Text Alert: "What do you want to do for dinner?"

I dread seeing that text.

Every single night for the rest of our lives we have to agree on a healthy and somewhat edible meal for our family. Every night. Forever. 

The task can just be daunting after a while. There is nothing defrosted. Or literally, there are no groceries. Also add in the fact that by the time busy families wrap up school, work, activities and homework, you are not feeling like Julia Child. 

While working on a different segment of Parent Portal with organizing expert Liz Bremer, a possible solution presented itself. We may not love it, but we will appreciate it when it comes to crunch time at dinner.

The solution is planning ahead.

I know, I know, I know. Where is the time to meal plan? I thought the same thing. But Liz's suggestions made sense and have been working at our house. I have been mostly shopping and buying things I think we should have on-hand instead of picking out the menu for the week and then shopping. Also save time by shopping on a grocery app. Most grocers offer free pickup now and that is huge for busy families.

Liz Bremer has some dealing with dinner suggestions: 

Choose about 5 meals every week that your family are fans of.

Make the shopping list to mirror the menu

Use a shopping app to save time

Consider freezer meals. Make a big batch of food on Sunday, or a day when your schedule is less hectic. Serve half for dinner that night and then freeze the other half for later in the week.

Make dinner a revolving schedule that is consistent. Meatloaf Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, and so on. This can help ease the planning as well as the execution of making dinner. Forever.

Professional Organizer Liz Bremer has more ideas here: https://www.putitsimplyorganizing.com/