Weekly Dinners (1 Viewer)

[Angry Beavers]

Kind of getting to the end of these days, but it was a lot of late dinners and certainly never getting a family of 5 together on weeknights for dinner - it was literally impossible given practice schedules, games, school projects, work schedules (for the kids and us)etc.  Did make it a point to have dinner as a family Sunday Nights and one other night a week.  

Lots of good suggestions in here, including having a lot of things on hand. I used to cook a big dinner on  Sunday and make enough that we could get another night of meals out of it at a minimum. That only left 3 other nights of the week to worry about. One of those was inevitably a take out night and the other nights we made simple easy dishes that could be done in 30 minutes or less. 

 

[Chemical X]

It sounds like you have multiple issues and need to prioritize.

We have no kids, but mindlessly shopping and throwing items out and figuring out what to make drove us batty.  I took over full meal prep responsibilities, which is your first order.  One person in charge.  Cause when everyone is in charge, no one is in charge.  We leaned on Fresh20 heavily to get us on the right track.  It taught me how to stock a pantry with the basics and provided menus with easy shopping. 

Needs:

-Pantry of basics and spices.

-Who shops, when?

-Who cooks, when?

You need salt, pepper, stock, spices.  Can you shop or can you order online and pick up your order?  Time to cook?  Do you need a personal chef or maybe have fully cooked meals delivered?  You have to make extra to freeze and reheat.  For bulk, I like chilis and soups.  I will shake and bake or bread crumb 10 chicken breasts at a time and bake and save.  With kids, make your own pizzas to get them involved.  Buy 2-3 dough balls, some pizza sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni.  Its quick and easy to have laying around.  Boil in bag rice and steam in bag veggies are great.  Frozen veggies are out there and many are seasoned.  I bulk crockpot some chicken/pork, shred and portion then freeze for taco nights.  Have some soft flour shells and cheese and sauce laying around.  Etc. Etc.  It takes time and effort, moreso if you want to try and stay healthy.  Sadly, this is the reason our country is so fat.  We just don't take time to cook and certainly not healthy.  It may even mean waking up at 6a on a weekend. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

My wife and I were just talking about them yesterday. I guess they are the healthier version of plated/hellofresh/etc?

We tried both plated and hello fresh and had fun with it. My only complaint is no leftovers.  :(

Sorry, I don't have experience with anything other than Sunbasket so I can't compare. I'm not even sure how she picked it. But the stuff has been very much on the healthy side. They do vegetarian options too. 

I've been impressed with the quality of the ingredients. The recipes and the customer service. We a box arrive damaged one time and we called and it was no questions asked to send a new one at no charge. 

 

[Foosball God]

Have a plan for what you are going to eat each day, buy accordingly.  Then if you can pre-do the prep it it will help you out immensely.  Cooking time is generally not the problem, it is the prep time that gets you.

 

[Rick James]

Those of you who use the mail services (blue apron, etc.), how much waste is involved? Are you throwing out cardboard boxes left and right? 

 

[the moops]

I'm not sure I get the Hello Fresh and all the other assorted meal prep things. Seems pricey, and you still gotta do all the cooking? Looking at costs, I can get takeout from just about any place around here for the same price. 

 

[Bull Dozier]

Sort of off topic but I'll never understand why parents let kids' sporting activities dictate so much of their daily lives. 

What's your solution?  Telling you kids they can't go to practice so you can have dinner together as a family?  I get that family time is important, but there are certain activities that if you participate, aren't optional.  Multiple kids playing sports means different practice times each week.  Could be sports, could be other extra curricular enrichment.

 

[Rick James]

What's your solution?  Telling you kids they can't go to practice so you can have dinner together as a family?  I get that family time is important, but there are certain activities that if you participate, aren't optional.  Multiple kids playing sports means different practice times each week.  Could be sports, could be other extra curricular enrichment.

kids don't need to practice multiple sports, multiple times per week 12 months per year.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Those of you who use the mail services (blue apron, etc.), how much waste is involved? Are you throwing out cardboard boxes left and right? 

