MEAL PLAN WITH ME the EASY way! | 2021

[@arc8584]

Last week I pulled off a lazy but delicious plan with homemade chili. Monday: Chili and cornbread Tuesday: Chili mac n cheese Wednesday: Chili dogs Thursday: Chili man n cheese again but spicier version Friday: Chili Nachos :D It's like having a different flavor dressing on your salad. Worked like a charm for me!

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

Yes! That's great. I bet that saved you a good chunk of money last week!

[@TheMinimalishMama]

I’m lucky, Brian doesn’t mind eating the same foods over and over! I get bored, so I like the idea of trying one new meal a week. And I like the idea of planning two weeks at a time! That would definitely save me time and energy!

[@jramsay8075]

Finally ! You have made meal-planning simple , I can do this ! Joy

[@Heather-fz6xe]

Just wanted to say thanks! I have adhd and struggle with daily tasks like cleaning and meal planning. It's nice to have all this info in one place in a fun format :)

[@CharlesAvilaMeasInst]

Agree that meal planning is a game changer… And it saves so much money $$$$!!! Also, is it just me that is disappointed about 99.5% of the time when we do go out for a meal? Perhaps I’m just gotten to the point where I prefer my home cooking over restaurant food. Also my husband and I both traveled for work for years… So we always prefer a home-cooked meal over having to eat out. You get tired of restaurant food when it’s all you have access to while traveling for work!!

[@lizhumble9953]

I am a new subscriber. I am loving your videos and I am trying to start the flylady plan. I wanted to say the only thing I do differently, is that I shop our cabinets and freezer first. That way I can plan around what we have. Then I still buy whatever meat is on sale but it just goes in the freezer to replace the meat I used.

[@alynawatersmusic]

Great idea!

[@randomshenanigans1023]

I love your idea of trying one thing every time you meal plan.

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

It's about 50/50 on if the family likes the new meal or not but when they do, it's nice to have an extra meal to add to the mix!

[@magister_scaccorum]

A slight tweak to this: keep 3 or 4 of these fortnightly menus, and then rotate those. That way, the only thing you would have to think of is the brand new recipe you do once or twice a week.

[@alynawatersmusic]

Great idea! You could even do seasonal menus that rotate easily. 🤔

[@miss_bhello7925]

You could see what meat is on sale and then grab that menu. 👍🏻

[@alexa574]

Great idea to have a list for left over ingredients, I've heard of a day for leftovers, but not for the ingredients themselves!

[@CatholicPearl]

Idk why the youtube algorithm recommended your videos to me but I'm 100% here for it!

[@SaraHeight]

Hey Ariel new subbie 👋💗 Thanks for the support on my channel. This was so helpful. Love that you broke down the meals based on speed/difficulty. Some days you just need something quick to get on the table not a complicated recipe. This really makes meal planning more doable/manageable. Oh and we are big 🐔eaters over here too 😆

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

Thanks for the support girl ❤️ Glad you got something out of it!

[@RaeInTime]

The best meal planning explanation! Thanks so much!! 👍🙂

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

You're welcome, I'm glad to help!! 😁

[@judysbakeryandtestkitchen1654]

I like the idea of planning two weeks at a time. That way, I won’t hate The night when it comes time to put in the order groceries. I think I’ve been doing my backwards because I think about where I want to eat that week, rather than looking what’s in the fridge or freezer

[@2T17rose]

Wow this was the most accessible video on meal planning I've seen. I'm a new mom with an 8 month old and I love ❤ your videos! I told my friend, "She's so normal she's just like me!" 😅

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

I love it! ❤️ Welcome to motherhood and thanks for hanging with me 😁

[@thegowanfamily1197]

This made meal planning so much easier! And the "leftover" nights are easier meals! I'm one who HATES eating leftover meals, but you use the leftovers to make a brand new meal- I love it! 🎉🎉🎉

[@hiriv]

Oh yes! Don't shop when you're hungry! The worst time, and maybe the funiest one, we had with my husband at the grocery store was when I was pregnant and hungry. We also forgot the grocery shopping list...

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

Oh my..... Can't imagine how productive that shopping trip was 🤣

[@debbyjo123]

What a fun video!!! I see that you have 3 menu planning videos… did I miss any. Lol, I am old and you’d think I would have my menu planning figured out by now, but I’m currently trying to LAZY GENIUS my meals so I’m trying old recipes and deciding if they are keepers or should I toss them. You really do crack me up… thanks for giving me some good laughs today… I always need some extra joy added to my days. So, in this video you mentioned you add a new video every Sunday… I’ll go check and see if there’s a new one. Have a great week!!

