We had a few really fun weekends with friends and family visiting. Now that our streak has ended, I’m getting back in the meal planning groove. Adopting Fridays as my grocery shopping day has really made a difference in how much we eat at home versus out. I used to wing it through the weekend, leading to going out or grabbing something out of necessity, not enjoyment.
95% of the time Friday nights are pizza nights. It’s my night off and I though I do enjoy cooking, I thoroughly look forward to the reprieve each week. By Friday night our fridge is fully stocked and I’m chowing down on pizza, leaving me the rest of the weekend to prep food for the upcoming week.
So what did that look like this week?
Most of my prep work took place on Sunday afternoon, but it started Saturday with Hailey’s help making a loaf of bread.
I let her choose what ingredients she adds to her bowl (down to the curry powder- ew) and when I put mine in to bake, we fry hers up as pancakes. She always gets a big kick out of this.
I store half the loaf in airtight packaging on the counter and the other half gets vacuum sealed (another way I’m using my Foodsaver I suppose!) and frozen. We use it for my avocado and egg breakfasts, sandwiches and French toast.
Speaking of breakfast,
About every two weeks I make a new batch of breakfast sandwiches for David. I freeze them on a baking sheet, then individually wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap.
I prep a few vegetables like broccoli, which the girls have been preferring simply blanched with no seasoning lately.
And lettuce.
I’ve been trying to be more diligent about buying the whole head and washing it myself. It really doesn’t take long (here is how I do it) and is so much cheaper. I found organic green leaf lettuce for $0.99 at Target a week or two ago!
I’ve also been trying to remember to make a batch of boiled eggs. These are great grab options for David, but I also make really quick and simple deviled eggs for the girls for lunch and they devour them.
I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but using older eggs works better for boiling. I try to buy two dozen at a time and hold off a week on boiling the second dozen.
I like to involve Hailey in food prep, but there is only so much she can do. Surprisingly the dry pasta has returned with renewed excitement.
It bought me enough time to blend up frozen blackberries (Kaitlyn’s favorite) with plain whole milk yogurt to put into Little Green Resuable Pouches.
With the mixture that remained, I blended it again, this time with a little honey, and made popsicles.
Even just the few things I did on Sunday, it helped make for an easier week. I like having a few easy grab options for quick grabbing for the girls, but I don’t mind waiting to chop some vegetables until I’m using them either.
It was tough to break my Sunday grocery shopping rhythm, but now that I have, I think I’m a convert!
What day do you go grocery shopping on?
Do you prep all your food for the week or just some essentials?
Amy says
Is Hailey standing on a chair or do you have a higher stool for her to use? My daughter doesn’t quite get to a good height to help and she wants to be a big helper!!!
Brittany Dixon says
David built her a stool with an adjustable floor and a rail around for her to stand in to help me in the kitchen! Kaitlyn is starting to try and take over it now, so it still gets a lot of use.
Brynn says
Love these ideas and tips (I can never get the perfect hard boiled egg). I go to the store first thing Saturday morning when the store is quiet and fully stocked.
Sara G says
Great tips! What all is in your burrito at the bottom? I think I need it in my life 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Oh man, my favorite combo! Tortilla, refried beans, sour cream, avocado, grilled chicken, sauteed veggies (zucchini, onion, red pepper and mushrooms) and topped with salsa!
Liz says
what does Hailey do with the dried pasta? Do you use it later or just have it as something to play with?
Brittany Dixon says
I bought several boxes of cheap elbow pasta at walmart and a box or two of colorful spirals and dried chickpeas then threw it all in together. She likes to sort it by type or just practice pouring from different cups and bowls. We’ve had it for a year or two now and it’s still a hit!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
I feel like you are SO organized! Which i guess is a must with two!! I love the idea of letting Hailey make her little pancake! Too cute!
Brittany Dixon says
Some weeks are better than others in terms of organization- trust me 😉
Shaun says
Love the idea of the frozen breakfast sandwich! Can you give more details on those? What’s precooked? How do you reheat? Thanks!
Brittany Dixon says
Hey Shaun! There is a clickable link in the above post to my recipe on how I make them- they are David’s favorite!
Jennifer says
We always do our grocery shopping on Friday evening after work/dinner. Its pretty chaotic because we go as a family (Hubby, son (3), step-daughter (8), and me) – but if we don’t then the weekend is a food disaster. Its crazy, but fun.
I’ve decided to make a huge change in what our family eats by cutting out all processed foods and buying organic meats and veggies. We will finish up what we have in order to not waste food, but all new purchases will follow that guideline.
So this weekend I was in food prep mania! I made homemade granola cereal, 2 loaves of sandwich bread, crock pot baked beans, and blackberry jam. I plan on making food prep a regular weekend event. It was a lot of work, but so much fun and rewarding because everyone is eating healthy and its all available.
P.S. Homemade Pizza on Friday night is a normal occurrence around my household too!
