1 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. I'm Kelsey Nixon and this is Kitchen Prescription, 2 00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:11,200 Speaker 1: the podcast you listen to when you don't know what 3 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:14,720 Speaker 1: to make for dinner. Today's episode forty how to re 4 00:00:14,920 --> 00:00:18,840 Speaker 1: establish a dinner habit. It's a new year and there's 5 00:00:18,880 --> 00:00:22,800 Speaker 1: a lot of talk about resolutions and goal setting, even 6 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:26,400 Speaker 1: words for the year, and it really is a great 7 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:29,960 Speaker 1: time for resetting and self reflection. I happen to love it. 8 00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:33,400 Speaker 1: But whether or not your personality loves it or hates 9 00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:35,320 Speaker 1: it when it comes to the practice of goal setting, 10 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:38,279 Speaker 1: I think it genuinely is a nice time to think 11 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:41,159 Speaker 1: about whether or not you're satisfied with your routines and 12 00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:43,880 Speaker 1: systems in life. And for me, one of those things 13 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:46,960 Speaker 1: I think about because it's something that affects my daily 14 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 1: life literally every day of the week, is my routines 15 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 1: and systems surrounding cooking and breaking bread with my people. 16 00:00:55,400 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 1: I want to make sure those are distinctly different, because 17 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: cooking is a step in getting people to the table, 18 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:04,360 Speaker 1: But the thing that is most important to me is 19 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 1: the act of sitting down and eating together. But we 20 00:01:07,959 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 1: got to have something to eat, so cooking is involved 21 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:11,960 Speaker 1: in there too, and I like to cook but I 22 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:15,679 Speaker 1: also feel the stress and pressure of raising young kids, 23 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 1: and life just seems to get busier and more chaotic 24 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 1: year after year. So today we're going to chat a 25 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:24,560 Speaker 1: bit about how you could re establish some habits or 26 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 1: systems to make dinner time feel a bit easier. But 27 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:30,600 Speaker 1: first we're going to run through three simple recipes you 28 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:32,679 Speaker 1: could throw on your meal plan if you're stuck trying 29 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:34,960 Speaker 1: to decide what to make for dinner this week. Before 30 00:01:34,959 --> 00:01:38,039 Speaker 1: I jump in here, I just want to encourage you 31 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:40,520 Speaker 1: that if you are someone who thinks you hate meal planning, 32 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 1: that's okay. I've been someone who hates meal planning before too. 33 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:47,280 Speaker 1: But as someone who has hated meal planning and as 34 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:50,000 Speaker 1: someone who has learned to embrace meal planning, it is 35 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 1: hands down one of the habits that makes the biggest 36 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:56,960 Speaker 1: difference in the ease of my day to day life. 37 00:01:57,160 --> 00:01:58,960 Speaker 1: It doesn't have to be the new year, it doesn't 38 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:01,320 Speaker 1: have to be back to school season, it does whatever. 39 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 1: If you are struggling to get dinner on the table, 40 00:02:05,720 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 1: I cannot recommend it enough to start with meal planning, 41 00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 1: and I want to help you so, as you know, 42 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:13,399 Speaker 1: on the podcast, we share three simple recipes every week. 43 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:16,160 Speaker 1: These are the three recipes that are on my meal 44 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 1: plan this week, and they are very simple because we 45 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 1: are coming off the chaos of the holidays and I 46 00:02:22,040 --> 00:02:24,919 Speaker 1: am still finding my rhythm. So first up a five 47 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:30,919 Speaker 1: ingredients sweet potato green curry. Oh my goodness, I gotta say. 48 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 1: When I develop this recipe, I even surprised myself. I thought, 49 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:37,320 Speaker 1: there's no way that I can do this in five ingredients, 50 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:39,960 Speaker 1: but my five ingredient recipes have been so popular on Instagram, 51 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:41,640 Speaker 1: I thought, let's see if I can do it. What 52 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:45,079 Speaker 1: it came down to was I found this green curry 53 00:02:45,120 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 1: paste that I really like. It's just my Tie kitchen, 54 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 1: which means you can get it at literally any grocery store. 