1 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:11,080 Speaker 1: Hi, everyone, Welcome to Kitchen Prescription, the podcast you listen 2 00:00:11,160 --> 00:00:13,200 Speaker 1: to when you don't know what to make for dinner. 3 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:18,160 Speaker 1: What a week. Oh, it's been a heavy one for 4 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 1: so many of us, given what's going on in the 5 00:00:21,880 --> 00:00:25,120 Speaker 1: world and Ukraine. And I don't know about you, but 6 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:28,920 Speaker 1: it's just felt like we were coming up for error 7 00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:33,559 Speaker 1: after such an emotionally and physically demanding two years, and 8 00:00:33,680 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 1: now as we watch the devastation unfold world away, my 9 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:42,080 Speaker 1: heart feels as if it can barely take it. And 10 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:44,960 Speaker 1: I know so many of you feel the same way. 11 00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:48,960 Speaker 1: It's devastating, and it just seems to be heavy for 12 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:51,520 Speaker 1: all of humanity, and I just wanted to acknowledge it. 13 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:56,240 Speaker 1: And you know, despite that heaviness, we're all still tasked 14 00:00:56,320 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 1: with getting up each day, sending our kids to school, 15 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:05,080 Speaker 1: doing the daily work that's required of us. And so 16 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:06,880 Speaker 1: many of us are going to have moments each day 17 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:11,120 Speaker 1: when our hearts sink thinking of the families that are suffering, 18 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:14,200 Speaker 1: and we might even feel pangs of anger over the 19 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:18,920 Speaker 1: inhumanity of it all. But somehow we still have to 20 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:22,760 Speaker 1: help our kids write the book report, go to baseball practice, 21 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 1: and make dinner for everyone, and quite frankly, we are 22 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:30,240 Speaker 1: so lucky to be in a position where those are 23 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:33,600 Speaker 1: the things that we juggle each day. But I want 24 00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:38,039 Speaker 1: to chat about making dinner for just a moment. And 25 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:40,720 Speaker 1: it sounds like such a mundane task that rolls off 26 00:01:40,760 --> 00:01:44,039 Speaker 1: the tongue so easily, But I want to express just 27 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:48,240 Speaker 1: how important I believe that ritual is, and just found 28 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:50,920 Speaker 1: myself thinking a lot about it this week. It made 29 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 1: me think of a book I read years ago by 30 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 1: Michael Pollen, where he talked a lot about the power 31 00:01:57,360 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 1: of the family dinner table and really it's how children 32 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:04,440 Speaker 1: learn how to best get along in the wider world. 33 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 1: I think about it all the time, all the time, 34 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:12,720 Speaker 1: And a direct quote from him says, the dinner table 35 00:02:12,760 --> 00:02:14,919 Speaker 1: is where we teach our children the manners they need 36 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:18,680 Speaker 1: to get along in society. We teach them how to share, 37 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:21,320 Speaker 1: how to take turns, how to argue without fighting and 38 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:25,839 Speaker 1: insulting other people. They learn the art of adult conversation. 39 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:30,520 Speaker 1: The family meal is the nursery of democracy. And I 40 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:36,280 Speaker 1: have just found myself thinking of this quote and these 41 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:38,519 Speaker 1: words of his so much this week, and just how 42 00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:43,400 Speaker 1: important it is that we almost treat that table in 43 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 1: a sacred manner right, And it's tough. It's so tough 44 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 1: to get to the family dinner table. It's so hard, 45 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:54,720 Speaker 1: and most of the time in my household it is chaotic. 46 00:02:55,160 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 1: It is chaotic, But I believe it's important and I 47 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 1: want it to be something that when my kids leave home, 48 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: they have memories of breaking bread together at our family table. 49 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:12,680 Speaker 1: And look, most days we play our you know, sweet 50 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 1: and sour game where we shared something fun and silly 51 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 1: and then something that was harder in that day. And 52 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:21,120 Speaker 1: I just think it's important for us to maintain that 53 00:03:21,240 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 1: balance of sharing both the silly and the serious at 54 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 1: the table. And you know, my oldest is only nine, 55 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:31,880 Speaker 1: but he's old enough now that we would talk about 56 00:03:31,919 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 1: something like what's going on in Ukraine. And I think 57 00:03:34,920 --> 00:03:38,640 Speaker 1: that's okay. I think that's okay to invite those conversations 58 00:03:38,680 --> 00:03:42,840 Speaker 1: to the table. And yeah, I just want to reiterate 59 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:46,480 Speaker 1: how important I think it is and how passionately I 60 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:51,320 Speaker 1: feel about helping you get to that table. And I've 61 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 