I started this week off hopeful that I would do something, anything that worked to help my life seem less stressful and also bring some healthy changes too. I decided to try meal planning. I was curious to see how time-consuming it was and if it was effective.
So on Sunday morning I sat in bed with my coffee, coupons and grocery store ad and made a list. I thought about the week ahead and the meals I was going to need to make. Since I pack my older son’s lunch, I started there and wrote down what I needed and looked for sales and coupons. Then while looking through the ad, I planned out all of our dinners for the week. Breakfast was never a problem area for me I’m always stocked in that department. I also checked all of our other household supplies (toilet paper, dish soap, etc.) and added those items to the list. Meanwhile, the little guy (my younger son) sat next to me with his ad, expired coupons and a pen and paper happily making his lists. When I went shopping, I actually followed the list which is big for me because I either forget the list an/or the coupons every time I go! Making a list turned out to be pretty time consuming (it took me nearly an hour) but some of that time I was distracted by the little guy so really wasn’t so bad. The trip to the grocery store took the same amount of time it usually does, but I wasn’t expecting a change here because the boys help me when we go. We make the trips fun and spending quality time together is worth all the time it takes.
Monday we went out to the country to visit family, so I didn’t plan anything for the day. It was a nice “day off” and incredibly recharging for me. I actually remembered to pack my older son’s lunch that night too. I’m pretty thankful I did that because the rest of the night did not go as planned at all (all about that here). Tuesday’s the boy’s dad makes dinner before taekwondo because there’s no time after class to make and eat dinner plus do homework. I remembered to pack the big guy’s lunch again so I went to bed feeling pretty good when I went to bed that night.
For Wednesday I planned to make a whole chicken ( as well as real mashed potatoes and corn on the cob) since it was on sale and I didn’t have to take the big guy to taekwondo. I did not think that much about the fact that it was going to take two hours to cook! But I was determined to follow the meal plan I put in place I made the chicken. Since I knew it was going to take two hours for the chicken to cook, I decided to change up the order in which I typically do things. The boys had their bath and did their chores (put their clothes away) and were even able to squeeze in a little video game time before dinner. After dinner, they brushed their teeth had their story and went to bed. So even though the dinner took a long time to prepare and cook the night was incredibly productive and went smoothly.
I was looking the most forward to Thursday’s dinner though. I planned on using the leftover chicken
I am so proud of myself for making this!
from the night before and make chicken noodle soup. I pulled out a soup pot, cut up some carrots, celery, and onion, cooked them in some chicken broth for a little bit ( I had my nephew stirring and watching) while I deboned the chicken. Once I was ready to add the chicken I added more chicken broth, water and the chicken and let that simmer for a little while. I also cooked egg noodles in a separate pan of chicken broth and added them to each bowl so they wouldn’t get too soggy but still had the chicken flavor. It was so easy!! It took hardly any time to prepare and cook and the kids ate it! The big guy picked out the vegetables, but he still ate it, typically he’d just refuse even to try it.
On Friday I decided to go simple and make spaghetti and meatballs. It’s easy, and I never have to wonder if my kids will eat it. I also really enjoy making my own meatballs and find it relaxing, so that alone is a plus. I decided since the school week went so well I’d let the boys pick what to make for dinner on Saturday, and they both agreed on pigs in a blanket. I realize they are not a healthy option, but since they both agreed (for once), I figured I’d just go with it. I did make them pick out one healthy item to serve with it each to help balance it out. My older son picked apple slices and my younger son picked green beans.
Meal planning has helped make this week go much smoother than usual. It was nice to come home and already have a plan for dinner and stick to it. I was also able to get other things done that I needed d to do because I wasn’t looking around the kitchen for dinner ideas. I’m hoping to stick with this because let’s be honest that is the hardest part for me.
