Meal planning is one of my favourite things to discuss. That along with the rest of the food process, as long as it’s quick, painless, balanced and delicious. Yes, sometimes in life you can have it all ?

Meal planning is often viewed as an annoying, repetitive task which can be frustrating to do. If you think about it, all you need is to jot down a few meals, but when you sit down to try and do the work your mind goes BLANK.

Has this ever happened to you?

Because it sure as hell has happened to me.

I usually start browsing the internet aimlessly until I declare defeat. Or I start looking at recipes so beautifully put together, they look like they’re a work of art. Can I recreate that? Not. Or perhaps, 14 years ago when I was child-less and had the luxury of being able to cook with wine (in hand I mean, not in the darn pot ? )

Recently, I shared a resource with links to 100 simple recipes, all hand-picked by myself. Some of them are recipes my family and I have tried & loved, and others are new ones I want to try.

I am positive that this free resource has been extremely helpful (shoutout to all the lovely ladies who shared their success!), but I need to clarify one thing.

One simple thing that will change meal planning forever.

Having a go-to recipe list.

Let’s start with the basics. What is a go-to recipe list?

All families have a handful of recipes that when served up, are gobbled up. Or let’s be realistic. Eaten with minimal grumbling (win!)
Either way, any recipe which you’re happy cooking, and everyone’s fairly happy eating should be classified as a go-to recipe in my books.

Uh-oh. I think we have a few…ummm…but I cannot remember what they are?

I won’t laugh. My memory is a good as a goldfish’s. If you’re not particularly practical with meal planning and getting dinner on the table quickly – yes, you will forget. Keep a notebook beside you. Chat with the kids. Speak to your husband. Call your mum, grandma, whoever you can think of. You’re bound to start getting your answers.

Now what?

Cook them! Joking apart (I seem to be on a roll today) – rejoice, because if you’ve managed to list 5-10 dishes which you’re alright with making, and the clan seem to be happy with eating – meal planning has just got easier for you!
Now, everytime you mealplan make sure you plan to cook some of these dishes. Don’t feel guilty about repeating if you have to. It’s perfectly ok to eat the same dish once a week if everyone’s happy! That is a great alternative to stressing out over what to cook, for it not to be eaten anyway.

If you want to take it a step further, batch cook your go-to recipes. That might mean you don’t get to cook AT LEAST once a week!

Happy meal planning my loves!

Nakita xxx

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