stressed woman looking at empty fridge | Image: Supplied
Embrace the Power of Planning
Honestly, this is the biggest game-changer. I used to think, 'I'll figure it out tonight,' and then end up scrolling endlessly through food delivery apps, which is the worst! Now? I spend just 30 minutes on the weekend to plan our meals for the week. It's amazing how much stress this simple act removes. I use a simple whiteboard calendar. You can use a digital calendar, a notebook, whatever works! I also write the grocery list alongside my meal plan.
person writing meal plan on whiteboard | Image: Supplied
The Magic of Meal Prepping (It's not as scary as you think!)
Okay, I get it. 'Meal prepping' sounds intense. But it doesn't have to be a full-blown kitchen takeover. Start small! Maybe chop veggies on Sunday for the week's salads or roast a big batch of chicken to use in several meals. Even prepping one component saves so much time during the week. For example, last week I made a huge batch of quinoa. It took 15 minutes, and I used it in three different meals throughout the week.
person chopping vegetables | Image: Supplied
One-Pan Wonders and Sheet Pan Meals, Oh My!
These are my personal saviors. Less cleanup? Yes, please! Sheet pan dinners are quick, easy, and relatively healthy. Toss some veggies and protein on a pan, season, and bake—dinner is served! I recently did this with salmon and asparagus, and it only took 20 minutes. Clean-up was a breeze! One-pot pasta dishes work great too. Less dishes, more free time.
sheet pan dinner with roasted vegetables and chicken | Image: Supplied
Embrace the Freezer: Your Dinner's Best Friend
Don't underestimate the freezer's power! When you have extra cooked chicken or chili, freeze portions for busy weeknights. It's like having a built-in backup. It's great for soups and stews too. I also buy frozen vegetables in bulk to have on hand for any quick stir-fries or vegetable side dishes.
freezer stocked with frozen meals | Image: Supplied
Theme Nights: A Fun Way to Simplify
Taco Tuesday? Pasta Wednesday? Theme nights make choosing dinner a no-brainer. Plus, they're fun! My family loves theme nights! We have a lot of fun with it. It takes the pressure off of decision fatigue.
family enjoying taco night | Image: Supplied
The 30-Minute Meal Rule: When All Else Fails...
Life happens. Sometimes, even with the best planning, you just need something fast. That's where the 30-minute meal rule comes in handy. Keep a few go-to recipes on hand that can be made in under 30 minutes. Keep it simple; you got this!
quick and easy dinner recipe | Image: Supplied
Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help!
Seriously, if you're feeling overwhelmed, ask for help. Get the kids involved in age-appropriate tasks, or enlist your partner to share the cooking responsibilities. Even better, ask a friend or family member to help you prepare some dishes.
family cooking dinner together | Image: Supplied
