Creating a Happy Family With a Healthy Meal Plan

Have you ever heard this question from your family? "What's for dinner?" Or, "I'm starving. What's in the fridge?"  

If we don't have a meal plan at the end of a busy day, dinner-time becomes a daunting task that potentially leads to (dare I say) fast food versus preparing a nutritious meal at home.

Ease your mind and your stress by using the attached worksheet to plan your weekly menu. Choose a day to re-group for the upcoming week. I like Sunday evening, but a Saturday morning with a cup of coffee may work better for you!

Place an "X" on the day you know you'll be out for a planned activity or event on your calendar. Next, begin adding a mix of tried-and-true recipes and maybe a new one or two from your favorite cookbook, magazine, Pinterest or blog.  

Once your week of meals is planned, make your grocery list accordingly — planning ahead for recipes which require marinating, etc. Be sure to include "healthy" snacks in the plan, too!

Creating a meal plan takes a little time to write out, but I find it therapeutic in a sense — knowing it will ultimately save me time, money and stress during the week. I also hope you'll find that by using a meal plan, you're actually eating healthier too.

Laminate or frame a blank Meal Plan, then use a marker which can be wiped clean weekly. Whether you're planning for 2 or 20, meal planning will simplify your life.  

I know summer is upon us, but we still need to eat ... so do yourself a favor and give "Meal Planning" a try

Feel free to drop me a line to let me know how it works for you and your family.

Happy planning ... and happy eating!