The best ways to create a simple field meal plan for delicious home cooked meals when you’re super busy – from a seasoned and also super busy farm wife.
I know it is only January, but spring planting will be here before we know it. I’ve been thinking about how to help future me squeeze in those field meal deliveries between daycare pickups and softball practices. There is nothing worse than coming home after a busy day and having to think about what you’re making for dinner. I know I can’t be the only one trying to do it all during busy season. So I thought I’d share how I meal plan our meals, including field meals. And don’t worry, this mama needs meal planning to be simple and flexible.
Why other meal plans failed
If you’re anything like me you’ve heard the benefits of meal planning touted all over the internet. You’ve seen the elaborate month long meal plan and grocery list that your favorite influencer swears by. And maybe you, like me, have also tried one of those elaborate influencer meal plans…. and it failed.
I found two main reasons these meal plans didn’t work for me. The first being that they required more mental energy than I have to dedicate to meal planning. Whether it’s unfamiliar and complex recipes, or elaborate grocery lists, or lengthy monthly/weekly planning sessions. The second being that the meal plan was planned according to a family schedule that is predictable. As you know, farm life is anything but predictable.
Simple field meal plan strategy
So I went to my own favorite home cook for meal plan inspiration – my mom. And to be fair she has been telling me about the benefits of having a meal list written out since I was a kid. I’ve sort of used this process for a decade, but kept that list in my head. And let me tell you, its hectic in there. With all of these meals on paper and out of my head I can throttle down my mental load. And it feels so good!
Bonus: Take turns planning meals each week or ask each family member to choose one idea from your list. Everyone gets one meal a week to look forward to and you have less decision making to do!
Use a pantry staples and weekly grocery list
I also combined this with something else that I have done informally for a long time, a weekly grocery list – or capsule grocery list if you will. I find that I buy the same things at the store week after week anyway. Then, I added a pantry list that only includes items we use on a regular basis. For example pasta we use weekly or baking items we use monthly. I stick to this list and it has drastically reduced grocery store stress and impulse purchases.
Bonus: Save a weekly grocery list in your favorite grocery pickup or delivery app for really busy weeks. Simply hit reorder and you know you’ll have the basics covered.
Simple field meal plan – Step 1
List out all of the meals you know how to make. This shouldn’t take long and can be added to later. Include a list. of your go to side dishes to mix and match with your meals. Don’t be afraid to keep it simple – meat, veggies, starch. I organized my list by meat and made a note of cooking method. I keep a category for easy to transport field meal ideas. When planting or harvest rolls around I can plug more of these into my meal plan.
Simple meal plan strategy – Step 2
Look through your list of meals and pick 5 or so fast food meals. These are the meals you can make in your sleep and only take less than 30 minutes to prepare. Our fast foods are tacos, snack dinner, meatball primavera (made with my easy homemade freezer meatballs), and sheet pan dinners.
Simple field meal plan – Step 3
Make a list of pantry staples and your weekly grocery list. Be sure you have all of the non-perishable ingredients for your meal list, especially your fast food meals. Jot them down quickly. If you notice you add something to your cart three weeks in a row, it might be time to add to your staples list.
Bonus: Expand your list to include breakfast ideas, favorite snacks, easy lunches, favorite drinks, etc as needed for your family’s busy schedule. Add your necessities like paper plates and plastic cutlery for field meal season.
Using your simple field meal plan
When you’re ready to make your meal plan, gather your list of meals and your pantry list. You can plan for whatever length of time you like. I shop weekly, but when we’re extra busy I might plan for two weeks at a time. Choose 5-7 meals and 3-4 sides. Consider what events you have scheduled that week or how many meals you’ll need to deliver to the fields.
Check your pantry list to be sure you’re fully stocked. Then open your weekly grocery order where all of your weekly staples will be waiting. Simply add any perishable items needed that week and you’re done!
Other Meal planning tips for Farm Wives
By having this framework I can easily make meal planning simple and effective. But even with the best laid plans, I sometimes don’t get around to making a plan and that’s okay. Here are my tips for those weeks that just… sort of fall apart.
- Make your weekly capsule grocery order. Go-tos covered. I told you this would come in handy.
- Pull out 4-5 cuts of freezer meat to thaw in the fridge. I usually choose one, maybe two large cuts like roasts or whole chicken, and 3-4 smaller cuts. I always have at least one type of ground meat thawing.
- Fall back on those fast food meals and keep it simple – meat, veggies, starch. Again your pantry list and weekly grocery order will save your biscuit in a pinch.
- Check out my other field meal posts for more tips and ideas!
I really hope you this meal planning post was helpful or inspiring to you. Leave me comment below letting me know your best meal planning tip!
