The Making of a Meal Matrix

Busy mom’s let me hear you SHOUT!

“YEAH!”

“LOUDER!”

“Um, I’m busy, can we do this later?”

OK, Let’s stop all this busyness and start working smarter. I recently read a book called, The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi. Kendra has a mind that loves to seek out ways to be more efficient. She wants to hack various systems in her life because she knows, thinking burns precious calories and with 3 kids, she needs all the brain power she can keep to keep them alive. She has systems for various things from gift buying, to laundry, she even has a “uniform” for Mondays (black top and jeans- jean shorts if it’s summer) to eliminate one more decision from her life. 

Let me tell you, as a card-carrying Type-A personality, I LIKE IT! Who doesn’t want to make less decisions. Save the brain power for trying to understand a hormonal tweenager and a boy.

Let me tell you about the Meal Matrix. Now we could file this article under both food and stress because it tackles both, and that’s what I like about it so much. This is such a fun game, let me show you how it works! On Mondays, we eat this. On Tuesdays, we eat that. On Wednesdays, we eat this. And on Thursdays, we eat that. For lunch, I make this. Ok, I think you get the picture. 

Best part, you get to do YOU. Let me tell you how I created my meal matrix and WHY I think it will work for me. 

Our Family’s Meal Matrix:

Mondays = Chili  

This can be Pumpkin Chili, Sweet Potato Chili, White Chicken Chili, Taco Chili, or chili stuffed in an acorn squash… you get the idea. The variety is up to me! What’s quick? What do I have on hand? All things considered, chili is an easy choice for me on Mondays.

Tuesdays = Taco (aka Mexican)

This includes but is not limited to: chicken, shrimp, beef, fish or Veggie tacos, taco salad, Taco Casserole, taco pie, Chicken or Beef Enchiladas, tostadas, or lettuce wraps. This list is endless. But it’s typically onion, protein, taco spices, Rotel, tortillas, done.

Wednesdays = New Recipe Night

I have an “off day” on Wednesdays and the kids go to school in person, so I like to try a new recipe, usually one I can use for the blog and take a pretty photo. Wednesdays make me feel like I’m still a “creative chef” in the kitchen! (Hey, let a girl dream!) Maybe try the World’s Best and Easiest Pork Chops, or this one pot Caprese Chicken Dinner, or one I make ALL WINTER because I LOVE IT SO: Chicken Tikka Masala.

Thursdays = Fish

I cannot underscore the importance of eating FISH regularly. In the nutrition part of my coursework, this is the one take home that truly stood out: the health benefits of fatty, cold water fish. Salmon is my favorite. I typically cook a little extra for Friday lunch. Love this Fish Florentine, this rich Spinach Artichoke Salmon, and this lunchtime quickie 6-minute Salmon.

Friday = Pasta or Pizza

Why? Because it’s DATE NIGHT and I don’t want pasta or pizza! (although I had pizza last night and it was delicious.) I just don’t want it regularly, but my kids sure do. But if I were making pasta for me, I’d make it with Shrimp & Creamy tomato sauce, or Pasta with Pesto (without peaches if they’re not in season- still DELISH!) or a lighter Veggie Pasta.

Saturday = Leftovers or Dinner Out

I can cook if I want to, so I’m just going to leave it at that. If you want something easy, try this Stir Fry, this easy Red Thai Curry Chicken, or this super easy Sweet Potato Hash.

Sunday = Soup/Stew Night

Again, bottomless options here, so I can still be creative. Have you tried this divine Beef & Pumpkin (or butternut squash) stew? How about this spicy Buffalo Chicken Soup? Try this healthy, easy and comforting Chicken Noodle Soup, and this Sausage and Vegetable Soup. And don’t miss this Salsa Verde Chicken Soup- it’s amazing!

PRO-TIP: double the recipe and have a soup on hand for lunches during the week. If your husband inhales food like mine, doubling the recipe is a real time-saver.

So there you have it! Having a system in place just to make your life a little bit easier. One more tip: you could just have a meal matrix for one night a week. Or maybe 2 works for you. Maybe you like to cook a big batch and do leftovers so you only need 3 nights. Maybe you want a soup night or a build-a-bowl night if that’s your thing! Casserole night! Breakfast for dinner night! Vegetarian meal night! Do what makes you happy AND feels easy. Make this system work to meet YOUR family’s needs. There is no wrong answer. Just don’t eat pizza every night. Or do, if that’s your thing. 

*NOTE: It’s great to eat seasonally, so this meal matrix is for Fall/Winter.