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10+ Meal Planning Resources for Busy Moms @ AVirtuousWoman.org

10 Meal Planning Resources for Busy Moms

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.

I totally get how busy the dinner hour can be. Really, truly. These days I’m often thankful that we just have something to eat.  The older my kids get the harder it is to pull us all together at the same time for a homemade meal. But, it’s one of those things that is so. very. worth it. That’s why today I’m sharing some of my favorite meal planning resources with you!

10+ Meal Planning Resources for Busy Moms @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Even if your kids are younger than mine, preparing three meals a day, 7 days a week can be a challenge. Here are some great ideas and resources to help you in your meal planning.

10+ Resources for Meal Planning

1. Free Weekly Menu Planner. First of all, if I don’t have a plan {and I know from regular experience} it’s MUCH harder to figure out what to eat each day. And it’s even worse when everyone starts feeling hungry and I need something really quick and I have no idea what to make. You can download my free weekly menu planner here.

2. Menu Planning 101. This is all about the basics of menu planning. How to plan your menu. How to plan for a variety of healthy foods. Everything you need to get your started.

3. Lunch Box Ideas for the Whole Family. Whether you homeschool like we do or send your child to a school, packing a lunch your child {or husband} wants to eat requires good ideas. I often pack lunches for our whole family as we are on the go a lot. Packing a lunch means we can eat healthier and save money!

4. How to Make the Most of Meal Planning and the Grocery Store. Learning how to shop smart and save money – and not waste food – is important! You can listen to my podcast about how my husband and I shop and plan for meals.

Weekly Planning and Meal Plan @ AVirtuousWoman.org #thisismylifeplanner #planner #mealplanning

5. The Purpose 31 Planner. So, I love, love, love my Purpose 31 Planner. It has everything I need to stay on top of household duties and meal planning. The weekly menu planner has lots of space to write out my meals and the colors just make me happy. This is what I use each week as I plan!

6. 12+ Healthy Breakfast Ideas. Breakfast is truly the most important meal of the day. I always make sure we eat something before heading toward the day’s activities. It’s so important!! It’s also important that your family eat a healthy diet and start the day off right.

10+ Meal Planning Resources for Busy Moms @ AVirtuousWoman.org

7. Eat at Home Menu Planning Service. So many of us spend the weekend taking care of meal planning and grocery shopping. There’s an easy way to save time, money and sanity on these tasks so you can enjoy more of your free time! This system, simplifies meal planning. 

  1. I choose from Traditional, Wholesome Traditional, Slow Cooker or the No Flour/No Sugar plan options (you get them all!).
  2. Shop with the color-coded grocery list.
  3. Cook with the simple recipes. I love that Tiffany gives us slow cooker, Instant Pot, 15 minute recipes and more!
  4. Become a member here.

8. 3 Tips for Making Mealtimes Memorable. It’s really not all about the food. Making memories around the table has much more to do with the good conversation, laughter, and companionship. Sitting around the table together as a family has so many benefits!

9. Make Ahead Meal Planning. Because we’re so busy living a crazy, happy, real life – whenever I can prepare meals ahead of time, it’s a win win situation! Plus, here are 15+ Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas to make mornings easier.

10. Go To Meals Your Family Loves. Every busy mom needs a handful of easy meals that she can always count on having the ingredients on hand to make. Here’s a list of My Go To Meals for Busy Days.

The Recipe Box @ AVirtuousWoman.org ------ HUNDREDS of healthy recipes for busy moms!

11. Really Great Recipes. Good meal planning takes consideration and fore-thought. Having a great source of recipes is key! I like to use a few favorite cook books, Recipes to Try on Pinterest, and The Recipe Box here at A Virtuous Woman.

Do you menu plan? What are your biggest helps for meal planning?

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About Melissa Ringstaff

My name is Melissa Ringstaff and I've been blogging here at A Virtuous Woman since 2001. I'm a pastor's wife and homeschooling mom living in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Southeastern KY. I believe in finding freedom from perfection and living life with purpose and I want to help you do exactly that.

I'm so glad you've stopped by to visit with me. I hope we can be friends!

