Our weekdays are cRaZy! We pick up a bag and go… run in drop that bag-grab another and go… My car starts clean and by Friday it’s a war zone. We live life very full Monday- Friday and while we probably complain some, we REALLY love living busy! The ONLY way we can keep up the pace is to have some weekend prep that makes all the difference in how well we handle the week.
Meal Prep and Snack Pack
If you’re like us- if you don’t plan it out… Mealtime becomes what are we going to get on our way home or order from DoorDash? We WANT to eat healthy, energy rich meals, but without planning it just doesn’t happen.
On Sunday afternoon (on the good weeks), the girls and I will prep 2-3 meals and stock up with a few snack/breakfast items. I try to find things that all have similar ingredients and we can chop once and cook 3 meals. Or brown 2 lbs of beef and chop up 1 rotisserie chicken- 1 for spaghetti and 1 for tacos, and 1 sloppy joes. We get all the meals ready and then put in the frig. Then we make zip lock bags of snacks for quick grab and go- carrots, grapes, strawberries, or cashews are some of our favorites. Here are just a few of our favorite cheats for a good week.
- Protein Bites – peanut butter, Nutella, oatmeal then add as desired: chocolate chips, flax seeds, raisins, rice cereal, coconut… Roll into balls and refrigerate.
- Egg Bites- Brown Sausage or Bacon and then whip up eggs. Add as desired: cilantro, mushrooms, tomato, onion…. Pour into a mini muffin pan and bake until cooked through. Refrigerate and then pull out to microwave for a fast healthy breakfast.
- Pancakes- I will either mix all the batter the night before and just refrigerate OR I will actually make the pancakes and just heat them up in the morning. Chop up some fruit and it’s their favorite breakfast done really easily!
Calendar
A quick run through the week on my calendar and I make a few lists. This is best done when John and I can do it together because then we can divide up tasks, driving, and be on the same page for the week
- Events that need a purchase – birthday gift, bridal shower.
- Home appointments or projects that need a decision or purchase- paint color, new lightbulbs.
- Schedule things that are weird- orthodontist appointment, early out at school
- a list of small objectives for each day that will get me closer to some of my big goals. Read 30 minutes in a specific book, watch the training video, reach out to 3 people about xyz
5 Minute Refresh for Each Room
Take 5 minutes and go through each room just straighten up a bit. Put everything that does not belong in that room in a laundry basket. Fold the throw blanket, straighten the pillows, throw away the trash, wipe off a surface. Nothing big! You are NOT cleaning the room. You are simply giving it a refresh before the week begins. Best strategy is to get the whole family involved! Set the timer, blast some music and get going!
Plan Outfits – YOU Included
This doesn’t have to be a huge endeavor. Simply lay out a few matching options for the kids, think through if you or your husband are going to need something that is in the hamper or at the cleaners. You don’t have to plan every day- just think ahead if there is a special event- (photos, lunch, meeting, event).
Relax
Take some time to do something that is relaxing and fun! It can be anything from a jog to a nap! You need a little time where you can just be YOU… I used to love laying down on the floor and playing Barbies with the girls for an hour or making a loaf of pumpkin bread with a new recipe. Taking a quick walk around the block or reading a novel that has ABSOLUTELY NO EDUCATIONAL VALUE. Don’t feel guilty! Enjoy!
