Planning meals for a week can seem like a breeze for some, but for others, like me, it often feels like an uphill battle. There are those organized souls who tackle meal prep just once a month, preparing a month’s worth of meals in one marathon cooking session and freezing them for future use. I admire that dedication, but I’m not cut out for that level of planning—or the need for a massive freezer to hold all those meals!
Even the best-laid plans can crumble under the weight of our family’s busy schedule. Add in the typical chaos of the evening meal prep, and you can see why I’m hesitant to jump into once-a-month cooking. However, I thought I could manage a week of meal planning. So, one Sunday afternoon, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work on a weekly menu, convinced that it would streamline our weeknights. How hard could it be?
As it turns out, my ambitious meal plan quickly unraveled. Here’s a recap of my culinary misadventures:
Meatless Monday
I kicked off the week with a foolproof Vegetable Soup, hoping to entice my meat-loving family into healthier eating habits. Unfortunately, my carnivorous crew was less than impressed. My husband expertly pushed his carrots to the side, while my boys picked out the onions, exclaiming, “Ew! What’s that green stuff next to the potato?” I fibbed and said it was parsley, all while knowing I was trying to sneak in some kale. After a half-hearted attempt to eat, they pushed their bowls away, declaring they were “full” and scurried off for more bread. Day One: Epic fail.
Tasty Tuesday
Determined to impress, I channeled my inner chef and prepared a gourmet chicken dish with Asiago cheese, basil, and roasted veggies. It was a beautiful spread—until plans went sideways. My husband had to work late, my older son was stuck on a school project, and my younger one had soccer practice. After keeping the meal warm for two hours, what was once a delightful dinner turned into a charred disaster. My record was now 0-2.
Win-Back Wednesday
In a bid to win back my family, I decided to whip up a comforting chili in the crockpot. I tossed in ground beef, onions, herbs, and tomatoes, excited for the delicious aroma to greet us after a long day. But when we got home, the only thing welcoming us was the cold silence of an unplugged crockpot. The meal sat raw and uncooked. I salvaged the evening with tortilla chips and salsa, calling it a “Tex-Mex appetizer.” Clearly, I was struggling with meal planning.
Thankless Thursday
After a string of culinary disasters, I resorted to canned soup, wondering if my family would even notice. To my surprise, they complimented my “homemade” soup and suggested I make it more often. Sure, I’ll stick to that family recipe from Campbell’s. Why do I even bother?
Free-for-All Friday
With everyone on different schedules, I abandoned the idea of a family dinner. My older son feasted at the mall with friends, my younger son grabbed a quick PB&J in the car, and I munched on pretzels as I rushed him to soccer practice. My husband was left hoping for a hot dog at halftime. My meal plan was clearly on its last legs.
Suck-It Saturday
By the weekend, chaos reigned. The boys were bickering, my husband was wrestling with a plumbing issue, and I was in tears over my cookbook, tossing frozen fish sticks at the kids while pretending not to hear their pleas for “just one more chance.”
Sanity-Saving Sunday
That evening, I found myself dining solo with a glass of wine, buried in a copy of Erma Bombeck’s Aunt Erma’s Cope Book. As I looked at the stack of unfulfilled meal plans, I realized it was time to support local businesses instead. I picked up the phone and called for takeout, feeling a wave of relief wash over me as I heard, “China Wok, may I help you?”
I applaud those who can master meal planning, but for the rest of us? We’ve got a strong appreciation for takeout.