Menu Lifestyle
Why Is Weekly Meal Planning So Challenging?
By Dr. Emily Carter
Updated: Dec. 1, 2023
Originally Published: May 8, 2023
For many, the convenience of preparing a month’s worth of meals in a single day can be appealing. This method, often involving bulk shopping and cooking, allows you to stash away a month’s dinners in your freezer. However, I am not among those who can pull off this feat.
While the notion of having a freezer stocked with thirty days’ worth of meals feels like having an emergency supply kit, the reality requires more foresight than I possess—and a freezer the size of a small car. With my family’s chaotic schedule, I’ve found that even the most meticulously crafted plans often fall apart. The daily dinner rush adds to the stress, making the idea of once-a-month cooking daunting.
I decided to try something simpler: a week of meal planning. One Sunday, I sat down to create a weekly menu, convinced that having a plan would make our evenings easier. It seemed straightforward. But mid-week, my well-organized dinner schedule began to unravel, one unfortunate meal at a time.
Meatless Monday
I kicked off the week with a fail-proof Vegetable Soup, hoping my recipe would convert my meat-loving family to embrace healthier options. Unfortunately, my husband and kids were less than enthusiastic. As they dissected their soup, my husband discreetly pushed the carrots aside, while the kids questioned the “green stuff” floating in their bowls. I tried to pass off kale as parsley, knowing deep down I was setting myself up for failure. After a few reluctant spoonfuls, my sons declared they were “full” and retreated upstairs, leaving their half-eaten soup behind. Day one: strike one.
Tasty Tuesday
Next, I aimed to impress with a gourmet chicken dish inspired by a celebrity chef. I meticulously prepared a meal of chicken with Asiago cheese, roasted carrots, and pasta. Just as I was about to serve, our plans shifted—my husband had to work late, my older son was busy with a school project, and my younger son had a rescheduled soccer practice. After two hours of keeping the food warm, it transformed into a charred disaster. Now, I was 0-2.
Win-Them-Back Wednesday
Determined to win them back, I opted for a family favorite—chili made in the crockpot. I loaded it with beef, onions, and tomatoes, believing it would be a comforting meal after a long day. However, a long day turned into a disastrous evening when I realized I forgot to plug in the crockpot before leaving. The raw meat sat untouched, and dinner quickly devolved into a makeshift snack of tortilla chips and salsa. My meal planning was a complete mess.
Thankless Thursday
After three unsuccessful nights, I resorted to canned soups, hoping to maintain some semblance of home-cooked meals. Surprisingly, my sons complimented the soup, suggesting I make it more often. I chuckled to myself, realizing that I had strayed far from my original intentions.
Free-for-All Friday
With everyone scattered on different schedules, I abandoned the idea of a family dinner altogether. My older son opted for mall food, my younger son hastily ate a PB&J en route to soccer practice, and I nibbled on pretzels while rushing him there. My meal plan was officially in shambles.
Suck-It Saturday
By the weekend, chaos reigned. The boys were bickering, my husband was knee-deep in a plumbing project, and I found myself in tears, tossing frozen fish sticks at the kids. I felt defeated, desperate for some peace amidst the chaos.
Sanity-Saving Sunday
That evening, I found solace in a glass of wine and a lighthearted book, reminding myself that I couldn’t just give up on family meals altogether. I glanced at my stack of menus and decided it was time to support local businesses instead. I picked up the phone and called my go-to takeout place, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. “China Wok, may I help you?” was music to my ears.
I commend those who can juggle meal planning with ease, but for the rest of us, there’s always takeout. If you’re interested in exploring other topics related to family and planning, including pregnancy resources, be sure to check out this excellent resource on intrauterine insemination here. You might also find useful information about home insemination at Make a Mom.
Summary:
Weekly meal planning can be a daunting task filled with unexpected hurdles. From failed recipes to chaotic schedules, the attempt to stick to a plan can often lead to takeout instead. While some thrive on organization, many of us find comfort in the simplicity of calling our favorite restaurants.