Hello Gorgeous Mommas! Am I the only one that struggles with dinner ideas during the week? I will be leaving to pick up my kids from school in about 10 minutes and I still have no idea what’s for dinner! 🙂 If I don’t have a meal planned out by 5pm, I end up throwing a frozen pizza in the oven or making a fast food run. Remember this is a judge free zone everyone! 🙂
We, as mothers, walk around with the weight of the world on our shoulders. We have that Super Mom cape underneath our business suit or yoga pants! We juggle the responsibilities of work, our little humans, finances, cleaning, extracurricular activities and whatever else life throws at us. Who has time to cook a healthy meal?? I know I don’t but I want to get better. Good eating habits start at home. So, if I think about my families health and future financial well-being (because eating out cost sooooo much more than cooking at home), I am motivated to make a change.
The key is to work smarter not harder! I know you’ve heard it before but meal prep and planning is the secret to success. Carving some time out of your weekend to plan meals for the coming week will save time and one of those stress migraines that creep up when I realize the kids are ”starving” and I have nothing taken out! So come along with me on this journey to organize our life and make sure we are putting our best foot forward in the kitchen!
Choose your shopping day and then get your list together. My day is Sunday.
Step 1. Make a list of 4-5 meals
Step 2. Go through your pantry, refrigerator and freezer to see what you already have
Step 3. Make a shopping list for any needed ingredients
Step 4. Go shopping (grab an iced coffee while you’re out 😊)
Step 5. Season/prepare any meat that will be needed for Sunday-Tuesdays meal. Refrigerate.
Step 6. Chop/Dice or prepare any veggies needed for the next few days. Refrigerate.
Step 7. You’re ready to cook your meals!
If you have a croc pot, I definitely recommend using it! You can throw your ingredients in the pot that morning and dinner will cook itself. Also, try to plan meals that allow for leftovers the next day. This will prevent you from having to cook everyday and your family still gets a home cooked meal instead of McDonalds. Preparing your meals ahead of time may seem like a chore but it ultimately saves us time in the long run.
Mondays are typically busy in my household as we try to get back into the swing of things so dinner at the Covington’s was pretty simple but oh so yummy!
Monday Recipe:
Chili Cheese Dogs and Chips
Ingredients –
– Brats or Beef Hot Dogs
– Hormel Chili with Beans
– Colby Jack Shredded Cheese
– Ketchup & Mustard
– Hot Dog Buns
– Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chips
I love cooking the brats and hot dogs in the air fryer on 10 minutes at 400 degrees (air fryer settings may vary). This gives it a grilled taste. Warm up your chili in a small sauce pan. Once the dogs and chili are ready, you can begin layering it in your preferred order! This is quick and easy and definitely a fan favorite among the kiddos. We had chips but feel free to swap it out for fries, salad or fruit! What’s your favorite go-to meal!? Leave a comment below!