55 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:53,320 Speaker 1: But what I like about it is it's not spicy. 56 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 1: And the main reason I don't want the spice is 57 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:57,560 Speaker 1: because of my kids, and so I can add spice 58 00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 1: in other ways. But it's like flavors, deep flavors. Obviously 59 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:06,960 Speaker 1: there's some coconut milk on this, and it's like little 60 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:09,920 Speaker 1: sweep not too sweet anyways. It's just a great pantry 61 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:14,440 Speaker 1: staple for me, and that one ingredient packs so much 62 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:17,320 Speaker 1: punch when it comes to flavor. That it allowed me 63 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:19,480 Speaker 1: to create the five ingredient recipe and still have it 64 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:24,400 Speaker 1: be so delicious. I highly recommend making that recipe really 65 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 1: just five ingredients so good. I think I didn't include 66 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:29,560 Speaker 1: the lion and cilantro that I like serving on top, 67 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:32,600 Speaker 1: so I guess we're talking seven ingredients if it's that, 68 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:34,880 Speaker 1: But check it out. It's in Recipe Club and it's 69 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:39,120 Speaker 1: fire so so, so delicious. The second recipe is I 70 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 1: am doing a slow cooker meal, my Salceaveridi shredded beef tacos. 71 00:03:44,040 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 1: So my kids we like, we're doing taco Night on 72 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:49,600 Speaker 1: Tuesdays forever, and then it kind of got old, and 73 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:52,120 Speaker 1: my son recently asked me, can we have Taco Night again? 74 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 1: So I'm making the tacos. I'm gonna do the Salceaveria 75 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:57,520 Speaker 1: shredded beef tacos. And what's great about this recipe is 76 00:03:57,560 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 1: that it makes enough shredded beef that I can use 77 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:03,320 Speaker 1: that beef for leftovers later in the week. So what 78 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:06,480 Speaker 1: we will probably do is take that extra shredded beef 79 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:09,160 Speaker 1: and tournament to nachos. Nachos made in the oven are 80 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:12,840 Speaker 1: so delicious, and this is something my kids love. I 81 00:04:12,840 --> 00:04:16,039 Speaker 1: also have stm already thinking I also have this awesome 82 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 1: loaded skillet nachos that I could also use the beef 83 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:22,119 Speaker 1: forced maybe I'll do that. Regardless, we're gonna do talkos 84 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:25,159 Speaker 1: and nachos this week. And then the third recipe are 85 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 1: my Asian lettuce wraps with peanut sauce. This is super yummy, 86 00:04:30,040 --> 00:04:34,039 Speaker 1: super light, and a great fit for everyone in my family. 87 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 1: So those are three recipes that are on my meal 88 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:39,120 Speaker 1: plan this week. All of them are in Recipe Club. 89 00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:41,919 Speaker 1: You can print them. They're fantastic. If you're looking for 90 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 1: an even more exhaustive plan, you can get my weekly 91 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 1: and monthly meal plans and Recipe Club, where obviously you'll 92 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:49,760 Speaker 1: find these recipes on my meal plan for this week. 93 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:51,800 Speaker 1: Or you can build out your own weekly meal plan, 94 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:54,840 Speaker 1: letting the ingredients you have on hand in your pantry, 95 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:58,040 Speaker 1: fridge and freezer determine what you'll make this week. All right, 96 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:00,240 Speaker 1: let's jump into the back half of the podcast and 97 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 1: discuss getting back on track with a dinner routine. Like 98 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:09,960 Speaker 1: many of you, I feel like I'm just barely coming 99 00:05:10,040 --> 00:05:12,599 Speaker 1: up for air after the holidays. And while I love 100 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 1: the holidays, they really do throw any sort of routine 101 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:19,160 Speaker 1: into chaos, and maybe that's just because I have young 102 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:24,039 Speaker 1: kids and it's particularly chaotic, but it's like it's like 103 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 1: the best of times and the