Ever since I got back from vacation and even for a little while before it, I’ve been in a food rut. I’ve cooked a few times, but I’m bored with my go-to recipes and have just been trying to throw stuff together last minute. Those meals never turn out tasting all that great and leave us opting for a Papa Murphy’s pizza instead.
I decided this weekend that I needed to get it together, find some inspiration and return to my Sunday food prep (for more Sunday food prep inspiration, check out Lindsay’s blog!). Saturday evening I cozied up with my Williams Sonoma cookbook, paper and a pen.
If you’re thinking “wow, that chick really knows how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!” clearly you’re right. Party. Animal.
I started by listing the days we need meals for the week, considered any evening obligations, then picked out and planned out dinners from there.
Sunday– Chili & Lime Roasted Chicken, Roasted Red Potatoes and Green Beans
Monday– Linguine with Clam Sauce and Sautéed Kale
Tuesday– Beef and Broccoli with Oyster Sauce and Brown Rice
Wednesday– Black Bean Soup and Salad
Thursday– Sautéed Chicken Breasts with Mustard Sauce, Baked Sweet Potatoes and Roasted Asparagus
When choosing dinner options I consider how long they take to make and what I can do ahead of time. Some sound fancy, but are deceivingly quick to make. I also list options for breakfasts and lunches that are healthy and quick to throw together.
Lunch Options– Bean and Rice Bowls, Salads, Leftovers
Breakfast Options– Burritos (David), Bananas, Yogurt, Eggs
These may seem dull, but having a base of beans and rice ready to go makes it easy to fancy it up come meal time.
From there, I made my grocery list and checked the pantry for what I already had (like brown rice, carrots and yogurt). I noted below what I bought organic, otherwise assume it is conventional.
Inner Aisles: whole grain mustard, mini white wines (for cooking), wheat tortillas, organic crackers, organic black bean soup, dried beans, seltzer water, whole wheat linguine, oyster sauce
Meat Counter: steak (1 lb natural flank), whole organic chicken (1), organic chicken breasts (2), clams (2 lbs)
Dairy: organic heavy cream, feta cheese, cheddar cheese (2 blocks), whole milk, free range organic eggs (2 dozen)
Produce: green beans (1.5 lbs), shallot (2), lemon (3), organic parsley, red potatoes (12), organic broccoli (1 head), serrano pepper (1), limes (2), sweet potatoes (4), asparagus (1 bunch), garlic, organic kale (1 bunch), bananas, organic red peppers (2), onion (2), organic cherry tomatoes, organic romaine, organic black berries
Total Grocery Bill: $134.74
Writing a list makes grocery shopping go by quickly. After getting home and unloading came the real secret to success- food prep!
With the help of my pressure cooker (non-soaked dried bean are ready in 25 minutes!), prep may look complicated, but it isn’t. I threw the beans in the pressure cooker- set it and forget it. I brought the brown rice to a boil, reduced to simmer and set a timer. I started cooking the diced potatoes and stirred every few minutes. In between, I cracked eggs, grated cheese and diced vegetables.
Many people ask how I do this with Hailey running around. We usually start off with food distraction in her high chair where she can watch me. I dance around and play music (yes, it’s quite the scene…) while she eats and I prep. Koda desperately waits for dropped food.
This keeps her occupied for about 20-25 minutes, then, I just let her go wild.
There are a few drawers and cabinets that aren’t child proofed and she has her way with them. I let her because there is no sense in trying to clean up until the end. Yesterday she continuously ran in and out to the porch to enjoy the beautiful weather (I can always see her). Koda sunbathed.
Inside I chopped, stirred and assembled.
After a little more than 1 hour, I was done.
I feel ready for the week, which helps me relax and focus on just dinners, which are already mapped out and have ingredients bought. It seems like a lot of work, but really it’s just some organization.
But before you think I have it all together, let me assure you that it’s Monday and my laundry basket is still overflowing 
But as for food for the week…
Yes, I’ve got that covered!
Take that, food rut!
How to you prepare for your meals each week?
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
yay food prep!!! and such a cute baby girl 🙂
Lee says
I’m usually pretty good at making a list and grocery shopping, but that’s kind of where the prep stops. I really should chop and pre-cook things, but I don’t.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
This sounds like a great meal plan for the week!…though, I must admit..Papa Murphy’s pizza is pretty darn good, right? 😉
Nice job on the meal prep, too! I so wish that I was that motivated on the weekends.
Brittany says
Oh my gosh, yes! Papa Murphy’s is new by us, but it is quickly becoming our go-to Friday night cuisine 🙂
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength says
What a fancy shmancy week over at your house. 🙂 We go with grilled chicken, roasted veggies and salads nearly every night. Sad, huh? 🙂
Brittany says
Not sad at all- that’s good stuff! I enjoy cooking though so I mix things up to keep me entertained 🙂
Paulina says
OMG I am so glad you wrote about this. I am not very organized and have been in a food rut since the beginning of the year! My husband and I both work full time so if we don’t have dinner figured out the night before, we end up resorting to some variation of chicken stir-fry with bell peppers and pasta/rice. And that’s on a good night. Other times, its a PB&J for my 1 year old and we just snack later. This makes meal planning look like something I can handle. I never would think to start on Saturday, but that’s a really good idea.