1: said it before and I'll say it till I'm blue 62 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 1: in the face, but I don't care what you serve 63 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 1: at that table. I am far less interested in the 64 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: recipe that you make for that table. Then I am 65 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 1: you just physically getting your family there. I don't care 66 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 1: if you have cold cereal. I don't care if you 67 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:14,800 Speaker 1: have cold pizza, sandwiches, whatever it may be. I really 68 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:18,840 Speaker 1: want to help people get to the table. I think 69 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:20,680 Speaker 1: that is the most important part. And there will be 70 00:04:20,839 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: plenty of time in space for those delicious recipes to 71 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:29,039 Speaker 1: enrich that experience, but getting to the table is the 72 00:04:29,080 --> 00:04:33,000 Speaker 1: most important part. And with that said, let's give you 73 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:37,800 Speaker 1: guys some ideas for recipes this coming week, because despite 74 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 1: what's going on in the world, our people still gotta 75 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:41,920 Speaker 1: eat and we still gotta put dinner on the table. 76 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 1: So let's see if I can't give you some ideas 77 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:49,760 Speaker 1: that make meal planning a bit easier for you. I 78 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 1: always love the first week of a month because it's 79 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:56,360 Speaker 1: when our Recipe Club recipes come out and Mart has 80 00:04:56,560 --> 00:05:00,280 Speaker 1: just dropped and they are so good. So it is 81 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 1: so good. The first recipe I want to share with 82 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:09,279 Speaker 1: you is these sheet pan chicken petas with satziki sauce. 83 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:16,520 Speaker 1: And this recipe was so fun to develop and there's 84 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:18,719 Speaker 1: a lot of things I love about it. But this recipe, 85 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 1: first of all, it's beautiful. The colors are so so beautiful. 86 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: And this marinade for the chicken includes a little bit 87 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:31,039 Speaker 1: of Greek yogurt, some garlic, some zest, and lemon juice. 88 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 1: And then there's three spices that I put into this marinade, 89 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 1: human smoked paprika and curry powder. And I played around 90 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:43,760 Speaker 1: with that combo for a few days because I wanted 91 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:47,599 Speaker 1: it to be super flavorful and super interesting, but not 92 00:05:48,200 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 1: too crazy that it would maybe deter a young child 93 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 1: from trying it. And it's great, it's so so good. 94 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:59,200 Speaker 1: I actually cannot wait to use this exact same marinade 95 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:02,280 Speaker 1: for grilling chicken on the grill this summer. But this 96 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:06,159 Speaker 1: is fantastic, and it's a sheet pan meal. You toss 97 00:06:06,200 --> 00:06:10,360 Speaker 1: all of those marinate ingredients together, you add your chicken, 98 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:13,839 Speaker 1: and you let it marinate for even just twenty thirty 99 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:17,040 Speaker 1: minutes while you prepare everything else, which are going to 100 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:20,160 Speaker 1: be some bell peppers. You could add an onion as well, 101 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:22,599 Speaker 1: and then if you've got the time to make the 102 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:26,360 Speaker 1: homemade setzi gi sauce, it's so delicious. But also if 103 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:29,239 Speaker 1: you need to pick up a store brought one, no problem, 104 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:33,239 Speaker 1: no problem at all. But I do like serving bees 105 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:38,360 Speaker 1: with some cucumbers, some diced red onion alives if your 106 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:42,479 Speaker 1: family likes olives, Feta cheese of course, and then a flatbread. 107 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:44,760 Speaker 1: So whether or not you want to make actual petas 108 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 1: with these and stuff the filling inside, or just serve 109 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:51,000 Speaker 1: them alongside non or I tested this once and we 110 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:53,400 Speaker 1: just did it with rice, and my kids really like that. 111 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 1: They're big rice eaters. We turned them in two bowls 112 00:06:56,279 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 1: and they were great. So sheep pan chicken peedas with 113 00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:03,479 Speaker 1: this SETSI sauce. It's delicious. It is our first recipe 114 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 1: from March Recipe Club, and it is out of this world. 115 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:10,560 Speaker 1: I love it, love it so much. Okay, let's talk 116 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:15,880 Speaker 1: about the next recipe for the week, which is really 117 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:19,880 Speaker 1: kid friendly, really kid friendly. I made these, and I 118 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 1: forgot how big of a hit there with my kids, 119 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 1: my ham and cheese sliders, and I often have this 120 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:30,920 Speaker 1: recipe in like roundups for great recipes to serve a group. 