worst of times, Like 104 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:29,960 Speaker 1: it's so exciting and to experience the magic through my 105 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:33,320 Speaker 1: kids was just such a gift this year. But then also, 106 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 1: you know, more tantrums, more my kids thrive when there's routine, 107 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 1: and there's no routine, and then there's travel and anyways, 108 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 1: so it's been a lot and I am really welcoming 109 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 1: kind of a fresh start, and I find that usually 110 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:51,360 Speaker 1: by the first week in January, I find myself creating 111 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:56,000 Speaker 1: that structure and routine again. But I also simultaneously feel 112 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:59,040 Speaker 1: overwhelmed by that because I feel like I'm kind of 113 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:01,720 Speaker 1: digging myself out of what's gone on in the past 114 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:04,920 Speaker 1: six weeks. Like literally, if we could only snap our 115 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:07,839 Speaker 1: fingers and have all of the decorations magically put away 116 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:11,040 Speaker 1: and organized bins, which I love an organized bin. But 117 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:13,400 Speaker 1: I also have a confession that my Christmas tree is 118 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:16,640 Speaker 1: still up and it will probably be up until the weekend. 119 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:19,480 Speaker 1: But if there's anything I want to focus on and 120 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 1: really prioritize getting back in the rhythm of it is 121 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:26,040 Speaker 1: a dinner routine that gets us back to the table, 122 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:31,040 Speaker 1: having regular times to connect again. That's why I want 123 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:33,520 Speaker 1: to talk about this today. If you want to re 124 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 1: establish some sort of dinner routine but you're dragging your 125 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:39,080 Speaker 1: feet because it feels too hard, I want to offer 126 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 1: up a few suggestions that I am in the process 127 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:44,839 Speaker 1: of implementing and have worked for me in the past. 128 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:47,359 Speaker 1: So let's jump into these. First of all, you're going 129 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:51,000 Speaker 1: to start small. So if you have fallen out of 130 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:55,479 Speaker 1: a routine of making dinner, please do not sit down 131 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:58,320 Speaker 1: and make a meal plan with seven home cooked meals 132 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:00,560 Speaker 1: this week. You got to set your self up for 133 00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:04,360 Speaker 1: success by keeping it simple, even if that is just 134 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 1: one meal a week. Maybe you'll say, we are going 135 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:11,320 Speaker 1: to sit down and have dinner on Sunday and that's 136 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:13,280 Speaker 1: all I can handle this week, and the other nights 137 00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 1: are going to be pasta and sauce and mac and 138 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:18,640 Speaker 1: cheet like whatever, whatever it is. But start simple, and 139 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 1: maybe your simplest three nights a week, maybe your simplest 140 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 1: five nights, whatever it is. It's going to be different 141 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 1: for everyone because we're all in such different chapters of life. 142 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:31,720 Speaker 1: But figure out what you're simple is and start there. 143 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:37,040 Speaker 1: You can always build on that, but start there. Next, 144 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 1: make it fun. What do I mean by that? I 145 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 1: want you to think of something that will make it 146 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 1: fun for you to get to the table. Maybe it's 147 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 1: a new set of place mats or dishes, or maybe 148 00:07:51,440 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 1: you have been waiting and you need new drinking glasses 149 00:07:55,120 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 1: because you're two year old through two of them and 150 00:07:57,840 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 1: so you know, I'm matching set anymore, and everyone's got 151 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:03,640 Speaker 1: mismatched glasses and it drives you crazy. Whatever it is, 152 00:08:03,720 --> 00:08:07,400 Speaker 1: find something to make it fun. Think about when you 153 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:11,560 Speaker 1: know maybe some of you are setting an intention to 154 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:15,000 Speaker 1: move your body more this year. Whenever I do that, 155 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 1: I always want a new workout outfit because it makes 156 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:21,840 Speaker 1: me excited to put it on. I want you to 157 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:26,640 Speaker 1: apply that same principle to your dinner table. Invest in 158 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:28,680 Speaker 1: something for your dinner table, and it does not have 159 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 1: to be expensive that makes it exciting to get there. 