Some but not noticeably a problem. it's recycled. The fact I buy a ton from Amazon is a worse problem for me. 

 

[Chemical X]

I'm not sure I get the Hello Fresh and all the other assorted meal prep things. Seems pricey, and you still gotta do all the cooking? Looking at costs, I can get takeout from just about any place around here for the same price. 

there is a health issue here. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

kids don't need to practice multiple sports, multiple times per week 12 months per year.

I'd agree with this. The issue becomes priority. And understanding you can't do everything you want.

3 kids each playing multiple sports is great.

Regular family dinners are great. 

Both those aren't likely going to happen. 

One has to pick what is more important. 

 

[Fishboy]

Those of you who use the mail services (blue apron, etc.), how much waste is involved? Are you throwing out cardboard boxes left and right? 

I've done the 2x/week family plan with Hello Fresh.  Both meals come in one box.  Besides the box, there is some felt-like insulating material and a couple of ice packs.  The ice packs are kind of nice, as I keep a few in the freezer at all times.  Or, you can just cut the corner, pour the liquid out and throw away.  It's basically no more than a plastic zip lock bag in terms of waste.

Actually, I just got an email this morning from Hello Fresh.  Offering first week free (6 meals in total) for referring anyone who hasn't used them before. 

If anyone is interested and will actually use them, list your email, or PM to me and I'll send the invites.  I have a total of 4 that can be redeemed. I believe that if all 4 are redeemed, I get a free week as well, so please only request if you are indeed going to try them out. 

Overall, the service is convenient.  Not sure how much of a $$ saver it is, but having the box show up at your door and not have to shop or decide what to make is a huge time saver.  I do the family option, which is 2 meals/week that is supposed to serve 4.  I have one off at college, so, it's been feeding 3.  This week will be the test, as my daughter is home on break and we have a full 4 people eating. 

Selection is actually pretty good, but a big of a challenge for my household.  I'll eat pretty much anything, except certain vegetables.  Wife and 1 daughter are a challenge, as they'll eat basically chicken, pork and the only red meat would be ground beef.  No seafood, or any other red meat.  Often times I have to skip weeks, as I can't build a menu that those 2 would eat. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

there is a health issue here. 

Agreed. It all depends on where you're getting takeout from.

As a general rule, restaurants are primarily interested in making food taste great. That often is not the same as healthy.

https://youtu.be/EGbRwUojtcw

 

[glvsav37]

I've done the 2x/week family plan with Hello Fresh.  Both meals come in one box.  Besides the box, there is some felt-like insulating material and a couple of ice packs.  The ice packs are kind of nice, as I keep a few in the freezer at all times.  Or, you can just cut the corner, pour the liquid out and throw away.  It's basically no more than a plastic zip lock bag in terms of waste.

Actually, I just got an email this morning from Hello Fresh.  Offering first week free (6 meals in total) for referring anyone who hasn't used them before. 

If anyone is interested and will actually use them, list your email, or PM to me and I'll send the invites.  I have a total of 4 that can be redeemed. I believe that if all 4 are redeemed, I get a free week as well, so please only request if you are indeed going to try them out. 

Overall, the service is convenient.  Not sure how much of a $$ saver it is, but having the box show up at your door and not have to shop or decide what to make is a huge time saver.  I do the family option, which is 2 meals/week that is supposed to serve 4.  I have one off at college, so, it's been feeding 3.  This week will be the test, as my daughter is home on break and we have a full 4 people eating. 

Selection is actually pretty good, but a big of a challenge for my household.  I'll eat pretty much anything, except certain vegetables.  Wife and 1 daughter are a challenge, as they'll eat basically chicken, pork and the only red meat would be ground beef.  No seafood, or any other red meat.  Often times I have to skip weeks, as I can't build a menu that those 2 would eat. 

