How to Meal Plan Family Dinners – No Grocery List Required
How many times have you found yourself running to the grocery store without a list? Many experts and bloggers will teach you the right way to make a list but for many of us, it’s just an extra step in a thankless parent task. I dislike shopping on the weekends as that is when most people chose to shop. If you have ever had to skip a grocery aisle because you didn’t want to navigate through the sea of carts and bystanders, you know what I mean. My favorite day to shop is usually Tuesday night after work.
My theory is that most people who either refuse to shop on the weekends or get too busy, usually find themselves at the stores on Monday. I find that Tuesdays are much less busy.
Because it’s a Tuesday and I’m coming straight from work, I will admit to not always (OK, most of the time) knowing what groceries I need. I go on autopilot to the milk, eggs, turkey bacon, applesauce, etc.
But what to do about those pesky dinners I’m supposed to make? Thanks to the following easy three steps, you will never have to make an official dinner meal plan again! Living with Piratude means not stressing about the little things and having fun with every day tasks.
Step 1 of No Meal Plan
Keep a somewhat recent photo of your pantry and fridge on your phone. Like Old Mother Hubbard, my pantry is usually pretty bare but I always keep the essentials – pineapple, black beans, and tomatoes.
Step 2 of No Meal Plan
Bring in the Themes! Having themed dinners is nothing new or earth shattering but when your brain is frazzled by work and dealing with kids, it’s a great crutch. And now with modern technology, your themes can have substance.
So, what are my weekday themes? I LOVE alliteration. It’s a beautiful thing and a great memory aid. Pride and Prejudice, March Madness, Picture Perfect, Sink or Swim, and more (from www.enchantedlearning.com). And if you don’t love alliteration, here are other themes I created for dinner planning.
Marinara Mondays
Pasta, meatballs, lasagna, baked spaghetti, you get the idea.
Taco Tuesdays
Tostitos, fish tacos (yum!), baked nachos, enchiladas oh my!
Waldorf Wednesdays
The Waldorf Salad is a famous concoction with a wonderful history (more info from Food52). Best yet, it starts with a “W.” It’s also quite yummy. On Wednesdays, we have some form of salad as the main course. I usually throw a protein such as grilled fish, barbecued chicken, or strips of steak onto the greens.
Take Out Thursdays
As a working parent, you need to find at least one day a week for having someone else make dinner. For me, Thursdays work best. It usually ends up being Chinese or something I order off of one of my many phone apps.
It also doesn’t have to technically be from a restaurant. Grocery stores have tons of take out options in the freezer section. Even my favorite place, Trader Joe’s, has frozen Mexican food and Chinese food.
A few brands to try:
TGI Friday’s Frozen Meals – TGI Friday’s offers fun appetizer meals made up of potato skins, mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, sliders, and spinach dip.
California Pizza Kitchen – California Pizza Kitchen makes oven-ready pizzas (some are even gluten free)
Marie Calendars – We all know this brand for their pot pies, but Marie Calendars also makes Family Sized Meals like three meat and four cheese lasagna, cheesy chicken & rice, and chicken alfredo.
Fish Fridays
Frozen breaded fish fillets (I have kids), cedar salmon on the grill, baked tilapia in foil, or fish tacos again (what can I say, I’m obsessed).
Slices Saturdays
Homemade pizza, paninis (The Breville Panini Grill is my favorite), sub sandwiches, you name it. [affiliate link included]
Substantial Sundays
Since we try to stay home on Sundays, we are able to actually make bigger meals and eat earlier. This usually entails firing up the grill outside in the summer or making a comforting and delicious recipe in the crock pot.
This all sounds great you say but how am I supposed to know all the ingredients I need?
Step 3 of No Meal Plan
My favorite place on the web (other than this blog) – Pinterest.com! I built seven (yes 7) different food boards for each of the days of the week.
I have my favorite go-to recipes but when I’m looking to spice it up, I just open the application on my phone and shop from there. You can follow each of my boards: Marinara Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Waldorf Wednesdays, Take-Out Thursdays, Fish Fridays, Slices Saturdays, and Substantial Sundays for inspiration or follow all boards.
Caveat
We are all busy or things happen – soccer practice, working late and having the other parent (who can barely boil water) make dinner…
In that case, always stock your pantry with those emergency, down-and-dirty meals. Mine are:
- Mac ‘n Cheese with frozen peas and whatever deli meat or turkey hotdogs I have in the fridge (one-pot dinner)
- Frozen lasagna (bake and forget)
- Fresh-popped Popcorn (don’t judge)
Ok, there you have it. My non-planning meal planning. What are your favorite tricks to grocery shopping without a list?