160 00:08:32,559 --> 00:08:36,080 Speaker 1: One year, I got a dinner bell and my kids 161 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:39,360 Speaker 1: thought that was so fun, and each night one of 162 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:41,720 Speaker 1: them got to ring the dinner bell and everybody came. 163 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:43,719 Speaker 1: It didn't last forever, but it was really fun for 164 00:08:43,720 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 1: a minute. So that's an example of something that might 165 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:50,920 Speaker 1: make it fun. Maybe you could spend no money and 166 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 1: just start a game where like my family does Sweet 167 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:55,920 Speaker 1: and Sour every night, where you share kind of a 168 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:57,679 Speaker 1: high and a low from the day. Some people call 169 00:08:57,760 --> 00:09:01,720 Speaker 1: that Rose and Thorn. You could totally do that, or 170 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:05,000 Speaker 1: maybe you think of another dinner table game that is 171 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 1: something that when you guys are able to sit down together, 172 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 1: you always have a tradition surrounding. That's another great thing. 173 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:14,360 Speaker 1: I'm really excited about what we're going to do this year. 174 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:19,959 Speaker 1: I have done this a few times before, and my 175 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:23,000 Speaker 1: kids always think it's really fun and fancy, and I 176 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:26,240 Speaker 1: swear it like sets the mood. So this year, twenty 177 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:28,040 Speaker 1: twenty three is the year that I am going to 178 00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:31,199 Speaker 1: light candles at the dinner table. It's going to be 179 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:34,120 Speaker 1: challenging initially because my two and a half year old Penny, 180 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:36,680 Speaker 1: she's gonna want to blow them out six times during dinner. 181 00:09:36,960 --> 00:09:41,360 Speaker 1: But that's okay. I just think something about setting the mood, 182 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:44,840 Speaker 1: even with little kids. I think it's going to be fun. 183 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:46,599 Speaker 1: I'll have to report back to you, guys, but I 184 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:49,400 Speaker 1: don't know. I think it's fun. It's out there, and 185 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:51,319 Speaker 1: I think my kids might get excited about it. So 186 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:55,080 Speaker 1: I invested in some beautiful candlesticks and some taper candles 187 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:56,840 Speaker 1: that don't have any sense, because I don't like anything 188 00:09:56,880 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 1: to smell at the dinner table. I want the food 189 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:01,400 Speaker 1: to be that whole sensor experience. We're gonna like two 190 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:04,160 Speaker 1: candles every night. I'll definitely have to let you guys 191 00:10:04,240 --> 00:10:07,800 Speaker 1: know how that goes. All right. The third thing except 192 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 1: that you're going to need to do some planning. Unfortunately, 193 00:10:11,880 --> 00:10:14,760 Speaker 1: meal planning is one of those things that does require 194 00:10:14,840 --> 00:10:19,240 Speaker 1: efforts you can't. It is very difficult to buy a solution. 195 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:22,240 Speaker 1: Like I've been there where it's like, oh, I'll do 196 00:10:22,360 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 1: meal kits this year and I'll have you know, three 197 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:31,000 Speaker 1: meal scent and it it still is hard. It's still hard. 198 00:10:31,440 --> 00:10:33,880 Speaker 1: So I need you to accept that you're going to 199 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 1: have to do some planning, and my best advice for 200 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:39,880 Speaker 1: that is to set aside time each week to make 201 00:10:39,960 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 1: a meal plan. We talked about exercise a little earlier, 202 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:46,680 Speaker 1: or moving your body. Think about it this way. Sometimes 203 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:48,839 Speaker 1: you have to like sign up for a class in 204 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:50,960 Speaker 1: order to get yourself to go and move your body. 205 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 1: But then you're so glad you did it because you 206 