[@katemolly100]

Hey! I’ve been binge watching your videos lately! Thank you so much for all your fun and awesome content. Hope you’re doing well with the new baby! Do you have a recipe for that Asian meat sauce you mentioned? That sounds interesting to me :-) no rush! Thanks!

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

pin.it/20CtBXE It's a recipe for meatballs but it's much tastier if you make it into a meat sauce!

[@katemolly100]

@@ThatAwkwardMom Thank you so much!

[@feliciafaith]

I LOVE how you made tour list! That is such a great idea! 🙌🏻

[@nnylasoR]

I love the way you plan!! I’ve been wanting to start meal planning because I believe it will considerably cut down my meal time “AAARRRRGGGHHH”s (… know’m sayin’?🤪😆😤) I have just felt so overwhelmed by the pressure to PLAN PLAN PLAN and stick to it OR ELSE … but I’mma chill … and take some of the pressure off of coming up with ALL the ideas -and going into it believing they will all be failures anyway- by getting my husband involved and asking him what sounds / looks good to him from a bunch of online recipes. I LOVE to cook and try new things, so that part I’m looking forward to. However -and the main reason I’m gonna get him involved, dang it!!- is figuring out what he will actually eat. I love veggies, grains, pasta, cream sauces, pork, leftovers(!)…….. and he DOESN’T. 🙄 I know that “What’s for dinner?” “I DON’T KNOW!!!” back and forth all too well. 12 years of sporadically stressful cooking. Sheesh. Many would suggest I cook what I cook and say take it or leave it, but I don’t want to initiate strife, nor increase his takeout intake (ha!)…… Sorry for rambling and venting - but THANK YOU for the inspiration to finally give meal planning a try! (Any further suggestions / tips would be most appreciated!)

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

My husband and I also disagree on a lot of meals I enjoy. So that can be frustrating, I get it! I've been able to find what we both like over time. But in the beginning I would get so mad because he doesn't like soups (which is an easy way to make the best use of leftovers!) He doesn't like anything mayo-based or cream cheese based. No meatloaf... And other things but I managed to find what he likes over time. Every time I make a meal I ask him, do you enjoy this? And I tell him to be honest with me, cuz I don't want to make meals that he's not going to like therefore leaving the leftovers uneaten. So it's been a lot of trial and error finding the right meals!! How has the last month of meal planning been going for you??

[@amykrueger-smith5461]

Aerial I just found u yesterday n I have to say that I am in love with ur attitude n content. Keep up the good work. U are WA y ahead if the game

[@MommyMeghan]

You're so funny! I enjoy meal planning as well. Takes a lot of stress off me. You gave me some ideas I have never thought of before. Thanks for sharing.

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

I'm glad I could help! Thanks for the support 😊

[@jehangesta476]

I know these but you're so fun to watch momma.

[@morganlaudarowicz6311]

Just found your channel!! You've inspired me to start saving NOW. Thank you so much for the help💗

[@sandrainontario6710]

Watching in 2024 and laughing about how very much you have changed and grown in the last 3 years! But I'm enjoying this one also

[@mommahambone]

We like to have a leftover night each week with all the Leftovers. We call it Hobo Buffet. It's usually Thursday or Friday. Everyone can pick and choose like... well, a buffet! 😁

[@itsyingying]

Hi! New subscriber here. I hate it too when my husband asks me what’s for dinner. I need to use your ideas for meal planning. Thank you for sharing this idea.

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

Just tell your husband," dinner is whatever youre cooking" lol. Thanks for watching, welcome!! ❤😊

[@emilylindholm3780]

I used to meal plan but then I had kids... I usually pick Thursday as our leftover night because that's garbage night (clean out frig). I like to plan meals with versatile ingredients. Tacos one week can be enchiladas the next week- same ingredients different meal. that way my grocery list doesn't change too much week to week but we're not eating the same meal every week. also, thank you for being so relatable- and funny.

[@alynawatersmusic]

It’s nice to see that you guys a.) try new things and b.) have a vegetarian meal. Those small changes make a big difference. Meal planning and prepping make a big difference for me too. I need to get better and more consistent about it. After my first month of FLY lady I’m hoping fridge, freezer and pantry will be more organized to make this easier too. If you’re interested in trying a vegan meal, I love Plantiful Kiki. She has quick, easy, delicious, inexpensive meals. I love her recipes.

