How do you make homemade meals with a crazy, hectic, busy schedule? Let’s get some ideas rolling so you can start this month’s food challenge with a bang!
Are you feeling the crunch when you get home from work, trying to decide what to eat, make it, clean it up, and get organized for the next day?
Having a busy schedule doesn’t mean you can’t have homemade meals! Here are 5 tips to make healthy meals when you are crazy busy.
Homemade Meals on a Busy Schedule
Plan Ahead
Healthy meals start with paper and pencil. It’s easier to get food on the table when your fridge and pantry are stocked with what you need and a recipe is on the counter.
This will look different for different people. If you are on a budget, check weekly grocery flyers and pick out items you can buy on sale for the week.
For example, if chicken is a good price, plan for meals that include it as the main protein. Chicken and Rice, Chicken Parmesan Pasta, Chicken Quesadillas and so on!
Take time at the start of your week to plan out what you will eat, get what you need from the grocery store and have the recipes handy!
Make Each Day of the Week the Same
This might sound monotonous but if you have a busy schedule keeping your weekly meals the same will help with shopping and meal prep.
For example:
Monday – Pasta
Tuesday – Tacos
Wednesday – Soup & Sandwiches
Thursday – Stir Fry
Friday – Pizza
Within each day you can change it up. Change the protein, the vegetable, the flavour or style of dish to keep it new and appetizing.
This alleviates the mental worry of “What will we eat?” and replaces it with “What kind of tacos should we make this week?”
Make Meals in Bulk
Plan and prep so you have food in bulk. This includes baked goods. If you are making a mess in the kitchen, doing dishes and turning on your oven you might as well do extra at once (saves on your electricity bill too!)
The Freezer is Your Friend
Where do you put all that extra food you’ve made? In the freezer!
Most baked goods will last up to 3 months in the freezer. And you can make a big batch of chili or lasagna, portion it, freeze it and use it on a day that is more hectic.
When Strapped for Time – Seek Food Options that Are Close to Homemade!
There are days when you won’t have time even for carefully planned meals. That’s okay! You can plan for these days too.
Know which marketplaces or fresh food stores have homemade meal options to grab healthy food. A simple rotisserie chicken from the store for sandwiches, salads or to add to pasta or rice is always an option too!
Bonus! For Families with Picky Eaters…
Make a binder of recipes your family enjoys. If something was well-liked, write it down and put it in the binder (or recipe tin, on Pinterest or a folder on your phone). This way when you are planning meals you have options you know will be eaten!
For parents of picky eaters, mealtime can often feel like a battle. Our Food Exploration program which is 7 weeks long offers a fun and engaging solution to help children become confident and adventurous eaters. Designed for kids of all ages, this farm-to-table experience combines hands-on learning with creativity and exploration. Each week, children will discover a new seasonal food, develop valuable skills, and create something delicious—all in a pressure-free environment. Plus, parents will leave with practical strategies to make mealtimes at home more enjoyable. Join us this Spring, Summer, or Fall for an unforgettable journey to better eating habits!
Homemade is Possible
Even with a busy schedule, it is possible to have healthy homemade meals. It takes some forethought and planning but don’t feel overwhelmed by the process.
Start with a simple food change, one meal per week if necessary and work your way up!
We are excited to have food challenges this year to help people make simple food swaps for a healthier lifestyle. Want to know more? Stop into our marketplace for more healthy meal ideas and learning opportunities!
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