easy dinners Archives

Easy Meal Planning Service

June 4, 2018 Rachel Sherwood

I have to be honest. I am not a meal planner. I based my daily meal decisions on what I feel I want, what I have on hand, time to actually cook, what looks good at the store or what might be on sale at the time. Over the years I have tried several different programs, apps and easy meal plan guidelines to see if they would actually make my life simpler. Typically these services add more stress and much more expense to my week. They work if you can be that structured with your food and schedule each day. Don’t get me wrong I am most definitely a planner and get far more done and completed with success and ease with a plan however when it comes to food and a busy working lifestyle with kids I can’t ever seem to make traditional meal planning work here is why.

Most meal plans give you a full week of ideas, recipes and grocery lists. This is great if you have time to cook every meal 3 times a day, yes even those with batch cooking options still require a lot of advanced meal prep. For me there are days where I need food already done heat and serve, batch or freezer meals that are hot and on the table in 10 minutes or less. This is where a lot of my Make Ahead Meal options and strategies work wonders. Many of these services offer limited flexibility for specific diets, avoiding specific ingredients or swapping out meals for something you may not like. The grocery lists include everything making which is great but I often find myself double buying items I already had or trying to sift through pages to make a new grocery list for what I actually need. I tend to have much more waste with these programs, food for recipes I didn’t have time to get to, overbuying items, or for the services that ship you ingredients mass amounts of packaging waste. Yes, most of it is recyclable but it is still so much unnecessary waste. These easy meal planning services just never really worked long term.

For the past few months I have been testing out a new easy meal planning service called PlateJoy. I stumbled upon this custom meal planning service while searching for other things. I am so happy I did. I have to admit it is the best I have ever seen. Granted this may take some clients away from me, but I just have to share because it really works. If you want a consistent flexible real life workable meal plan this is it. I am always on the look out for new ways to make life easier and more enjoyable when I find the good ones I feel obligated to share with you.

Ok so here is why I love Platejoy:

Meals designed for your unique needs

They have a personalization quiz that creates a meal plan that fits your lifestyle and preferences. It lets you choose if you want specifics like to cut calories, reduce red meat, work with a special diet like gluten or dairy free, there is even a place to just say, I don’t like this ingredient so don’t include it. It also takes into account how much time you want to spend cooking and how many meals you want to prepare each week. For example if you want or don’t want leftovers or prefer batch cooking recipes. There are lots of options so you are always getting recipes that fit your needs, tastes and timeline.

Ultimate Flexibility

It then creates your “Meal Queue” where you can see all the recipes that fit the requests you made in your personalization quiz. Note you can change your answers to see different recipes at any time so you are not locked in to a gluten, dairy, no meat, low carb diet if you don’t want to be or you can try out something new just for a week. The recipes in the meal queue are then chosen in combination to reduce the amount of food waste for your meal plan. However, you can also change your mind at any time when going over your designed meal queue to swap, remove or add recipes if see something your really want or don’t care for at the moment. Note that doing this may increase your food costs and waste but you are always getting recipes you know you will like.

You Have Control

You have control over how many recipes you get in your weekly meal plan. This is one of the main reasons I like this program so much. Each week you can update the kind of recipes you want for each category, choosing 0-5 breakfast, lunch, batch meals, dinner, snacks/desserts. This is key because depending on the week you can choose what you need. If its a busy week I will choose quick cooking meals with leftover options. If I have several lunch time meetings I will include less lunch options or if its a slower week and I have time to cook I will add extra recipes, more snacks, batch cooking and recipes that may take longer to complete. Each week you have control and flexibility. I have not found any another easy meal planning service that has done this so well.

Unique flexibility to get the meals that work well for your lifestyle.

Shopping list that takes into account what you already have on hand.

Less Waste

Next it’s on to the shopping list, my other most loved option of the PlateJoy easy meal planning service. Before it creates your personalized shopping list it walks you though your pantry allowing you to check off ingredients you already have on hand. This is so helpful because its only creates shopping list with the things you really need. No more sifting through pages of grocery lists with things you already have. For me I have a pretty well stocked pantry so my lists are generally small with fresh produce, meat and some speciality items. I did once print out the whole list as if I have nothing starting from scratch it was a bit long but organized well and easily set me up for success. As you create the next weeks menu is also has a section to use up any ingredients you may have on hand. This way of shopping also cuts down on all the excess packaging of other meal planning services that ship ingredients.

Easy to use, organized shopping list. You can shop or send directly to a shopping service.

