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Writer's pictureMichelle Walker

The Ultimate Hack for Making Meal Planning Simple and Enjoyable!

Updated: Feb 17

Meal planning is the backbone of an organized and efficient kitchen. But let's face it; it can be overwhelming, time-consuming, and frustrating, especially when we're juggling busy schedules and trying to please picky eaters.



Meal Planning

Thankfully, there's a simple yet powerful solution to make meal planning a breeze:


The Master Meal List!


This simple yet powerful hack will change the way you approach meal planning and turn it into an enjoyable and stress-free experience!


What is the Master Meal List?

Master Meal Plan List

A Master Meal List is a thorough collection of your favourite go-to recipes, tried-and-tested family favourites, and meal ideas that you can rely on anytime. It's a personalized database of your most loved meals, that can be categorized by type, cuisines, dietary preferences, or however you choose to categorize them!



Why have a Master Meal List?


Streamlined Planning Process:

The Master Meal List takes the guesswork out of planning your weekly meals. Instead of staring blankly at an empty meal planner, you have a variety of options right at your fingertips. With the Master Meal List, you can quickly pick and choose meals that suit your schedule and mood, ensuring a diverse and satisfying menu every week.


Time and Money Savings:

No more last-minute trips to the grocery store or resorting to takeout due to a lack of meal ideas. Having a pre-curated list of meals means you can create a well-organized shopping list in no time, reducing food waste and saving money in the process, as well as plan for what you already have on hand!


Encouraging Variety:

It's easy to fall into a rut of cooking the same dishes over and over again. A Master Meal List inspires creativity by providing a wide range of ideas you might not think about. You can always be adding to your mast list when you find new dishes or ideas you enjoy, to keep your list updated and exciting!


Better Organization:

By having a centralized list of recipes, you can keep track of which meals you've prepared recently and which ones are long overdue for a comeback. This organization prevents repetition and keeps your meals fresh and exciting.



How to Create Your Master Meal List:

woman meal planning
Start with Family Favourites:

Begin by jotting down your family's all-time favourite dishes. These are the recipes that are a hit every time they hit the table and should form the foundation of your Master Meal List. Get the family involved to get the ideas flowing!


Categorize Your Meals:

Divide your list into categories like comfort foods, soups, Sunday dinner, etc. You can also divide them into different cuisines, dietary preferences or meat and/or main course. You can have different "theme nights" such as Monday - Soups and Salad; Tuesday - Ethnic; Wednesday - Casseroles; Thursday - Leftovers; Friday - "Fun/Pub" foods, etc.


Experiment with what works for your family and what you enjoy - and feel free to change it up as


needed. What works for awhile might not always work, so don't be afraid to think outside the box and have fun with it!


Add New Recipes:

As you come across new recipes or try out dishes from cookbooks, magazines, online sources, or from family/friends make it a habit to add the successful ones to your Master Meal List to make in the future.


I don't know how many times I've had a delicious meal and thought "I'll have to make that again!" and then completely forget about it since it didn't make it onto "the list" ;)



Embrace Seasonal Changes:

Update your list regularly to accommodate seasonal produce and fresh ingredients. This will ensure that you're making the most of what's available and enjoying meals at their peak flavour.


You may even want separate lists for different seasons with ideas that are more specifically geared to a season as opposed to all time favourites.



meal planning

In the world of meal planning, the Master Meal List is the ultimate secret weapon. It empowers you to approach meal planning with confidence, creativity, and convenience. By compiling a diverse collection of your favourite meals, you can streamline the planning process, save time and money, and cater to everyone's dietary needs.


So, start building your Master Meal List, and unlock the potential for easy and enjoyable meal planning!




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Hi, I'm Michelle!

Michelle Walker Health and Nutrition Coach

As a mom of 2, bonus mom to 3 more, teacher, and health coach/nutritionist running my own business, I know what it's like to be a "busy mom" trying to stay healthy in a way that actually works!

 

It's my mission to help other busy moms find simple ways to get healthier without dieting or restricting their favourite foods.

Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed - and getting healthy shouldn't feel like a full time job that stresses you out!

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Be sure to check out the freebie page for resources on all things to help you on your wellness journey including eating well on a budget, quick and easy dinner ideas, beginner exercise guide, tips to crush your cravings and so much more! 

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