121 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:34,960 Speaker 1: But the truth is my family likes them so much 122 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:37,600 Speaker 1: that we go through almost an entire pan of these. 123 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 1: My honey baked Pam and Swiss sliders for a crowd 124 00:07:41,040 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 1: are awesome, and actually this is a great reminder to you, 125 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:46,520 Speaker 1: Easter is not quite here, but it's not too far away. 126 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 1: And this is one of my favorite recipes to use 127 00:07:48,600 --> 00:07:52,800 Speaker 1: with leftover ham. But you buy the Hawaiian rolls and 128 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 1: you take some thick sliced honey deli ham, some Swiss cheese, 129 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:01,840 Speaker 1: a real thinly sliced apple and it could be a 130 00:08:01,880 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 1: sweet apple like a honey crisp, or a tart apple 131 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:08,080 Speaker 1: like a Granny Smith, a little bit of mayo, and 132 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:14,240 Speaker 1: you basically make one big sandwich. So you cut the 133 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:16,800 Speaker 1: bread in half, you add these different things and then 134 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 1: you put them in a nine by thirteen and you 135 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:21,160 Speaker 1: top them with a little bit of melted butter and 136 00:08:21,200 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 1: some Dijon mustard and some honey. Pop them in the 137 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:28,680 Speaker 1: oven too warm, and they are irresistible, irresistible. One of 138 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 1: the best benefits to these is they're great leftovers, especially 139 00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:35,320 Speaker 1: for a lunchbox, but so good. We serve these with 140 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:37,360 Speaker 1: a big sides out and some fruit, and my kids 141 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 1: were went crazy for him. It's such an easy dinner. 142 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:42,679 Speaker 1: So I wanted to include that in the lineup. And 143 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 1: then finally this week I wanted to suggest an instant 144 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:52,160 Speaker 1: pot recipe. Now I don't do a ton of instant 145 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 1: pot cooking. To be honest, I don't love cooking with 146 00:08:56,640 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 1: an instant pot in that it doesn't feel very creative 147 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:02,280 Speaker 1: to me. And creativity is one of the reasons I 148 00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:04,440 Speaker 1: like cooking so much, as I kind of like cooking 149 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:06,679 Speaker 1: for my hip a little bit, adding a little bit 150 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 1: of this, adding a little bit of that, tasting it 151 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:10,640 Speaker 1: here and there. And if you've ever cooked with an 152 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:13,720 Speaker 1: instant pot, you know that that's pretty hard to do. 153 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:17,280 Speaker 1: You basically close the lid, turn a few knobs, push 154 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 1: your button, and wait until it's finished. I also don't 155 00:09:21,360 --> 00:09:23,360 Speaker 1: love that about an instant pose. You don't ever know 156 00:09:23,480 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 1: exactly how long something's going to take. But with that said, 157 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:31,280 Speaker 1: I still own my instant pot, and if I'm being honest, 158 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:36,880 Speaker 1: it's because of one recipe that I love, and it's 159 00:09:36,920 --> 00:09:40,000 Speaker 1: my instant pot risotto with peas and parmesan. It's got 160 00:09:40,040 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 1: some lemon in there too, and it is amazing. It 161 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:46,800 Speaker 1: is amazing, and you know it must be amazing if 162 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:52,880 Speaker 1: I keep a very large, small kitchen appliance around for 163 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:56,520 Speaker 1: one recipe, But I really do, you guys. Sometimes I'll 164 00:09:56,520 --> 00:09:58,599 Speaker 1: do hard boiled eggs, but now I'm doing those in 165 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:03,280 Speaker 1: my air fryer. Anyways, I digress. This recipe is so good, 166 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:05,520 Speaker 1: and this is the perfect time of year for it 167 00:10:05,920 --> 00:10:11,960 Speaker 1: because I like those cozy bowl one pot recipes. This 168 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:15,040 Speaker 1: one's particularly great when it comes to a flavor profile, 169 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 1: where I am doing the peas and the parmesan, a 170 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:20,839 Speaker 1: little bit of lemon, some dill, and then I really 171 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:23,480 Speaker 1: like topping it with a little bit of crisp presciutto 172 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:27,600 Speaker 1: or bacon, and it just is a really nice, comforting meal. So, 173 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:30,360 Speaker 1: especially if you're an instant pot cooker, you must try 174 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:33,360 Speaker 1: this recipe. You can get it on my website, Kelsey 175 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:37,000 Speaker 1: Nixon dot com, and it is certainly a family favorite 176 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:40,480 Speaker 1: around here. All right, there are your recipes for the week. 177 00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:44,240 Speaker 1: Let's get into the bigger portion of our episode today. 