Shopping Made Easy

The grocery list is organized by category with the amounts you need, suggestions for the butcher of how to have the meats cut and a recipe code if you want to refer back to the recipe that a particular ingredient is for or if last minute you decide you don’t want to make a recipe you can easily remove those ingredients from the list. If you want other items that are not for your chosen meal plan say you just want some more apples for the kids, need dish soap or paper towels you can add them to your list too so you are only shopping from one list. Personally I love grocery shopping and I like to choose my own thing especially produce, meat and seafood. I know this is not everyone. You may not love grocery shopping or don’t have time for it. Don’t worry, they have an easy access link with one click you can add your entire list to your instacart and have it delivered! Really they thought of everything.

Delicious Meals

There are many things I like about this easy meal planning services but no matter how easy something is to use it still must product quality results. The recipes are easy to follow and consistently produce delicious results. I think out of all the things I made after tying the service for weeks there were maybe 3 items that my family though were just ok. The majority of meals gave nightly inspiration and new family time favorites for our weekly meals. Many of the recipes my toddler even helped me prepare. He also enjoyed the variety of adult and kid friendly foods like these jerk chicken lettuce wraps.

Kid friendly meal options too, my toddler loved helping and eating these items

Easy to use portion and nutrition guides for the whole fmaily

Balanced Nutrition and Portion Size

Plate Joy also includes recommended portion sizes based on the calorie intake you requested in beginning profile making adjustments for more active individuals, those wanting to lose weight and even healthy child size portions. The nutritional information is broken out for each person for each meal if you are counting calories, carbs or just curious its all there for you. You can easily work it into any diet or fitness program you may already be enjoying or wanting to being. It truly sets you up for well rounded mealtime success.

Ok so I love it, I know this may take some clients from me but I had to share. Check out Plate Joy Here! You can use code IMPRESSIONS10 to save $10 on your subscription. If you have ever thought of trying a easy meal planning service or been frustrated by others in the past I highly recommend you give this one try.

Here are some of the great meals and snacks I made with Plate Joy

Apple, almond and coconut "oatmeal" — Apple, almond and coconut “oatmeal”

Strawberry Broccoli Salad with Paleo Poppy Seed Dressing

Sweet and Sour Broccoli Salad with Cashews

Jerk chicken, avocado and mango lettuce wraps

Batch Meal, Zucchini noodle beef lasagna

Shaking beef bowls with shaved Brussels sprouts

You can have inspired easy, delicious and healthy meals that work for you too. Check out Plate Joy Here! You can use code IMPRESSIONS10 to save $10 on your subscription.

Full Disclosure:

Sometimes I receive sample products to test and share my honest opinions about. I will ONLY promote products that I love and currently use myself. I feature these products as they have made my life simpler or more enjoyable in some way. I share them with you only as a resource to better support you in enjoying a simply delicious happy and healthy life.

All reviews are my own words and my own opinions. I share them as an expert in the field and hope these products work for you and bring as much joy to your life as they have to mine.

I will occasionally link to specific sites or include affiliate links to help you purchase similar or recommend products. Again, I will only feature items I currently use and think will truly benefit you and your family. As always it is my true effort to serve you please contact me if you have questions about this process, products I mention or would like me to consider your product for a feature highlight. I am happy to help.

Easy Stir-Fry for Weeknight Dinners

April 4, 2017 Rachel Sherwood

Weeknight meals are consistently evolving with my family. Maybe it is because I have a toddler at home but it seems every month as he continues to develop and gain new skills our plan for quick family meals gets a revamp for what’s working in the moment. Regardless of how our family meals come together I am always committed to a family mealtime where we all sit together without electronic distractions and share a meal of wholesome real foods. I strive to create practices that make mealtime with a toddler easier but some days we just have to embrace the fact that he is tossing everything on is plate across the kitchen and take heart in knowing that this too will pass.

IMG_20170328_191605 — This easy weeknight stir-fry had my toddler asking for more vegetables

One thing that is currently consistently working for us is my spin on healthy takeout. Making a homemade easy stir-fry is one of our favorite family meals for adults and toddler friendly foods. Stir-fry is great for family as it cooks quickly and offers variety so there is always something that everyone likes and a way to easily introduce new foods in a familiar setting. The best part of this easy weeknight cooking is it can use up ingredients I have on hand serving up a variety of tasty vegetables in a homemade version of healthy takeout sauce without the extra sugar and fat. This is one easy stir-fry everyone will love for weeknight dinners.

Asian Orange Ginger Stir Fry

1-2 tablespoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

1 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced (1 clove)

2 oranges zest and juice for 2 teaspoons zest about ½ cup juice

3-4 cups vegetables (carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, snow peas, sugar snap peas, green beans, eggplant, summer squash, zucchini, mushrooms all work well)

¼ cup soy sauce

¼ cup water

1 Tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1-tablespoon cold water

Wash and cut vegetables so they are similar sizes and set aside on night I know I will be home late I usually do this the night before. Remember the larger and denser the vegetable the longer it will take to cook. Carrot chunks will take longer to cook and sliced zucchini, add carrots in the beginning of the cooking process and add softer vegetables like mushrooms once the denser vegetables are partially cooked. Our use shredded or matchstick carrots for quick even cooking.

