Calling all my fellow busy moms out there. I get you! Some weeks you feel like you’re killing it at this #momlife thing and other weeks you feel like the house is literally falling apart and you can barely keep your head above water. What to have for dinner can often become a distant afterthought. Then you plague yourself with guilt about not providing good food for the family as they finish bunny crackers and cheese sticks before heading up to bed.
First of all, let’s throw that #momguilt far far out the window. You’re doing your best and that’s all that matters. Second, I have a few helpful tips to make the dreaded dinner time a little easier for you. We are busy moms and we have enough to stress about during the day but what to have for dinner doesn’t need to be one of them.
1. Keep it simple
I can’t stress this enough. Too often we set overly high expectations and convince ourselves we need to make all those recipes we have on our “dinner ideas” board on Pinterest. Let me officially release you of that high expectation burden! We have way too much going on day to day to pile more on our plate; literally and figuratively.
Our families don’t expect gourmet meals each night. Once in a while, maybe twice a month, it might be fun to try out a new recipe. By all means, though, if you enjoy it then I’m not stopping you from making a new recipe every night if that’s your jam.
However, I like to keep things easy and simple. I will often repeat the same meals in the span of a two-week time period. I have several “go-to” meals that I know are easy to prepare and the family enjoys. Plus, I always try to plan meals that will have leftovers to help feed us for the following days’ lunches.
I might try a new recipe if the mood strikes me but I will plan to do that on a day that isn’t as busy. For example, my rest days are on Wednesday so I know I won’t be exercising that day and have a little extra time to commit to figuring out a new recipe. Find what works for you and your family but don’t make your life any more complicated than it needs to be!
2. Stock it up
This goes along with keeping things simple. We do our best to plan ahead but sometimes the week just gets ahead of us and we find ourselves playing catch up. It’s not unheard of to get to the middle of the afternoon and realize you don’t have anything planned for dinner.
Keeping your pantry and your fridge stocked with some grocery basics can be a lifesaver. All you need is some kind of protein, a carb like potatoes or rice, add a vegetable like steamed green beans and you’ve got yourself a healthy well-balanced meal!
I will usually have my freezer full of chicken breast in 2lb increments as well as a couple of containers of ground turkey. The pantry is stocked with rice and potatoes as well as some beans and even canned veggies if needed. My fridge will have a few veggies on hand that are easy to steam or roast. You can also keep stocked on frozen veggies as well. Having these items on hand can ease the stress and frustration of figuring out what to feed the family when you just don’t have anything planned.
3. Fake-out with take-out
I get it! Life gets super busy during the week. You are carting the kids around to all-day swim meets, basketball tournaments, or various practices. Sometimes you just may forget about dinner or honestly just plain NOT feel like cooking. Or maybe it’s late and you just need to feed the kids and get them to bed ASAP for both their wellbeing and yours!
Take out isn’t the devil as you may have been led to believe. There are several easy take out or drive through options that can satisfy the kiddos and still allow you to eat healthy and stay on track with your fitness goals. It’s just a matter of making some smart choices and knowing what to have that fits your macros. Here are a couple of great options to choose from!
Chipotle
Chicken and rice bowl with peppers and cheese
755 kcal
22fF 88C 54P
- ½ off the bowl 11F 44C 27P
Subway
6” turkey on wheat no cheese
270 kcal
5F 40C 23P
Starbucks
Spinach, fets, egg white breakfast wrap
280 kcal
8F 34C 20P
Wendy’s
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
380kcal
10F 38C 35P
McDonald’s
Grilled chicken sandwich
380kcal
6F 44C 36P
I hope the next time you’re feeling stressed about what to have for dinner you’re able to remember these helpful tips to keep you sane. If you want a little extra help then click here to download my FREE Meal Planning Guide which includes 7 days worth of meals planned out for you as well as recipes and accompanying grocery list. I’m just here to help make your life a tad bit easier…one dinner at a time!
Until next time…
Xx
Allison