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This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chrissy

    April 25, 2015 at 6:21 pm

    Thank you for sharing all these resources!!
    Reply
  2. Stephanie

    April 25, 2015 at 8:11 pm

    I do menu plan, usually. I keep it simple though by only planning dinners for Monday through Friday. Hubby and I both eat lunch at home, and usually at different times, so we both fend for ourselves for breakfast and lunch. I use Pinterest and cookbooks to get ideas, although I get kind of disgruntled at so much unhealthy fare that I come across. Hubby is trying to lose weight, so I have to adjust most recipes to make them low-fat but still filling and tasty.
    Reply
  3. Melissa French, The More With Less Mom

    April 25, 2015 at 8:21 pm

    One of my favorite sites is OhMyVeggies.com, she has free weekly meal plans with shopping lists, you can just print and run to the store. Thanks for posting. Hello from Best of the Weekend Party.
    Reply
  4. Natasha Mairs - @SerenityYou

    April 26, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    lovely post. will be checking some of these out Thanks
    Reply
  5. Gail AKeman

    April 27, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    Great resource for cooking supper
    Reply
  6. Stacey

    April 29, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    Thank you! I meal plan every week but am always looking for good strategies. Oh, and I love your planners!
    Reply
    • Melissa Ringstaff

      April 30, 2015 at 2:35 pm

      Thank you! :)
      Reply
  7. Amanda @ The Chunky Chef

    April 30, 2015 at 8:15 am

    Congratulations! I'll be featuring this post on the Friday Favorites Link Party tonight at 9pm (EST)
    Reply
    • Melissa Ringstaff

      April 30, 2015 at 2:33 pm

      Thank you!
      Reply
  8. Christine

    April 30, 2015 at 9:35 am

    Hi there Friend, you are so creative! Thank you for joining in at the Friday Favorites Link Party! I hope to see you there this week:) Christine -Must Love Home
    Reply
  9. Lou Lou Girls

    May 2, 2015 at 7:27 pm

    Great ideas. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you on Monday at 7, we can't wait to party with you! Lou Lou Girls
    Reply

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purposenotperfection

Freedom from perfection. 🪁
Live with purpose. ✝️
Proverbs 31 for modern women. 👱‍♀️
Wife + Mama + Homemaker + Kentucky
Life: @melissa.ringstaff

