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Healthy meal planning for busy blended families can involve great thought and effort. Many question or ask, ” How can I successfully accommodate picky eaters, allergens, busy schedules as well as ensure that grocery shopping trips are quick and painless and that daily meals incorporate a balance of deliciousness and healthiness?” Look no further! Today’s read will answer all the corresponding questions. Read on to find out!

Grocery Shop Planning

In- Person Grocery Shopping

Fortunately, one can complete grocery shopping either in-person and online. I find that I have resorted to both. When I decide to go grocery shopping in- person, I prefer the following: it happens first thing in the morning and when my spouse is home. Reason being, I prefer to get in, go without the kids and not deal with a large crowd.

Not everyone prefers early- morning in- person shopping and may need their children to accompany them and that certainly is okay. I highly suggest you select a time that is most desirable to you. Should you decide in-person shopping, consider using reusable grocery shopping bags . I personally find using reusable grocery bags helpful with minimizing waste and clutter.

Online Grocery Shopping

Ordering groceries online requires more strategy and planning. Therefore, I suggest ordering groceries before your essential items run low. I would also suggest creating a store account so the process of ordering can be done at various times throughout your day. Please consider the most optimal time for pick up, transfer of groceries to your home, and put away process. For me, again, I aim to pick up groceries first thing in the morning either during the week or the weekend. I find that I’ am able to avoid great amounts of traffic and early morning time selection doesn’t conflict with afternoon commitments (school pick up, homework, dinner, family bonding, etc.).

I particularly aim to consume mostly organic produce and meats. Therefore, I scout out grocery stores with great affordability and close proximity to my residence. Also, I aim to shop in bulk for my larger sized family. If you prefer to purchase healthy snacks, condiments, and miscellaneous products, I suggest your local Costco, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, stores that have products in bulk readily available. What I find to be quite efficient is breaking down or compartmentalizing my shopping trips. In other words, shopping for produce and meats one day and shopping for snacks, condiments and miscellaneous items on another day.

Healthy Meal Planning for Busy Blended Families

Aim to select meals that are: enjoyed by your blended family, can be simply tweaked, consumed across all seasons, and can be quickly prepared. I aim to buy produce that can be incorporated in most if not all my meals. Some suggested produce to consider include: zucchini, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, and kale. These suggested items can be good for: pancakes, muffins, pastas, healthy versions of fries, smoothies, and soups.

Also, the selected vegetables tend to be bland which works wonders for your picky eaters. Out of all fruits, I find my that blended family enjoy the following: mangos, berries, oranges, bananas, pineapple, cantaloupe, and apples. Fortunately, my family can consume these across all seasons. When it comes to meats, my family solely consume mostly chicken and turkey.

Other quick staples that are healthy and favored by my picky eaters include the following products: cereal (Chex) , oatmeal ( Bob’s Red Mill), waffles ( Van gluten free brand), chicken tenders (Perdue Organic chicken tenders), and bagels ( Pepridge Farm). The mentioned items can be eaten anytime of the day. My family enjoys breakfast meals anytime of the day. These items make for quick go to meals also anytime of the day.

Suggested Healthy Meal Ideas for Busy Blended Families

The meal ideas that I suggested are meals that my family personally enjoys. Also, these meals can be easily prepared daily or in advance. Specifically, the meals with pasta and soups can be made in bulk, can be frozen and eaten at a later time. Older children and family members not thrilled about cooking can utilize these easy go- to meals. These recipes can be tweaked to meet dietary restrictions ( i.e., lactose free, gluten-free) and/or allergens.

Breakfast Meal Ideas:

• Zucchini / Sweet Potato potato patties , turkey sausage, and oranges
• Oatmeal Pizza with greek yogurt and fruit
• Oatmeal and Apples

Lunch Meal Ideas:

• Smoothie and rice cakes
• Vegan Ramen bowl
• Spinach quesadilla, blue corn tortilla chips,

Dinner Meal Ideas:

• Spaghetti ( green zucchini, peppers, onions, mushroom, ground turkey)
• Carrot Apple Pancakes and Turkey Bacon
• Zucchini Turkey Soup with Hawaiian Bread

Meal Prepping Suggestions for Busy Blended Families

Typically, I cook on the following days: Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. I typically aim to have simpler meals, leftovers, or food out Fridays and Saturdays. I tend to prepare my meals during the earlier parts of the day. For parents who work, I would suggest capitalizing on your days off, if not off, either aim to cook earlier in the morning and/or later in the evening after kids are asleep.

Again, aim for the most optimal time, a time that presents less conflict in your blended family’s everyday schedule. Also, depending on your family’s makeup, either rotate meal prep with your spouse daily or weekly, have your older children assist with making simplified meals ( i.e, sandwiches, pasta, pancakes, etc), and/or utilize crock pots and/or already prepared meals for your busier days.

Conclusion

Meal prepping can involved many steps, but is totally doable. There are a surplus of meal ideas readily accessible via PINTEREST and within this article to ensure that can be both healthy and delicious. When looking at your schedule, consider when grocery shopping can be done most quickly whether in person, with the kids, and/or via online. Take an inventory of meals favored the most by your blended family, meals that take less time, and can be tweaked effortlessly. Meal prepping can be done collaboratively and individually with much creativity and intention. Remember my busy blended bees, when life feels tough, or things get hard , including meal planning, remember, piece with peace.

Feel free to drop comments of tried meals, suggestions, and strategies incorporated from this provided blog. Should you have any creative recipes and/or recommendations, please feel free to share!