I might give it a go...what is the cost of that plan? Are you finding it really feeds 4? I know you said your Daughter is coming home from college, so you've been ordering for 4 but eating as 3? 

 

[Mister CIA]

Family guys, with 2 working spouses and busy kids—how do you do/prepare dinners?

We are spending too much money on take out and quick meals b/c we can never seem to find the time to cook. 2 kids in some activity or another most of the week. Both my wife and I work FT—i get home later then her so she is usually out doing the sports taxi thing.  But I'll admit, my wife is not much of a cook even when she has the time. I loved to cook when we were young and fist married, but that when we could eat at 8:30 pm and not worry about it. 

We've tried the crock pot, but unless its a soup or stew, everything just gets mashed into one pile of slop for me. 

How are you guys doing it? Weekly meal prep? Calendar? Bag and freeze? 

Even when we do find time to cook, I rarely have what I need and end up spending time and money at the grocery store. 

I want to make this year much better with food overall, but dinners especially. Frankly its not a good example we are setting for our kids IMO. 

If I had two working spouses, I'd fix dinner between naps and video games.

 

[bushdocda]

We suck at this and throw a bunch of options at it currently. Amazon Fresh, Plated etc help us get some cookable meals to the house. We do grocery pickup for the rest and still eat out or carry out 2+ times a week. 

 

[Bull Dozier]

kids don't need to practice multiple sports, multiple times per week 12 months per year.

Agreed.  However, two kids in baseball last year meant practice or games everyday M-F (one in VFW took care of that by itself).  Traveling sports, depending on the sport, are 2 practices a week minimum plus games.  That's not really that unreasonable to meet the minimum and multiple kids mean either those practices are every night, or at different times in the same night.  It's not hard to get a crazy schedule quickly with more than one kid.  Some kids love sports, as mine do, and get bored quickly without them.

 

[Chemical X]

Agreed. It all depends on where you're getting takeout from.

As a general rule, restaurants are primarily interested in making food taste great. That often is not the same as healthy.

https://youtu.be/EGbRwUojtcw

everyone has a different definition of healthy.  I don't believe take-out can be healthy, but that's just me. usually, you are loading calories and sodium.  like I said, there is a reason why this country has a weight issue.  there are fast food/casual eateries literally everywhere.  it is easy to grab a bucket or sack of food and I can understand busy families going this route, but at some point you need to break the cycle and make the time to get a bit healthier.  heck, the local supermarket roasts chickens and sells them for 4.99 by me.  pick up 2 of them and steam a bag of sweet potatoes. 

 

[glvsav37]

Agreed.  However, two kids in baseball last year meant practice or games everyday M-F (one in VFW took care of that by itself).  Traveling sports, depending on the sport, are 2 practices a week minimum plus games.  That's not really that unreasonable to meet the minimum and multiple kids mean either those practices are every night, or at different times in the same night.  It's not hard to get a crazy schedule quickly with more than one kid.  Some kids love sports, as mine do, and get bored quickly without them.

but its not just sports...my daughter had 2 school organized concerts the week b/f Christmas that both fell during a traditional dinner time. My wife is a choreographer who will have weeknight rehearsals during the show season, and then there is the whole religion thing....thank god we are heathens and don't do that.  

 

[Joe Bryant]

everyone has a different definition of healthy.  I don't believe take-out can be healthy, but that's just me. usually, you are loading calories and sodium.  like I said, there is a reason why this country has a weight issue.  there are fast food/casual eateries literally everywhere.  it is easy to grab a bucket or sack of food and I can understand busy families going this route, but at some point you need to break the cycle and make the time to get a bit healthier.  heck, the local supermarket roasts chickens and sells them for 4.99 by me.  pick up 2 of them and steam a bag of sweet potatoes. 

I definitely believe takeout can be healthy. But it's definitely not the norm. 

