How to Meal Plan without Overwhelm
When I was a single mom, Sunday planning was my secret weapon. I can tell you all about what I do on Sundays to prep for my week, but a big part of that was meal planning. I am no longer a single mom, but I still find this skill to be incredibly useful and we still do this every week.
The purpose of meal planning isn’t to master gourmet cooking, but for surviving the chaos of every day life. It’s not about perfection or even eating healthy every single night. Its about having a plan, saving time, and reducing your stress.
So here’s how it works:
Start with Brainstorming
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel every week. Know what your staples are, pepper in a new recipe every now and then, and keep it simple. Start by brainstorming a list:
10 Breakfast Ideas
10 Lunch Ideas
10 Snacks
20 Dinners
The lists should include healthy options as well as some easy and quick ideas too. I think its totally okay if pizza is one of your 20 dinners!
Here is ours. Feel free to steal!
The Basics
Now that you have your list, you’re going to look at each category and simply choose a few things. It’s that simple!
Breakfast
Right now, I have 3 kids who leave the house at three different times. I don’t always cook breakfast for them. I need to make sure I have a variety of items, both to cook, and to grab and go. I pick 2 or 3 options from our breakfast list each week.Lunches
Each week I ask the kids if they want to pack a lunch or eat at school. I do empower my kids to make their own lunches. I think its a valuable life skill and way to keep them involved in their daily eating choices. If they want to pack a lunch, we decide on some options together, using our list.Snacks
Snacks are essential with kids! I include a mix of healthy and “fun” options. I usually pick 3 or 4 types of snacks each week.Dinner
This is where I spend most of my time planning because we have 5 people’s schedules to work around.
The Dinner Breakdown
Time to bust out the calendars! Each week, I look to see when we need a grab and go option for practices, when I can actually have time to cook, when should we do leftovers vs pizza, etc.
This week, we have an appointment at 4pm on Monday. I know by the time that’s done and I pick up our 3 year old, I’ll have time to cook about a 30 minute meal.
Thursday, I have a zoom meeting at 6pm so that will need to be a quick and easy night.
Wednesday and Friday’s are normal nights.
Monday: Korean Beef
Tuesday: Gnocci Soup
Wednesday: Taquitos
Thursday: Grilled cheese + tomato soup
Friday: Chicken Burritos
Saturday: Baked Potatoes
Survey The Pantry
I take a look at what I already have and build my grocery list around the meal plan and what’s already in stock. This helps us save money, avoid food waste, and sometimes sparks creative dinner ideas. I happen to have a can of chick peas in my pantry now that is begging for a creative solution.
Final Thoughts
Meal planning and meal prepping are not the same thing. You can start small, by planning only dinners or only breakfasts. It’s a skill that will evolve with your family’s needs and one that you can easily involve the kids in. Remember, it’s not about perfect meals. It’s about creating a plan that works for your life.
Hi, I’m Naomi!
Founder of Charming Spaces, professional organizer, wife, mom of three and passionate advocate for women.
I hope this blog is everything you’re looking for, but feel free to shoot us a message and follow us on Instagram!
How a Professional Organizer Approaches New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions have a way of either inspiring us or overwhelming us. As a Professional Organizer, my approach to resolutions centers around practicality and FUN! Yes, you heard that right.
Ever since I was a child, the act of “planning” has always been a favorite activity of mine. I thoroughly enjoy a good notebook, highlighters, color coded lists, check boxes, goal meters, you name it! I have to confess, I sometimes enjoy the planning phase more than the execution phase. There is something exhilarating about creating systems, brainstorming ideas, and mapping out my year. There is a reason I entered this profession. I recognize this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. So I’m here to share my ways with you to make this a bit easier to swallow!
This year I’m drawing inspiration from Gretchen Rubin, one of my favorite podcasters and authors on happiness and habits. Two of her tips really resonate with me: choosing a one-word theme and her 25 in 2025 framework.
Choose a One-Word Theme
The word you choose should act as a guiding star throughout your year. It’s not a rigid resolution, but rahter a focus that shapes your decisions.
