Do you need more time and less stress during the back-to-school rush? Then say hello to a practice that’ll instantly change your life: meal planning! Because when you sit down one time and map out what your people will eat for the week, the stress of the “What’s for dinner?” question after a long day instantly evaporates (along with your hangriness). This week, Emily shares 6 life-changing tips to make meal prep an easy part of your week. From writing down your family’s favorite meals in your phone, to stocking up on emergency pantry meals (mac ‘n cheese, anyone?), meal planning doesn’t have to be time-consuming. It’s a simple way to get more time back into your week, so you can get back to the good stuff a little more quickly.
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How to Make Meal Prepping Easy:
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Make a list of twenty meals you love. Refer back to this list before grocery shopping so it’s easy to pull recipes you know your family enjoys.
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Figure out when you’re going to meal plan and grocery shop. It doesn’t have to be Sunday—it just has to be the time and day that works best for you.
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Plan meals with similar ingredients. To avoid the fancy basil you bought for caprese salad wilting away in the fridge, plan to incorporate it into other meals. Make some pesto, or freeze the basil to enjoy later.
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Keep a running list of grocery items. Know what fresh items you need to replenish each week, and base your grocery list off of that. Add the special ingredients you need for meals and voila! Grocery shopping just became a whole lot easier.
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Make sure your pantry is stocked. Do you love quinoa or rice? Buy them in bulk if you have the space to ensure you always have them on hand.
- Meal prep! Throw on your favorite audiobook or podcast and get to work. After your grocery trip (or better yet, delivery!), clean and chop your produce so it’s already ready when you need it. Make a big batch of items you’ll use throughout the week—like rice, chicken, or hard-boiled eggs—so you can just grab and go during the day.
Thought-Provoking Quotes
“It's always a great time to start meal planning, no matter what time of year. ” – Emily Ley
“Using what you have is not only a great way to save money and reduce waste, but it also helps you branch out and try different recipes you may not have otherwise tried.” – Emily Ley
“Doing small things like grilling up a bunch of chicken or chopping the lettuce and veggies for salads we can eat all week frees my brain up for things that actually matter more to me.” – Emily Ley
“I know meal planning takes a little bit of time to pull off, but I find that it's one of the most useful routines I have in my week—not only because it's practical, but because it gives me peace.” – Emily Ley
A Blessing for Your Week
May you feed your mind, body, and soul as you prepare for a simple week ahead.
May you find creativity and joy in the kitchen where there wasn’t any before.
And may you create a routine that offers time and space for simple joy spent with your family.
Simplicity Tip of the Week
If you’re looking to organize your food prep in a beautiful and sustainable way, think about investing in some glass tupperware containers. With glass containers, you can see all your leftovers, which means you’re way more likely to use them up. Plus, these little containers look so nice in your fridge! I’ve had mine for a few years and never looked back. They’re a small thing that have saved us a lot of cash.
New Book Alert: Build a Life You Love!
Get Emily’s new book, Growing Boldly: Dare to Build a Life You Love, wherever you buy books!
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