Basically, I just load up a platter with lots of cut-up raw veggies, fruits, meat, cheese, crackers, and any other random pantry or fridge staples we have. Snacky Dinner- My kids LOVE this type of meal, and I love it too because it’s pretty much an effortless, no-cook meal that I can throw together in minutes.Asian Inspired- I personally love the flavors and combinations from recipes that are inspired from the far east.I like to cook new recipes over the weekend where I’m not as frantic in trying to get a meal on the table quickly. The key is to try a new recipe on an evening where you generally have a bit more time. I have a habit of pinning tons or recipes or clipping magazine articles so I have a huge collection of yummy looking recipes to try. New Recipe- Once every few weeks I like to break out of my meal planning rut by trying a new recipe.And yes, crockpot meals can be any theme but has to be a quick throw-together type of meal. This fall we have an evening where soccer practice runs until 7 so I always plan for a crockpot meal that evening. Crockpot- Anytime I can use my crockpot or Instapot for a quick meal prep on a busy night, it’s a go.Fish/Seafood- We mainly only eat Shrimp or Salmon as our seafood choice but occasionally I might experiment with a new seafood recipe.Italian- This can by anything from spaghetti night to a pasta bake, or even a huge pot of Italian inspired soup like Zuppa Tuscana.
Plus, I make most of my own chicken stock using leftover chicken bones. Soup and chili is a really frugal way to add a lot of vegetables while limiting the meat. Soup or Chili- I love warm, comforting and filling soups during the cold months.Here’s what our current fall and winter template looks like: Week 1:
Let’s take a look at the different seasonal meal planning templates Fall and Winter Dinner ThemesĬreating a two-week rotation helps me to have a steady balance of types of meals (this prevents frequent repeats) and gives me a framework for what type of meals to plug in. This makes sense because soups, chili, and more hearty meals are appropriate for the colder days in the winter, where lighter salads and vegetable-based meals do well during the hot days of summer. I have found it useful to create two separate themes, one for spring and summer and another for fall and winter, to help create a balanced meal plan all year long. It helps me come up with new ideas when I feel like I am in a rut and it challenges me to add variety and to even try out new recipes. Meal planning through the seasons is a way to create a simple template of themes to build a balanced monthly meal plan. While this does take a little bit of time and effort at the start of every month, it’s such a relief to know that I only have to sit down once to meal plan!Īs I have been using this method for quite a while, and am familiar with the meals that my family likes to eat and are easy to prepare, I have a regular rotation of meals that I can easily swap in and out with ease.Īnother tool that I use to aid in my meal planning is creating a seasonal theme to help me come up with ideas and make sure I am rotating the types of foods we eat around. Not necessarily a detailed 7 meals for 4 weeks plan but rather a more flexible plan where I make a list of go-to meals I know our family will love and are simple for me to make. It takes a few minutes of planning, depending on how you meal plan and can keep your grocery budget on track as you shop for only the items you need to cook with,Īs I’ve shared before, I like to plan for the entire month at a time.
Meal planning is one thing that has saved me countless hours and a lot of money. Check out this step-by-step guide on how to create a seasonal meal plan template to last you through the entire year, plus a real-life example! Meal planning through the seasons is a genius way to create a simple template of meal ideas to save you time all year long. It will guide you, step-by-step, through planning each month allowing you to save time and money. The CHK Seasonal Meal Planner is now available!!! Plan your meals with purpose and intention as you think through special days, holidays, and what each season uniquely offers. Is meal planning a struggle? I'm so excited to announce.