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

Thanks, I'll have to check her out! 😊

[@crybebebunny]

I am not allowed to freeze any meats. No tomatoes go in the fridge if not most of the soup doesn't get eaten. So I run to the grocery stores about 3 times a week. Once on Wednesday because fruits and vegetables are on sale and maybe on Thursday because that's meat day probably on Saturday or Sunday for Exceptional sales. On Tuesday just for rain checks for Extremely good prices on items we hope they ran out of. ( can purchase when we just about to run out. I have never been a meal planner. Just have easy to put together things in the pantry and fridge. You are a genius, first time I am thinking of trying it at Least for a week worth. That will be one of the things I will try in the new year. Always enjoy your videos and I am willing to grow and learn beyond how old I am. Thank you for sharing your wonderful wisdom.

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

Thank you for your kind words ❤️ Did you end up trying out meal planning for a week?

[@crybebebunny]

@That Awkward Mom yes, but, I remember why ? Don't do meal planning. My family is picky. Even when I cook, they sometimes cook after me. If I cook salmon with cauliflower, sparagus, and microwave potato 🥔. One want gravy, one wants fries, and other wants garlic spaghetti, and another butter rice. Then I have to run out for more salmon for the next night for all the sides of leftovers. Please they are tasty because, I thought them to cook delicious, but salmon 3 days in a row.

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

@@crybebebunny it's definitely hard to cook with a picky family. I get it, I have a very picky almost 4-year-old... A lot of the time I'm giving him alternatives as well.

[@crybebebunny]

@That Awkward Mom The best part is they do become good cooks when given the opportunity. My children are older than 11. My 17 year old. has been cooking since around 13. Now he has his own list when going to the market because of the ingredients he likes in his version of what he cooks. Tonight he is in charge of cooking Valentines Dinner, his sausage and pasta is very delicious.

[@carolkistner2908]

@@crybebebunny

[@Roxy20227]

Girl! I'm happy to find your channel! Humorous and great ideas!!

[@ToFinallyLive]

i love your easy tips so we don't have to eat the same meals all the time. I'm a horrible meal planner, so thanks for the motivation.

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

It took me a while to be a good meal planner. When I started, I literally spent 4-5 hours meal planning each time and it was frustrating to find a good groove on how to do it quicker. Now I can do it in an under an hour! The more you do it the easier it gets 😊

[@ToFinallyLive]

@@ThatAwkwardMom i will surely do it more. Thanks for the encouragement 😊

[@i2ndsight]

I have quite a gourmet husband. I plan a rotating flavor profile list and apply recipes to the available protein on hand.

[@christi4169]

Thank You! This old dog learned some new tricks

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

Love to hear it!! 😊

[@MOM_101]

You are going far! You deserve more than 437 subs. I watch you everyday even when you don’t post. But don’t stop posting content

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

Aw you are so sweet ❤️❤️ thank you 🥰

[@kosmiles5959]

@@ThatAwkwardMom Wow! 2 months later and 5.48 K subs! Thanks KZbin algorithm - and thank you for being funny and to the point! And helpful!

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

@@kosmiles5959 Yes thank you KZbin algorithm!!! 😊 And thank you for the nice comment ❤️

[@LucianaGL]

Yay! I needed a game-changer meal planning strategy, thanks! You're so funny, I love your style 💙 We also are always eating chicken 😝

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

Thank you, us funny KZbin moms gotta stick together! 😜❤️

[@sattice]

You just made this make so much sense-by planning meals the next day based on what you cooked the day before. Like-Duh why didn't I realize that? Thanks

[@michellecameron5850]

That is pretty much how I meal plan for my family too. ✅

[@countrystyle5076]

We eat a lot of ground beef and chicken. I try to do beef one night and chicken the next and toss in a fish here or there. I also make deconstructed casseroles. For several reasons. 1. 3 are vegetarian and 3 eat meat. So the meat is on the side and added in if you wish. 2. I don't have to commit a pan of meat or veggies to 1 dish. 3. My husband WILL NOT eat a casserole. But if everything in a casserole is on his plate he'll eat it. I'm going to try to go grocery shopping every 2 weeks. Might keep my sanity.