In a small bowl combine the orange juice, zest, soy sauce, water and cornstarch mixture and set aside.

Once you have all your vegetables cut and sauce ready you are set to begin cooking. Heat a heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat, add sesame oil, garlic and ginger and sauté until fragrant but not burned, about 1 minute.

Add the cut vegetables and cook until just slightly tender 2-3 minutes.

Add the reserved orange juice mixture bring to a boil and allow to simmer 1 minute until sauce is slightly thickened*. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve over cooked rice or quinoa.

3 Tips for Success:

Size Matters: Knife skills are important for visual interest; texture and making sure things cook evenly. Use a shape knife and try to make your vegetable roughly the same size.

Don’t Crowd the Pan: If you have too much food in the pan the ingredients will not cook well. They need room to move in the pan, they word sauté its self means “to Jump” the ingredients need room to jump. Use no more than four cups of chopped hard or medium-hard vegetables or eight cups chopped leafy greens in a 14-inch wok. A sauté pan will work for sit fry as well but it is not the best for large amounts of leafy greens.

Dry the Vegetables: If your vegetables are wet you will not be stir-frying but steaming and braising* in the pan creating softer vegetables this may be ok if you need a softer texture for younger eaters. If you need to cook the vegetables longer to achieve a desired texture feel free to add a little more orange juice to the pan so there is moisture.

Baby on the way? Make dinner today!

July 29, 2013November 5, 2013 Rachel Sherwood

Brooke says, “I am due to have a baby soon. Can you point me in the direction of a few good meal options to make now and freeze for later when the baby arrives?”

Of course I can help you. If your tired the last thing you want to be worrying about with a new baby at home is what to serve for dinner. Here are two well loved favorites. I make these in large batches and freeze them in easy to serve portions to make thawing faster. This weeks Impressions at Home Newsletter is also on this topic as well. You can sign up by sending a email to info@impressionsathome.com if you don’t already receive it.

This is a family favorite make a head meal — This is a family favorite make ahead meal

Stuffed Shells

This is the basic cheese recipe but feel free to add 1lb of cooked italian sausage or 16oz cooked and drained spinach to the cheese mixture for more interesting flavor combinations.

2 box jumbo pasta shells

2 16oz ricotta

4 cups grated mozzarella

4 cups grated cheddar

3 eggs beaten

2 cups Parmesan

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 Jar of your favorite marinara sauce

Cook the pasta shells to the package directions.

In a large bowl mix the ricotta, 3 cheeses and eggs together, season with salt, pepper and onion powder.

Cool the cooked shells by running them under cold water. Stuff cooked shells with cheese mixture by using a tablespoon.

Place stuffed shells in pan cover with marinara sauce

Bake 350 for about 30 min till hot, or 45min-1 hour if frozen

To freeze stuff shells as directed and place in a freezer zip lock bag without sauce. To serve take as many as you need out, cover with sauce in pan and bake till warm.

Sweet Potato Walnut burritos

These take a bit of time to make so go for at least a double batch or invite some friends over and make it a party. Wrap and freeze them in sets of two for easy freezing and eating. They are a wonderful vegetarian option that even your meat lovers will enjoy.

1/2 cup green lentils sorted, rinsed well and drained

1 large sweet potato about one pound peeled and cut into 1 in cubes

2 T Olive oil

1 medium onion chopped

salt and pepper to taste

2 garlic cloves minced

1 1/2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp coriander

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 c grated cheddar or monterey jack cheese

3/4 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

3/4 can crushed tomatoes

6 (8in) flour tortillas

1/2 cup grated cheddar or monterey jack cheese

chopped fresh cilantro

Place lentils or peas in 1 1/3 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until tender yet firm 25-35 min for lentils, 1 hour 15 min for peas. Drain and set aside.

Please sweet potato in a medium saucepan with just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until cubes are soft but still hold shape about 20 min, Drain and mash them into a large bowl. set aside.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the onion salt/pepper and sauté, stirring occasionally until the inion begins to soften about 2 min. reduce heat and stir in garlic and all spices. Saute till onion is translucent about 6 min more

Add the onion mixture, lentils/peas, 1/2 cup cheese, walnuts, crushed tomatoes to the mashed sweet potatoes and mix well.

Pre heat oven to 350. In a 9×13 pan fill a tortilla with about 1 sixth of the filling and roll it securely. Place it seam side down in the baking dish. Continue until tortillas and filling are gone. Cover dish tightly with foil bake for 30 min until heated through. remove foil from pan place 1 -2 sliced tomatoes on top of each burrito and sprinkle with cheese. Return to oven to melt cheese and garnish with cilantro. Serve with salsa and sour cream if desired.