The number one question I get asked by my mom friends and my Instagram followers is “How do you manage to get a home cooked meal on the table every night?” It is not the easiest thing in the world to do. Not with afternoon activities that put us getting home after 5, a 7 p.m. bed time for both kids, and bath time squeezed in there, but it is completely doable. We eat at home at least 5 nights a week. Some weeks it is more but we try to only eat out twice a week. One of those nights is reserved for pizza and the other for Family Date Night. Personally for me it is easier with a toddler and a 3 month old to dine out or pick something up for lunch if we have to, rather than putting a major rush on our evening routine!
How do I manage putting meals on the table 5 nights a week? There are two major components: planning and finding quick and easy meals that your family loves. First, let’s discuss planning. I have never been the type of person to open the fridge at 5 p.m. and think to myself “Well, what can I whip up tonight?” Some people can do it, but I cannot. So every Friday morning while both kids are at school, I sit down and make up a menu for the week. I do this with my planner open so I can see what all we have going on. Nights where we have ballet and gymnastics require quick meals, whereas nights where we are home all afternoon and weekend nights, I can plan for something that may require more prep time or cooking time. Also in planning a menu you have to consider everyone in your family’s dietary needs. My child has some food allergies, my husband is diabetic, and I am trying to lose the baby weight. I try to make things that can fit all these different needs while still providing a satisfying meal. Let’s discuss my Monday and Tuesday menus and I will tell you how I plan and prep!
Monday: Both kids in school until 11:30, home to eat lunch and nap, leave for Ballet at 3:10, Chiropractor at 4:45, Home by 5:30.
MENU: Tacos, refried beans, chips.
DIETARY NEEDS: Mom and Dad can do a taco salad while kids eat normal tacos!
PREP: Thaw ground beef on Sunday, brown and season ground beef while kids are eating lunch or during nap time, chop any vegetables that will be needed and set out the non-perishables. When we get home from Ballet, I will start reheating while my husband gets hands washed and table set.
Tuesday: Both kids home all day. No afternoon activities.
MENU: Hamburger Steak, roasted vegetables, and roasted potatoes.
DIETARY NEEDS: Mom can leave the potatoes off her plate.
PREP: Thaw meat overnight, chop vegetables at nap time. Begin cooking during baby’s cat nap at 5.
See the difference in the two days? How one meal can be appropriate for a busy day and easily reheated while another meal that
needs more cooking time and to be eaten fresh is more appropriate for a non-busy day? That is why planning is super super important! There is nothing worse than looking at the clock and realizing “oh no I didn’t thaw my meat or chop my vegetables.” And as crazy as it sounds it actually makes life so much easier.
The second part of this whole get dinner on the table equation is to find meals that are quick and that your family loves. A Monday night with an exhausted toddler is not the best time to be trying a new recipe that he or she may or may not eat. So sit down with pen and paper and write out all the meals your family enjoys and then figure out which ones are quick and easy and which ones require more time and effort. I keep a running list like this all the time so if I get stumped when menu planning I can pull it out and look at it. I also write down all our meals in my planner each week so we do not get in a dinner time rut and eat the same thing over and over and over. But I will say my toddler and husband love tacos so those are on the menu every week!!
I will admit some weeks I am not as on top of the planning as I would like to be, ummm like right now! After a week-long vacation and heart surgery, we are living off of Chick-Fil-A and casseroles dropped off by family and friends. But the first thing on my agenda tomorrow is to plan, plan, plan!! In addition to a running list of easy meals I prepare, I always have a running list of the restaurants in town with Kid’s Eat Free nights to help with the budget!! Now, grab your planner, a pen, and paper and start working on a menu for your family that works for you! Below are some great meal options to help you get started!
DINNER IDEAS:
- Beef Strogonaff
- Beef Tacos
- Salsa Chicken
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes
- Chicken Caesar Salads
- Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Cashew Chicken
- Crock Pot Mongolian Beef
- Hamburger Steak with Roasted Veggies
- Salmon/Basmati Rice Bowls
- Pork Tenderloin
- Loaded Baked Potatoes
- Sloppy Joes
- Burgers and Fries
- Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
- Chili Dogs
- Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Chicken Divan
- Company Chicken
- Sheet Pan Nachos
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Lasagna
- Baked Ziti
- Loaded Veggie Soup
- Potato Soup
- Taco Soup
