Simplifying the Weekly Meal Plan 🌻

It’s that time of the week again—meal planning after a busy military weekend for both mom and dad. 🫶

Reduce the stress by planning out your evening meals for the week—or at least a few! Start small if you’re new to meal planning: aim for 3 solid meals, 1 leftover night, and 1 quick-fix option. Remember, we’re simplifying life here, not perfecting it. If you thrive on having all seven days mapped out, go for it! But if you’re just trying to breathe a little easier this week, start with 3–4 days and call it a win.

A Few Simple Steps to Save Time, Money & Stress

• Plan a few breakfasts, snacks, and meals. Pick the meal times that cause you the most chaos and start there.
• Check the weather! If it’s hitting the 90s, maybe skip soups and chili this week.
• Ask for family input. Each member can pick one meal—fewer decisions for you to make!
• Peek at the school lunch menu. Avoid doubling up on chicken nuggets two days in a row.
• Watch your local grocery ads. When do their weekly sales start? Plan around those deals.
• Schedule your meal planning day. If sales begin Tuesday, make Monday a quick-fix or frozen meal night and shop Tuesday.
• Match meals to your schedule. If one night is packed with activities, plan accordingly—slow cooker, freezer meal, or grab-and-go.
• Meal planning supplies! I’m a total note-taker and pen junkie—are you too? Having a cute notebook, meal planner, or favorite pen makes planning more fun and organized. Here you can find one of my favorite planners and of course, some good pens!
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Our Week at a Glance

Here’s what our meal plan looks like this week and how I think it through:

Monday: Homemade Pizza 🍕
It’s fast, family-favorite, and we always have the ingredients. Since it’s a quick meal, I’ll use Monday to grocery shop for the rest of the week and prep muffins for the kids’ breakfasts and hard-boiled eggs for my lunches.

Tuesday: One Pan Fajita Mix 🌮
(Tastefully Simple’s One Pan Fajita Mix—our go-to for Taco Tuesday with minimal cleanup!)

Wednesday: Leftovers
Midweek is the perfect time to give yourself a night off from cooking and clear out the fridge.

Thursday: Burgers on the Grill 🍔
The weather looks beautiful, so my husband’s grilling pick wins—paired with roasted veggies on the side.

Friday: Cornbread Cowboy Casserole 🤠
The 6-year-old’s pick this week! Stay tuned for that recipe coming soon—it’s simple, hearty, and kid-approved.

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✨ Whether you plan all seven days or just a few, give yourself credit. You’re doing something that helps your week run smoother, saves money, and takes stress off your plate—literally!

Together, let’s keep simplifying one week at a time. 💛

Simply Samantha 🌻
Simply Real. Simply Me.