#023 TCF: Meal Planning Made Simple

Let's talk about meal planning, because who hasn't been hit with that "what am I going to cook tonight?" dread? Yep, same, and I found a solution that might just change the game for you too.

A while back, I came up with a meal planning system. I adeptly named 'the system'. 😊 You can see an example here.

It worked like a charm for years, but recently, I found myself falling back into that same old rut. I just wasn't feeling inspired or motivated to plan my meals. That's when I realized I needed a new approach, one that ticked all the boxes.

Here were my criteria:

I wanted a plan that practically ran on autopilot, meals that were easy to prepare, met my nutrition goals (including macros & calories), were perfect for leftovers the next day, and, of course, delicious and fresh. 

We were already doing 'Taco Tuesday' which I loved. Not only because tacos! but because I never had to think about what to cook on Tuesdays. This got me thinking why not just theme every night?  So, I developed a whole new weekly meal plan that I'm absolutely loving.

Here's how it looks:

• Frittata Monday: A fantastic way to use up those veggies and herbs hanging out in the fridge.
• Taco Tuesday: Need I say more? Tacos are always a hit.
• Grain Bowl/Big Salad Wednesday: A wholesome bowl packed with grains and veggies or a hearty salad to keep things fresh and nutritious.
• Pasta Thursday: I usually whip up a tasty kale pesto for a healthy twist. 
• Filet Friday: Ted's favorite! We love using Maui Venison for a special Friday night meal.
• Fish Saturday: I make sure to choose local and/or wild-caught fish.
• Soupy Sunday: It's all about one-pot wonders that I can throw together early in the day and forget about until dinner. I usually make a double batch to freeze for later.

This new system has transformed my meal planning process.

It used to take me hours to come up with a plan and a grocery list, with lots of blank stares and online recipe searches in between. But now, it's a breeze. I spend just a few minutes planning, and I've even managed to reduce my grocery bill by a third. No more wasted food either!

I still use the components of my original system to ensure I'm getting a nice variety of veggies, fiber-packed beans, and healthy proteins.

If you're curious about the nitty-gritty details, I walk you through the entire process in the MED Method, which has been a total game changer for me.

Now it's your turn!

Take a moment to think about those 5 or 6 core meals you usually rely on when you're feeling tired and don't want to cook. How can you tweak those recipes to make them even healthier and meet your nutritional needs? Assign a specific day of the week to each one. Think of this as a framework that allows you to switch up the veggies, herbs, and spices for variety while keeping the process simple and consistent.

Give it a go and let me know what your nightly themes are! xo