A busy schedule seems to come hand in hand with motherhood — but once I started prepping my meals ahead of time, it was life changing.
As a mom of two boys, I know what it is to have a busy schedule between kids sports, a job, and everything in-between. So, get ready to put an end to the overwhelming question “what do I cook?” that repeats itself almost daily. Having a plan is going to save you time and money. Plus, if you double the recipes like I often do, you’ll have lunch covered with leftovers the next day too! Let’s make my motto “crazy easy” a reality!
Hot tip: One thing I cannot live without is my shopping list on my phone. I use the notes app to keep track of what I need to buy next time I’m in the store. This way, I save time when I’m in the store (I go directly to the items I need), don’t forget anything, and it actually helps me to avoid impulse buys (helping to save that hard-earned money!).
Prep Ahead
Make your dinners extra easy this week by prepping a few items ahead of time.
- Pre-make the taco seasoning: Tuesday’s taco salad uses taco seasoning. Pre-make a large portion and store it in a small container to use any time you want to add Tex-Mex flavors to a dish.
- Pre-cut the chicken thighs: Save time on Monday’s chicken stir fry by cutting the chicken thighs into cubes right away. Then, store the raw chicken cubes in the fridge until ready to use.
- Pre-chop the veggies: Chop, dice, or slice the veggies ahead of time and store in airtight containers until ready to use. You’ll be amazed at how much this is a game-changer!
Painless Monday: Chicken Stir Fry
Mondays are tough — we get it. But dinner doesn’t have to be. Make Monday night dinner the quickest and easiest meal of the week.
Hot tips
- Serve the chicken stir fry over a warm bed of rice. Start cooking the rice first so it’ll be ready to go at the same time as the stir fry.
- Make a double portion of the stir fry sauce for an extra saucy stir fry.
- Don’t be afraid to double the recipe — leftovers reheat amazingly. It’s my little secret to spending less time in the kitchen.
Tex-Mex Tuesday: Taco Salad
I have FOMO (fear of missing out) when people do Taco Tuesdays — Mexican is actually one of my favorite cuisines! So, Tex-Mex Tuesday is a regular event in my house.
Hot tips
- Serve with air fryer tortilla chips and pico de gallo or guacamole. Make extras to have enough for snack time!
- Do you have picky eaters? Double up on the meat and make our ground beef quesadillas.
- If you plan to have leftovers, store the ingredients separately in airtight containers to keep the salad from turning mushy.
Slurpy Wednesday: Stuffed Pepper Soup
My Slavic roots have ingrained the need in me to always have a soup on weekly rotation. And I’m not complaining! Soups are easy, light and filling, and are great as leftovers!
Hot tips
- In case you don’t have ground beef on hand, feel free to substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter soup.
- If you’re planning to have leftovers, keep the rice separate.
- Slurp up every last drop of the tasty broth with a few slices of French bread.
Oven-Baked Thursday: Garlic Parmesan Wings
Oven-baked meals may take a little while to cook, but they’re so hands-off! Catch up on the weekly laundry or relax with your favorite book or TV show while the oven does the job. So, whip out the sheet pan, baking dish, or cast iron pan for these meals.
Hot tips
- Serve with parmesan crusted potatoes and homemade ranch dressing or blue cheese.
- Bake the wings and potatoes simultaneously at 415°F. The wings will take about 40 minutes, while the potatoes will take about 25 minutes.
- If you happen to have a ton of leftover potatoes, serve them as a tasty breakfast side with scrambled eggs.
“Fire” Friday: Grilled Salmon
What’s a sure-fire way to ring in the weekend? With a dinner made over the open-flame, of course!
Hot tips
- Change up the flavors with our spicy, citrusy, garlicky, or herby versions listed in the recipe notes.
- Serve with grilled zucchini and mushrooms, or any other extra veggies you have left in the fridge. Peppers, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, corn, etc. are all great.
- If you have any salmon leftovers, use them to make tasty fish tacos!
Breakfast BONUS!
- Are you in a meal-prepping spirit? Make a large portion of these English muffin breakfast sandwiches to enjoy for breakfasts this week, or freeze them for a grab-and-go option!
- Add bananas and other fruit to the shopping list. Not only are they nutritious, but they make for great breakfast sides. Aside from a simple side of fresh fruit, combine them to make a smoothie or bake it into banana walnut apple bread.
Challenge recipe: Possibly the most famous Slavic dish is classic borscht. We love it and encourage you to give it a try too!
Click Here to Download the Menu and Shopping List!
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