 

[Fishboy]

I might give it a go...what is the cost of that plan? Are you finding it really feeds 4? I know you said your Daughter is coming home from college, so you've been ordering for 4 but eating as 3? 

It's $69.92 for the 2 meals/week for 4.  Yes, I've been feeding 3 since using the family plan.  Always enough, especially if you have younger kids.  My family is basically 4 adults (wife, college daughter and HS daughter and my 6'3", 265 lb frame).  We'll be fine this week with all 4 home, just won't be gorged or have leftovers. 

 

[glvsav37]

It's $69.92 for the 2 meals/week for 4.  Yes, I've been feeding 3 since using the family plan.  Always enough, especially if you have younger kids.  My family is basically 4 adults (wife, college daughter and HS daughter and my 6'3", 265 lb frame).  We'll be fine this week with all 4 home, just won't be gorged or have leftovers. 

offa, thats a little steeper then I expected. let me think about it. thanks

I mean, it's prob what I would spend on take out, just seeing it as 1 price throws me...part of this is trying to save money.

 

[shadyridr]

It's $69.92 for the 2 meals/week for 4.  Yes, I've been feeding 3 since using the family plan.  Always enough, especially if you have younger kids.  My family is basically 4 adults (wife, college daughter and HS daughter and my 6'3", 265 lb frame).  We'll be fine this week with all 4 home, just won't be gorged or have leftovers. 

That cost is insane

 

[Joe Bryant]

For the services, I don't think anyone thinks there's any cost savings. The question I had was how much more expensive it would be compared to shopping yourself. I think for us, it wound up being not much more expensive. Which was fine. 

What you're paying for is the convenience of them doing all the shopping and guiding you with the recipe. It's not rocket science. Most things aren't. Everything they do, you can do. It's how much you'll pay someone to shop and find a great menu for you. 

 

[the moops]

Yea, I'm not talking about fast food takeout, I'm talking good ethnic restaurant down the street takeout. If I get the giant veggie + fish combo platter from the Ethiopian place, or I hit the salad bar and hot food bar from Whole Foods, or a host of other places, I am not seeing a huge difference in healthiness

I hav enever tried these meal prep things though. Maybe I would love them

 

[glvsav37]

For the services, I don't think anyone thinks there's any cost savings. The question I had was how much more expensive it would be compared to shopping yourself. I think for us, it wound up being not much more expensive. Which was fine. 

What you're paying for is the convenience of them doing all the shopping and guiding you with the recipe. It's not rocket science. Most things aren't. Everything they do, you can do. It's how much you'll pay someone to shop and find a great menu for you. 

I tink at that cost I would use the box to replace my take out nights (or at least 1)...and I still need to make it. which doesn't solve my time issue. I get what you are saying, but given a solid shopping list (like some have said from a weekly calendar) I can shop pretty quickly for free (my time). Its the 'not having things around to make. so let me run to the store for this one' that kills me.

I don't mind take out and will continue to do it when needed, but want to cut it back to a more 60% home cooked 30% TO..or better.    

 

[Buttonhook]

It's $69.92 for the 2 meals/week for 4.  Yes, I've been feeding 3 since using the family plan.  Always enough, especially if you have younger kids.  My family is basically 4 adults (wife, college daughter and HS daughter and my 6'3", 265 lb frame).  We'll be fine this week with all 4 home, just won't be gorged or have leftovers. 

I think that price is pretty fair. My wife will make great healthy meals, but between the salad, fresh veggies and protein she can easily drop $25 at the grocery store for one meal for the four of us.  So, for $10 more she doesn't have to figure out a list, take the time to shop, and the meals come partially prepared.   Sign me up.

 

[Mr. Ected]

.

Good timing.  My wife is an incredible chef, but she's burned out trying to figure out what to make every night so I was looking into food delivery services:  Blue Apron, Green Chef, My Happy Plates...

Curious if anyone has tried any of these.

