Overcoming Obstacles in Meal Planning
New Discounted Price on Money Mama Piggy!
ADHD Resources
Free Printable Charts
If you've wondered why you haven't received a newsletter in a long time, it's because you haven't! Life as a full-time working mother of two teens and an elementary-aged child has consumed every spare minute. SFC has taken a back burner for many months, and for this I apologize. With this new stage of life, I will be sending a newsletter out as often as I can (aiming for once a month)!
The good news is that we are still here and still providing great resources! In the months to come, we're excited to share some new resources with you! I am also thrilled to see that our subscriber list has continued to grow. We have over 5,500 subscribers now and the list keeps growing. Thank you to all who have spread the word about SFC and shared the resources with family and friends.
I don't know about you, but I get into a rut at times with meal planning and preparation. It is so easy to default to convenience foods that are unhealthy for the family, rather than taking the time to prepare balanced meals on a regular basis. If you love to cook, this may not be the case for you. I like to cook, but do not always have the energy or motivation to do a thorough job in meal preparation.
Some of the obstacles I face are:
- I work full-time, so I'm tired and want to relax when I get home.
- I try to please every family member (all have different likes and dislikes).
- I want meal prep to be easy.
- I make the same thing over and over because I can't think of new ideas.
- I don't
always include enough fruits and vegetables in the meal.
- Other
things take priority over meal prep at times.
- Busy family life interferes with meal times, so why bother.
- Grocery
shopping can be a chore.
- Fast
food or "take out" sounds yummy or easy.
- Chores
that haven't been done (dirty kitchen) interfere with the plan.
1. When you have energy, make a plan.
Try having a cup of coffee on Saturday morning after you've had a good night's sleep and can sit and plan the week's meals. Then, post the plan where all family members can see it and be involved.
2. Involve family members in meal planning. Discuss meal time with your family. Make expectations clear (i.e. will everyone be expected to eat what's prepared whether they like it or not?). Allow each family member to choose his/her favorite meal from time to time or have each write down their top meal choices and include those in the plan.
3. If you want to be healthy, know that meal prep will not necessarily be easy. Commit to the work and take the necessary time to prepare well-balanced and healthy meals. Allow for easy meals from time to time, but not on a regular basis. Use the crockpot whenever possible.
4. Take time to create a list of meal ideas or let someone else create a list of meals for you. Post the list in the kitchen where you can see it. Save yourself from the nightly dinner dilemna by using the Monthly Menu Planner to plan a month's worth of dinners. We also have a blank Monthly Menu Planner to help you create your own monthly dinner plan. Print it off, plug in your meals and get started today! Get it here!
5. Create a list of fruits and vegetables from which to choose when meal planning. Try to provide two types of vegetables at each dinner.
6. Set aside a certain time frame each day to do meal prep. If special activities or events are on the evening schedule, plan ahead and use the crockpot or prepare a dish the night before so dinner can be served as usual.
7. Do your grocery shopping at a set time each week and plan before you go to the store. Use a premade grocery list so you don't have to reinvent the wheel each time. Click here to get a sample premade grocery list and use it to create your own.
8. Set a budget for eating out each month and stick to it.
9. Make sure your kitchen is cleaned each day before it's time to prepare dinner. Everyone has those days where they are cleaning as they are preparing dinner, but this should not be the norm. Try to work your routine so that you start with a clean kitchen when beginning dinner preparation. This may mean the cleaning takes place in the morning or after school when kids get home from school.
For more ideas about meal planning...
New Discounted Money Mama Piggy Bank!
I am not an ADHD expert, but I do get questions and searches at the site about ADHD and chores. I firmly believe that chores are beneficial to all, including those with ADHD. I am providing some links below to a few ADHD resources.
SFC is known for it's Free Printable Charts!
We have lots of free charts to help you get organized. From toddler charts with pictures to lists for adults, you'll find it at our Chore Charts page.
Need a goal chart, but don't know where to start? Print out our Blank Chart and fill it in to get started!
Visit our Chore Charts page to get more free charts!
Until Next Time...
Hope you have a great month full of FUN and ENERGY!
Andrea Simanson
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Remember
that chores build character.
Parents,
grandparents, family and friends all play an important role in a
child's life by expecting him or her to help around the house. Chores
teach children responsibility in life and also help them feel valued,
loved, and a part of something bigger than themselves.
Use
chores as incentives
-
When your room is clean, you may go to the movie with your friends.
-
When your chore list is completed for the day, you may have some computer time.
-
When your homework is done, you may watch TV.
-
Put away your toys, then you may have a snack.
More at
Successful Family Chores!
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