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:55,480 Speaker 1: feel so much better. If only we could sign up 207 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:58,360 Speaker 1: for a meal planning class every week where it's like 208 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:01,120 Speaker 1: you showed up at the same time, everyone sat down, 209 00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 1: they mapped out their meal plans, and they got it done, 210 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:07,400 Speaker 1: and they ordered their groceries and everyone left. I mean, 211 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:09,840 Speaker 1: that's kind of what this podcast is for. You listen 212 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:13,360 Speaker 1: to the podcast while you're meal planning. You're opening your fridge, 213 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:16,120 Speaker 1: you're opening your pantry or opening your freezer, looking at 214 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:18,400 Speaker 1: what you have on hand, and then sitting down at 215 00:11:18,400 --> 00:11:21,240 Speaker 1: your computer and either placing a grocery order or making 216 00:11:21,280 --> 00:11:23,440 Speaker 1: a shopping list if you still like to shop in person, 217 00:11:24,080 --> 00:11:28,120 Speaker 1: set a time. I like habit stacking, meaning that I 218 00:11:28,280 --> 00:11:30,920 Speaker 1: attach something that I like with something I don't like. 219 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:33,720 Speaker 1: So if I think I don't like meal planning, attach 220 00:11:34,120 --> 00:11:36,120 Speaker 1: having an episode of The Office on in the background, 221 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:39,840 Speaker 1: or listening to your favorite podcast, or for crying out 222 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 1: lived you could be in the tupever, whatever it is. 223 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:47,680 Speaker 1: I have found that the most critical part to having 224 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:51,600 Speaker 1: success with basic meal planning, even if I'm planning one 225 00:11:51,679 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 1: meal a week, is to do it at the same 226 00:11:54,559 --> 00:11:58,040 Speaker 1: time every week. I have an alarm set in my phone. 227 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 1: It goes off even though I know when that time 228 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:02,920 Speaker 1: is because it's been going on for many years now 229 00:12:02,960 --> 00:12:04,880 Speaker 1: that I do it at the same time. That alarm 230 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:08,160 Speaker 1: still goes off every Thursday at nine pm because that 231 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 1: is when I meal plan. Even if I'm going on vacation, 232 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:13,640 Speaker 1: that's when I think about it. I'm like, oh, vacation 233 00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:15,599 Speaker 1: this week, and then I think about, okay, when do 234 00:12:15,640 --> 00:12:18,319 Speaker 1: we get back, and I address it that way. So 235 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:20,959 Speaker 1: set aside a time, if you do nothing else, just 236 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:24,400 Speaker 1: do that. You could even do this, like maybe you 237 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:27,079 Speaker 1: feel overwhelmed. You could even repeat the same meal plan 238 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:30,760 Speaker 1: throughout the month. So maybe you decide on four recipes 239 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:33,559 Speaker 1: and you're going to make those four recipes three or 240 00:12:33,600 --> 00:12:36,120 Speaker 1: four times that month. Maybe that's an easy way to 241 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:38,240 Speaker 1: approach it. Some people don't mind that, some people need 242 00:12:38,280 --> 00:12:41,000 Speaker 1: the variety, and some people do not mind it. So 243 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:43,480 Speaker 1: that's one way to approach it. Or you could set 244 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:49,080 Speaker 1: a monthly meal plan where you pick twenty meals fifteen 245 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:52,559 Speaker 1: meals that you know your family likes, maybe maybe even 246 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:55,400 Speaker 1: ten right, and you scatter them throughout the month and 247 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 1: you make them one month and then you repeat the 248 00:12:57,480 --> 00:12:59,319 Speaker 1: same thing in the next month. That's another way you 249 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:01,839 Speaker 1: could approach it. So everyone's system is going to be 250 00:13:01,920 --> 00:13:03,599 Speaker 1: a little bit different. I think that's one of the 251 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:06,360 Speaker 1: things that makes meal planning so hard is it really 252 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:09,839 Speaker 1: isn't a one size fits all because everyone has a 253 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:13,800 Speaker 1: different family makeup. Feeding toddlers is a very different experience 254 00:13:13,840 --> 00:13:17,760 Speaker 1: than feeding teenagers. Feeding you and your partner as empty 255 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 1: nesters is extremely different than feeding a family with five kids. 256 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:26,960 Speaker 1: It's just it's also different. So you have to examine 257 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: what works for you and then make a plan from there. 