How to Meal Plan: A Step by Step Guide for Busy Moms

If you are a busy mom looking for an easy way to create a meal plan, then this book is for you.

Although I have posted some of my weekly menu plans,  I’ve spoken before about my challenges with meal planning, including why you need a meal plan, even if you think you don’t.  So, when I came across How to Meal Plan: A Step by Step Guide for Busy Moms yr by Crystal VanTassel I was immediately intrigued.  I asked myself: Can I do this?  Is this book for me?

I don’t really enjoy planning meals (or cooking that much, for that matter) and don’t have a lot of time to do so.  I need a plan that is quick and easy to implement, with tips on making a back-up plan that doesn’t include the drive thru.  I’m tired of wasting food and the whole process being so difficult.

How Crystal Does It

This eBook will teach you how to meal plan, while saving you money and time, in 5 easy steps.

It includes:

• how to create a recipe criteria (This is a game changer, so simple, why didn’t I think of this?)
• a list of 20 sites to find recipes (FREE)
• how to create a grocery list (with 10 resources and tools) (organized just the way I like it)
• 12 ideas for displaying your menu (for every budget and craft-skill-level)
• pointers for implementing your plan (guidelines and pointers when you get stuck)
• tips to follow when road blocks arrive (No excuses!)
• 5 free printable worksheets (make it super easy)
• 14 easy recipes for two weeks of dinner ideas (a great kick-off)
• a cohesive list of mommy resources for other potential problem areas in your life (including a Facebook community)

Why It Works for Me

• There are only 5 steps to planning my family’s meals.
• Crystal shows me how I can use my crockpot to make the meals I already prepare easier.
• She pointed out my “deal breakers” – I’ve had these in mind but never realized I was doing this.
• The printables got me started, with no excuse that I had to go looking for them.
• I hate paying for cookbooks, so I love the list of 20 free online recipe sources.
• The book includes a pretty, organized grocery list, just like I make mine, organized by store layout.
• I needed encouragement for and ideas to create and display my weekly meal plan.  I am so not crafty.
• It gave me easy-troubleshooting-tips to get back on schedule.

How to Know if This Book Is For You & Why You Should Buy It

For less than the cost of one fast food lunch, just for myself, I have a resource that I can refer to on a daily basis.  No matter my grocery budget, time constraints, or cooking-skills-level, this book will help me feed my family quicker, easier and less expensively.

Still not sure if this book is for you?  Check out other reviews by busy moms like you here.

_{Disclosure:  I received a review copy.  All opinions are my own.  I only promote products that I would use.  Affiliate link used.  Thanks for supporting this site.}