Food is one of the biggest causes of everyday stress in a typical home. What to buy, what to eat, how to cook it, how to clean it up— all of these things often leave us perplexed and frustrated. We believe dinnertime should serve as a time of rest and connection with the people we love, rather than leave us stressed out and ready for bedtime. Simplifying mealtime is one of the best things you can do to embrace the inevitable chaos and enjoy the time with your family more. So today, our team is sharing our favorite simple weeknight meals. Your family won't remember you slaving away in the kitchen on a fancy meal all day, but they will remember the time spent around the table together. Let's embrace more of that.
(Read more tips on simplifying meals in Emily's book, A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living.)
Emily's Favorite: We like our weeknight meals to be 1) healthy, 2) easy, and 3) kid approved. Three meals we have on repeat are Zoodles (zucchini spiraled to look like noodles) and shrimp (love this recipe), sheet pan chicken thighs (they're just SO much tastier than chicken breasts), and mac & peas (mix frozen peas in with Annies Mac & Cheese)! When we go out, we love Fresh Kitchen or Zoe's Kitchen (a Whole30 partner)!
Brittany's Favorite: My go-to easy weeknight meal is crockpot salsa chicken! I put 3-4 frozen chicken breasts in the crockpot and pour in a 16oz jar of our favorite chunky salsa. Put on the lid and cook on low for 7 hrs. Remove the chicken and shred with 2 forks, return to the crockpot and cook for 1 additional hour. Easy peasy and delicious--one of our favorites for make-your-own taco or burrito bowl night!
Whitney's Favorite: I'm a sucker for the frozen gnocchi at Trader Joe's! I'll add some ground beef and sautéed veggies to make it a more well-rounded meal, but it doesn't get much easier than that!
Hannah's Favorite: If I know I have a busy week ahead, I'll make Nom Nom Paleo's Kalua Pig on Sunday and use it for meals throughout the week. It's so yummy and Whole30 friendly (my favorite recipe to incorporate it into is Egg Roll in a Bowl). I also buy Aidells chicken & apple sausage in bulk at Costco and will either cook those with eggs for breakfast, or with potatoes and brussels sprouts for dinner. So good!
Taylor's Favorite: If Brett and I know we have a busy week ahead, these are our favorite go-to meals. 1) Grilled cheese (fontina, gruyere, and caramelized onions) with a can of tomato soup! 2) BLT with a super easy dill mayo (mayo, dried dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, pepper). 3) Steamed shrimp from Publix and caesar salad!
Jessa's Favorite: Favorite easy weeknight meals would have to be Brussels & Apple Chicken Sausage roasted in the oven, Turkey Kielbasa with potatoes, green beans and onion in the crockpot or Bahn mi lettuce wraps! YUM!
Dusty's Favorite: My all time favorite easy weeknight meal is Instant Pot Carnitas! Follow this recipe exactly and do NOT forget the lime!
