Episode 139 5 Tips for Summer Meal Planning
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It is the end of June and it finally feels like we are in the rhythm of summer. Here are 5 tips to help you meal plan this summer.
1-Your Meal Plan Serves You
Make a meal plan every week (you can use the free weekly meal planning sheet.) But, if you need to adjust or adapt mid-week, that is okay. As a matter of fact, it is expected. Nothing says summer like buying home grown tomatoes and making BLTs for dinner.
2- Be Kind to Yourself
Set realistic expectations for the kinds of meals you plan to make. Watch for the word “should.” “I should make a tomato tart.” “I should shop at the farmer’s market.” Should will steal your joy. It is okay to keep things simple.
3- Balance Easy Meals with Project Cooking
It is okay to have very easy meals most of the summer. If you like to take on a cooking project on occasion, do it, but don’t feel like you have to keep up the Joneses of Instagram. Think about no-cook and cold meals like sandwiches and salads.
4- It’s Okay to Break Summer Cooking “Rules”
We often have self-imposed cooking rules like “don’t heat up the house by turning on the oven,” or “don’t make soup in the summer.” These “rules” are made to be broken. I know I will be using the oven to roast all kinds of veggies this summer because roasted veggies are delicious!
5- Use Summer Produce
It doesn’t matter if you grow it in your garden, buy it from the farmer’s market, or get it at your favorite grocery store, use summer produce! Veggies and fruits are plentiful in the summer. Take advantage of the amazing summer produce when you meal plan. Try new veggies or try new ways to prepare vegetables (fried zucchini anyone?) Fresh herbs are in abundance. Add them to anything to make it taste like summer.
Try these recipes for the summer:
The Best Grilled Chicken Breasts
Marie Fiebach is a married mother of four active kids. She helps busy families plan and execute weeknight dinner so they can recapture a little calm in the crazy. You can see her every week on KAKE TV’s Good Morning Kakeland or listen to the Feed Your Family Tonight Podcast.
For a transcript click here.
