As summer drew to a close, I dove into planning for the upcoming school year. With four kids, I realized that a laid-back approach just wouldn’t cut it. Anticipating the chaos of the new school year, I came up with a solution: what if I developed—and adhered to—a structured meal and snack schedule for my family?
Now that we’re a few weeks into the school year, I’m pleased to share that the meal schedule is functioning like a charm. Not only are we no longer frantically deciding what to feed the kids each day, but everyone knows what to expect. The schedule has significantly reduced complaints, which is a major win for parents. If this sounds like something you’d like to implement for a more harmonious kitchen environment, I’m here to guide you through creating a schedule similar to ours.
Compile a Food Dislike List
Yes, you heard that right. Start by listing the foods your family refuses to eat—be specific. If needed, ask each family member for their preferences. For instance, I have one child who detests pears and broccoli, another who abhors pineapple, and yet another who believes chickpeas are akin to poison. This doesn’t cover everything, but it’s a start. Don’t forget to note any food sensitivities or allergies. You can even add brands or flavors that your family dislikes.
Create a Food “Like” Brainstorming List
Now that you’ve noted the complaints, it’s time to compile a list of foods, meals, and snacks your family enjoys. Organize your list by category: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. If you’re like us, a dessert category might also be necessary. It’s perfectly acceptable to have more generalized meals, such as taco night, where everyone can customize their own dish with provided ingredients. Just remember to steer clear of those disliked foods! This list is a brainstorming tool to help you get organized for your schedule.
Develop a Schedule
Crafting a meal schedule takes some effort, but it’s time well spent. Review your dislike and like lists, and start planning the meals and snacks you want to rotate. I aimed for ten meals, including tacos, Asian-inspired rice bowls, pasta, easy frozen meals, grilled options (for weekends), and breakfast-for-dinner. This process took considerable time, as finding ten agreeable meals isn’t always straightforward! Once I finalized my ten meals and seven snacks, I created a timeline for when to serve each.
Don’t Forget to Double Up
When you prepare a meal, consider doubling the recipe to ensure leftovers for the next day’s lunch when feasible. Sometimes I even quadruple a recipe and freeze half, especially for soups and chili. Given that my kids can’t always take leftovers to school, I make a batch of pasta salad for the week that includes vegetables, protein, and a drizzle of olive oil, paired with a piece of fruit. So far, so good.
Be Kind to Yourself
It’s perfectly okay if your meal plans aren’t elaborate or traditional. Sometimes, simplicity is key, and creativity should be celebrated. If you manage to come up with enough meals and snacks, reward yourself with a pat on the back and perhaps a glass of wine. If a meal or snack doesn’t turn out as expected, feel free to remove it from the list and experiment with something new.
Involve the Complainers
Regardless of how fantastic your meal schedule is, you will likely encounter some complaints. I encourage my kids to contribute recipe ideas, assist with grocery shopping, and help clean up the kitchen. They even have designated kitchen cleanup nights. I aim to teach them teamwork and problem-solving rather than just voicing complaints. If you have a partner, decide who will handle grocery shopping and meal prep. In our family, my partner does the grocery shopping, while we share cooking duties based on availability.
Reduce Waste and Save Money
An excellent advantage of having a meal schedule is that we waste significantly less food than before, which means saving money. It took us some time to figure out how much of each ingredient we need to buy to have sufficient food without excess. Through trial and error, we’ve developed a solid schedule and even have extra cash for occasional dining out or special treats, like that pricey ice cream we love.
Stay Open to Change
As we transition into fall, I plan to swap out some regular meals for slow cooker options, soups, and chilis. Meal schedules become simpler with these dishes, as they make for great leftovers and freezer meals. After a long day, it’s a delight to return home to a pot of vegetable soup simmering and ready to serve. Additionally, if a particular meal or snack no longer suits your family, it’s okay to replace it with something new. Weekends are ideal for trying new recipes together, if your schedule allows.
I’m thrilled with how effortless organizing our family meals and snacks has become. There’s far less of the kids rummaging through the fridge or pantry complaining about “nothing to eat.” We’re saving money, reducing food waste, and most importantly, relieving ourselves of a previous stressor—pun intended.
If you’d like to learn more about home insemination, check out this informative blog post as well as resources on pregnancy and wellness tips.
To explore meal planning further, consider these search queries:
- Meal planning tips for families
- Healthy snack ideas for kids
- Easy recipes for busy parents
- How to reduce food waste at home
- Creating a meal schedule
In summary, implementing a meal and snack schedule can significantly streamline family mealtime and reduce food waste. By involving family members in the process and remaining flexible with meal options, you can create a more harmonious kitchen environment.