Brittany says
Our on super busy week (which it sounds like your’s are!), meal planning saves my sanity. Even if it’s quicker meals (stirfrys, soup, salads, etc), I love knowing that I don’t have to figure out ‘what’s for dinner’
…that being said, who doesn’t love a good pb&j?? 🙂
Erin @Axell's Kitchen says
I should totally do more food prep than I do!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
This is so motivating! As I was reading it, all I could think was, “Parita, if she can do this with an 18 month old, you have ZERO excuses!” I’m getting there. I spent 30 minutes yesterday making a few snacks. Better than nothing I suppose!
Hanna says
I use emeals. I make a list on Saturday and go shopping either Saturday afternoon or Sunday after church. I cook as much as I can while the girls nap on Sunday so that the weekday dinners are already ready. Normally, I only have to cook the side dishes the night of. It makes the evenings after work flow better and I can enjoy my family instead of stressing out about dinner.
Brittany says
Oh my gosh, girl, you’ve got it together!! I’ve always been curious about emeals. If I didn’t love perusing my cookbooks so much I would definitely check it out.
Natalie @ will jog for food says
You are good! Today I’m trying to figure out what to do for tonight and still have no clue, haha.
Casey says
I just started doing official meal planning and food prep for the week and it’s SO much easier! Last week I had EVERYTHING cooked for the week by Tuesday night and just had to warm things up each night after that! It was GLORIOUS! Thanks for sharing your methods!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Honestly, I used to be SO much better about having all of my breakfasts (when I was in overnight oat obsession phase) and lunches planned and prepped for the whole week. Now I tend to just make one big batch of soup or stew for lunch, and I enjoy the ritual of making my oatmeal in the morning before school…even if I have to wake up earlier to do it.
That being said, it is just me to feed, so I can basically just throw together whatever I want. I do wish sometimes I was better about diversifying and getting a bit more creative, but such is (single) life. 🙂
Lauren B. says
Mini wine bottles for cooking?! Brilliant! Why have I never thought of that? And once again, you prove to enlighten me in some way. Thanks!
Elizabeth says
I have been doing this lately since I’m along a night because of my hubby’s new schedule. I didn’t do it this Sundays and I’m looking around for something to eat. Lol it makes such a difference and you don’t have to stress about what to make. Thanks for the inspiration. If you can post recipes for those dinners. They sound great
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily says
I definitely have meal planning/grocery shopping to where I feel confident, but I totally need to work on my food prep skills. I bought a crap ton of fruits and vegetables on Saturday, and all day I’ve been looking for “easy to grab,” because the head of broccoli, unpeeled and uncut cucumbers and unwashed strawberries are too much work today LOL! Blah. Thanks for the inspiration to get this done!
Nicole @ Fruit 'N' Fitness says
Wow that’s some serious food prep! The chicken looks great, I have been wanting to make a whole chicken but it intimidates me. I bet koda loves high chair snack droppings!
melanie says
i’ve got menu planning down to a science but really need to work on prepping everything in advance to make things go even smoother!
Lisa says
This sounds like a great meal plan for the week! I must admit, I’m not the best at meal planning. I usually end up forgetting ingredients, being too tired, basically just excuses so I always gravitate to the same foods. I’ve got to get meal prepping down. Maybe I’ll actually do it. Thanks for the inspiration, sometimes posts like these are a good kick in the pants for me!
Lauren @ LaurenPhelpsCoaching says
Great post, Brittany! I like how you showed us your whole process! I like to meal prep on Sunday or Monday nights. Last night, I chopped veggies and lettuce for the next few days, and it only took about 10 minutes! I’m relying on some previous freezer cooking too. Have a great day!
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome says
I actually really enjoy meal planning and grocery shopping. I feel so much more prepared when I can get a lot prepped on Sundays but often have to finish up on Monday since my little guy can get quite crazy! Plus we tend to have something going on every weekend which doesn’t always leave me with enough time. We put up a magnetic white board in our breakfast nook area along with a book case to keep our little guy busy. We don’t have an open kitchen/great room so when I was cooking he was always right under my feet. Drove me crazy! This helps keep him out of my hair and entertained 🙂
christina says
I admire your organization and dedication, for real! I thought it was a big deal that on Sunday I roasted a bunch of veggies for the week. Ha!!
blackhuff says
Sundays are also my prep days for the week to come re foods 🙂
Liz @ iheartvegetables says
Nice job on the meal prep!! I don’t plan quite that much but i’ve been planning a little more recently! It helps limit my trips to the store!
jen says
i am seriously impressed by this menu planning and food prep! way to blast yourself out of your rut. awesome girl!
Dena Maddie says
Thanks for the ideas, I need to get motivated to be proactive like this!