What’s for dinner? Looking for some stress-free solutions? You’ve come to the right place!
It seems so simple, but after a long, busy day, it can feel so overwhelming. Between work, family, and everything else life throws at us, figuring out dinner can feel like a major pain in the butt. So, in today’s episode of Small Daily Habits, we’re going to break it down and talk about how to simplify meal planning and make healthier choices that take the stress out of dinnertime.
Welcome back to another episode of Small Daily Habits, where we talk about how to find calm in the chaos and create long-lasting health with simple, sustainable habits. I’m your host, Christine Miller, and today we’re tackling a topic that strikes dread in the hearts of so many of us:
That dreaded question: What’s for dinner? Listen here or continue reading below.
Have no fear, I’ve created a simple step by step weekly meal plan guide. This guide is complete with a weekly overview, recipes with grocery list, and a list of prepping tasks to make your life so much easier.
Why “What’s for Dinner?” Feels So Overwhelming:
Let’s be real—there’s a reason why so many women feel overwhelmed when dinner time rolls around. After a long day, we’re exhausted, and decision fatigue has set in. The last thing we want to do is spend time figuring out what to cook.
Then add in picky eaters, dietary restrictions, or just the need for something fast to accommodate sports, dance, school plays etc., it’s no wonder why dinner can feel like such a chore.
Here’s the good news…….
A little planning and some go-to strategies can make dinnertime easier and healthier!
The key is to simplify.
The Power of Planning Ahead
One of the best ways to beat the dreaded “What’s for dinner?” question is planning ahead.
You don’t need to plan every meal down to the last detail. However, having a loose plan for the week can be a lifesaver, saving you time, energy, and stress.
3 Step Approach:
- Pick a day to plan: Choose whatever day works best for you, for me that’s Sundays. Set aside 10 or so minutes to plan out your dinners for the week. As you get more comfortable with this format you can do this for breakfasts and lunches too but start small and build from there.
- Stick to themes: To keep it simple, consider giving each day a theme. For example, Monday could be “Meatless Monday,” Tuesday “Taco Tuesday,” Wednesday “Crockpot Meals,” Thursday “leftovers”, and Friday “make your own pizza” or “breakfast for dinner”. Something fun to end the week. This cuts down on decision-making and gives you a structure to follow.
- Plan for leftovers: Double up on a recipe one night so you have enough for the next day’s lunch or freeze half for dinner at a later date. This is a great way to reduce the time you spend cooking on nights when lots is going on or everyone has to be at different places at different times. Just take the extras out of the freezer, heat, and serve!
By creating a basic meal plan, you eliminate the daily scramble to figure out dinner and give yourself more mental downtime during the week and the ability to stay on track with your health goals because you are not just eating what’s available in the moment.
Focus on Simple, Whole Foods:
When it comes to what to cook, the simpler the better. You don’t need fancy recipes or gourmet meals to eat well. You can throw those in the mix once in a while if you are feeling up for the challenge but it’s not a must. Focus on whole foods and meals that are balanced, filling, and easy to prepare.
Stress-Free Solutions:
- One-Pan Meals: Meals that you can toss onto a sheet pan or into one pot are lifesavers. Think roasted vegetables and chicken, stir-fries, or casseroles.
- Batch Cooking: On grocery or prep day, make large batches of things like grains (my go to’s are rice and quinoa), roasted veggies (whatever you need to get rid of in your fridge), or cook your proteins ahead of time so you can mix and match them for quick meals. I like to precook a big batch of chicken and hard-boiled eggs to add to salads or soups.
- Keep the Staples Stocked: Make sure your pantry and fridge are stocked with healthy staples—whole grains, beans, lean proteins, and a mix of fresh and frozen veggies. This way, you can throw together a healthy meal without needing to run to the store.
- Double the Recipe and Freeze Half: Cook once and eat twice. Who doesn’t love that idea? Make a double batch of soup or turkey chili, whatever your family loves, and freeze half so on really busy days you just take out the frozen batch the night before for a quick, easy, reheat and serve kind of meal.
By keeping it simple and focusing on whole foods, you not only make dinner easier, but you also ensure that your meals are nourishing for you and your family. Not to mention, keep your sanity intact. I think we underestimate the power of that last one. No need to be a superhero in the kitchen. Simplify, simplify, simplify!