178 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:48,319 Speaker 1: We are talking all about meal planning, especially for those 179 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 1: of you who hate meal planning. So last week we 180 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:58,920 Speaker 1: discussed cook where, which is one of the most popular 181 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:03,040 Speaker 1: questions I get, But maybe the most popular question I 182 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:07,960 Speaker 1: get is about meal planning. Meal planning that thing that 183 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:11,000 Speaker 1: we all know we probably should do to make our 184 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:16,280 Speaker 1: lives a little easier, but it feels so impossible. So 185 00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:18,640 Speaker 1: we're going to talk about meal planning for people who 186 00:11:18,720 --> 00:11:23,640 Speaker 1: hate meal planning, So buckle up. I promise that this 187 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:26,240 Speaker 1: is going to be helpful. And if you are someone 188 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 1: who says, no, I don't meal plan, it doesn't work 189 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:31,640 Speaker 1: for me, hang with me. Just hang with me. Even 190 00:11:31,640 --> 00:11:35,200 Speaker 1: if you take one thing away from this podcast episode, 191 00:11:35,320 --> 00:11:40,520 Speaker 1: I think I can help you realize just how powerful 192 00:11:40,679 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 1: this simple habit can be when it comes to making 193 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 1: dinner feel more manageable. So, like you, guys, I have 194 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:53,000 Speaker 1: often asked myself, why is making weeknight dinner so difficult 195 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:57,320 Speaker 1: for me? I am a food professional. Some people may 196 00:11:57,400 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 1: even call me a family dinner expert, and I am 197 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:03,719 Speaker 1: here to tell you it is still difficult for me. 198 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 1: It's super hard, and there's all sorts of things we 199 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:12,000 Speaker 1: could blame it on, everything from pandemic burnout to picky eaters, 200 00:12:12,080 --> 00:12:16,240 Speaker 1: to too many activities or grocery shopping headaches, never having 201 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:18,400 Speaker 1: the write ingredients on hand. I could go on and 202 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:21,680 Speaker 1: on and on about these things that make it difficult, 203 00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:27,400 Speaker 1: But the truth is making regular weeknight dinners It's just hard. 204 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:31,600 Speaker 1: It's just hard, and good luck finding anyone who thinks 205 00:12:32,520 --> 00:12:36,840 Speaker 1: it's easy. But it's worth it, And so I want 206 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:40,680 Speaker 1: to discuss how we can meal plans successfully and really 207 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 1: fight that feeling of dinner dread in the kitchen, because 208 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:47,800 Speaker 1: I know for me, when I don't have a plan 209 00:12:47,920 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 1: for the week, dinner is far more stressful and that 210 00:12:53,320 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 1: element of dread definitely creeps in about five thirty every night. 211 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:00,760 Speaker 1: So the first thing I'm to ask you to do, 212 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:05,200 Speaker 1: it's just accept that it takes some effort to establish 213 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:10,200 Speaker 1: and then reap the benefits of meal planning. It's not easy, 214 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:13,880 Speaker 1: and I think that that's one of the reasons people 215 00:13:13,880 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 1: get so frustrated with it, is that you want a 216 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:20,199 Speaker 1: quick and easy solution. Maybe it's kind of like trying 217 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:23,280 Speaker 1: to meet a health goal, right, whether it's a weight 218 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:26,360 Speaker 1: loss goal or whatever that may be, where you think, 219 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:28,160 Speaker 1: someone just tell me what to do and I'll do it, 220 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:30,120 Speaker 1: and then you want to see results so quickly and 221 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:32,200 Speaker 1: you want it to work, and it takes a lot 222 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:34,839 Speaker 1: of hard work. In a weird way, meal planning is 223 00:13:34,920 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: kind of like that. No one's got some magic solution 224 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 1: that's going to make it easy, Like you've just got 225 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:45,079 Speaker 1: to be willing to put in a little bit of effort. 226 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:47,720 Speaker 1: But I will tell you this, once you put in 227 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:52,520 Speaker 1: the effort and you establish the habit, it gets easier 228 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 1: and it makes life feel so much more manageable. So 229 00:13:57,280 --> 00:14:01,120 Speaker 1: commitment is key if you really want to start meal planning, 230 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:03,199 Speaker 1: I'm going to need you to commit. I'm going to 231 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:05,200 Speaker 1: need you to say, I accept that this is going 232 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 1: to be a little bit hard, but I know what's 233 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:09,240 Speaker 1: going to be worth it, and I know that in 234 00:14:09,280 --> 00:14:13,679 Speaker 1: the end it's going to make my life significantly easier. 