I spend a lot of time, money, and energy feeding my family. I not only want them to be fed, but I want them to eat quality food. I also really want them to enjoy those meals which can be difficult with varying appetites and preferences. I need to accomplish this within my busy lifestyle of school, work, and evenings full of activities. Oh, and groceries are expensive. It’s complicated. I know I’m not alone in the struggle to consistently provide nutritious and delicious food for my family. Is it possible? Is it worth it? 

I want to share with you my very uncomplicated solution to this problem. Family-style meal prepping has served my family so well. I hope sharing my story and process will inspire you to find a simple, effective, and sustainable way to keep you and your family enjoying good food together!

My method for consistently providing nutritious meals for my family – regardless of our schedule and within a reasonable budget – will not blow your mind. It is simple and effective. I started our meal prep process when my kids were three and one. It wasn’t really for them at this point – my firstborn was the kind of eater that really humbles a food-loving-mama. I wanted to make sure that my husband and I had access to meals that fueled us throughout the day without having to prep and cook every night of the week. When I started cooking food on Sundays that would last through the week, I had no idea the effect that it would have on my life. I didn’t anticipate the ways it would serve us through demanding and difficult seasons in the years to come. These simple and delicious foods became our comfort foods.  

When I started meal prepping, I had two toddlers and my husband worked until well after bedtime all week. While he was home on Sunday, I would cook enough food to last us until Thursday or Friday. Once the weekend rolled around I would cook something different, we’d go out for dinner, or eat with friends. Having nutritious and delicious lunches and dinners available to us during the week freed up so much time and mental energy. I didn’t have to worry about what I would cook or how I would do it with fussy or clingy toddlers. When it was time to eat, I just reheated my meal and ate it, and was able to focus my attention and energy on my people.

This process freed me to enjoy my food and my time. I no longer struggled with eating meals that I regretted or not eating at all because my food was always ready and waiting for me. I loved knowing that my husband had good fuel all day while working long hours and that it was easy and convenient for him. The process met our needs – and provided even more benefits than we expected. 

At this time, I still prepped separate dinners for my kids. I had one very picky eater and just wasn’t sure how to make our meal prep work for either of them. For a couple of years, I would make other easy meals for them to eat separately from our meal prep. It was working then, but I hoped for a time when we would all eat the same food.

That’s where we are now. Those toddlers grew into an almost-nine-year-old and almost-seven-year-old and we have a new toddler. Our days are full of homeschooling fun and every evening is filled with activities. I’m still meal-prepping on Sundays and have learned some new tricks that make it possible for my entire family to eat the same food. 

Ok, let me lay it out for you. I do not prepare multiple recipes that require a lot of time and ingredients. I told you – uncomplicated. On Sundays, I make 2-3 proteins, 2 carbs, and 2-3 veggies. This is efficient and cost-effective. I cook them and store them separately so that we can use them in different ways throughout the week. My husband and I keep it very simple. For each meal, we pair a protein with a carb and veggie. 

For the kids, I give them more variety and options to keep them from getting burned out on any one meal. They have options most nights – chicken or turkey, rice or potatoes, broccoli or brussels sprouts. Some nights we may change up the carbs for them by throwing in some pantry/fridge staples – taco shells or Mac-n-cheese. Or maybe cook a frozen burger patty for their protein to change it up and serve with potatoes and veggies. This is how I accommodate preferences (to an extent) without making separate meals for each person. 

For an easy breakfast, we may throw some carbs (rice or potatoes) and veggies in a skillet and scramble eggs with them. I love to top it with salsa and avocado. This is a quick and easy breakfast that is packed with nutrients! 

There are so many options to change up what your meals look like if you need variety or need to accommodate different preferences within your family. You don’t have to do any extra work during the week, though. Once the food is cooked, it is ready and available for you to reheat and enjoy. That’s an important part that we need to talk about. You want to enjoy it. I’ve cooked ground turkey and chicken thighs every week for the past six years. Within those 300+ meal prep Sundays, I’ve learned exactly how we like it. I know our favorite seasonings and our favorite method of cooking for each item. This takes trial and error, and I know that it will continue to change over time. You find what you enjoy, how you enjoy it, and you stick with it! 

On the weekends, we are usually out of meal prep, and that’s when we eat different things. I will make one of our family favorites, or try a new recipe from a cookbook or Pinterest. This gives us some variety and allows us to find fun new foods we enjoy.

As parents, our lives are full of so many things demanding our attention. Feeding our family is a big one. It doesn’t have to be a burden or something to dread. It’s not impossible to consistently feed your family nutritious and delicious meals within your busy and demanding lifestyle. Keep it simple. Choose the most convenient cook day within your week and prep some proteins, carbs, and veggies to eat throughout the week. This will free your mind and time to meet other needs during the week without sacrificing nutrition. Use your easier nights in the week to cook something fun, go out to dinner, or eat with friends. Enjoy food with your family and fuel your bodies for a healthy and full lifestyle. It’s worth it.

Here’s a list of some of our favorite meal prep foods, pantry/fridge staples to give the kids some variety, and combos that my kids love. I hope this list inspires you to find the foods and combos that will appeal to your family!

Miller Family Favorites

Protein: Ground Turkey, Chicken Thighs, Pork Chops, Salmon, Flank Steak

Carbs: Jasmine Rice, Red Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes

Veggies: Brussel sprouts, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Salad

Pantry/Fridge Staples (to go with meal prep):Eggs, Tortillas, Taco Shells, Noodles, Mac-n-cheese, Frozen burger patties

Kids’ favorite meals using meal prep food + pantry/fridge staples:

Ground turkey on a tortilla or taco shell with cheese and veggies on the side

Ground turkey mixed with rice and veggies

Chicken thighs with veggies and mac-n-cheese or buttered noodles

Burger patty with potatoes and veggies