[@kimberleyadams2561]

Thank you!!! I have a vegetarian daughter, a diabetic dad, and myself who eats their scraps (but rather the Mediterranean diet)

[@Elizabeth-sz5hl]

I found you yesterday and subscribed! I kinda meal plan in my head. I plan based off of sales and my stores digital coupons. Onions and bell peppers were on sale and I have chicken at home.. so im going to make fajitas. We also don't mind leftovers for 2-3 days in a row. Sometimes I will freeze my leftovers so we aren't eating the same meat all week long. Also I look at the whole ad because I found razors and toothbrushes were on sale. I got a Colgate toothbrush for $1 ($3 digital coupon).

[@kathleenfoster3514]

I love meal planning!

[@kimberleyadams2561]

Thanks!

[@argeliaanchondo9907]

❤

[@erint933]

Lol you're making me laugh when I really needed it, lol!😆 I have to add (at least for me), don't shop with all your kids. Oh my it's so funny by the time I've gone through about 3/4 of the store, I'm DONE. Lol... seriously it's bad. 🤦‍♀️😆😬

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

I agree....

[@erint933]

@@ThatAwkwardMom 😆😁👍

[@erint933]

Yum, great ideas!😁👍 I'm wondering how you make your subs? I'd love some good tips on that and what is Asian meat sauce ? Thank you!

[@maxsonator555]

Dear That Awkward Mom, Wow! That is such an AMAZING idea! I’ll definitely have to try this for our family! Make sure you listen to this song from the 40 second mark through 1 minute 4 seconds. 🤣🤣🤣

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

hahahahaha WOW, how kind of you to share that with me. Now if I could just remember where credit was due to......... 🤥🤔🤔

[@maxsonator555]

Oh? ..you BETTER use that Pinocchio emoji!!! 🤥 😂

[@mommyjaslynn]

I need to learn to meal prep

[@HoloHoloAdventures]

I need to do better and meal plan like this. Great idea.

[@TiffPlus5]

Awesome video definitely need to try this thanks momma!!

[@TheRanta77]

Oh my lol, happy I found you, love your vids..new subscriber here.

[@lizpromontionals1022]

I wish you shared your fav recipes in the description.

[@RaquelSilva-dd3to]

I recently found your channel and have been enjoying a lot. Really liked your approach for meal planning, definitely gonna give a try. Do you have those meals/recipes anywhere? I would love to try some of those!

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

pin.it/qQxknoM Here is my Pinterest board where I keep all the meals that I rotate through for meal planning and really enjoy! 😊

[@micheleb6933]

Am definitely going to try this too. Really tempted by the chicken mango curry!

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

@@micheleb6933 it's amazing, the first time I made it I loved it so much that I started making it every week for the next 5 months. Then we got tired of it because I made it too much lol!

[@tiffanywebb4352]

Girl you are hilarious 🤣 great channel!

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

Thank you 😊💖

[@nicoleblanchardraybaud]

Great tips! I wish I could get on with meal planning! I can only manage a week or 2!

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

It really is hard at first. I struggled at first, it took me a lot of time to put the menus together. But through practice and repetition i can now get my menus all done in under an hour! It's always hard to start a new habit though, I get that. Thanks for watching! 😊

[@bettywhittington9654]

If you can do 2 weeks, you could save that one and plan another one. Then with those 2 week menus, you would have a months worth of meals. Sure you may have to modify for what's on sale, but it has gotten you started and then you could add another meal with an experiment from a recipe on Pinterest like she did. Your not done until you quit trying.

[@swelnel1669]

This is so helpful and I love your method or organization!! Are you a SAHM, part-time employed or full-time employed when you use this meal-planning system?

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

I started meal planning when I was working part time, which was a little difficult since I work nights but somehow I made it work, I am now a stay-at-home mom and I still meal plan!

[@donnamarsh3474]

I'm here for the humor first, info second

[@lesliebarrientos5616]

When she said “Oreos and HotPockets” um….😬🤣🤣🙋🏻‍♀️

[@rachelbarnett6890]

I like to grocery shop when hungry, otherwise, I won't buy new snacks or veggies to try out lol

[@sandrastevens6815]

Do you have a menu planner to copy to begin with

[@gorditatomamacita]

So helpful! Can you do an updated one of these?

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

I did!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWK6anV3prCkmKM

[@mystuff8570]

How long does it take you to meal plan start to finish? I shop every two weeks as well and I can’t seem to do it under 2-2 1/2 hrs

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

When I started it took me like 6 hours my first time. But now I can do it in about an hour or less! The more you do it, the easier it gets. It's all about finding those meals your family likes! The most important thing is trying one new meal each week because you never know if that's going to be the meal that makes the list. And if you have like 20 meals on the list that you know your family loves, it's going to be much easier figuring out what to eat knowing you have variety 😊

[@justguessing7702]

If you want to save even more money, learn to like predominantly vegetables. It saves money now because vegetables are cheaper than meat and it will save you on health bills later on. At least start your kids on vegetables when they are young, so they are comfortable with vegetables.

