Off to a Good Start in 2025: Mastering Meal Planning

 One of the first things I’ve crossed off my 2025 to-do list is something I’ve been trying to tackle for years: meal planning. And let me tell you, it feels like a major win already.  

Now, before you picture a perfectly curated Pinterest-worthy system, let me set the record straight—this is nothing fancy. My journey with meal planning has been one of trial, error, and a lot of learning along the way. But I’ve finally found a system that feels manageable and, most importantly, sustainable for my family.  

A Look Back at the Journey  

I first dipped my toes into the world of meal prepping back in 2021. I did all the research, got excited about freezer meals, and dove right in. For January and February, I stocked our freezer with meals I thought would make life easier. Some were hits, but let’s be real—many were flops. The flavors were good, but the textures? Not so much.  

In April that year, I tried again with a new set of meals. The results were similar: a handful of keepers and several we didn’t care to repeat. Fast forward to 2023, when I was pregnant and preparing for postpartum life. This time, I turned to casserole recipes that were freezer-friendly, and let me tell you—game changer! Unlike my previous attempts, these casseroles were fully cooked before freezing, so all I had to do was reheat them. That small change made a big difference.  

Experimenting with Meal Planning  

Over the years, I’ve also experimented with various meal planning methods. I’ve downloaded and printed countless templates, but they never stuck for more than a week. I even tried a "what we have" approach, where I’d list out ingredients we already had and plan meals around them. This method worked better than most, especially during times when we had a surplus of chicken or ground beef.  

Still, I wanted a system that felt more streamlined and reliable.  

The Breakthrough: A Monthly Meal Plan  

This week, I finally cracked the code. Instead of focusing on freezer meals or ingredient-based planning, I decided to tackle our meal planning in a new way: creating a monthly meal list of tried-and-true favorites.  

Here’s how I did it:  

1. Step One: Brainstorm Favorites  

   I printed a blank calendar and started listing meals we’ve made and loved over the years. The rule was simple—only meals we’ve prepared before and know we like. At first, the list wasn’t balanced. For example, one draft had an entire week of chicken dishes, but it was a starting point.  

2. Step Two: Teamwork  

   To get more variety, I asked my husband to create his own list. We compared notes, added anything I missed, and combined our ideas.  

3. Step Three: Organize  

   We wrote each meal on an index card—one per card—and then grouped them into weeks. This step was a game-changer for visualizing the variety and balance we wanted.  

4. Step Four: Simplify  

   We included easy, go-to meals like pizza, chicken nuggets, and mac and cheese. These serve as backup options for busier days.  

5. Step Five: Plan Ahead  

   With everything organized, we now have two months of meals planned out. Each week includes five meals, allowing for leftovers and skipping Sundays since we usually have family gatherings where meals are provided.  

The Plan Moving Forward  

Our goal is simple: review the upcoming two weeks every Sunday and make a grocery list for any missing ingredients. This way, we can avoid the chaos of daily grocery runs and focus on sticking to the plan. By rotating through the two-month schedule, we’ll have plenty of variety without the stress of constantly reinventing the wheel.  

What makes this approach feel different is the confidence it brings. Because every meal is one we’ve made before and enjoyed, there’s no second-guessing. And since the plan isn’t rigid—we can swap meals around if needed—it feels flexible and practical for our family.  

A Fresh Start  

As 2025 unfolds, I feel optimistic about this new system. It’s not just about eating well—it’s about creating a little more ease and structure in our daily lives. If meal planning has ever felt overwhelming to you, I hope my journey reminds you that it doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective.  

Here’s to a year of good food, fewer grocery trips, and one less thing to stress about!

-Izzy