In short, a list of all the meals we regularly make.  And I can’t recommend making your own one of these enough, so grab a pen and paper!

Why?

As I head out each week to do a big food shop, I plan the week’s food, check our cupboards, and make a plan. (Read about my exact process, money saving tips, and weekly buys HERE).  Planning is THE ONLY WAY, I stay calm, only shop once a week, and keep our family on a great budget while eating clean organic food.  It’s possible.

As I sit down to write the shopping list I need a meal plan to build from and sometimes my mind is completely blank as to the options so I find it easier to have a list of the things we love that I can build it from.  Usually we’ll modify each dish depending on what we have in the cupboards/fridge that needs using and what is seasonally available.

Get the family on board!

I’d highly recommend you do the same! If you’re wanting to get your family on board with healthy eating, let them contribute to the list and find the meals that work well for everyone, even letting them help build the meal plan a bit (within some guidelines). When I shop I ask Jared if there’s anything he’s wanting that week, and also periodically if there’s anything he’d like added to the master list.

Help the budget!

I also have an idea of the price of each meal, not down to the cent but I know which I pricier and which are more frugal.  That REALLY helps me to balance our budget.  I don’t fill one week with all the expensive things.  If we’re doing a big pizza night with meat pizzas and wine, there will be some extra bean/rice/chicken bowls in the week to balance it out.  So either have an idea in your head or even make a note beside the budget friendly, and pricier options on your own list.

THE LIST

BREAKFASTS

LUNCHES

• To go Jared usually gets a simple salad, a mix of some of the following: romaine, raw cheddar, black beans, garbanzo beans, chicken, corn, peas, grated carrot, sunflower seeds, almonds, raisins, avocado, rice, quinoa. And a homemade dressing such as raspberry vinaigrette, tahini dressing, asian pear vinaigrette or some hummus to mix in.
• Veggie/quinoa/egg bowls
  • Paleo/low carb option: Use cauliflower rice or just omit the quinoa.
• Leftover dinners!
•  For lunches usually I’ll batch cook big bowls of ingredients for the week. Then each day we just make bowls with quinoa/rice/lettuce and add on meat or eggs, veggies and a dressing or dip. It makes for fast and nutritious lunches!
• Hummus bowl with a big pile of Sprouted Bean Hummus and lots of leaves and roasted veggies.
  • Paleo option: Use a yummy bean free carrot hummus 

DINNERS

• Homemade Pasta (with pesto or tomato sauce)
  • Paleo/raw/low carb version: Zoodles, or just roasted veggies with the sauce. 
• Pizza: our go to is a sprouted spelt crust with tomato sauce, raw cheddar, whatever meat with have, and veggies.
  • Gluten free version: Use the Rosemary and Garlic Chick Pea Flatbread as a base, load up, and bake! We love this just as much and it’s the best GF base there is. 
  • Low carb/gluten free version: Use a cauliflower crust, either bought pre made or make yourself. 
• Stir fry with meat, garlic, ginger, veggies, quinoa/rice, then stir in coconut aminos and a couple of eggs for egg fried rice/quinoa – delicious!
  • Low carb version: Use cauliflower rice or just have the veggies! 
• Seasonal soups – use whatever veggies you have on hand, with some good stock, and aromatics, blend and go! Ex. Broccoli, basil and white bean, Vegan Carrot, or Sweet potato with pomegranate
• Grass fed beef burger (with spelt bun or protein style)
• Chicken nuggets, we use chicken thighs coated in almond and coconut flour, fried in virgin coconut oil.
•  Beef chili and paleo corn bread 
  • Paleo option: Add extra veggies and omit beans in the chili
• Grilled chicken and roasted veggies
• Zoodles
• Quinoa bowl/beans/avo/salsa/chicken
• Nachos or nacho salad or sweet potato nachos
• Tacos with whatever meat we have on hand, raw cheddar, salsa, or using up anything we have in the fridge. Tacos are a great way to use up leftover bits!
• Green Chicken Enchiladas
  • Paleo option: Use Stupid Easy Paleo tortillas 
• Breakfast for dinner (eggs and avo toast, bacon, pancakes)
• Slow cooked pulled pork (with tacos or a rice bowl)

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