Lindsey @ Simply Lindsey says
These are some great meal prep/planning ideas, especially the pre-made breakfast sandwiches! I used to do my grocery shopping on Sunday afternoons, but lately our weekends have been so packed that it’s been Monday afternoons/evenings. I like the idea of getting the grocery shopping done on Friday, because then we would probably be less tempted to eat out on the weekends!
Christina says
Your posts always motivate me to re-commit myself to menu planning and meal prep! I typically grocery shop Friday mornings (it’s my day off) – the only disadvantage is that sometimes come Monday morning I feel like I’m already running low on certain items and/or I’ve already made most of my planned meals for the week! (I usually only plan for 3-4 dinners). Love those breakfast sandwiches, btw!
Lisa says
I used to be a Sunday morning shopper, but lately life has been crazy and I’ve been a Monday or Tuesday shopper. It’s not ideal. This week, I’m going to get a few things to get us through until Friday, and try the Friday idea! We do pizza on Sunday nights – our routine is pizza and a family movie night just to wrap up the weekend.
Jessica @ Mission: Healthy, Happy Life says
I’m so off my grocery shopping and meal planning game this summer. I keep telling myself to make time to sit down and plan some meals for the week, but it’s a the top of my least favorite thing to do, so I keep putting it off! 🙂 I am definitely going to try your breakfast sandwiches, though. They look perfect for our boys!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
A lot of times, we order our groceries online and pick them up on a Monday or Tuesday. (it’s SO convenient!) but if not, then I usually run out on the weekend but I try to go really early to beat the crowds!
Andrea says
Great suggestions! I especially love the idea of letting Hailey put whatever ingredients and wants in a bowl save frying it up into a pancake. My girls (3 and 5 years old) would love this!!!
What bread machine do you have? I’d love to buy one and I’m interested in suggestions. Thanks so much!
Danica @ It's Progression says
My meal planning and food prep always becomes more lax in the summertime. Right now though I’m working on getting our freezer stocked with some meals before baby arrives, so that’s helping me stay a bit more organized in the kitchen.
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Great grocery shopping haul! I love that you have a helper with the salad spinner! 😀
Danielle says
When we lived in the States, I used to always do the grocery shopping on a Friday afternoon (along with the cleaning). I loved waking up on Saturdays to a clean house and a clean kitchen to do all the food prepping for the week to come! But since we’ve been living in Italy, our grocery shopping habits have changed DRASTICALLY. We try to go to the markets during the week days because they’re packed on the weekends. Also, the food is so organic that produce goes bad within a few days of bringing it home (meat and dairy products too- they don’t use any preservatives or sprays!) that multiple trips to the market per week are necessary. Also, we have no choice but to eat what’s in season since that’s all we can find at the markets. Sometimes it’s great (peaches are about $.40/lb right now) but sometimes it can be frustrating, especially when they run out of things before you get there!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh my gosh, I barely made it past “since we’ve been living in Italy” 😉 What an amazing experience. I’d love to learn more about focusing on eating in season. Though I’m sure it feels inconvenient, your food must be so fresh!
Kate says
I loved this post! Food prep and meal planning gets me all excited. Hailey’s pancake creation is too funny!! My 5 year old niece is spending the week with us and I may just have to do that with her.
Laura @ Semi-Vegetarian.com says
I love grocery shopping on Thursday night or Friday. I feel like it really opens up the weekend, and it’s a great way to beat the crowds, too!
Kelli says
I’m so jealous you only go to the grocery store once a week! I try to meal plan about three days out but generally I’m at the store two to three times a week! I guess that’s because I don’t have a big freezer for meat. On another note, we have the same bread machine and your loaves always look so tasty! I’ve made the 100% whole wheat but I don’t love it…what bread do you generally make? I’m still loving your blog and check it daily! Thanks in advance for the bread recommendation!
Brittany Dixon says
I feel you on the whole wheat loaves- the 100% whole wheat just don’t turn out that great so I either go all white flour or a portion of wheat and white. We don’t eat a lot of bread so when we do, I like it to taste good haha! I am always experimenting with new recipes though and as soon as I find a keeper, I will share!
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl says
That frozen brekkie sandwich looks perfect for a hot meal on the go! Thanks for sharing, I’ll definitely be trying that one.
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
Mondays has always been the day my mom went to the grocery store, and now I am home for the summer, I have been accompanying her. It is always so much fun. Just the simplest of errands, and we really enjoy our time together.
Elle says
I love this post!! I’ve missed these 🙂 I like to go grocery shopping really early Saturday mornings. I wish I could go on a Friday but with teaching I end up going when it’s the busiest time of day 🙁
Kelli D. says
I shop at Whole Foods in Raleigh, NC but I can never find whole fat plain yogurt, only 2%. What brand do you buy? I buy Wallaby whole fat flavored yogurt but cringe at the added sugar…
Brittany Dixon says
I buy either the stonyfield plain yogurt or whole foods brand whole milk plain! Sometimes I still buy the flavors too because it’s so convenient, but yes, the amount of sugar they add in sometimes is crazy.