I might give it a go...what is the cost of that plan? Are you finding it really feeds 4? I know you said your Daughter is coming home from college, so you've been ordering for 4 but eating as 3? 

My issue with these delivery services is the fact that we have a family of 5, and they don't go larger than 4. I might be OK with doing a 4 and a 2 order, but would both be the same?

I bet those with an InstaPot just need to work a little harder at finding recipes (quick google). I don't need one, since I am a Mr. Mom who would do the cooking anyway.

 

[Chemical X]

I think that price is pretty fair. My wife will make great healthy meals, but between the salad, fresh veggies and protein she can easily drop $25 at the grocery store for one meal for the four of us.  So, for $10 more she doesn't have to figure out a list, take the time to shop, and the meals come partially prepared.   Sign me up.

People that don't value their time struggle with the cost of that service.  If you value your time and gas, it becomes worthwhile to many people.

 

[Fishboy]

For the services, I don't think anyone thinks there's any cost savings. The question I had was how much more expensive it would be compared to shopping yourself. I think for us, it wound up being not much more expensive. Which was fine. 

What you're paying for is the convenience of them doing all the shopping and guiding you with the recipe. It's not rocket science. Most things aren't. Everything they do, you can do. It's how much you'll pay someone to shop and find a great menu for you. 

Agreed, it's definitely not about the cost, rather the convenience.  What I will say that is nice about it is that most things come pre-packaged/sized.  So, you aren't buying a full size of something you rarely use, or may never use again. 

For example, one of the meals this week, this is what the recipe calls for: 

1 - shallot, 1/2 oz - basil, 2 cloves garlic, 2 slices white bread, 4 tablespoons sour cream, 2 units chicken stock concentrate. 

Instead of spending $3 on a loaf of bread, only to use 2 slices and throw the rest away, $1.99 on a tub of sour cream, only to use 4 tbs and throw the rest away......you get where I'm going here.

It's a bit pricey, but not crazy pricey IMO.  And I know I regularly throw out spices, etc that I bought to make xyz last year and the rest went into the garbage can. 

 

[Nugget]

People that don't value their time struggle with the cost of that service.  If you value your time and gas, it becomes worthwhile to many people.

Maybe.  I still think I'd be at the grocery store multiple times a week to buy the other 15+ meals that family members are eating at home. 

 

[Foosball God]

Agreed, it's definitely not about the cost, rather the convenience.  What I will say that is nice about it is that most things come pre-packaged/sized.  So, you aren't buying a full size of something you rarely use, or may never use again. 

For example, one of the meals this week, this is what the recipe calls for: 

1 - shallot, 1/2 oz - basil, 2 cloves garlic, 2 slices white bread, 4 tablespoons sour cream, 2 units chicken stock concentrate. 

Instead of spending $3 on a loaf of bread, only to use 2 slices and throw the rest away, $1.99 on a tub of sour cream, only to use 4 tbs and throw the rest away......you get where I'm going here.

It's a bit pricey, but not crazy pricey IMO.  And I know I regularly throw out spices, etc that I bought to make xyz last year and the rest went into the garbage can. 

You're doing it wrong.

 

[the moops]

You're doing it wrong.

Yea, why the hell are you throwing away the rest of that stuff?

 

[Fishboy]

Yea, why the hell are you throwing away the rest of that stuff?

I don't immediately throw it away, but into the cabinet it'll go and then a week later I'll most likely throw away whatever left over bread.  Sour cream I may/may not use in another recipe and then into the garbage it goes.  Your families must be very different than mine and you consume every last crumb and scrape every container.  I just have little to no need to use some of these ingredients again before they would spoil. 

 

[wikkidpissah]

I don't immediately throw it away, but into the cabinet it'll go and then a week later I'll most likely throw away whatever left over bread.  Sour cream I may/may not use in another recipe and then into the garbage it goes.  Your families must be very different than mine and you consume every last crumb and scrape every container.  I just have little to no need to use some of these ingredients again before they would spoil. 

if you leave sour cream in the refrigerator too long, it goes fresh...

