Rubbish at meal planning need help in this area..any websites anyone knows of?

[Seapickle]

I have a hectic life, single mum 2 kids 2 diff school schedules bully me weekly, tiny kitchen, and I sleep in end of big lounge with a temp wall/divider..so can’t roast, fry, cook much as I don’t want my bed smelling of food as it stops me sleeping..if i could shop better and plan more but I just seem to fail..I’ve given up bread for lent and that’s going okay so far so I’m having to explore alternative options..

[Rhea23]

Hi Seapickle. Must be so difficult for you coping with your busy life and finding meals that don’t need much cooking. Wraps with cooked chicken /tuna and lots of salad are really healthy. Good luck with your planning.

[Hidden]

That is a tough one, a pickle even? hehe! Have you had a look through recipes? there might me some ideas that take your fancy. I guess with spring and summer coming it will be easier as salads tend to make a reappearance.. and it doesn't have to be lettuce tomato cucumber, it can be grains, beans, all kinds of veg and creative dressings. Micro grains and rice pouches are very handy, and the flavoured ones like Mexican rice for e.g. don't stink out the place like pan cooked versions do.. paired with a low odour protein like bean salad or cod .. there are loads of ideas around that general premise! hmm thinking hats on! and hats off to you for taking charge of your health even with a few obstacles ! cheering you on!

[Tiggerr]

Some good ideas from Rhea23 and HappyBeee.

Maybe pop into the Daily Diary which we use for planning our next day's menu. Thinking about the day in advance, and then writing it down makes it much easier to deal with.

You will also get lots of ideas from other's menu.

[SewMore Restart August 2024]

Hi, this sounds tricky but I find sometimes I just need some inspiration and that might help you too. I find the Easy Meals or Smart Recipes apps really useful to give me healthy meal ideas that the kids like too. nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/easy-mea.... Also have a look at your local library, perhaps they have a copy of one of the Hairy Dieters books, which have good meal ideas, with some swaps like putting a pizza crust on a chicken pie, instead of shortcrust pastry. Is it possible that you swap some of your warm meal preparation to lunchtime to give you time to air the flat? Good luck, Sarah

[IndigoBlue61]

Planning is so important Seapickle, and will help save money as well as calories 😀

You can buy so many ready prepped veggies, ready cooked meats, sauces etc these days, as well as the micro pouches

Remember, you need to take care of yourself, and making good nutrition a priority is a form of self respect 😀

Best wishes

[Worz65]

You can look on line just put in healthy meals and loads will pop up hop this helps

[Seapickle]

Thank you everyone...looking forward to summer where salads will take over and I just love the salads I do..I make heavier salads, I did one last night, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, radish, olives, rice wrapped in fig leaves, parsley and mint leaves..with a squeeze of lime..I love these type of salads, summer it’ll be added feta, and pasta..but I’m trying to have less wheat, had porridge this morning with mulled linseed mix and chai seeds, but I wanted to fresh bread I had made..