A Simple Approach to Meal Planning -- From a Mom Who Hates to Cook

I hate cooking.

I could bake all day. Baking is usually a treat so, you just have a little bit at a time. Usually the labor of baking is enjoyed over a few days. 

Cooking on the other hand... devoured. In five minutes. 

Baking, my kids love. My cooking, hit or miss which I know is normal, but none the less annoying and joy stealing.

Fact is... food is a major part of life, and I want to feed my family good food. 

We eat pretty simply around here. I used to be overly concerned with variety. Worried about my family getting tired of the food I make. Then, I started thinking about the past. Like pre-internet past, even pre-tv past, before people were so connected to the whole world. People didn't eat Chinese food if they weren't Chinese. Most people ate what they grew. No matter how big your garden, you were bound to repeat meals.

Mike and I have made great effort to simplify our lives. Why not apply that to our eating?

Simple is okay.

So, I compiled a list of all of our favorite meals. There are about 25.

*Edited to add: I guess we have more than 25! I had some requests to share our go-to's so here it is.*

My husband, God bless him, does our grocery shopping once a week. On grocery day, I make my weekly plan. I only plan ONE meal to cook a day. Ideally each person gets to pick one meal for the week.  

Our breakfasts are always quick and simple: smoothies, fruit, oatmeal, toast, eggs, etc. Sometimes, waffles or pancakes are actually one of the planned suppers. So, I make a big batch to freeze. Then, we can pull those out for a quick breakfast as well.

Lunch is either left over supper from the night before or what we refer to around here as "snacky lunch." I simply set out containers of pre-cut veggies, cut up an apple, set out a container of grapes, maybe add some slices of cheese, a few tortilla chips or pretzels and voila! Lunch. The same, every day... the kids don't care. Neither do I. 

Believe it or not, I have tried menu planning before; it never stuck. 

Two things have made this round of menu planning stick for that last several months.

1. Posting the menu on the fridge. 

Before I had it written in my planner. I don't know what it is about the visible reminder, but it works!

2. NETFLIX. No joke. 

I realize I am privileged to afford Netflix, but there are plenty of ways to watch free shows too. PBS, NBC, ABC and most other networks air their shows for free online. We don't have an actual TV. I just set up my laptop or my phone. Watching something I enjoy (which is currently the Great British Baking Show) while I cook has taken the drudgery out of it all. 

Do you love to cook or, are you more like me? I would love to hear how you plan meals. OR share what meals your kiddos love. Because, in reality, my kids really only like about ten of the 25 meals I make : /