumpkin Scones
    • A serving of pumpkin cake with a bite taken out of it.
      Pumpkin Spice Cake
    • Closeup view of the whole top of the pie for the feature image.
      Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie
    • Slice of pumpkin cheesecake covered with caramel sauce and sprinkled with pecans.
      Pumpkin Cheesecake

    Get 14 Days FREE

    Clickable image of the meal planning app.

    πŸ‘‘ Reader Favorites

    • Square overhead of chicken for feature image.
      Crockpot Angel Chicken
    • Close up of the sauce showing the creamy texture.
      Copycat Red Robin Campfire Sauce Recipe
    • Wooden spatula removing fried potatoes out of iron skillet.
      How to Make Crispy Fried Potatoes
    • Blue cocktail with a red and white straw.
      Sex in the Driveway: Bright Blue Cocktail
    • A sliced loaf of english muffin bread.
      English Muffin Bread Recipe
    • Two finished loaves of Amish white bread cooling on a table.
      No-Fail Amish White Bread

    πŸ₯£ Best Soups for Fall

    12 Best Fall Soup Recipes

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Marye Audet-White
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Become a Sponsor
    • Contact
    MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

    Featured In:

    Places Restless Chipotle has been featured

    Copyright Β©2006 - 2023 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC