End Dinnertime Chaos!

"What's for dinner, Mom?"

This simple question can be enough to send you into a panic and make a frantic phone call for pizza delivery. It's not that you don't care about preparing a balanced meal. It's just that you're tired, overwhelmed, and the last thing you want to think about is what to cook. 


​I get it - because it wasn't too long ago I was in your shoes. With two children running in different directions, a career, and a husband that traveled, by the end of the day I had nothing left to give anyone, and cereal for dinner sounded pretty good.

The game changer? I started to plan our weekly dinners ahead of time and prepped what I could in advance. My family started eating more nutritious meals, we rarely resorted to packaged foods or take-out, and dinner time became more enjoyable. 

Sounds like a better approach, right?
 
The key is to practice planning and preparing in advance…not when you are rushed or hangry!

Tips to simplify your meal prep routine:

• Grocery shop. Sounds easy, but how often have you reached into the fridge only to find condiments, a half empty container of milk, and wilted veggies. Make shopping part of the weekly routine to ensure healthy options are available. Simplify even further by shopping at a warehouse store for bulk items or have groceries delivered to save time.
• Plan a menu for the week. Start with just dinner and keep the recipes simple and quick. Remember to include leftover nights or take out.
• Wash and cut veggies. Take a few minutes to chop up veggies for salads and snacks. You and your family will reach for these foods first, instead of chips or cookies.
• Precook/grill chicken. This eliminates the 5pm realization that the chicken is frozen! A great source of protein for salads, fajitas, or sandwiches ready to go.
• Cook once, eat multiple times. Minimize the amount of time you spend in the kitchen by doubling recipes or using leftovers for lunches. Freeze what you won’t use for a quick busy night dinner.
• Pre-bag smoothie ingredients. Combine veggies and fruit in individual freezer bags to grab and go.
• Portion out snacks. Purchase snack bags and measure out a serving of each snack into the bags. This will minimize overeating and make lunch preparation a snap!

 
Dinnertime sanity can be yours - and I've made it even easier for you. The 6-Day Meal Plan for Moms in Survival Mode is filled with simple, real, quick dinners to get you in and out of the kitchen and on to what's really important. In it, I give you some of my family's most-loved recipes, plus tips for prepping ahead and using leftovers, as well as a complete shopping list.

Let's make dinner a time to nourish our bodies and connect with our families. Let's banish the stress. And let's make it all so much easier. Are you in?

Download your FREE 6-Day Meal Plan for Moms in Survival Mode here.

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