Life can feel like a whirlwind sometimes, with endless to-do lists and schedules to juggle. And when it comes to feeding your family, and you wanting to take control of your family’s meals, it’s easy to put meal planning on the back burner, thinking, “I’ll start when things calm down a bit.”

But let me tell you something – now is the perfect time to take control of your family’s meals, and here’s why.

1. Life’s Always Busy – But Meal Planning Can Help

First off, let’s address the elephant in the room: life will always be busy. There will always be something vying for your time and attention, whether it’s work, school, extracurricular activities, or simply the demands of everyday life. But here’s the thing – meal planning isn’t about adding more to your plate (pun intended); it’s about streamlining your process so you can actually save time and stress in the long run.

2. Meal planning saves you time

Take control of your family’s meals and save yourself hours. No more last-minute trips to the grocery store or staring into the fridge wondering what to make for dinner. With a solid meal plan in place, you’ll know exactly what you need and when you need it, saving you time and hassle.

3. Meal planning saves you money

By planning your meals ahead of time, you can make more strategic decisions about your grocery shopping, avoiding impulse buys and wasted ingredients. Plus, you’ll be less likely to rely on expensive takeout or dining out options when you have a plan in place.

4. Meal planning helps you prioritize your family’s health

Meal planning gives you the opportunity to prioritize your and your family’s health and well-being. When you plan ahead, you’re able to make more intentional choices about what you’re feeding your loved ones, ensuring they’re getting the nourishment they need to thrive. I speak to a lot of mamas wanting to make better food choices to lose weight, and meal planning is the secret to making it happen.

Overcoming Meal Planning Overwhelm

Now, I get it – meal planning can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure where to start. But that’s where I come in. With my step-by-step guidance and practical tips, I’ll show you just how easy and rewarding meal planning can be.

1. Set aside time

Dedicate a specific time each week to sit down and plan out your meals. This could be Sunday afternoon or whatever day works best for you. Pro tip: get started early. If you would like to shop on Saturday, for instance, get started with meal planning on Tuesday. That way, you have a few days buffer to get the job done on time, and be well on your way to take control of your family’s meals.

2. Gather inspiration

Start by brainstorming meal ideas based on your family’s preferences and dietary needs. Consider browsing cookbooks, websites, or even Pinterest for inspiration. A word of advice: be wary of trying to research meal ideas while you meal plan. This will turn a quick 10 minute job into a nightmare of going down rabbit holes on Pinterest and possible giving up on the task before it’s even halfway complete.
If you’re a member of The Dinner Plan, then you’re in luck. We send plenty of easy recipes your way so you’re never stuck for ideas.

3. Create your meal plan

Map out your meals for the week ahead. I love using the simplicity of Google Calendar for this task. That way, my meal plan is always with me, and I can easily see what’s on for the week before deciding what to make for dinner.

4. Make a shopping list

The Dinner Plan members – this step is also done for you. Simply access the PDF or Google Page shopping list (whichever you prefer), and check off whatever it is that you don’t need. Everything is itemised, so it’s easy to adjust. Add on whatever items you need.
If you’re starting from scratch, list the recipe ingredients for the recipes you have picked, less what you already have of course. And then add on any other pantry staples you require for your other meals and snacks.

5. Shop!

If you’re strapped for time, shop online and get everything delivered, or shop online and schedule pickup. Once you have the ingredients in your kitchen, and your recipes at hand, getting dinner sorted is EASY.

Take the first step & take control of your family’s needs

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Take the first step towards a happier, healthier, and more stress-free kitchen by joining me on this meal planning journey. Trust me, your future self will thank you!
PS: we will be running our meal planning challenge again in May. So, if you don’t want to do this alone, make sure you are signed up to our email list to be the first to know when registration opens! Sign up here: www.themamamanual.com/subscribe