My days are so full that prepping meals tend to be the last on my list until my kids are telling me that they are hungry and then I’m scrambling to pull something together.
I know! Get it together mama! I needed a better system so I started some really easy meal planing tips that have helped me tremoundously and I know that they will help you too if you struggle with the same
This post is in partnership with Grown in Idaho. All opinions are my own.
Tip 1: Just focus on Dinner
There’s 3 meals in a day, yes but dinner is what’s most important to me. I don’t want the pressure to be meal planning all 3 meals and neither should you! Concentrating on dinner will help you plan faster, easier and make you less stressed.
Tip 2: Buy ready made products that you can easily pair with lots of options
I recently discovered the all-new Grown In Idaho Mashed Potatoes that are 100% Idaho-grown potatoes that are frozen and easily made in the microwave or on the stovetop.
They taste amazing, with a rich and creamy texture, real homemade taste and I love that they are made with other real ingredients like skim milk and butter. But the best part, it takes me minutes to make these compared to how long it would take for me to buy potatoes, peel, boil, mash, add seasonings!
It’s a huge timesaver and since everyone in my family loves mashed potatoes it’s something I keep in my freezer all the time now!
They come in portionable frozen potato medallions which is so helpful as you can make a small or large portion, depending on what your family wants!
Because I know that I will be cooking with mashed potatoes I can then add a protein like a marinated pork loin here and some corn on the cob.
Or another easy option would be a grilled chicken breast with a side salad.
You can also think of the mashed potatoes as a main. Here are some recipes that my family and I love and it doesn’t take long at all!
Southwestern Mashed Bowl with Homestyle Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Breakfast Burger with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Tip 3: Keep a calendar that is just for writing down your meals
I often will buy ingredients and then forget what I wanted to make with them. By writing everything out, I can keep myself accountable with following the menu and also making sure that I use all the food that I had bought for the week!
Most of all, make dinner fun! I find that when I get stressed about dinner my. kids get stressed and then I don’t even get to enjoy the dinner I made!
Find food that your whole family will love, like the Grown in Idaho mashed potatoes and keep them in your freezer for a quick and easy meal prep!
