Good morning, friends! What a beautiful morning it is. Can you feel that hint of fall in the air? I sure can, and I absolutely love it! Now, I’m sure we’ll still get a few hot days before August wraps up, but this slightly cooler breeze makes me want to slow down and spend some time in my kitchen.

Today, I want to chat about meal planning—because if there’s one thing I’ve learned after years of raising kids and running a busy household, it’s that a little planning makes a huge difference. And let’s be real, when life is busy (and whose isn’t?), planning two or three meals ahead can save your sanity.

This past week was a whirlwind for me. I wasn’t here last Sunday—first time since the fall!—because my daughter had her baby shower and a big open house to celebrate her new home. It was a day full of family, friends, and mountains of food. Absolutely beautiful, but I’ll be honest, it left me exhausted. On top of that, I had family staying with us, so the kitchen was in full swing!

And this week? My son is getting married. Yep, another big event! So I know I need to be on my game when it comes to meal planning. Otherwise, I’ll be reaching for takeout—and if you’re like me and watching your blood sugar, that’s not the best plan.

So, let’s dive in. I’m going to share some of the meals I made last week (and why they worked so well), some new ideas for this week, and a few time-saving tricks for keeping your grocery bill down while still feeding everyone well. And if you stick around to the end, I’ve got tips for boosting flavor without piling on the salt and sugar.

Last Week’s Hits: Sweet and Savory Flavor Wins

If you’ve been following me, you know I’m loving sweet and savory spice blends right now. They’re a game-changer for making simple meals taste amazing.

One big hit last week was ground pork bowls with maple-ginger seasoning. Here’s what I did:

• Cooked ground pork in a skillet with a sweet-and-savory maple ginger spice blend.
• Built a bowl with spiralized veggies—carrots, zucchini, cucumber—and topped it with the seasoned pork.

It was colorful, crunchy, and absolutely packed with flavor. My teen son loved it, which is saying something! Pro tip: spiralizing veggies isn’t just fun; it changes the texture enough that picky eaters often give it a thumbs up.

Another favorite? Maple-Mustard Chicken Wraps.

• I pan-fried thinly sliced chicken breast seasoned with mustard powder.
• Made a quick sauce with maple syrup and mustard (add a touch of honey if you like).
• Loaded the wraps with chicken, lettuce, tomato, and celery.

The combo of sweet maple and tangy mustard? Chef’s kiss! If you don’t have a maple mustard blend, you can easily mix your own.

And let’s not forget the fish. The local fish guy dropped off fresh haddock right from his boat (one of the perks of rural living). I seasoned it with lemon pepper and pan-fried it. Simple, clean, and so satisfying. I portioned the rest into freezer bags—hello, future easy meals!

Finally, a quick snack or meal hack: mango salsa. I picked some up at the store, and wow, it was amazing paired with that lemon pepper fish in a wrap. If you can’t find fresh mango year-round, frozen chunks work perfectly. Just thaw and chop.

Money-Saving Freezer Tip

Speaking of portioning, let me share a little budget hack: buy in bulk when you can, then portion and freeze.

• Last week, I stocked up on ground beef, fish, and chicken.
• Divided them into meal-sized portions and froze them.

It’s a lifesaver for busy weeks and saves you a small fortune over time. The only thing I’m short on right now is ground pork, so that’s on my list this week.

This Week’s Menu: Easy and Flavorful

With a wedding coming up, I know time is tight, but eating well matters. When I skip meals or grab quick junk food, I pay for it later with fatigue (and blood sugar crashes). So here’s what’s on my menu this week:

1. 

Air Fryer Battered Fish and Onion Rings

I grew up on deep-fried fish and chips, so this is a nostalgic favorite. But instead of a vat of oil, I’m using my Ninja air fryer (best investment ever). If you have tips for getting that perfect crisp, share them with me!

2. 

Crunchy Chicken with Chipotle Aioli

I keep a stash of crispy chicken in the freezer from a local restaurant deal. Paired with homemade chipotle aioli and air-fried potato wedges? It feels like takeout without the cost (or the grease).

3. 

Blackstone Quesadillas

My oldest son requested these. I’ll make a simple cheese version for my youngest and a BBQ chicken one for the rest of us. Cooked on the Blackstone with a press—crispy outside, gooey inside. Yes, please!

4. 

Taco Salad with Burrito Seasoning

A big bowl of fresh greens from my greenhouse topped with seasoned ground beef (or maybe shredded flank steak if I find one). Add some cheesy Doritos for crunch—don’t judge me!

5. 

Smoked Sausage Skillet

One-pan wonder: smoked sausages with baby potatoes and fresh yellow beans from the garden, all seasoned with a sweet-and-savory maple pepper blend. Simple and hearty.

6. 

Shrimp Stir-Fry

Quick, healthy, and packed with protein. Tossed with whatever veggies are on hand and a sprinkle of garlic chili seasoning.

7. 

Air Fryer Mac & Cheese (Experiment Night!)

My youngest loves mac & cheese, so we’re trying an air fryer version together. Cooking with kids is such a great way to teach them real-life skills.

Spice It Up Without the Salt

Here’s something I’m passionate about: reducing salt without sacrificing flavor. When you’ve got a well-stocked spice rack, you can turn a plain chicken breast into something amazing. Some of my current obsessions:

• Maple Pepper – Sweet, bold, perfect on roasted veggies or sprinkled over sausage and potatoes.
• Butcher’s Blend – Fantastic for burgers or steak night.
• Everything Bacon – Game changer for broccoli. Seriously, sprinkle it on steamed broccoli and watch it disappear!

If your family struggles with veggies, start simple: steam or roast them, then finish with a flavorful seasoning. You’ll be amazed at the difference.

Why Meal Planning Matters

Here’s the truth: life is busy. And when we don’t plan, we grab convenience foods that leave us feeling sluggish. Planning even two meals a week can:

✔ Reduce stress

✔ Save money

✔ Keep your health on track

Here’s my golden rule: Cook once, eat twice. If you’re making burgers, cook a few extra. Tomorrow, crumble them into a taco salad. If you’re grilling chicken, make extra for wraps or quesadillas later.

What’s Cooking in Your Kitchen?

I’d love to hear from you! What meals are on your menu this week? Do your meal choices change as summer winds down? Drop your ideas in the comments—we all need inspiration.

And stay tuned: I’m working on launching a podcast (yes, finally!). It’ll be packed with tips, meal ideas, and real talk about making life easier in the kitchen. Because if there’s one thing I know, it’s that food brings us home.

Until next time, keep it simple, keep it flavorful, and keep gathering around that table.

#MealPlanningMadeEasy #FamilyDinnerSolutions