• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Working Mom Blog | Outside the Box Mom

making life easier for working moms

  • Home
  • Home Life
    • Cleaning
    • Decor
    • Home Improvement
    • Laundry
    • Organizing
    • Save Money at Home
  • Meals
    • Cooking Shortcuts
    • Grocery Shopping
    • Health
    • Meal Planning
    • Recipes
    • Save Money on Meals
  • Work
    • Blogging
    • Entrepreneur Mom
    • New Working Mom
    • Unemployment
    • Work at Home
    • Work / Life Balance
  • Mom
    • Beauty, Style, and Fashion
    • Faith
    • Health
    • Me Time
    • Productivity
  • Family
    • Childcare
    • Digital Life
    • Education
    • Family Time
    • Hobbies
    • Holidays
    • Marriage
      • Marriage Advice
    • Parenting
    • Travel
  • Finances
  • About
    • About Raki Wright
    • Disclosure Policy
    • My Communities:
    • Outside The Box Mom Resources
    • Parties I Link To
    • Privacy Policy | Privacy Notice
  • Contact
  • Shop

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

This post may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure.

by RAKI WRIGHT

1 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

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

meal planning tips for busy moms

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.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
RAKI WRIGHT
Raki's Google Profile
Latest posts by RAKI WRIGHT (see all)
  • Essential Questions to Ask Your Rental Housing Provider -
  • How to Find an Egg Donor that Looks Like You -
  • Moms, Get In The Picture -

Filed Under: Meal Planning Tagged With: Book Reviews, Menu Planning

Previous Post: « Super Dollar Discount Foods Deals: February 24 – March 2
Next Post: (Closed) History Channel’s The Bible Exclusive Blog App (& $15 Walmart Gift Card Giveaway) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says

    at

    Great list and great ideas. I always try and bust out my crockpot during busy weeks! I also never ever pay for cookbooks (unless I’m IN LOVE with the author or their style). Pinterest is great for that!

  2. Alayna @AlaynasCreations says

    at

    Interesting Ideas. Meal planning is always one of those things that I feel like I should be better at, but aren’t. Thanks for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty link party.

  3. Alycia says

    at

    I definitely need to start using my crockpot more. Thanks for the tips!

  4. Sherry Nappa says

    at

    Great meal plan! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.

Trackbacks

  1. How to Blow Your Shopping Budget says:
    at

    […] actually plan what meals you would like to have from the foods you buy. This is the easiest way to spend money, come home, and feel like you still […]

  2. Why You Need a Menu Plan Even If You Think You Don’t says:
    at

    […] […]

  3. Fun Things to Do in the Summer: Make A Routine says:
    at

    […] I have shared why you need a menu plan even if you think you don’t and I have shared my review of a great planning resource: How to Meal Plan: A Step by Step Guide for Busy Moms. […]

  4. Host Favorites | Daily Dish Magazine | Recipes | Travel | Crafts says:
    at

    […]     Too Good NOT to Share Favorites…   DIY Family Established Sign…   How to Meal Plan…     Kids and Money…  Most Clicks… #1 Frozen Lemon Bars from […]

Primary Sidebar

Welcome! I'm Raki. I am a working mom of 2 (20-year old son and 13-year old daughter). I share tips to balance work, family, and make time for you. More...

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Footer

What are you looking for?

Stock images by depositphotos.

Enter your email address to get the best time-saving tips and solutions for busy, working moms in your inbox.

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress

1 shares