A Simple Approach to Meal Planning -- From a Mom Who Hates to Cook

I hate cooking.

I could bake all day. Baking is usually a treat so, you just have a little bit at a time. Usually the labor of baking is enjoyed over a few days. 

Cooking on the other hand... devoured. In five minutes. 

Baking, my kids love. My cooking, hit or miss which I know is normal, but none the less annoying and joy stealing.

Fact is... food is a major part of life, and I want to feed my family good food. 


We eat pretty simply around here. I used to be overly concerned with variety. Worried about my family getting tired of the food I make. Then, I started thinking about the past. Like pre-internet past, even pre-tv past, before people were so connected to the whole world. People didn't eat Chinese food if they weren't Chinese. Most people ate what they grew. No matter how big your garden, you were bound to repeat meals.

Mike and I have made great effort to simplify our lives. Why not apply that to our eating?

Simple is okay.

So, I compiled a list of all of our favorite meals. There are about 25.

*Edited to add: I guess we have more than 25! I had some requests to share our go-to's so here it is.*



My husband, God bless him, does our grocery shopping once a week. On grocery day, I make my weekly plan. I only plan ONE meal to cook a day. Ideally each person gets to pick one meal for the week.  

Our breakfasts are always quick and simple: smoothies, fruit, oatmeal, toast, eggs, etc. Sometimes, waffles or pancakes are actually one of the planned suppers. So, I make a big batch to freeze. Then, we can pull those out for a quick breakfast as well.

Lunch is either left over supper from the night before or what we refer to around here as "snacky lunch." I simply set out containers of pre-cut veggies, cut up an apple, set out a container of grapes, maybe add some slices of cheese, a few tortilla chips or pretzels and voila! Lunch. The same, every day... the kids don't care. Neither do I. 

Believe it or not, I have tried menu planning before; it never stuck. 

Two things have made this round of menu planning stick for that last several months.

1. Posting the menu on the fridge. 
Before I had it written in my planner. I don't know what it is about the visible reminder, but it works!

2. NETFLIX. No joke. 
I realize I am privileged to afford Netflix, but there are plenty of ways to watch free shows too. PBS, NBC, ABC and most other networks air their shows for free online. We don't have an actual TV. I just set up my laptop or my phone. Watching something I enjoy (which is currently the Great British Baking Show) while I cook has taken the drudgery out of it all. 

Do you love to cook or, are you more like me? I would love to hear how you plan meals. OR share what meals your kiddos love. Because, in reality, my kids really only like about ten of the 25 meals I make : /



24 comments:

  1. I agree meal planning can be very tedious! At the same time eating at home is not only a great way to save money but to make sure your family is eating wholesome nutritious foods. Thank you for inspiring me to keep up with meal planning. I also liked your idea to freeze a big batch of pancakes or waffles. I'm definitely going to do that before baby comes (:

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    1. Oh yes!! Freezing all kinds of things before having babies was such a lifesaver!!

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  2. I SUCK at meal planning, so this post is super timely for me because I really want to make this a habit. I want to start eating healthier, and I think meal planning is a great way to get started.

    Loving your no-nonsense approach to this, Christina! :) I've never thought about watching something while I cook, but that would totally make the process go by faster - I might try listening to my favorite jams, too.

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    1. Thank you, Bria! Part of the reason I hate cooking is I think of all the other things I wish I was doing so, distraction works for me : )

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  3. our breakfast sounds very similar....im all about simple and quick.

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  4. Oh, I do like the idea of watching something while cooking - or even just turning on some music. I need to remember that!

    -Lauren

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  5. We actually have a pretty mundane menu too, but that's because of our budget. But, we like Netflix because all the cooking shows give us a lot of new, creative ideas on how to use the basic same ingredients.n

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    1. Of all the Netflix shows, I've never checked out a cooking show... I really should.

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  6. I always wondered if I was the only one that only actually cooked once a day. Breakfast is usually cereal or oatmeal, lunch is usually a sandwich and fruit, a few snacks here and there and then I try to cook a balanced dinner. I love a hot breakfast but we usually do breakfast for dinner (pancakes, eggs sausage, etc). You mentioned about 25 different meals, would you mind sharing some favorites since I am in such a food rut.

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    1. Breakfast for dinner has ALWAYS been my favorite!! And... I just added a graphic to this post of our (more than!) 25 : )

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  7. I would love to hear your 25 meals! I used to meal plan before becoming pregnant. Now we rotate the same things in and out!

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    1. I just added a graphic to this post! Hope it gives some ideas...

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  8. I just posted our meal plan this week on my blog! I find that by writing it out (and sharing it!), posting on the fridge like you said and spending one day a week (I do it Sunday) to really PREP helps me stick to it. I always use Pinterest for inspiration and usually mix and match my favorite ideas. I fall off the wagon when I've had a long day at work, the toddler is crying, and I'm exhausted and don't want to cook so I found PREP is just important as the PLAN part!!!

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    1. PREP helps immensely. I chop up veggies and fruits once a week so I can just grab and throw them in what I need. SUCH a time saver.

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  9. I'm going to try this approach because meal planning and prep can be overwhelming!

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  10. I actually enjoy cooking! Music on in the background helps me unwind. However, once I became a mom and still work full time the enjoy part kinda dwindled. It's more challenging with a child and I feel pressured to have a meal in 30 minutes after I walk in the door. So here are 2 of my crock pot recipes that I put in rotation. I really have found the crock pot is a huge stress reliever!! Simple is totally ok! https://www.mysillymonkey.com/crock-pot-chicken-enchiladas/ or https://www.mysillymonkey.com/chuck-roast-crock-pot-recipe/

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    1. I can understand loosing the joy of cooking when you feel the pressure of your family needs. I freakin' love the crock pot. I make all the soups above in it for sure. Off to check out your recipes!

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  11. Cooking is not something that I super enjoy but meal planning definitely does help. Sounds like you have a good routine in place.

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  12. Oh my gosh, I love your idea for lunches! I want to do that around here, sounds so simple and perfect. And I used to love watching tv while I cooked and baked but now you can't see our tv from the kitchen, it's such a bummer. I usually listen to Pandora.

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  13. Pandora is a great thing too! I highly recommend the lunches. It helps to have one "prep" day for cutting up the veggies and washing and packaging fruit. Seriously, no one has ever complained about lunch!!

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