Sports Moms & Meal Prep

Are you a busy Mom juggling work, school, and sports practices? Do you find yourself scrambling to put a meal on the table? Fear not, for there are ways to streamline your meal prep and save time in the kitchen during those hectic weeks. 

Plan Ahead Like a Pro

First things first, take a few minutes each week to plan out your meals. I often do this on Saturday evening or Sunday morning. This simple step can save you a ton of time and stress. Sit down with your family and brainstorm meal ideas for the week. Consider quick and easy recipes that can be made in crockpots or in batches and reheated throughout the week.

Batch Cooking: Your New BFF

Batch cooking is a game-changer for busy families. I try to do this if I know our week is going to be super busy and there will not be much time to cook in the evenings. In that case, spend a few hours on the weekend cooking up large batches of your favorite dishes, like casseroles, soups, or stir-fries. Divide them into individual portions and store them in the fridge or freezer for easy grab-and-go meals during the week. A go-to for me is batch making burritos…both breakfast burritos and regular burritos. These freeze and reheat very well. Another weekly staple I make are protein balls! These are great for a quick grab and go breakfast.

Get the Kids Involved

Turn meal prep into a fun family activity by getting the kids involved. Assign age-appropriate tasks like washing vegetables, stirring pots, or assembling ingredients. Not only does this lighten your load, but it also teaches your kids valuable cooking skills.

Invest in Time-Saving Tools

Consider investing in time-saving tools like a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or air fryer. These gadgets can help you whip up delicious meals in a fraction of the time. Plus, they require minimal effort on your part, allowing you to focus on other tasks while your meal cooks.

Embrace Leftovers

Leftovers are your best friend when it comes to saving time in the kitchen. Instead of dreading them, think of them as a quick and easy meal option. Get creative with how you repurpose leftovers into new dishes to keep things interesting for your family.

With these time-saving meal prep tips, you can spend less time stressing about dinner and more time enjoying quality moments with your family. So, put your plan into action, crank up the music, and have some fun in the process. Your future self will thank you.

My Typical Week Plan

I like to make it as easy as possible, so this is what I found that works the best for me:

• Monday - Chicken Monday - Crock Pot Chicken (make sandwich or put on salads, etc.)
• Tuesday - Yep, Taco Tuesday…they are super easy! I typically use the crock pot chicken and make tacos or quesadillas
• Wednesday - Soupy Wednesday (ingredients prepped and in the refrigerator from Sunday. Made fresh on the stove or in a crockpot
• Thursday - Pasta Thursday 
• Friday - Leftovers