Hot Mom Habit: Meal Planning

Written By Brittany Voges

If there’s one habit that keeps me feeling the most organized during busy weeks as a mom, creator, and someone trying to stay on track with my goals… it’s meal planning. Not in a spend-your-entire-Sunday-doing-it kind of way. Just a simple system that helps me:

  • avoid the “what are we eating?” questions

  • stay stocked with realistic meals

  • make hitting my protein goals easier

  • spend less money on random takeout

  • make busy weeks feel way less chaotic

My Simple Weekly Meal Planning Routine:

1. Pick 3–4 Dinner Recipes

I usually choose:

  • one super easy dinner

  • one “fun” or new meal

  • one high-protein staple

  • one meal that gives us leftovers

This week’s lineup:

Dinner Menu

2. Plan One Breakfast Option

I don’t try to make elaborate breakfasts every morning. I like having one easy option prepped ahead.

Breakfast This Week

  • Breakfast Burritos
    RECIPE HERE! (you can do these with regular eggs too!)

3. Keep Lunch SIMPLE

Lunch is is leftovers or snack plates depending on the day this week!!

My Go-To Snack Plate Formula

I try to include:

  • a protein: deli turkey, tuna, hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese, chicken salad

  • a carb: crackers, sourdough, tortilla chips

  • fruits or veggies: alllll the berries, oranges, kiwi, banana, apples

  • something fun/crunchy: dark chocolate, pickles, trail mix, nuts, etc

How I Make My Grocery List Faster:

This is where I save the most time. I:

  1. Pick my meals

  2. Pull recipes

  3. Use ChatGPT to condense ingredients into one grocery list

  4. Check my fridge/pantry first

  5. Order groceries through Instacart or shop in-store

It makes the whole process feel way less overwhelming!!

Grocery List:

Produce:

  • 2 medium white onions

  • 6 cloves garlic

  • 3 bell peppers

  • 1 small zucchini

  • Cilantro

  • Fresh berries

  • Bananas

  • Cucumbers

  • Baby carrots

  • Mini sweet peppers

  • Avocados

  • Cherry tomatoes

  • Apples or grapes for snack plates

  • Lettuce or salad mix

  • Lime or lemons

Protein / Meat:

  • 1 lb ground turkey

  • 1 lb lean ground beef (94/6)

  • Just Bare chicken chunks (enough for 3 servings)

  • Eggs

  • Liquid egg whites

  • Turkey slices or deli chicken for snack plates

  • Turkey pepperoni or chicken sausage

  • Hummus

Dairy:

  • Low-fat cottage cheese

  • Whipped cream cheese

  • Plain Greek yogurt

  • Ground parmesan cheese

  • Shredded mozzarella cheese

    • about 2.5 cups total

  • Shredded cheddar cheese

    • 1 cup

  • Milk (Fairlife or preferred milk)

  • Cheese sticks

  • Babybel cheese or laughing cow wedges

  • Tzatziki or ranch for dipping

Pasta / Grains / Bread:

  • Chickpea spaghetti (8 oz)

  • Jasmine rice

  • Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi

  • Burrito wraps / Carb Balance tortillas

  • Crackers or pita crackers for snack plates

  • Rice cakes

  • Bread or English muffins

  • Oats

Canned / Jarred:

  • Pasta sauce / marinara

    • about 2 jars total

  • 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)

  • Salsa

  • Pickles or pickled veggies

Frozen:

  • Steamable veggies

  • Frozen fruit for smoothies

  • Frozen breakfast sausage or turkey sausage

  • Easy freezer protein options (burgers, grilled chicken, etc.)

Seasonings / Pantry:

  • Italian seasoning

  • Smoked paprika

  • Taco seasoning (Siete)

  • Olive oil

  • Salt

  • Black pepper

  • Peanut butter or PB Fit

  • Sugar-free sauces/dressings

  • Granola for yogurt bowls/snack plates

Meal planning doesn’t have to be perfect to be helpful. Even having a loose plan for breakfast, lunch, and a few dinners helps me feel so much more prepared during busy weeks! Think simple. Think realistic!

Brittany Voges
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