235 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:19,080 Speaker 1: I really believe that both routine and repetition are the 236 00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:22,800 Speaker 1: keys to success when it comes to avoiding this idea 237 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:25,360 Speaker 1: of dinner dread. In fact, i'm rereading one of my 238 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:28,280 Speaker 1: favorite books right now, Atomic Habits. The book is written 239 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 1: by James Clear and he's a fantastic author, And one 240 00:14:31,400 --> 00:14:33,720 Speaker 1: of the reasons I like this book so much is 241 00:14:33,720 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 1: that he talks about how important it is to get 242 00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:38,520 Speaker 1: the reps in, about how sometimes we get hung up 243 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:42,840 Speaker 1: on quality over quantity, but sometimes it's the quantity that 244 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:47,080 Speaker 1: creates the quality, meaning we just got we gotta get 245 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:51,560 Speaker 1: those reps in. So the routine, the ritual, the repetition, 246 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 1: that's what's going to make it easier. But all the 247 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 1: more reason that you need to be committed so let 248 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:01,240 Speaker 1: me tell you what that looks like for me and 249 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:06,040 Speaker 1: what I would recommend. Having a specific time each week 250 00:15:06,240 --> 00:15:09,320 Speaker 1: to map out meals for the whole week is like 251 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 1: crucial and I have to commit to this time. I 252 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 1: literally have a reminder in my phone that goes off 253 00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:20,080 Speaker 1: on Thursday nights at nine pm because that's when I 254 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:23,880 Speaker 1: meal plan. It's just the best time for me. Now, 255 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 1: it might be Saturday mornings for you, or it might 256 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:30,000 Speaker 1: be Sunday afternoons. It doesn't matter when it is. But 257 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:33,600 Speaker 1: I think having a time when you know that you're 258 00:15:33,640 --> 00:15:36,360 Speaker 1: almost always going to be available to sit down a 259 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:39,280 Speaker 1: meal plan will really help set an alarm on your phone. 260 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:44,080 Speaker 1: You can stack it with some other activity that you 261 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:46,640 Speaker 1: think is fun, whether that's listening to a podcast or 262 00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:50,560 Speaker 1: having a favorite show on in the background, or taking 263 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:55,880 Speaker 1: a bath for all I care, whatever it takes, just 264 00:15:56,880 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 1: have a time that you're committed to to do it. 265 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:02,920 Speaker 1: So the next thing that I think is super important 266 00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:05,600 Speaker 1: is it's always one of the first steps is I 267 00:16:05,640 --> 00:16:09,920 Speaker 1: grocery shop my own kitchen. So when that alarm goes 268 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:13,840 Speaker 1: off to remind you that you need to meal plan, 269 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:16,880 Speaker 1: first thing you should do is walk to your kitchen, 270 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:21,920 Speaker 1: Open up the pantry, open up the refrigerator, open up 271 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:24,960 Speaker 1: your freezer, and I want you to take a look 272 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 1: at everything you have in there, perishable, well not everything, 273 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:31,600 Speaker 1: but you get the idea perishable, non perishable, just stuff 274 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:33,680 Speaker 1: that needs to be used up. Because one of the 275 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:36,320 Speaker 1: worst parts of meal planning is actually having to make 276 00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 1: the decision about what to make. And by doing this 277 00:16:40,440 --> 00:16:44,840 Speaker 1: or by creating this habit, not only will you waste 278 00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:48,560 Speaker 1: less food, but it's essentially clues to help you decide 279 00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 1: what to make. If you've got half of a jar 280 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:54,640 Speaker 1: of marinara sauce that needs to be used up, great, 281 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:57,920 Speaker 1: maybe we'll do sheet pan chicken parm Maybe we'll do 282 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:01,720 Speaker 1: a spaghetti and meatball. Maybe we'll do meat ball subs. 283 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:05,359 Speaker 1: It just gives you a jumping off point, and I 284 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:08,920 Speaker 1: find that to be super helpful. So do not underestimate 285 00:17:08,960 --> 00:17:13,600 Speaker 1: the power of shopping your own kitchen. We talked about 286 00:17:13,600 --> 00:17:15,560 Speaker 1: this a little bit, but I also just I want 287 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:18,560 Speaker 1: to remind you that what you eat at the dinner 288 00:17:18,600 --> 00:17:22,119 Speaker 1: table doesn't matter nearly as much as getting to the table. 289 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:26,760 Speaker 1: So as you are meal planning, even if you're going 290 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:30,119 Speaker 1: to write in cold cereal on a Tuesday night because 291 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:34,160 Speaker 1: you've got baseball and ballet and your kid's got a 292 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:39,439 Speaker 1: country project. Do that's fine, but write it down because 293 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:42,560 Speaker 1: if you write it down on Thursday night or on 294 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:46,000 Speaker 1: Sunday morning, whenever you meal plan, you've already made that 295 00:17:46,119 --> 00:17:49,640 Speaker 1: decision and now you're not going to have to make 296 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:53,760 Speaker 1: a decision on that very stressful day. So just make 297 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:57,240 Speaker 1: getting to the table your priority, and a balanced meal 298 00:17:57,359 --> 00:17:59,960 Speaker 1: is like a bonus. But just no, it's not always 299 00:18:00,119 --> 00:18:01,879 Speaker 1: going to happen, and that's okay. I don't think you 300 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:05,399 Speaker 1: should expect it to always happen. If it does, congratulations 301 00:18:05,640 --> 