less decisions, more watermelon please
matrescence missives #15 - summer meal rotation & recipe source round-up
It takes me less than 10 minutes (sometimes 5!) to plan a whole week of meals for our family of four.
Of course this hasn’t always been the case. A few years ago, I got real serious about systematizing this process. Planning, shopping, prepping, cooking was simply taking WAY TOO MUCH time and effort in a very full life. It took some time to find my rhythm, but the feeding my family thing now feels HANDLED.
+ these basic guidelines have made all the difference in finding a system that works (for right now):
Narrow your options.
Reduce the decisions you need to make the day-of.
Establish a consistent rhythm for the key routines (planning, shopping, prepping).
If you’re in the thick of it, make it even simpler than you think it should be.
We’re getting super practical this week, friends… sharing a quick snapshot of our weekly menu board from our seasonal summer rotation + a round-up of my favorite cookbooks and recipe sites for young families (there’s only a handful I regularly rely on, and that’s by design)
Summer Menu Board Snapshot
Recovery Quinoa salad (make-ahead, lasts for several days)
Quinoa, Chickpea and Dill salad (+ grilled chicken sausage) from Simply Real Eating
MYO pizza (’lil trees and sausage pizza rebrand courtesy of Feeding Littles)
BBQ pulled chicken/pork sandwiches + grilled zucchini + baked sweet potatoes
Hamburgers + corn on the cob + grilled veggie (e.g. asparagus/zucchini)
Watermelon (with a side of watermelon)
For an “I just can’t” night, two go-to options: (a) chicken nuggets, frozen veggies, and fruit or (b) spaghetti bolognese and broccoli. I usually slot in at least one “I just can’t night” night + one Leftovers night to fill out the week.
PRO TIP: Keep an “I just can’t” list of meals on your fridge for those nights YOU JUST CAN NOT (quick meals you don’t have to think about with very little prep). These are like plan B if something in your week goes awry and it gives you just the right amount of wiggle room required for life with littles.
» Snag my free roadmap of the 5 must-have systems that change the game in early motherhood… the first one is the menu board system I use day-in and day-out!
pssst - this also gets you on the list for more info about my upcoming digital course on Meal Planning & Prep for families in the thick of it - a comprehensive step-by-step process for getting your family’s meals HANDLED (completely customizable to your needs, your season, your resources).
📚 Favorite cookbooks
Simply Real Eating: Everyday Recipes and Rituals for a Healthy Life Made Simple
focus on “real foods”, generally simple, taste great, few and simple ingredients (has my favorite chickpea dill salad!) + ideas and tips for simplifying meal planning
Feeding Littles and Beyond: 100 Baby-Led-Weaning-Friendly Recipes the Whole Family Will Love
great kid options that are also good for the whole family. Lots of little “shortcuts” and tips aimed right at families with young kids for how to make things simple, easy, and fun for picky eaters too. Written by dietitians and kid eating experts.
Run Fast. Eat Slow.: Nourishing Recipes for Athletes: A Cookbook
especially love some of the hearty salad options, breakfast options, and smoothies
💻 Favorite blogs & online recipe sites
General
General and easily filter-able based on cooking style/food preferences/ etc. Great for how to do a lot of the “basics.”
General (with a healthy focus + GF/DF friendly)
Love and Lemons + Cookie and Kate
Healthy, whole food, vegan and vegetarian recipes
Kid-focused
Recipes Archive - Mama Knows Nutrition
Mama Knows Nutrition is my kid picky eater guru - she’s got some great extra resources like guides and courses you can purchase if this is big area for you
great for snacks and simple, kid-friendly options
great resource for the starting solids phase, baby-led-weaning recipes and more (including a new book out all about lunch boxes
+ a few Substack favorites for additional inspo:
(lots of amazing recipes and meal plans for subscribers - I’m still in a much simpler cooking season, but if cooking is your jam - there’s some great stuff here) (cooking simple + delicious food for young kids and their exhausted parents)If you found this helpful, please share this with a friend who could use a dose of love in their inbox.
Have a wonderful week full of watermelon,
Lauren
P.S. If you find yourself in this liminal of early motherhood, feeling uncertain or lost or unmoored - I’ve got something for you. In the Redefine Intensive, we dive deep into the liminal space, grounded in the lens of matrescence. This is a small group program for moms in the early years seeking clarity, connection, ease.
Life-changing prompts + tools + support + connection.
*Enrolling now for the fall Redefine Intensive cohort beginning Sept. 18th - 8 spots only.
**EARLY BIRD SIGN-UP bonus available through Aug. 20th.
I help women in the early years of motherhood restore their life force postpartum, redefine what matters most, and redesign their rhythms and routines to navigate this transformational period with less overwhelm and more ease.
P.P.S. If you’re ready for support NOW and can’t wait until the fall for the next group cohort - reply to this email to work together.