Melissa Ringstaff
Not gonna lie. 2020 was a hard year. And not just Not gonna lie. 2020 was a hard year. And not just because there was a pandemic. Our family has faced many trying times in the past but 2020 gave us some doozies.  I’m looking forward to a new year. The beginning of the new year always feels like a fresh start to me. It feels like HOPE.  But the truth is, whatever heartaches and hardships you and I were facing on Dec. 31 will most likely still be there on Jan. 1.  That’s why it’s hard to keep New Years resolutions. It’s easy to feel motivated for a few days or a couple weeks until we realize life hasn’t really changed and things are still hard.  But if we want to see real change it takes hard work and real effort. It takes showing up every day - even when it’s hard.  Whether that means working on your fractured relationships or setting healthy boundaries or cultivating self disciple... whatever that hard thing is that you need to work on ... it will only get better if you work on it.  We aren’t promised an easy life. But we are promised an “Ever Present Help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1  *
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#faithblogger #faithfulness #faithandfamily #bibleverseaday #christianbloggers #dailyverses #christianlife #jesuscalling #shereadstruth#proverbs31women #proverbs31life #10virtues #daughteroftheking #jesuslovesme #womenoffaith #faithquotes #proverbs31
We’re coming into the new year with all the same We’re coming into the new year with all the same problems we had in the last year. And that’s okay! Life doesn’t have to be perfect to still be amazing. Perfectionism is a joy stealer. Let’s determine to enjoy life right now in all its messiness.  I believe you can find freedom from perfection and the confidence to live your life with purpose. #purposenotperfection  #christian #Jesus #love #quotes #quoteslife #quotestoliveby #godisgood #votd #lifequotes #inspirationalquotes #life #motivationalquotes #inspiration #bible #bb #bestoftheday #happiness #wordofgod
🏠 Being a homemaker is such an important role. 🏠 Being a homemaker is such an important role. It’s a ministry to your family and all who enter your home.  But I want you to know: You don’t have to be perfect. ❤️  There’s a fine line between teaching your children to be neat and insisting on perfection. No one can meet that kind of standard and it can be detrimental to the emotional health of your family.  What we want for our homes is to provide a space that is neat and clean enough that your family and friends feel comfortable and well loved.  There is freedom in accepting the fact that you’re not perfect. Not to make excuses for slovenliness - but to give yourself grace.  It’s when we recognize our weakness that we find ourselves reaching out to Jesus to receive the power that comes only from him. As homemakers, when we can find grace for the moment when we accept His Gift.  “But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage. Ezra 9:8  Let His Grace wash over you, cleanse your weary heart. Homemaking isn’t about creating a perfect space. It’s about creating a home where loved ones feel cared for and nurtured. 
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking #wearethehomemakers
❤️Your attitude about homemaking matters.⠀
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A homemaker by definition is someone who manages and makes a home. 🏠⠀
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But, anyone can clean and organize a home. ⠀
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☑️ Homemaking is about more than checking off the items on your to do list.⠀
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Learning how to be a homemaker means you learn how to make your home feel like haven of peace and love. You seek out ways to make your home feel inviting. You work at it.⠀
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There is no easy button for homemaking. There are easier, more efficient ways to do chores, but the chores still have to be done. If you live in a house, you will create the need for the house to be tidied every day and cleaned on a regular basis.⠀
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Having the right attitude about homemaking is the first step in learning how to be a homemaker.⠀
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The good news is, even if you’ve been struggling with your homemaking, you can always go to God and ask Him for help. ⠀
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He sees the unseen work of your hands. And He loves you very, very much. He wants to help you succeed. ⠀
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking  #youngwife #housewife
🙏 If you’ve found it difficult to have a regu 🙏 If you’ve found it difficult to have a regular time with Jesus every day, you’re not alone. Lots of busy Christian women struggle to find time for a daily prayer and devotion time. ⠀
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But I still want to encourage you to start your day with God! ⠀
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⏰ If it’s hard to spend 30 minutes in the morning for a quiet time, I want you to remember you can still begin your day with God – even if that means saying a short prayer before your feet hit the floor in the morning.⠀
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✝️ I also want to encourage you to memorize this verse:⠀
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“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.⠀
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 📖⠀
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In the morning you can recite this verse and say a prayer. It doesn’t have to take a long time. Although – if you do have time – you will be greatly blessed by spending more time in prayer and devotion.⠀
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📌 Free Printable Morning Prayer Prompts on the blog today: https://avirtuouswoman.org/morning-prayer-prompts/  #linkinbio ⠀
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#faithblogger #faithfulness #faithandfamily #bibleverseaday #christianbloggers #dailyverses #christianlife #jesuscalling #shereadstruth #Christ #Church #Christian #Jesus #Jesuslover #JesusChrist #JesusisLord #CreatorGod #Devotional #verseoftheday #Love #Faith #biblestudy #God #dailydevotional
🏠 As a homemaker, one of my goals is to be inte 🏠 As a homemaker, one of my goals is to be intentional with how I plan our days. I love any opportunity to create a good memories at home for my family and guests. ⠀⠀
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📌 If you're looking to make this holiday season really special, you need to be intentional. Goodness knows 2020 has had a lot of ups and downs. And maybe you feel like it's been mostly downs. ⠀⠀
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🎄 But the holiday season is a chance to focus on celebrating the life we have right now. Things don't need to be perfect for us to celebrate life right now!!⠀⠀
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☑️ Inside the pages of my Purpose 31 holiday planner, you'll find 8 weeks of planning and cleaning all laid out for you. Recipe pages, journaling pages, and more - 120 pages total. ⠀⠀
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✏️ The Purpose 31 Holiday Planner is by far one of the most popular resource I produce each year. ⠀⠀
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Thousands of women have downloaded it over the last four years I've offered it.⠀⠀
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So, even though it's early still, you can go ahead and downlaod it. Print it out and then set it up so you're ready to go.⠀⠀
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I usually take my holiday planner down to Office Depot and have them spiral bind it with a plastic cover for about $5.00. This year, though, I just bought a new 3 ring binder at Walmart, printed off extra cover pages to slip in the clear sleeve, and created a binder with it. ⠀⠀
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📌📌📌 If you use the planner this year, be sure to share and tag me in your photos! ❤️⠀  Download: https://avirtuouswoman.org/holiday-planner/ #linkinbio
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking #christmas #holidayplanning #planningaddict #plannercommunity #freeprintables #thanksgiving #christmastree  #plannerobsessed
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