00:18:08,879 Speaker 1: it doesn't at my house. But I just want to 302 00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:10,800 Speaker 1: point that out because I don't want you to overthink it. 303 00:18:11,080 --> 00:18:14,160 Speaker 1: What's most important is get to the table. And one 304 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 1: of the things that I have adopted in the most 305 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:21,639 Speaker 1: recent months that's really help is having a designated dinner 306 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:25,960 Speaker 1: time that we can mostly stick to. So I've set 307 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 1: an expectation that dinner is at five thirty. I've got 308 00:18:29,359 --> 00:18:32,119 Speaker 1: young kids who go to bed. My youngest goes to 309 00:18:32,119 --> 00:18:35,200 Speaker 1: bed between seven seven thirty. Whoever saw home? If I've thirty, 310 00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:37,720 Speaker 1: that's when we eat, and lots of times it is 311 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:40,399 Speaker 1: me and my five year old and my almost two 312 00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:42,960 Speaker 1: year old, and that may feel like, well, that's not 313 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:46,040 Speaker 1: family dinner, and that's not you know, wouldn't it be 314 00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:49,119 Speaker 1: more important to wait till everybody gets home. No, what 315 00:18:49,200 --> 00:18:53,000 Speaker 1: I do is I set the table for everyone, and 316 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 1: if my husband and my son or a baseball practice 317 00:18:55,880 --> 00:18:58,359 Speaker 1: or something, I leave their table settings there so that 318 00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 1: when they do get home after actus, I can sit 319 00:19:01,600 --> 00:19:03,480 Speaker 1: down and you know, we can we can chat a 320 00:19:03,480 --> 00:19:08,920 Speaker 1: little bit. But this might change giving your chapter of life, 321 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 1: but I still think it's valuable just to have a 322 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:16,359 Speaker 1: set dinner time. And if you've got young kids, A 323 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:18,120 Speaker 1: big hit at our house has been a dinner bell. 324 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:21,960 Speaker 1: You can ring the bell, you know, whether you have 325 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:25,439 Speaker 1: some sort of smart device that has an alarm that 326 00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:27,880 Speaker 1: goes off reread every day or whatever. It may be. 327 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:31,399 Speaker 1: Kind of alerting everybody who's home to come and break 328 00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 1: bread together, I think is really great. And then we 329 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:36,679 Speaker 1: like to have some conversation rituals. We do sweet and 330 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:39,960 Speaker 1: sour in our house, but you know, rose and thorn, 331 00:19:40,119 --> 00:19:44,160 Speaker 1: high and low, a daily joke or a trivia, all 332 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:47,920 Speaker 1: of those things can be great for just generating conversation. 333 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:53,600 Speaker 1: But just remember that dinner done is better than dinner 334 00:19:53,680 --> 00:19:57,880 Speaker 1: done perfectly, and I just don't want you to dismiss that. 335 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:02,400 Speaker 1: And speaking of dinner done, I also want to encourage 336 00:20:02,440 --> 00:20:06,679 Speaker 1: you when it comes to dinner being done by everyone. 337 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:12,000 Speaker 1: I think that there are too many people that really 338 00:20:12,119 --> 00:20:18,800 Speaker 1: take on the task of dinner and shoulder the majority 339 00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:21,159 Speaker 1: of that task. And I am here to tell you 340 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:25,680 Speaker 1: to be the coach, not the entire team. So everyone 341 00:20:25,760 --> 00:20:28,840 Speaker 1: should participate in the dinner time routine. Here's a couple 342 00:20:28,880 --> 00:20:32,080 Speaker 1: of ways that I like to involve my family when 343 00:20:32,119 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 1: it comes to menu planning and making that feel a 344 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 1: little more doable. So you know, I've already told you 345 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:44,680 Speaker 1: that Thursdays are my meal planning date. So on Thursdays 346 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:48,640 Speaker 1: at dinner, we start that discussion about what we're going 347 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:51,080 Speaker 1: to have for dinner the following week, and not just 348 00:20:51,160 --> 00:20:53,960 Speaker 1: the meals, but we also just run through a schedule. 349 00:20:54,320 --> 00:20:57,520 Speaker 1: What does this weekend look like for everybody? Hey, do 350 00:20:57,560 --> 00:21:00,280 Speaker 1: you have a game next Tuesday? We kind of map 351 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:05,360 Speaker 1: it out, and in that moment, I typically ask everyone 352 00:21:05,560 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 1: at the dinner table to pick something we're going to 353 00:21:08,359 --> 00:21:11,280 Speaker 1: have for dinner that next week. So I'll let my 354 00:21:11,359 --> 00:21:14,480 Speaker 1: five year old, my nine year old. Obviously my penny 355 00:21:14,600 --> 00:21:17,760 Speaker 1: isn't picking a meal about my husband. And so I 356 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:20,160 Speaker 1: walk away from that dinner table with three or four 357 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:25,000 Speaker 1: recipes all ready to go, and that is super super helpful. 