258 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:32,679 Speaker 1: Once you've kind of thought about that family makeup, I 259 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 1: want you to think about what's important to you too, 260 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:38,000 Speaker 1: and what you can do easily with consistency. Because you 261 00:13:38,080 --> 00:13:41,319 Speaker 1: may be in a season where it's really important to 262 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:44,400 Speaker 1: you to try and eat healthy and so you're going 263 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:47,319 Speaker 1: to want to make selections that support that intention. Or 264 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:51,199 Speaker 1: you're maybe in a season of survival where you've got 265 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:54,120 Speaker 1: four kids going in twenty five different directions and you 266 00:13:54,200 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 1: are going to need to build in a Dino nugget 267 00:13:56,240 --> 00:13:58,920 Speaker 1: night and there is no shame in that. Or you 268 00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:01,440 Speaker 1: are going to need to rely on a rotisserie chicken 269 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:05,480 Speaker 1: salad kit and crusty bread dinner, and there is no 270 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:07,520 Speaker 1: shame in that. So figure out what it is what's 271 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:11,280 Speaker 1: most important is that you can do it easily with consistency. 272 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:14,079 Speaker 1: All Right, if you're feeling overwhelmed or maybe you're not, 273 00:14:14,400 --> 00:14:17,120 Speaker 1: hopefully you're feeling like you've got this. Because you do 274 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:21,600 Speaker 1: have this. Dinner isn't going anywhere. Dinner is going to 275 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:26,200 Speaker 1: be around for a very long time. So it's worth 276 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:29,880 Speaker 1: investing in establishing some systems to not only make it easier, 277 00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:34,080 Speaker 1: but to make it more meaningful because, like what I 278 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:36,600 Speaker 1: said earlier, while the recipes are a critical part of 279 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 1: making dinner, they aren't the most important part. What's most 280 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:43,840 Speaker 1: important is creating a set time for you to connect 281 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 1: with your people as often as possible. All right, thank 282 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 1: you so much for being here, you guys, and let's 283 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:53,400 Speaker 1: take a final moment to celebrate a real life recipe 284 00:14:53,440 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 1: success of the week. This is Gloria G who wrote 285 00:14:58,680 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 1: this in a recent Instagram at DM. She says, just 286 00:15:02,800 --> 00:15:06,240 Speaker 1: made the creamy chicken tortellini soup and omg, it was 287 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:09,520 Speaker 1: so delicious. By the way, the format of recipe Club 288 00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:14,200 Speaker 1: recipes is incredible. It's exactly what my brain wants and needs. Gloria, 289 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 1: you are the best. And I also made that delicious 290 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:20,960 Speaker 1: soup this week, and it really is just perfect for 291 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: January when it might be rainy or wintry where you are, 292 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:27,200 Speaker 1: it's rainy where I'm at, like January begs for soup. 293 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 1: So I'm so glad you made that recipe. I'm so 294 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:31,320 Speaker 1: glad you liked it, and I'm so glad you enjoy 295 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:34,080 Speaker 1: the format of the recipes and Recipe Club. We really 296 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:36,960 Speaker 1: try to make it so simple so that it's just 297 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:40,000 Speaker 1: the amount of information you need without overwhelming you in 298 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 1: any capacity. We don't include long stories, there are no ads, 299 00:15:43,680 --> 00:15:46,200 Speaker 1: there are no pop ups. It is just the recipes 300 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:48,920 Speaker 1: and that way you get what you need. There's a 301 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:52,080 Speaker 1: quick cowto video that is shot very quickly so you 302 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:53,920 Speaker 1: can watch that if you need that kind of support, 303 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:56,600 Speaker 1: an ingredient shot, a parent and picky eater plate. But 304 00:15:56,680 --> 00:15:59,480 Speaker 1: beyond that, it's just the recipe. So thank you so 305 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:03,040 Speaker 1: much for sharing your sweet, kind message and reaching out. 306 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:06,480 Speaker 1: You guys really do make my day when you share 307 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:09,280 Speaker 1: with me what's working. Thank you so much for being here, 308 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:11,960 Speaker 1: and until next time, I'm Kelsey. See you next week.