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REAL Simple Meal Planning One of the questions I get asked about all the time is meal planning. Let’s face it. . . life is really busy! If you don’t plan ahead to have good meals, they won’t magically appear. The key to meal planning is keeping it simple and creating a system that works for YOU!This is the ultra-simple meal planning strategy that I’ve developed over the years to get healthy meals on the table every night. I don’t hope to eat healthy, I plan to eat healthy. At the end of a long day, I know what’s for dinner, I know how to make it, and I have everything I need. Meal planning made simple in 5 steps:1. Survey what you have. Look in the fridge, freezer, and pantry. Are there fresh veggies you need to use up?2. Get input from your family members. If there are picky eaters, let them give you input and get their favorite foods on your weekly menu. When kids and spouses give their recommendations, it not only makes meal planning easier, it also helps them feel involved and more likely to eat what you make.3. Make the meal plan. This can be super simple. DO NOT make this complicated. I use 3 x 5″ index cards. It’s ultra-low-tech and extremely effective. Use whatever works for you. Most people cook about 21 dinners over and over. Write them down and choose from the list when you go to make your meal plan.3562350534670004. Is there anything on your meal plan for the week that you don’t have at home? If so, add it to the grocery list before you go shopping. Take your list and go grocery shopping.5. Follow the meal plan. Repeat next week.Bonus tips:I only plan dinners. Here’s why: I always make extra dinner to pack for lunch the next day. YES, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I have a smoothie almost every morning.If you’re taking leftovers for lunch or need to pack lunch, do it at night when you’re cleaning up after dinner. Don’t get things out more than once. You don’t have a whole lot of time, use it wisely and be done.If you go grocery shopping on Saturday or Sunday, plan your meals on Friday or Saturday morning. If you go grocery shopping less frequently like every two weeks, that’s okay, just make two weeks of meal plans at the same time.I sure hope that this makes meal planning a lot easier for you. It does NOT have to be a daunting process. With some practice, it’s fast and easy and spares you the question “what’s for dinner” or the weeknight pizza splurge because there’s nothing in the fridge!Healthy Meal OptionsBreakfast??????AM Snacks??????Lunch ??????PM Snacks??????Dinner????????? ................
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