Last week, I had the pleasure of sharing my Minimalist meal plan in the Whisk section of Ami Magazine.
The response has been very enthusiastic, with many readers reaching out and expressing interest in my meal planning charts, which I usually reserve for participants in my home management course. I thought about it, and decided to share it here on my blog with my readers too! You can download my Minimalist meal planning charts for free! I'd love to hear how they work for you, and would be delighted to see your meal planning in action, I'm here to offer any help or guidance you might need.
CLICK AND DOWNLOAD THE CHARTS BELOW:
A great tip is to laminate these charts or place them in plastic sheet protectors.
Why Minimalist Meal Planning?
The Mealtime Stress!
Most of us know what I'm talking about! The kids are hungry, it's getting late, and then it hits us: "Oh my goodness! What should I make for dinner tonight?!?!" Panic descends, and we find ourselves quickly throwing a bag of pasta into the water, making some eggs, or worse yet, ordering takeout—yet again!
But it doesn't have to be this way. With some minor thought and planning today, you can fully eliminate the pre-mealtime stress—for good! I've had the same meal plan for years now, and I don't need to stress about what's for dinner each night because it's already planned for me. Let's plan it for you too!
Why Meal Planning Matters
Meal planning dinner is crucial for my minimalist life because it saves me:
Time in the Kitchen: Less time cooking means more time for yourself and your family.
Time Thinking and Planning: No more last-minute menu dilemmas.
Time Shopping: A well-planned menu streamlines your weekly grocery trips.
Mental and Physical Energy: Say goodbye to the dinner-related stress.
Money: Having a meal plan reduces the likelihood of ordering takeout or eating out.
There are five simple rules to good meal planning:
Easy to Prepare: All my recipes take 10 minutes of prep time or less.
Healthy and Nutritious: The recipes must be healthy, and filling, and include a variety from the food groups.
Everyone Must Like the Meal: I have several recipes liked by the entire family that I can make with each day's assigned protein.
Easy to Clean Up: Cleanup is always minimal as I try to stick to 1-2 pots or baking dishes.
Being Organized and Having What You Need: Every day of the week, I use a different protein. Each evening, I make sure I have the next day's protein fresh or defrosted so it's ready to be made. I also make sure I have the vegetables and sides. All recipes use basic ingredients and spices.
Let's Get Started!
First, choose a protein: in the downloadable link, I've provided an example of what your chart can look like. Assign each protein to a specific day of the week. Protein ideas: Chicken, Dairy, Fish, Meat, Plant-based.
Now, choose a vegetable and side to go along with each main. Make sure to fill out foods that your family actually likes.
Do the same for Shabbos menus—fill out menus with Shabbos dishes that are easy, quick, and tasty. (in my book "Frum MInimalism", we discuss meal planning in more detail).
Don't forget your Super Quick:
Find a dish (or several dishes) that are super quick and easy for you to make. Make a few variations of that dish, and this will be your super quick dinner option—it should take just 5 minutes to put together. It can be a frozen meal, crockpot meals, hearty soups, or even healthy pasta. Just make sure it takes you under 5 minutes to prepare and doesn't require any supervision until ready. My super quick option is chicken on the bone in a pan or pot with vegetables, rice, or potatoes. This may not work for most people as it takes a while to cook, but I always try putting up dinner early in the morning. My super-quick usually occurs 2-3 times each month.
Clean Up Tip:
Almost all my recipes are one pan or one pot, so the veggies and/or grains go inside the pan or pot. This helps make cleanup quick and easy.
Dietary Concerns:
Whatever your family's dietary needs (vegetarian, allergies, picky eaters) and desires are, I'm sure that simplifying your meals like this will really help you.
Some Vegetable Options:
Israeli salad
Lettuce salad
Leaf salad
Cut-up vegetable sticks
Grilled vegetables
Veggies in the dish
Steamed broccoli
Green beans
Soup
Some Carb Options:
Roasted potatoes
Mashed potatoes
Oven-fried French fries
Sweet potato fries
Rice
Quinoa
Bread (garlic, pita)
Rice noodles
Spaghetti
In a nutshell, my minimalist meal planning is simple and easy. By making food that everyone enjoys (well, most of the time), I eliminate the daily "What's for dinner?" drama that plagues many families. Try this approach, and see how it transforms your mealtime routine.
Now, it's your turn to embrace minimalist meal planning. Download the charts, plan your meals, and enjoy the newfound simplicity in your life.
Remember, minimalism is about more than just decluttering your home; it's about streamlining every aspect of your life for a more peaceful and efficient existence.
-Ellie
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