 

[shadyridr]

I don't immediately throw it away, but into the cabinet it'll go and then a week later I'll most likely throw away whatever left over bread.  Sour cream I may/may not use in another recipe and then into the garbage it goes.  Your families must be very different than mine and you consume every last crumb and scrape every container.  I just have little to no need to use some of these ingredients again before they would spoil. 

Well then you shouldn't make dinners where you only need any ingredient once a year 

 

[the moops]

I don't immediately throw it away, but into the cabinet it'll go and then a week later I'll most likely throw away whatever left over bread.  Sour cream I may/may not use in another recipe and then into the garbage it goes.  Your families must be very different than mine and you consume every last crumb and scrape every container.  I just have little to no need to use some of these ingredients again before they would spoil. 

No, we certainly waste food at times. I wish we didn't, but like you, sometimes things get thrown into the cabinet and forgotten.

But there is also the freezer option. Most of our bread goes in there unless it is going to be eaten right away.

 

[glvsav37]

I get what @Fishboy is saying. I've thrown out more packages of stale hot dog rolls b/c i'm the only one in the house who eats them. I don't eat them often, but when I do, I want it on a roll....too bad I need to buy 8 rolls at a time.

Other things with longer shelf life, like sour cream, yea, I'll use that for weeks in tacos, a little chip dip here and there, etc. So it goes both ways.  

 

[Hawks64]

I don't immediately throw it away, but into the cabinet it'll go and then a week later I'll most likely throw away whatever left over bread.  Sour cream I may/may not use in another recipe and then into the garbage it goes.  Your families must be very different than mine and you consume every last crumb and scrape every container.  I just have little to no need to use some of these ingredients again before they would spoil. 

I think it was related to I regularly throw out spices. If you get fresh spices you don't use, let them dry out and grind them and save them for later use.

 

[Hawks64]

I get what @Fishboy is saying. I've thrown out more packages of stale hot dog rolls b/c i'm the only one in the house who eats them. I don't eat them often, but when I do, I want it on a roll....too bad I need to buy 8 rolls at a time.

Other things with longer shelf life, like sour cream, yea, I'll use that for weeks in tacos, a little chip dip here and there, etc. So it goes both ways.  

And with things like sour cream the dates aren't meant as a hard and fast rule either. Sour cream especially is easy to tell when it's good and when it's not good.

 

[Fishboy]

I think the point I'm trying to make is in regards to the price comments of Hello Fresh and similar services.  What's nice about these services is that they expose you to different types of recipes, often times using ingredients that I've never used in the past.  So, having pre-measured delivered helps cut down on buying these things, only to throw out the 95% that would not be used. 

 

[Brony]

I think the point I'm trying to make is in regards to the price comments of Hello Fresh and similar services.  What's nice about these services is that they expose you to different types of recipes, often times using ingredients that I've never used in the past.  So, having pre-measured delivered helps cut down on buying these things, only to throw out the 95% that would not be used. 

Agree with this for the few times we've done the subscription services.  If you're looking to save $, pass on these services.  If you're looking to save time for a little more $, consider them.  If cost is not important, but you like trying new foods and you're a beginner level aspiring cook, then it's a great fit.  

 

[Hawks64]

I think the point I'm trying to make is in regards to the price comments of Hello Fresh and similar services.  What's nice about these services is that they expose you to different types of recipes, often times using ingredients that I've never used in the past.  So, having pre-measured delivered helps cut down on buying these things, only to throw out the 95% that would not be used. 

You can do the same by using sites like Serious Eats, Epicurious, America's Test Kitchen, Kitchn so many awesome things. I've exposed my family to indian, thai and other foods that they would not have eaten normally. And now they love a lot of those styles.

