From Eating Out to Taking it Home

I admit it. We eat out a lot. Too much. Jeff and I were reviewing our credit card statement the other day and I kept seeing the same places pop up: Panera, Pei Wei, the supposedly healthy convenience foods we rely on as we head from one after-school activity to another.

I was shocked to see the bottom line when I added it all up. We’ve been spending far too much money eating out all the time.

We do it for the convenience. Admittedly, I don’t spend enough time planning ahead for healthy meals on our busy afternoons.

We (used to) do it for the cost savings. I’ve been kidding myself, thinking that we’re saving money by eating out. Because when I don’t meal plan, I don’t cook. And then I end up throwing away food when it goes bad.

Here’s part of my frustration when it comes to dinners: My kids can’t agree on what they want to eat. Everyone has their own tastes, so one wants to go to Chipotle while the other wants something from the deli at the grocery store. Meanwhile, I don’t really care; I just try to find the healthiest thing on the menu.

On the rare occasion that I do cook, I feel like I’m doing it short-order style. Because, again, everyone wants something different.

Interestingly, Lucy commented once that at her summer camp, everyone gets what they get. There’s no choice. But somewhere along the line we, as parents, have made it okay for one kid to have a hot dog for dinner while another one had spaghetti.

Making the Commitment to Plan

With all the gut health issues I’ve been having, I know this eating out has got to go. It’s not good for me and it’s not good for my family. So I’ve been on the lookout for a new way to do this dinner thing.

Talking to a friend the other day, I was inspired by her planning process. Each weekend she looks in her refrigerator and pantry to see what ingredients she could put together for meals in the coming week, making a list of additional ingredients she’ll need. Using her work calendar and kids’ activity calendar as a guide, she plugs the meals into specific days of the week. Then she heads to the store to get what she needs. It literally takes her 30 minutes for a whole dinner plan for the week. Genius!

I’m going to give this meal planning thing a try. But I have an ask for you! What are your favorite healthy recipes? Recipes that are easy to make and do well with substitutions (you know, so I can still try to give my kids what they want but don’t have to spend all day making different meals).

Let me know in the comments!

xoxo - Lee

About Lee

I am a 44-year old married mom of 4. I love my family. If you’re a mom, then you know kids and a spouse keep you busy. It’s easy to forget yourself in the process of taking care of your family. My mission is to help other moms take care of themselves so they can be more available to their loved ones and lead more fulfilling lives.