Home Chef for Families:
And if these steps are still too complicated for your hectic lifestyle you may want to consider a meal delivery service like Home Chef for Families. What I love about Home Chef is that they offer military, first responders, healthcare professionals and teachers 50% off the first box (up to $60) and 10% off ALL future orders.
Want to give it a try? Get 18 free meals with my referral link and enjoy your customized box of family meals. Make the “What’s for Dinner” question disappear with help from Home Chef!
Involve the Family (and End the Picky Eater Struggle):
OK now that I’ve shared my secret to simplifying dinnertime even more with Home Chef here is another reason “What’s for dinner?” feels so daunting.
It’s because many of us are dealing with picky eaters or family members with different preferences. The key here is to involve your family in the meal planning and prepping process.
- Ask for input: Let your family help pick meals for the week. If they have a say in what’s on the menu, they’re more likely to eat it without complaining.
- Offer choices: Instead of making multiple meals, offer choices within the meal. For example, set up a taco bar where everyone can choose their toppings or make a salad that allows for mix-ins.
- Get kids involved: If you have kids, let them help with age-appropriate tasks like chopping veggies or stirring the pot. The funny thing is, when they’re involved in the preparation, they’re more likely to eat the meal because they are invested in it and proud of their work.
By involving your family in the process, you take some of the burden off yourself, and it becomes more of a collaborative effort. These are lifelong skills you are teaching them that will carry over into their adult lives. If they learn healthy eating now, imagine how much easier it will be for them as adults with their own families.
Give Yourself Permission to Simplify:
Here’s the big takeaway from today’s episode: dinner doesn’t have to be complicated.
If you’re used to thinking that dinner needs to be an elaborate meal every night, give yourself permission to simplify. A balanced dinner can be something as simple as scrambled eggs with veggies and a side of fruit, a grain bowl with whatever you have in the fridge, or even a smoothie.
When my kids were younger, my husband traveled a lot for work and we lived far away from family so I was on my own a lot of nights for dinner, baths, and bedtime routines. So, the thought of cooking an elaborate meal that the kids most likely wouldn’t even eat, brings a special kind of dread into the mix so breakfast was a common occurrence in the Miller household in those early days. If I’m being honest, we still enjoy it today.
Remember, the goal is to nourish your body and your family. Some nights that might mean a beautifully cooked meal, and other nights it might mean leftovers or something quick and easy that everyone loves. Both are equally acceptable so stop stressing and start simplifying!
Quick Go-To Dinner Ideas:
To help you out, here are a few of my favorite quick, healthy, and simple dinners:
1. Sheet Pan Meals: Roast chicken, sweet potatoes, and broccoli all on one pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with your favorite herbs and spices.
2. Stir-Fries: Use whatever veggies and protein you have on hand. Serve over rice or quinoa.
3. Taco Bowls: Brown some ground turkey or beans, serve with rice, lettuce, salsa, and avocado.
4. Soup & Salad Night: A big batch of veggie or lentil soup paired with a simple salad.
5. Grain Bowls: Cook up a grain like quinoa or rice, top with roasted veggies, a protein, and your favorite dressing.
Voila! You now have a week’s worth of dinner ideas for the upcoming week! These meals are easy to throw together and can be adapted to what you already have in your kitchen.
Implement Your Small Daily Action: What Will You Do This Week?
That wraps up today’s episode! Remember, the “What’s for dinner?” question doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little planning, some simple whole foods, and a flexible mindset, you can make dinnertime healthier and less stressful for you and your family.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, share with a friend, or leave a review. I’d love to hear your go-to dinner strategies too, so feel free to reach out on Instagram @small.daily.habits.
Grab your What’s for Dinner? Meal Prepping Guide before you go! Consider this your small daily habit for the week.
Thanks for tuning in to Small Daily Habits. Next week we are diving into the power of consistency when it comes to building healthy routines. You don’t want to miss it!
Until next time friend, and remember BIG changes begin with Small Daily Habits!
If you missed Episode 1 Multitasking Mom to Empowering Women: My Journey and you want to learn a little more about my story click the link to listen or read it here.
Here are all the links you need from this episode:
Listen to Stress Free Solutions for Your Dinner Dilemmas
Grab your 18 free meals from Home Chef
Snag your FREE Meal Planning Guide
All my best,
Christine