[@ThisWomansBrain]

Wish you shared some recipes links. Possible idea for anther video?

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

If I ever make another video like this I will definitely share recipe links, thanks!

[@alexa574]

Great content

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

Thanks!

[@MariaRodriguez-lk5tq]

So how long would you say this takes to get in the groove of? If you aren’t a very experienced cook?

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

To be honest, it took me a couple months. I wasn't an experienced cook at all, I had a lot of burnt meals in the beginning lol. And then creating my first few meal plans would take me forever!!! Like hours. So it is difficult at first, but now I've been doing it for 2 years and I've surprised myself with how good of a cook I have become over that time. Just be okay with the fact that your first year of meals will be no Betty crocker lol. But you learn and you get better over time and then you'll be so thankful you started! But yeah, I'd say about 2 to 3 months to get in the groove of creating your weekly plans! By then you should have a decent list of meals that you've found your family likes.

[@MariaRodriguez-lk5tq]

@@ThatAwkwardMom thank you for your encouraging words!

[@katherinelauer4666]

Love Aldi's!! How do you stay out of the AOS ( aisle of shame) it's so hard for me to stay away. Also look at the add just for that. 💁‍♀️🤷‍♀️ ADHD impulsive shopper 🙃

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

I don't stay out.. it always draws me in 😂

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

Maybe grocery delivery is for us!!!

[@katherinelauer4666]

@That Awkward Mom Oh thank goodness it's not just me lol 😂🙃 🤷‍♀️

[@katherinelauer4666]

I also thought the grocery pickup from Aldi's cost money

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

@@katherinelauer4666 yeah it does. I heard that if you pay $35 a year for instacart, then you can have free delivery all year. That's just what I heard though, don't quote me on that!! But I bet you both of us pay more than $35 a year on impulse buying so that might save money 😝

[@Oniloiv7]

How about the veggies? If you shop every 2 weeks how do you get the veggies to Stay good for the second week? Hugs from Portugal

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

I normally only use frozen vegetables for the second week, because you're right, the fresh veggies won't stay fresh!

[@Oniloiv7]

Thank you. I love your channel 👏

[@countrystyle5076]

I keep lettuce for 2 weeks but the secret is buy 2 head and don't touch one til week 2. Once lettuce is unwrapped or cut it does not keep very long. Also keep left over lettuce in a zip lock bag with the air squeezed out (be gentle lol its not your ex's neck. Lol (the awkward mom has me being silly this a.m. 😆))

[@mandi-xo1dt]

The first week we eat nothing but fresh veggies and fruits! Anything that's on my meal plan that involves fresh ingredients are done the first week and that way they dont go bad. Second week we eat frozen or canned veggies and fruits

[@sarahpardue3703]

Could you post a printable link for the weekly meal frame you made?

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

I just googled it and found it on images. I did that 2 years ago, I don't know if I could find it again! Just look up "weekly meal plan" or "bi-weekly meal plan" on Google images and there's a whole bunch of them!

[@naturelovinjenn7223]

What’s this yummy Asian meat sauce stuff??? Have a recipe handy?

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

pin.it/1oHQ0BJ Instead of making meatballs, I like to make a meat sauce because it's evens out the flavor into every bite 😊

[@lizwinters7062]

Please hear the gospel message! Jesus is our only hope for freedom and Salvation! Ray Comfort has FREE movies and interviews on KZbin! Please listen everyone

[@The47thBasement]

What’s Asian meatsauce? Drop the recipe, sis.

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

pin.it/5pWWywC It shows meatballs, but I make it into a meat sauce instead! 😊 Much tastier that way.

[@TammyMiller608]

What is Asian Meatsauce?

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

Well we used to make Asian meatballs, which is kind of like making sesame chicken but with turkey burger instead, but we found that it was much tastier when we grounded up the turkey meat and made it into a meat sauce!!

[@gwenj5419]

I hate the *What's for dinner?" question.

[@ThatAwkwardMom]

Best answer is, "I don't know, what are you cooking?!?"

[@gwenj5419]

@@ThatAwkwardMom Yep, I've done that one. Or more realistically, "Depends on where you're taking me.". 😉