Try to think of a word that has many meanings and symbolism. Have fun with this! I encourage you to listen to the Happier with Gretchen Rubin’s podcast episode 511 for inspiration.
My theme this year is balance.
Balance makes me think of stability
Yoga
Flexibility
Calm
Steady
Peace
A balanced budget
To bring into harmony
I visualize a stack of smooth round rocks, balancing on one another. Water is nearby…
A reminder to be true to myself. Its a representation of my desire and my constant work to be steady and calm. I am also in the process of increasing my flexibility and physical strength. This feels like the perfect word for me.
I’m currently brainstorming how to have a visual representation of balance in my day to day life. Perhaps a throw back to the 90s with a ying yang necklace? Perhaps an hour glass or a scale? A photo of those very rocks?
25 in 2025
Set 25 achievable and realistic goals for the year.
Before I start, I think through different aspects of my life. Things like relationships, parenting, marriage, spirituality, health and fitness, professional, and financial. Where do I need improvement? Where am I doing something right, that I should keep doing? What do I need to drop from my list entirely?
Your goals don’t need to big overwhelming goals. Some should challenge you, but others may just be something you’d like to get done or a small task. Remember, this is supposed to be fun!
Here are my 25 for 2025. In no particular order.
Journal weekly
Plan a family yoga or pilates session
Have weekly 1:1 time with each of my kids
Have a monthly date night with my husband
Read 12 books
Try 12 new recipes
12 social activities with friends
Plank every day
Be able to do 10 strong push ups
Go to a brow bar
Schedule College tours for my oldest
Take family photos
Catch up on family photo albums
Schedule a monthly CEO day
Plan team days for the year
Re-evaluate and set this years business financial goals
12 new google reviews (we currently have 56)
Make a medical appointment I’ve been needing to make
Make a dental appointment I’ve been needing to make
Finalize my will
Increase my life insurance
Insure my wedding ring
Finalize my husband’s life insurance
Re-allocate my retirement fund
Save a certain dollar amount towards a vehicle
In order to make these goals stick, I break things out into actionable lists. Some of these items may need to be done daily. Most of mine are monthly. Many are one-time to dos that I need to schedule and set deadlines for. Create a plan to actually achieve these things.
I believe that visual tools are powerful motivators. Canva is a great resource for beautiful checklists. A good old fashioned poster board is great too. There’s nothing like seeing your goals proudly displayed on your wall to keep you inspired!
Whether you’re a planner like me or prefer a more spontaneous approach, resolutions work best when they’re personal, actionable, and enjoyable.
Here’s to a year of growth, balance, creativity, and reaching new heights!
Hi, I’m Naomi!
Founder of Charming Spaces, professional organizer, wife, mom of three and passionate advocate for women.
I hope this blog is everything you’re looking for, but feel free to shoot us a message and follow us on Instagram!
8 Tips For An Organized New Year
2025 is around the corner!
Do you promise yourself every year that you’ll get more organized? Here’s a list to make it happen!
Set Goals
Personal or professional, big or small, dreams don’t happen without a plan. Sit down and create your list of goals for the new year. Focus on things that are specific, measurable, and achievable. List out a few bullet points of tasks you need to accomplish to achieve each goal. And create deadlines if you need some extra motivation.
Find a calendar that works for you!
There are so many options out there. Paper planners, scheduling apps, or electronic family wall calendars, the right calendar is out there waiting for you! When it comes to organizing your schedule, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Evaluate what works best for you. Just last night, I got teased for my classic paper planner, but I still love using it! Naomi swears by her Trello app. If what you’re doing isn’t working, it’s time to try something new. The key to getting your calendar in order is to find what works for YOU and then start using it- consistently!
Start Decluttering
Nothing feels as good as starting the new year with a clutter-free home. Say goodbye to anything that came in during 2024 that is no longer serving you!
This may be especially necessary if you have kids! If they didn’t do a pre-Christmas toy purge, take advantage of the time off from school to clear some room for the new toys that came in.
