May the is the time of year when I start to fall off the wagon with meal planning.
School is ending, Summer weather is peeking around the corner, and we are itching to get outdoors and explore. It’s so easy to throw a meal plan out the window and just go with the flow!
But I’ve learned the hard way that I NEED to make a meal plan, even in summer.
Why? Because then we can really be spontaneous and I don’t have to worry about what we are eating! My plan may be more of an idea list with the foods ready in the fridge, but it’s still a plan.
After a long day at the beach, it’s nice to have my Caesar dressing and overnight artisan bread prepped so I can throw together a simple panzanella salad for dinner.
Or go with an easy pantry staple like 15 minute spaghetti. Plus I can make a double batch of the sauce and put it in the freezer for next week.
Use the ideas in this healthy food meal plan to get you started on your easy meal list for summer. Then you can be ready in a flash! And truly enjoy those upcoming summer days!
Click HERE to download the 14-day Frugal Real Food Meal Plan with recipes and shopping list.
(Note that clicking the link will trigger a pop-up form. Enter your information to have the recipes and shopping list sent to you via email.)
Healthy Food Meal Plan: May 2015
Notes on this Healthy Food Meal Plan:
- This meal plan is for the average family of four, costing approximately $330. You might need to change portion sizes according to your own family size and budget.
- Meals are based around 2 whole chickens, 1 chuck roast, 1 shoulder roast and 2 pounds of ground turkey.
- The meals within this plan were designed to build off of each other, using leftovers when possible and allowing opportunities for batch cooking (i.e. making one big batch of tortillas instead of making “just enough” on two separate days. Take advantage of this to really lower your budget and reduce time spent in the kitchen.
Healthy Food Meal Plan: Week 1
(S) Beans & Ham Soup
(M) Shepherd’s Pie
(T) Greek Salad
(W) Chicken Alfredo
(T) Kung Pao Chicken with Vegetables
(F) Chicken & Spinach Enchiladas
(S) Cheesy Mexi-Lentils
Healthy Food Meal Plan: Week 2
(S) Pasta Fazool with No-knead Overnight Artisan Bread
(M) Bacon Chicken Ranch Sandwiches
(T) Huevos Rancheros Enchiladas
(W) 15 Minute Spaghetti
(T) Tuna Bacon Ranch Salad with Dinner Biscuits
(F) Peanut Fried Rice
(S) Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches with Homemade Buns
Healthy Food Meal Plan: Week 3
(S) Classic Minestrone with Rosemary Olive Oil Bread
(M) Chicken Salad Sandwiches
(T) Panzanella Salad
(W) Squash Pasta Salad
(T) Vegetable Tamale Pie
(F) Asian Beef Tacos with Coconut Rice
(S) Ranch Chicken Nuggets
Healthy Food Meal Plan: Week 4
(S) Tomato Basil Soup with Spinach Pesto Grilled Cheese
(M) Meatloaf Muffins
(T) Cheeseburger Helper
(W) Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
(T) Angel Hair Pasta with Homemade Spinach Pesto
(F) Tortilla Pizzas
(S) Southwestern Breakfast Frittata
Breakfast
Breakfasts are usually a variety of meals, based largely on what we have in the kitchen and almost always served with fresh fruit. These are a few basic meal ideas, plus some recommended recipes that should align with the ingredients being purchased for the dinners above. Simple meals like breakfast porridge and baked oatmeal can be flavored based on what you have in your own kitchen.
- Yogurt Parfaits with Chocolate Granola and Strawberries
- Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast Casserole
- Strawberry Scones
Lunch
Similar to breakfast, lunches are usually a variety of meals based on what’s in the fridge and pantry and come with a side of fresh fruit. My first suggestion for lunch is always leftovers (unless the leftovers are already slated for another meal), but here are a few additional lunch ideas that are simple and easy to prepare. As a bonus, all of them can be tailored according to what you currently have on hand, and packed either for school or a picnic lunch on the go.
Dessert
Since the goal is to not consume too much sugar, let’s keep the options minimal. Still, you’ll be able to enjoy either one of these treats.
Looking for more delicious and frugal inspiration? Get more real food meal plans here.
Click HERE to download the 14-day Frugal Real Food Meal Plan with recipes and shopping list.
(Note that clicking the link will trigger a pop-up form. Enter your information to have the recipes and shopping list sent to you via email.)
I’m always looking for meal-planning inspiration, and there are several yummy-sounding things I plan to try here!
Thank you for the meal plan! I can’t get the link for the peanut fried rice to work.
Thanks for letting me know Christina – it’s fixed!
Also, in the newsletter I received today you recommended not using reduced fat dairy products and using full fat instead. Why is that? Can the coconut oil be substituted for canola oil in any recipe?
I am not the blogger and maybe she has a better answer but 1. Yes, coconut oil can be used in place of canola oil in most any recipe. 2. Full fat dairy is better because when they remove fat from dairy products they have to add a bunch of other stuff to it to make it taste good. The original ingredients are usually better for you than the stuff they replace them with.
Thanks for chiming in Stephanie – you are right on both accounts! My only word of caution would be using 100% coconut oil in baking, as it tends to make baked goods heavy. I usually split it half butter, half coconut oil. And right on the money for additives on low-fat/fat-free dairy – it’s usually sugar!
Thank you!
Chicken & Spinach Enchiladas with Alfredo! These are a few of my favorite things!! I shared this on my May real food meal plan.
Thanks for sharing Melissa!
So true, returning to full time work has messed with my normal routine no meal plan=chaos:)
Love looking at your menu. You inspire me to be a better cooking me. Just 2 days ago, I was thinking of how smoothly the week was going in terms of food that this pregnant mama is able to make. Too soon, of course. I burnt my fingers yesterday, trying to make my husband’s lunch while making breakfast. I was sleepy. My husband was noooot happy that I tried to cook while sleepy. They’re much better now. Managed to make cheese sandwich for hubby’s lunch and for daughter’s snack :-). She is happy that the menu is finally back on track :-).
Thanks so much Sangeetha – it’s it AMAZING how the week just glides by when we have a plan? And it doesn’t even have to be a huge one, lol. I’m so sorry to hear about your fingers, but glad they’re getting better. Get rest mama, you need it!!