Ever feel like you don’t get enough time in your day? Sometimes that feeling can be justified, but it’s also possible that you’re just too busy! That’s why I always emphasize the importance of having a schedule for your family and sticking to it. Weekly meal prepping is a great way to stay on top of your cooking, grocery budget and save precious time during a busy week.

In my home, I actually put aside time at the end of each week to create a meal plan for the upcoming days. This simple habit not only helps me save time, but it also makes my week nights less hectic, so I can enjoy the time I have with my family.

Give Yourself Time to Pick Your Meals

I usually do this on Saturdays and I have my son Nick help me. I highly recommend involving your children in as many family-life activities as possible, as it instills a sense of belonging, personal responsibility and contribution.

Each week, I also let my son pick one ingredient he’s never tried (he’s still young so there are many choices) and together we pick a meal with that ingredient so he can experience it! This is such a fun experience for both him and I, I recommend you give it a try in your own kitchen.

Where to Find Recipes

With my son Nick, we start by going through our family recipe box and selecting what we find appealing. I LOVE my family recipe box, because I have everything in it – including my grandmother’s handwritten recipe cards, which are priceless!

Do you have a family recipe box or looking to create one? Download my fillable recipe cards here!

In my home, we are big fans of both asian and western meals, so each week we try to balance those two cuisines in our schedule.

If we want more variety than what the recipe box has to offer, I also have many recipe books in my kitchen! I’m a huge fan of Gwyneth Paltrow’s recipe book The Clean Plate, and I frequently consult recipe apps on my phone. I always get inspired by other people’s ideas which I then spruce up with my own twist. This helps me keep my meals fresh and cooking exciting.

With Recipes Selected, I Plan the Grocery Trip

Before all else, I check my cupboard for the ingredients on my list. Because I already have most of my dry ingredients in clear jars, it’s very easy to spot what I have and what I need more of. Before my trip to the store, I check the expiration dates of my ingredients and throw out what is no longer usable.

I do this quick declutter every week, and my fridge and pantry always looks clean & smells fresh. With my list ready , I go shopping!

Cooking Ahead? Use Clear Jars!

For this task I use Bormiolli clear jars. Bormioli glass jars are innovative glass containers designed to provide the highest quality of food storage. They’re beautiful, safe and hold well through varying temperatures, so my food is always fresh, no matter when I eat it. It’s also dishwasher safe which is great if you have a busy family full of children that love to help cook.

I hope this blog convinced you to start planning your meals! Meal prep can be a great tool for organizing your kitchen and saving you precious time, so go ahead and try it. Do you have a great tip to save time you’d like to share with me? DM me your ideas at @bless_the_mess_ !

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You can also contact me or subscribe to my newsletter here.

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