The Meal Plan Formula That Saves My Life
And Other Delicious Things Worth Mentioning
Listen. We all have to eat. Some of us are responsible for feeding others. For those of us with children, we know that not everyone will eat the same thing at any given time- which really throws a wrench in things on days one little person has ballet and another little person has rehearsal and two big people have to eat and it can’t be pizza for the 4th time this week SO HELP US, GOD.
I don’t think there’s a magical formula to anything because we’re all different people with different needs, but I have found a rhythm that has been working for us for a solid two years now. I had originally planned on presenting this information to only the new faces around here, but I just couldn’t see the fairness in that. As a thank-you for all of the shares, likes, and follows in the last few weeks here is how I organize our dinner meal plans, according to the day. You’re welcome.
Weekend Prep: Saturdays and Sundays are when I make a few batches of things we stretch out over the week. Chicken and/or veggie broth, grains such as brown rice or quinoa, hard-boiled eggs, roasted/grilled mixed veggies (depending upon the season)and a baked good or two for quick breakfast grabs ( this banana bread and these granola bars are my go-tos). are the regulars. It truthfully only takes me an hour or so to prep these things and it makes our weeks run so much more smoothly.
Monday: Always meatless or fish. Our defaults are salmon (either grilled or roasted) with broccoli, veggie curry, enchiladas, chili or stir-fry. (One pan/pot is optimal- washing dishes on a Monday is a terrible idea).
Tuesday: Something low and slow in the winter months ( such as our Pulled Cuban Pork which works if you’re a Taco Tuesday kinda family…look out for the recipe soon) or something marinaded the night before to throw on the grill in the warmer months ( such as our Chicken Bahn Mi’s…also coming soon).
Wednesday: Something fresh and trendy; a new recipe, a fun cocktail, mainly assembly ( think rice bowls, tacos, salads, nachos, lettuce wraps, etc.)
Thursday: Leftovers and/or, “picnic dinner”. ( We discovered if we called, “let’s throw everything left in the fridge onto a huge platter on a blanket in the living room and cut things into cute little pieces, “ a picnic dinner” , our kids would eat it. It’s basically an unsexy charcuterie board but we’re not about food waste in this house and also not above dressing up grilled cheese crusts into croutons, k?
Friday: Homemade pizza ( toppings of family choice; our kiddos like it plain, we like ours with fresh basil and hot honey; this one’s our favorite.)
Please note: this is NOT a meal PLAN; just simply a formula you can follow that gives you enough flexibility to stay interested, use what you have, eliminate food waste and do your very best to meet everyone’s needs. Also note: unless we’re having dinner guests ( which I LOVE), I don’t cook dinner on the weekends. I prep for the week. Everyone is welcome to make their own sandwiches, scrambled eggs, veggies and hummus, apples and peanut butter when hungry and we’ll either go out one night or order in. No one will die if they have cinnamon toast for every meal one day. Promise.
Now, on to the things that gave me life this week:
Kate DiCamillo is one of my favorite authors of all time. Her novels ( directed toward children) never hide the bitter truth of the harshness of life while simultaneously exposing the magic of living. It’s a balance that’s magic in and of itself and her interview on OnBeing this week has already been added to my, “re-listen” list. My husband and I both cried in the car while listening.
Navigating a faith change is difficult. Doing it publically is on a whole different level. My friends are smart and brave and honest and good. If you’ve found yourself side-stepping away from evangelicalism and capital, “C”church and have been surprised at how often you’ve still encountered God in the margins- The Deconstructing Mamas are a listen worth investing in.
It’s light until 7 pm! I didn’t have to wear a jacket yesterday! It’s time for an Aperol Spritz, please and thank you. This recipe’s my favorite.
I’ve played this song on repeat all week. Trevor Hall’s voice is full of warmth- I hear it everytime I slink back into old patterns:
Oh no no no
You just gotta let that old story go
You just gotta let that good river flow into your heart
It's a startI loved Madeline Miller’s, “Circe” so much I read it twice, and used excerpts in my classes when I taught the Odyssey. I've had, “Achilles” on my nightstand for months, scared to open it because I’m afraid it won’t be as good. I feel the same way about Erin Morgenstern’s sophomore novel. Could anything be as good as, “Night Circus” was?
And that’s a wrap! May you enter this week looking for the things that give you life, loving your way through all uncertainties, and unafraid to eat your words. It helps when you make them delicious.
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