358 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:27,800 Speaker 1: Another thing when you're answering that question of what am 359 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:30,359 Speaker 1: I going to make? Is I really want to encourage 360 00:21:30,359 --> 00:21:33,000 Speaker 1: you to have a greatest hits list. And that can 361 00:21:33,040 --> 00:21:35,160 Speaker 1: live on a whiteboard in your kitchen, it can live 362 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:37,840 Speaker 1: in the notes app on your phone like it does 363 00:21:38,040 --> 00:21:40,800 Speaker 1: for me. But anytime I make a recipe that my 364 00:21:40,880 --> 00:21:45,560 Speaker 1: family generally likes and most members generally like, it goes 365 00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:48,200 Speaker 1: on the Greatest Hits list. And when I don't know 366 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:51,240 Speaker 1: what to make for dinner, I always look at that 367 00:21:51,320 --> 00:21:55,080 Speaker 1: list because it just helps me. Because you guys know this, 368 00:21:55,160 --> 00:21:59,000 Speaker 1: there's nothing more frustrating than making a new recipe that 369 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:03,600 Speaker 1: nobody eats. So having a greatest Hits list it has 370 00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:08,040 Speaker 1: been super, super super important to me. You are going 371 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:12,719 Speaker 1: to feel better about dinner and less stressed if you 372 00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:16,640 Speaker 1: don't feel like you're doing every single task. So I 373 00:22:17,240 --> 00:22:20,000 Speaker 1: usually do the cooking, which means I never do the dishes. 374 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:24,840 Speaker 1: I do the cooking and that's enough and I feel 375 00:22:24,880 --> 00:22:27,280 Speaker 1: strongly that if you were doing the cooking, somebody else 376 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:29,639 Speaker 1: beever we do in the dishes, whether it's a partner 377 00:22:29,760 --> 00:22:32,359 Speaker 1: or an older kid or a younger kid for that matter, 378 00:22:33,240 --> 00:22:35,200 Speaker 1: that's a great way to get someone involved in dinner. 379 00:22:35,720 --> 00:22:37,760 Speaker 1: And then you know, just basic things like kids having 380 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:41,080 Speaker 1: dinner jobs, whether it's clearing the table or offering a 381 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:46,919 Speaker 1: prayer before dinner, or putting condiments away, or you know, 382 00:22:47,240 --> 00:22:51,000 Speaker 1: anything like that. Make sure everyone feels like they've got 383 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:55,560 Speaker 1: a place when it comes to pulling off a weeknight 384 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:59,240 Speaker 1: family dinner. Ultimately, I am passionate about family dinner, but 385 00:22:59,560 --> 00:23:02,320 Speaker 1: I I'm also passionate about the fact that they need 386 00:23:02,359 --> 00:23:06,720 Speaker 1: to be planned, they need to be practical, and they 387 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:12,040 Speaker 1: need to be prioritized. It's something that, like I said, 388 00:23:12,480 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 1: you have to accept that it's going to take a 389 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:20,760 Speaker 1: little bit of effort and that effort will be well 390 00:23:20,960 --> 00:23:23,359 Speaker 1: worth it. So I've shared some of my favorite tips, 391 00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:25,879 Speaker 1: but I want to wrap up by really talking to 392 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:29,840 Speaker 1: you about my system from meal planning, because you're going 393 00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:33,640 Speaker 1: to need a system in order for this to feel comfortable. 394 00:23:34,119 --> 00:23:35,720 Speaker 1: Whether you want to call that a habit or a 395 00:23:35,760 --> 00:23:38,440 Speaker 1: system doesn't really matter. But I want to talk about 396 00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:42,160 Speaker 1: the steps that I always follow that feel habitual now. 397 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:45,520 Speaker 1: So once that alarm goes off and I know it's 398 00:23:45,560 --> 00:23:48,000 Speaker 1: time to meal plan, the first thing I do is 399 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:52,199 Speaker 1: shot my kitchen. I open the refrigerator pantry. I go 400 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:56,160 Speaker 1: through everything I let that give me cues about what 401 00:23:56,200 --> 00:23:58,680 Speaker 1: I could make that week and what needs to be 402 00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:03,240 Speaker 1: used up. And it's sometimes helpful for me to physically 403 00:24:03,280 --> 00:24:06,639 Speaker 1: take those ingredients out and place them on the counter 404 00:24:06,880 --> 00:24:10,479 Speaker 1: while I'm planning. And I can't tell you how helpful 405 00:24:10,520 --> 00:24:14,560 Speaker 1: it is. It really is such a great habit to develop. 406 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:18,880 Speaker 1: So after I've shopped my kitchen, I seek inspiration. So 407 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:22,120 Speaker 1: this is when I think about my family's favorite recipes. 408 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:25,639 Speaker 1: I think about the recipes they suggested at the dinner table, 409 00:24:25,720 --> 00:24:28,560 Speaker 1: or that greatest Hits list, or maybe I think about 410 00:24:28,560 --> 00:24:31,200 Speaker 1: a recipe I saw on Instagram that week, or on Pinterest, 411 00:24:31,840 --> 00:24:34,880 Speaker 1: or in a magazine or a cookbook, whatever it may be. 412 00:24:35,520 --> 00:24:42,320 Speaker 1: I like to take those recipes, and best case scenario, 413 00:24:42,359 --> 00:24:46,000 Speaker 1: I put them into a whether it's a weekly document 414 00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:50,320 Speaker 1: or I print them out. Most weeks, I like to 415 00:24:50,359 --> 00:24:55,040 Speaker 1: print my recipes and cook from a physical paper. Maybe 416 00:24:55,280 --> 00:24:59,880 Speaker 1: this isn't a clear indication that I am officially getting old. 417 00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:02,880 Speaker 1: But I don't love cooking from a screen. I don't 418 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:06,040 Speaker 1: love cooking from my phone or my laptop. And so 419 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:09,760 Speaker 1: after I've kind of sought that inspiration, when I've determined 420 00:25:09,880 --> 00:25:12,520 Speaker 1: what it is exactly we're going to make, I try 421 00:25:12,520 --> 00:25:15,160 Speaker 1: and print them. And then I've got like a bulletin 422 00:25:15,160 --> 00:25:19,480 Speaker 1: board in my kitchen, and I'll usually tack the recipes 423 00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:22,760 Speaker 1: up on the bulletin board and that really really helps. 424 00:25:24,080 --> 00:25:26,760 Speaker 1: So after I have shopped my kitchen and I have 425 00:25:27,080 --> 00:25:31,600 Speaker 1: sought my inspiration, it's time to schedule and shop. So 426 00:25:31,720 --> 00:25:34,640 Speaker 1: I've got, however many recipes I'm making that week, and look, 427 00:25:34,800 --> 00:25:38,120 Speaker 1: some weeks it's three recipes, some weeks it's five recipes. 