Menu Lifestyle
Meal planning is often touted as a way to simplify our lives. For some, this means dedicating one day each month to prepare and freeze an entire month’s worth of meals. However, I quickly realized that this approach is not for me.
The concept of having 30 days of meals on hand sounds appealing, almost like preparing for a survival scenario. Yet, the amount of planning required—and the need for a freezer that rivals those found in big-box stores—seems overwhelming. Additionally, with my family’s busy schedule, even the best-laid plans tend to crumble. The usual chaos of evening meal prep only adds to my reluctance to commit to a monthly cooking marathon.
Determined to give it a shot, I decided to tackle a week of meal planning. I thought that by organizing my thoughts and gathering the necessary ingredients, weeknight dinners would be manageable. It seemed straightforward enough.
However, the reality of my meal planning journey took a nosedive by midweek, transforming my well-structured plan into an unending series of dinner disasters. Here’s how it all unfolded:
Meatless Monday
I confidently prepared a foolproof Vegetable Soup designed for those who typically shy away from greens, hoping it might win over my meat-loving family. Instead, my husband and kids scrutinized the soup, pushing aside carrots and extracting onions, all while questioning the mysterious green flecks I called parsley (which was, in fact, kale). After some coaxing, they pushed their bowls away, claiming fullness, all while snatching extra bread. Day One: Fail.
Tasty Tuesday
Inspired by culinary experts, I attempted to create a gourmet dinner featuring chicken topped with Asiago cheese and basil, alongside roasted dill carrots and a flavorful penne pasta. Just as I was ready to serve, our evening plans fell apart: my husband worked late, my older child had a school project, and my younger child’s soccer practice was rescheduled. After two hours of waiting, my exquisitely prepared meal had turned into a charred disaster. Score: 0-2.
Win-Them-Back Wednesday
To win back my family’s approval, I opted for a beloved classic: a slow-cooked chili. I tossed beef, onions, and tomatoes into the crockpot, setting it for the day ahead. However, upon returning home, I discovered the cord dangle like a forgotten snake. The chili was still raw, leaving me with no choice but to serve chips and salsa instead. I was failing at meal planning spectacularly.
Thankless Thursday
After the series of unfortunate events, I resorted to canned soup, wondering if anyone would even notice the lack of homemade effort. Surprisingly, my kids raved about it, suggesting I make it more often. I couldn’t help but question my cooking skills.
Free-for-All Friday
With everyone on different schedules, I abandoned the idea of a cohesive family meal. My older son grabbed food at the mall, my younger one had a snack en route to soccer, and I munched on pretzels while driving. My husband was left to fend for himself. My meal plan was disintegrating.
Suck-It Saturday
As the weekend unfolded, tensions rose. The boys were bickering, my husband struggled with a plumbing issue, and I found myself overwhelmed, tossing frozen fish sticks to the kids before escaping to the front porch, ignoring their pleas for one more chance.
Sanity-Saving Sunday
Drowning my frustrations in a glass of wine, I reflected on my attempts at meal planning while reading Erma Bombeck’s humor-filled insights. I glanced at the stack of menus on the counter and decided to support local businesses instead. A quick call to the local Chinese restaurant brought me joy, “China Wok, may I help you?”
I admire those with impeccable meal planning skills, but for the rest of us, takeout remains a cherished lifeline.
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In summary, meal planning can be fraught with challenges, especially when juggling a busy family life. While some may thrive on organization, others may find comfort in the convenience of takeout.
Keyphrase: Weekly meal planning struggles
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