Don’t hesitate to call the pros if you need help! That’s what we’re here for!
Create a cleaning schedule
Whether the whole family pitches in to help every Saturday morning, or you plan a weekly schedule with a few daily tasks for yourself, having a routine will help keep the house in order. I have found a combination of the two methods to work best in my home.
Implement a morning & evening routine
Make a list of what needs to get done to get everyone on their way each morning. Now figure out who does what, in what order, and make it a habit. If you have young kids, create a short list with pictures: Brush your teeth, make the bed, pack a snack, etc.
Evening schedules can be a bit harder to create a routine around. Parents may have work dinners and PTA meetings come up and the kids have so many activities! But consider what needs to be done and try to make a plan for it. Things like kids’ homework and bedtime routines, running the dishwasher for the following day, and packing lunches all have to get done whether or not you’ve had a busy evening, so make sure you carve out some time and create the routine.
Plan a budget and/or a savings goal
A budget can be an important part of your New Year’s routine. First, take a look at your monthly income and expenses. Consider your financial goals. Use this information to make a plan. Track your spending each month and take time to review your spending to see how you did. If you don’t know where to start, there are apps available to help. And remember to set a little aside for fun!
Brainstorm a family-fun bucket list for the year
Speaking of fun….Is there a trip you’re hoping to do together? A local attraction that never seems to get visited? Maybe you’d like to start a weekly game or movie night? Or, perhaps every year you say,” we really should get together with the cousins more”? Just like anything else, it won’t happen without a plan, so make yours for 2025 now!
Clear your digital Clutter
Is your phone in need of a declutter? How about your computer, Drop Box, or Google Drive? Now’s the perfect time to scroll through your photos and delete any that are duplicates or blurry. Did you take 100s of screenshots of craft ideas or recipes? Time to delete them or file them somewhere useful. Make 2025 your year to actually try them! Delete all the apps you had to download for a single use that haven’t been opened since. The first week of the year is the perfect time to make a point of hitting unsubscribe on all those email lists. It will streamline your inbox and help remove the temptation to shop went those deals come in. This will help your digital clutter, your physical clutter, AND your budget!
Now you’re ready for an organized 2025! Happy New Year!
Hi, I’m Meghan
Professional organizer, mom, former educator, wife, and auntie. I am dedicated to minimalism, greener living, and community service.
I believe organization can relieve stress and help all aspects of your life function more smoothly. I hope the information here can help you create a more peaceful home and lifestyle!
Clutter-Free Stocking Stuffers
Fill Their Stockings Without Filling Your Home With Clutter!
Christmas is less than a month away! We’re here to help you prepare for a holiday with less stress and less clutter!
Years ago, a friend commented that so much of what is marketed to moms as stocking stuffers is, in fact, “disposable plastic crap!” So we set out to brainstorm a list of more useful stocking stuffers.
Ideas for Everyone
Toothbrushes & toothpaste
Socks
Reusable Water Bottle
Gloves/Mittens
Card Games
Popcorn for family movie night
Art Supplies
Hot Chocolate Bombs/ Packets
Chapstick
Sun Glasses
Cookie Cutters
Bathbombs
Ideas for Little Kids
Play-Doh
Stickers
Bathtub Finger Paint
Hot Wheels
Fruit Snacks
Hair bows
Mall Carousel Tokens
Hermann Park Mini-Train Tickets
Crayons
Ideas for big Kids
Phone case
Chargers
Make-up/ Hair Care
Fancy Pens/Markers
Gaming/iTunes gift cards
Shampoo/Shower Gel
Takis/Flaming Hot Cheetos
Rubik’s Cube
Candy
Nail Polish
Fuzzy Socks
Important Pro Tip: Anything can become clutter if you have too much of it! Check what they already have before you buy.
Hi, I’m Meghan
Professional organizer, mom, former educator, wife, and auntie. I am dedicated to minimalism, greener living, and community service.
I believe organization can relieve stress and help all aspects of your life function more smoothly. I hope the information here can help you create a more peaceful home and lifestyle!