428 00:25:38,600 --> 00:25:42,040 Speaker 1: I would say it's usually about four because we do 429 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:45,240 Speaker 1: leftover some nights. We always do pizza on Friday nights. 430 00:25:45,400 --> 00:25:49,040 Speaker 1: And you know, I'm we're just being realistic, you know, 431 00:25:49,240 --> 00:25:51,280 Speaker 1: we usually pick up food at least once a week. 432 00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:55,639 Speaker 1: But once those recipes are set aside, we're going to 433 00:25:55,720 --> 00:25:59,080 Speaker 1: schedule and shop. So they're all asses, shop your kitchen, 434 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:03,040 Speaker 1: seekins pretty, schedule and shop. And so at that point, 435 00:26:03,119 --> 00:26:05,080 Speaker 1: I take the recipes that I'm going to make, and 436 00:26:05,119 --> 00:26:08,160 Speaker 1: I slap them in on the specific days that align best. 437 00:26:08,560 --> 00:26:11,960 Speaker 1: I'm not going to pick the most complicated recipe on 438 00:26:12,080 --> 00:26:15,200 Speaker 1: the busiest night vice versa. Right, I'm going to pick 439 00:26:15,240 --> 00:26:18,960 Speaker 1: the easiest thing for the busiest days. And on that note, 440 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:21,800 Speaker 1: I like for Sundays to be kind of my fun 441 00:26:21,800 --> 00:26:24,080 Speaker 1: cooking day. So if I do have a recipe that's 442 00:26:24,119 --> 00:26:27,639 Speaker 1: completely new or maybe requires a few extra steps, Sunday 443 00:26:27,640 --> 00:26:31,200 Speaker 1: seems to be the day for that. I'm a huge 444 00:26:31,200 --> 00:26:34,280 Speaker 1: fan of online grocery delivery and pick up. It has 445 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:39,440 Speaker 1: changed in my life. That sounds like such an intense statement, 446 00:26:39,520 --> 00:26:44,280 Speaker 1: but it really has given me hours back every week. 447 00:26:45,080 --> 00:26:48,720 Speaker 1: And in fact, on my website, I have got a 448 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:51,919 Speaker 1: free meal planning guide and I have a whole thing 449 00:26:51,960 --> 00:26:55,159 Speaker 1: in there about tips for online grocery shopping because I 450 00:26:55,280 --> 00:26:58,560 Speaker 1: know that some people are still resistant to it, but 451 00:26:59,760 --> 00:27:02,480 Speaker 1: it's really really helped me. And I love that after 452 00:27:02,520 --> 00:27:05,080 Speaker 1: I've determined what we're making for the week, I can 453 00:27:05,119 --> 00:27:08,800 Speaker 1: pop right on my laptop and do my shopping right there. 454 00:27:09,359 --> 00:27:13,240 Speaker 1: It's really fantastic. So some of you, I will never convince, 455 00:27:13,440 --> 00:27:15,600 Speaker 1: and you just want to go to the store and 456 00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:19,000 Speaker 1: pick your bananas and hold those apples and that is fine, 457 00:27:19,359 --> 00:27:22,159 Speaker 1: but if you are strapped for a time, this is 458 00:27:22,240 --> 00:27:24,760 Speaker 1: a great way to get back sometime during the week. 459 00:27:26,520 --> 00:27:29,000 Speaker 1: And what's great is I can kind of go through 460 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:31,440 Speaker 1: each recipe and then if I have a question about, oh, 461 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:34,720 Speaker 1: do I have orzo or do I have you know, 462 00:27:34,840 --> 00:27:38,720 Speaker 1: this chili lime seasoning or whatever, as I'm doing my 463 00:27:38,760 --> 00:27:42,639 Speaker 1: grocery order, I can check my kitchen and it's just 464 00:27:42,920 --> 00:27:45,520 Speaker 1: it's great. I love it. So then I schedule my 465 00:27:45,560 --> 00:27:48,480 Speaker 1: pickup or my delivery. Those are my meal planning steps. 466 00:27:48,480 --> 00:27:51,760 Speaker 1: That's a system I follow every week, shop my kitchen, 467 00:27:51,960 --> 00:27:55,600 Speaker 1: seek inspiration, then I schedule and I shop and it 468 00:27:55,880 --> 00:27:59,639 Speaker 1: works great for me. So remember that you've got to 469 00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:03,320 Speaker 1: commit to it. This is not going to be easy, Breezy. 470 00:28:03,359 --> 00:28:05,800 Speaker 1: I mean, it's not that hard, but you're going to 471 00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:07,439 Speaker 1: have to put a little bit of effort into it. 472 00:28:07,480 --> 00:28:11,159 Speaker 1: But remember it is worth it to get your people 473 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:13,359 Speaker 1: to the table. Whether you want to lean on the 474 00:28:13,480 --> 00:28:17,600 Speaker 1: scientific research that proves just how valuable it is to 475 00:28:17,640 --> 00:28:21,120 Speaker 1: have your family gather around the table each night, from 476 00:28:22,119 --> 00:28:27,040 Speaker 1: reduced depression and anxiety to all sorts of things, it's 477 00:28:27,240 --> 00:28:31,240 Speaker 1: just a really great thing to incorporate into the culture 478 00:28:31,240 --> 00:28:34,120 Speaker 1: of your family and there you have it, meal planning. 479 00:28:35,040 --> 00:28:38,240 Speaker 1: So we're doing I'm so happy that I've developed that muscle. 480 00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:41,640 Speaker 1: It is. It's so satisfying and it just makes me 481 00:28:41,680 --> 00:28:44,520 Speaker 1: feel good once it's done. All Right, you guys, that's 482 00:28:44,600 --> 00:28:48,840 Speaker 1: in for episode today. I hope you enjoyed talking about 483 00:28:49,000 --> 00:28:51,640 Speaker 1: meal planning and maybe took a tip or two that 484 00:28:51,680 --> 00:28:55,120 Speaker 1: you can incorporate this week as you plan your meals 485 00:28:55,760 --> 00:28:59,080 Speaker 1: and remember new episodes you're going to drop every Thursday. 486 00:28:59,360 --> 00:29:01,520 Speaker 1: In the meantime, you can follow me on Instagram. You 487 00:29:01,520 --> 00:29:04,280 Speaker 1: can join Recipe Club did I mention how good the 488 00:29:04,320 --> 00:29:07,560 Speaker 1: March recipees are? They are so good this month? Or 489 00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:09,760 Speaker 1: you can sign up for Family Meal Makeover. And if 490 00:29:09,760 --> 00:29:11,440 Speaker 1: you'd like to call in and ask me a question, 491 00:29:11,560 --> 00:29:14,800 Speaker 1: you can call eight one eight five, eight three seven 492 00:29:15,040 --> 00:29:17,920 Speaker 1: six eight six and ask me anything that has to 493 00:29:17,960 --> 00:29:20,080 Speaker 1: do with cooking or your kitchen, and I would love 494 00:29:20,120 --> 00:29:22,760 Speaker 1: to answer it. It would mean so much if you 495 00:29:22,840 --> 00:29:24,920 Speaker 1: took just a few minutes to rate and review this 496 00:29:24,960 --> 00:29:28,080 Speaker 1: podcast so that others who are stuck trying to decide 497 00:29:28,080 --> 00:29:30,640 Speaker 1: what to make for dinner can find it. Thank you 498 00:29:30,760 --> 00:29:33,080 Speaker 1: so much for being here. Wishing you all the best 499 00:29:33,160 --> 00:29:34,280 Speaker 1: this week. Talk soon.