I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to super-simple cooking this week. My mind is being pulled towards holiday decorating, baking, holiday gift shopping and trying to enjoy the magic of the season! Can you relate? For that reason I’m not trying to win any awards in the kitchen right now. My only goals is to keep the nutritional quality high (protein + veggies + healthy fats) and the time commitment low!
Meal Planning is all about looking at your commitments during the week and creating a meal plan that works with the time you have.
The goal is to feel successful, not exhausted!
Cheers to that!
Here’s my dinner plan!
Monday
Monday evenings Zander has soccer practice so our Monday meal is usually in a crock pot or Dutch Oven. The goal is to keep our family meal warm for a few hours. Zander likes to eat before and after practice! I guess he’s growing!? {ha!}
I add a can of chick peas to this Dairy Free Slow Cooker Butter Chicken recipe for some extra fiber.
I also make a simple side salad comprised of romaine, cucumbers, & red bell peppers + Tessa Mae Dressing!
If you are looking for a meatless Monday option–these 20 minute Jackfruit tacos are totally delicious + high in fiber & protein. Have you tried jackfruit yet? I was skeptical at first, but now I’m a total convert. Such an easy weeknight dinner–and it’s shelf stable so you can keep it on hand for those nights when you don’t have a plan!
Tuesday
Whenever I need a quick, yummy, weeknight meal that we all LOVE, I turn to baked salmon!
Baked salmon is easy, low mess, high in healthy fat, omegas and protein AND crowd pleasing. We leave the salmon skin in tact, because we like it and there is nutritional benefit to eating it.
*Ask the fish monger to remove the salmon skin if it’s not your thing!
If you’ve never made fish at home before, start here! Or try my Slow Roast Salmon!!! You will feel like Queen of your kitchen.
Fish not your thing? Make these veggie-loaded Spaghetti Squash Taco Bake (we use DF cheese) and pray for left overs!
Wednesday
Sooo on Wednesday evenings Zander has soccer practice AGAIN, Zia has ballet, and I have evening client coaching calls… So meal prep is A MUST for Wednesdays and it usually includes a turkey chili (recipe below), veggie soup or crock pot carnitas! Sometimes I’ll even add in an easy corn bread made the night before.
Once we get through Wednesday, it’s all down hill :). Anyone else?
Happy Dinner Turkey Chili
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Ghee
- 1 20 FL oz Trader Joe's Organic Chicken Bone Broth
- 1 1/2 lbs Organic Ground Turkey
- 1 small sweet white onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 3 large celery stalks diced
- 1 can Eden Organic Kidney Beans
- 1 can Eden Organic Blacnk Beans
- 1 can Muir Glen Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
A few shakes of Thyme, Trader Joe's Umami seasoning, + Salt & Pepper
Avocado, Scallions and Pico De Gallo for topping
Instructions
- Heat Olive oil & Ghee in your Dutch Oven
- Add onions and saute for 3-5 minutes
- Add ground turkey to the dutch oven and season with Thyme, Unami Seasoning, Salt & Pepper to taste
- Add bell peppers & celery and continue to saute until turkey is cooked through
- Add the Chicken Bone Broth, beans and canned tomatoes. Turn down heat to Medium and allow Chili to simmer for 30-60 minutes.
- Enjoy with a big chunk of GF Cornbread, scallions, avocado and a scoop of pico de gallo
Thursday
We discovered our family LOVES Hanger steak this summer. I was looking for new styles of beef to prepare for dinner and came across the most amazing, totally easy recipe for Hanger steak. Our kids devour it–which makes Mama really happy. BONUS–It also takes 15 minute to pull dinner together. High Five!
Friday
Cheers to FRIYAY! End your week the right way, with Ina Garten’s Chicken Thigh Recipe. It’s mouth watering delicious and makes you feel like a total star! You can see her in action and cook along side her-HERE
Serve it with arugula and red onions or sauteed asparagus!
Hopefully you found this helpful! Let me know which recipes your family enjoyed the most. Also–if you find yourself needing help with meal planning organization and fitting it all in—Send me a note!!
