For many, the idea of once-a-month meal planning—where you prep an entire month’s worth of meals in one day—seems like a dream come true. You buy, cook, and freeze everything in one go, ready to heat it as needed. Unfortunately, I’m not one of those people.
The thought of having 30 days’ worth of meals ready in my freezer is appealing, but it would require a level of organization that I simply don’t possess—and let’s not even discuss the need for a freezer big enough to hold it all. With my family’s chaotic schedule, even the best-laid plans tend to unravel, especially during that challenging hour of meal prep. So, I thought I could manage a simple week of planning. I settled in one Sunday to create my weekly menu, convinced that having everything laid out would make those hectic weeknights a breeze. It seemed straightforward enough.
However, by mid-week, my well-intentioned meal plan had devolved into a series of culinary disasters. Here’s how it all unfolded:
Meatless Monday
I kicked off the week with a fail-safe Vegetable Soup, hoping my meat-loving family would embrace a healthier dish. My husband and kids weren’t impressed. They dissected their bowls, pushing aside carrots and picking out onions while questioning the “green stuff” floating next to the potatoes. I claimed it was parsley while internally cringing at the chopped kale I had sneaked in. After some coaxing, my picky eaters abandoned their bowls, declaring themselves “full” as they grabbed a couple of slices of bread and dashed upstairs. Day one? Complete flop.
Tasty Tuesday
With renewed determination, I aimed to impress with a gourmet dinner inspired by my culinary idol. I prepared an elegant chicken dish with Asiago cheese, roasted dill carrots, and penne pasta tossed with roasted red peppers. Just as I was ready to serve, family plans took a turn. My husband had to work late, my older son had a school project, and my younger son had soccer practice. After two hours of keeping dinner warm, what was once a beautifully prepared meal turned into a charred mess. I was now 0-2.
Win-Them-Back Wednesday
Hoping to win them back, I put a classic chili in the slow cooker. I added beef, onions, herbs, and tomatoes, leaving it to simmer while we were out. Eight hours later, we returned, anticipating the delicious smell of chili. Instead, we were met with silence. I realized I had forgotten to plug in the crockpot. The meal sat raw and bloody, practically mooing when I opened the lid. In a panic, I grabbed tortilla chips and salsa, dubbing it a Tex-Mex snack. I was clearly failing at meal planning.
Thankless Thursday
After three failed attempts, I surrendered to convenience and opened cans of condensed soup, wondering if anyone would notice it wasn’t homemade. Surprisingly, my sons complimented the soup and suggested I make it more often. I clung to that Campbell family recipe, questioning why I even bothered.
Free-for-All Friday
With everyone’s schedules in disarray, I scrapped the idea of a family dinner. My older son grabbed food at the mall, my younger son had a PB&J in the car on the way to soccer, and I munched on pretzels while driving him. My husband hoped to snag a hot dog at halftime if he remembered cash. My meal plan was slowly dying.
Suck-It Saturday
By the weekend, chaos reigned supreme. The boys were bickering, my husband was frustrated with a plumbing issue, and I found myself crying into my cookbook while tossing frozen fish sticks at my kids. I bolted for the door, pretending not to hear their cries for “just one more chance.”
Sanity-Saving Sunday
That evening, I found solace in a glass of wine and a good book, reminding myself that I can’t escape family dinners. Looking at the stack of menus on the counter, I realized it was time to support our local businesses. I picked up the phone and heard the words that brought joy to my overwhelmed heart: “China Wok, how can I help you?”
I admire those who can organize their meal planning so effectively, but for the rest of us, takeout will always be a cherished option. If you want to learn more about fertility and family planning, check out this excellent resource. And for those interested in home insemination kits, visit Cryobaby for more insight.
In conclusion, while I may struggle with meal planning, I can at least relish in the fact that takeout is always there to save the day!