Life has entered another busy season for me. Honestly, it feels like all the seasons are busy now. With the kids all in school, this marks the first time in 17 years that I haven’t had a child by my side all day. For nearly two decades, I’ve been a homeschool mom, and while that chapter has come to an end, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The relationships I’ve built with my kids are incredibly strong because of those years, but now, my routine has shifted.
Every day feels packed with tasks, and I’ve quickly realized how challenging it is to balance everything. We’re a month into the new school year, and yet, I still haven’t made a meal plan. By evening, I’m exhausted and resorting to easy, fallback meals. Unfortunately, these meals aren’t always the best for me. I either end up skipping them or eating something that my body doesn’t need. Unlike my kids, I don’t have the same metabolic flexibility, and I’m not thrilled about relying on processed foods. I know it’s time for a change.
The Need for a Meal Plan
Although I haven’t gotten around to creating a meal plan yet, I recognize that it would significantly reduce my stress and help my family eat healthier. Meal planning doesn’t need to be complicated. I don’t typically use my crockpot or Instant Pot much, but I’ve found myself using them more this past month. This seems like a good place to start simplifying dinner.
Freezer Meals: A Convenient Solution
In the past, I downloaded a set of freezer meal recipes from Six Sisters. I made all eight meals, and my family loved them. They were convenient, affordable, and simple to prepare. I also recently purchased access to The Family Freezer website, which offers recipes that use whole foods. Although I hadn’t tried any of the recipes yet, I was excited about their health-conscious approach.
Planning Meals for Hurricane Prep
When the kids were out of school due to an approaching hurricane, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to prepare meals. I quickly planned 17 freezer-friendly meals, created a grocery list, and started shopping. Some of the meals used ingredients I already had in the freezer or pantry, and I’ll replace those items later.
While I can’t provide an exact cost breakdown, I estimate I spent around $400 on this shopping trip (including the ingredients I had on hand). With 17 meals in total, that comes out to about $25 per meal for my family of five. On the other hand, fast food costs at least $40 for a single meal, and dining out usually runs between $60 to $100.
Cost-Effective Meal Planning
While $400 may seem like a lot upfront, it accounts for 40% or less of my monthly grocery budget. These 17 meals should cover nearly an entire month, excluding a few regular meals like beef curry rice or spaghetti. I don’t obsess over ensuring every meal is free of processed foods, but I do prefer using whole ingredients. It’s all about finding balance – something every family can adjust to their own needs.
Now, I have 17 easy meals ready to go, all prepared using my Instant Pot or slow cooker. One is a skillet meal. The best part? I can make dinner with minimal effort while getting other tasks done around the house – whether it’s folding laundry, mopping, or simply taking a 30-minute break while my electric kitchen appliances do the work.
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