When it comes to planning out your meals for any length of time, the key is finding recipes that work for YOU. While these recipes and ideas below are here to help you, just note that it is important to be flexible with what works for your family.
After all, this has to work for you, not for me.
Have you found this series helpful so far?
Week one started with all about the planning process.
Week two was all about having the right kind of kitchen tools.
Now here we are with week three. Maybe one of the most fun topics because it is all about FOOD. When you are planning and prepping, having the right recipes is key.
Next week, I will share what I do from start to finish and how long it takes me.
Prepping breakfast? These are some of my favorites.
- Make a loaf of banana bread. This one is gluten free and vegan and is simple to make. I love it for breakfast and snacks but making it on the weekend and having it ready to eat is nice.
- Have you had overnight oats yet? What?! You haven’t? You gotta try out this recipe… it is so easy and takes about 5 minutes to make the night before and it is then ready in the morning.
- Yummy Granola… a favorite in the Castle house. I make this all the time and add it to my smoothies and yogurt bowls. I like making my own because it is easy to do, tastes better, and is healthier.
Prepping lunch recipes? Here are a few of my go-to’s.
- This quinoa salad is incredibly easy to make, helps me use up whatever I have in the fridge, and lasts well all week long when stored in an airtight container.
- I like salads during the week but not every day. However, when I do eat them they need to have something crunchy (add on crunchy stuff when ready to eat), beans, and a mix of veggies. This vegan taco salad is one I like to make a lot.
- Sometimes I’ll make soup/chili for dinner and then those leftovers make the perfect lunch the next day so I gotta include those here. My favorites: white bean chili, 3 bean chili, and a veggie curry.
What about dinner recipes?
Ok, so I do not prep actual dinners but as I have said before, I do prep ingredients to help dinner time go a little bit faster. You can read more about that in the first week’s post.
I do have some easy to make recipes though, that are my go-to for fast meals. BONUS: they make great leftovers the next day!
Still looking for more recipes?
I’ve got you covered!
These recipes here are ones I make SO many times because they go with so many things. Pick one or two if they are new to you and see what you think:
- Cashew cream or in one of these flavors. These go in pastas (think last minute dinner – cook pasta, throw in a veggie, top with a bit of this sauce, add on a side and dinner is done), on top of pizza, or can be a sandwich spread for lunches during the week.
- Oil-Free Hemp Seed Pesto. Used as dips, spreads, in pasta dishes, or with potatoes.
- Vegan Nutty Parmesan. If you follow me on Instagram and watch my stories, you will see I make this A LOT and it goes on just about every single thing I eat. Salads, bowls, soups, pastas… go make this one right now actually.
- Make your own beans. I don’t have a recipe per se but I have a video that you can watch here. Follow the directions on the back of your bag of beans.
How to speed things up
All of these recipes can add up and the last thing I want to encourage is for you to spend the whole day in the kitchen. It is important to prep what you can but keep it as simple as possible.
When you are at the store, look for prepared salads or soups (be sure to read the ingredient label)
One of my favorites is from Trader Joe’s (pictured below). I will take this container and add it into cooked quinoa. It is so delicious and helps extend one meal into many.
Do you have a favorite recipe you use for your meals during the week?
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