Meal Planning and Meal Prep Inspiration for Busy Moms

14 quick ideas when you are sick and tired of eating the same things

Have you ever been in a “food funk”? Being in a “food funk” means feeling bored or uninspired by the usual repetitive meals. For busy working moms looking to break the monotony, here are some practical tips you can implement. Let’s jump-start your DIY foodie adventures with these 14 quick meal planning and meal prep ideas when you are sick and tired of eating the same things.

Overcoming the “Food Funk”

I believe variety is the key to overcoming a food funk, and small changes can make a big difference in rekindling weeknight meal enjoyment. Here are five creative ways to break through the funk:

Meal Planning

Plan your weekly meals. I’m a #plannermom and enjoy planning all things! I’m not the most consistent meal or menu planner, but I can attest to the benefits. During the week when I do plan my family’s menu, it’s a more seamless evening. When there’s advance prep involved, the less stress in the evening. This also allows you to organize a diverse menu, ensuring you have a mix of things up throughout the week.

Cuisine Exploration

Experiment with different cuisines. Explore flavors from around the world to add diversity to your meals and discover new favorites. In fact, you can get a plethora of inspiration from social media.

Meal Delivery Services

Honestly, I’m still trying to decide, or determine, if meal delivery services such as Hello Fresh are more economical. However, I have enjoyed the variety and convenience.

Seasonal Ingredients

Certain foods are more enjoyable during certain seasons. Would you agree? For example, a delicious bowl of chili is just more enjoyable on a cold winter day than on a hot summer day. Similarly, a cookout meal is more nostalgic on a hot summer day than a breezy fall evening.

In my community, we have a local farm stand and I love shopping there. They source seasonal quality ingredients that are 10x more enjoyable and delicious.

Theme Nights

This is related to my first point about planning for the week. Assign a theme to each day of the week, like “Mexican Monday” or “Italian Thursday.” This adds a fun twist to meal planning and encourages experimenting with new recipes.

Tips for Busy Moms

Meal planning and meal prep can be seen as an added chore for busy moms. Yeah, it’s an additional activity to incorporate into the week, however, it saves time in the end.

This routine is an invaluable time-saving strategy for busy moms. By dedicating a small amount of time each week to plan meals and prepare ingredients, moms can streamline their cooking process and eliminate the stress of daily decision-making.

Meal planning also allows for efficient grocery shopping, as moms can create organized shopping lists based on their planned meals. The act of prepping ingredients and even whole meals in advance ensures that during hectic weekdays, there’s less hands-on cooking time required. Simply grab pre-prepared components or complete meals, reducing the need for last-minute cooking and allowing more quality time with family.

14 quick meal planning and meal prep ideas

Mason Jar Parfaits:
Layer yogurt, granola, and mixed berries in mason jars for a quick snack.

Salmon and Roasted Veggies:
Cajun (or your favorite spice) salmon with a medley of roasted vegetables. Roast veggies in advance to save time. Use for a variety of dishes.

Turkey and Veggie Skewers:
Alternate turkey pieces and veggies on skewers, grill or bake. Also serves as a great lunch box idea for kids.

Salad Jars:
Layer salad ingredients such as quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta, and a balsamic vinaigrette in jars.

Pulled Chicken Tacos:
Slow-cook chicken, or your protein of choice, with taco seasoning for easy taco nights.

Stuffed Chicken Breast:
Prep chicken breasts stuffed with your favorite ingredients and a flavorful main dish. My favorites include spinach and feta, sun-dried tomatoes, and parm, or fajita mix.

Overnight Oats:
Combine oats, milk, and your favorite toppings in jars for a hassle-free breakfast.

Greek Yogurt Parfaits:
Layer Greek yogurt with granola and mixed berries in containers for breakfast or snacks. Fun and easy for adults and kids.

Fried Rice:
Make a large batch of fried rice with veggies and protein for quick lunches. Swap out traditional rice for cauliflower rice for a healthy twist.

Homemade Soups, Stews and Chili:
Prepare a large pot with wholesome ingredients for easy reheating.

Vegetable Omelet Muffins:
Whisk eggs with diced veggies and bake in muffin tins for grab-and-go breakfasts.

Batch and freeze:

Batch and freeze easy grab-and-go meals such as pancakes, burritos, lasagna, and more.

Burrito Bowls:
Prep protein, rice, black beans, corn, and salsa for easy assembly.

One Pot Meals:

One-pot meals are a lifesaver for busy moms. One-pot meals minimize cleanup and are perfect for busy moms looking to create delicious and straightforward dinners. Adjust ingredients to suit your family’s tastes and dietary preferences.

To Wrap it Up

Easy meals and meal prep can help busy moms to overcome a food funk. When you’re tired of the same routine, simplicity and preparation ease the burden of decision-making and cooking fatigue.