 

[Chemical X]

I get what @Fishboy is saying. I've thrown out more packages of stale hot dog rolls b/c i'm the only one in the house who eats them. I don't eat them often, but when I do, I want it on a roll....too bad I need to buy 8 rolls at a time.

Other things with longer shelf life, like sour cream, yea, I'll use that for weeks in tacos, a little chip dip here and there, etc. So it goes both ways.  

you know you can freeze rolls?  break apart, put in freezer bag and thaw when needed.

 

[glvsav37]

you know you can freeze rolls?  break apart, put in freezer bag and thaw when needed.

yep I do....but my problem is that I don't realize I need them again until I'm putting the dogs on the grill....then its either too late to thaw or do it in the microwave which stinks. 

I know i'm my own worse problem. 

 

[the moops]

Microwave is fine. Just toast them afterwards 

 

[MAC_32]

How are you guys doing it? Weekly meal prep? Calendar? Bag and freeze? 

Even when we do find time to cook, I rarely have what I need and end up spending time and money at the grocery store. 

I want to make this year much better with food overall, but dinners especially. Frankly its not a good example we are setting for our kids IMO. 

All of the above - weekly meal prep, calendar, and freeze. 

I hate doing it at the time, but I grocery shop on a weekday night - sometimes late. Little traffic and i am available - even though i would rather be on the couch. Before going review ads, add meals to calendar, inventory, then make shopping list. Only really veer from the list if there's an in store special not mentioned in the ad. 

Produce shop on the weekend and do it when you have time to chop as soon as you get home. If I buy something and don't prep it immediately it has a tendency to get forgotten about. Keep an eye on produce you have a tendency to throw out before it gets eaten and stop getting it. If you can produce shop during the week at some point just to replenish enough to get to the weekend that's helpful too - minimizes waste.

Be reasonable about cooking nights. If it looks like you won't start until 7 then it'll probably really be 8. And let's be honest, you're not cooking then. If you have a week full of probably not cooking nights then either cook more on the weekend or dig something out of the freezer. But always have something ready to cook just in case you find time. Usually pull a couple eckrich turkey sausages out for those busier weeks. They keep for a while and while not good, aren't terrible. Most importantly though - they cook quickly.

When you run out of freezer food budget weekend time to replenish. Usually make two dishes - one for a meal each night then freeze the rest. If you may not have time to cook early in the week then also stash something simple like an egg casserole.

That said, I am fortunate. I have a market literally a block from my house and our two primary grocery stores are just 3-7 minute drives. 

 

[shuke]

Often when I cook I'll make enough so we have it for 3 meals.  If you put the time in on Sunday, that takes care of two other nights in the week.

I also love Kroger's seafood department, they will put your selection in an oven bag with whatever spices/garnish you want.  Just throw it in the oven the night you want it.

 

[glvsav37]

@shuke that oven bag idea looks awesome. too bad my picky family doesn't eat sea food.

But it started me researching oven bags and I found this Oven Bag Chicken and Rice meal....looks like an easy one for weeknights. 

 

[Rooster]

One strategy we have is to make 2 meals on Sunday.  Usually, I'll BBQ up some extra protein like Chicken and also cook something that reheats really well (or somethings, like stew, that taste better the second day).  And then it goes:

Sunday:  Fresh BBQ Chicken
Monday:  Stew
Tuesday:  Meal with leftover protein.  Chicken Taquitos/Chicken Quesadillas/Chicken Sandwiches  ... takes a little prep time, but not as much as if you needed to cook the protein too
Wednesday:  Easy Dinner, leftovers if we have any (lots of times we don't, because it'll go into lunches) or something like BLT sandwiches & Soup, Grilled Cheese, Trader Joe's frozen meal, or other low-effort meals.   I may occasionally go pick something up fast food if I need to. 
Thursday:  Crock Pot Dinner 
Friday:  This is our designated weekly evening to eat out as a family, a reward for making it through the week. 
Saturday:  Depends on any family events, we split eating out probably 50/50 here.   If we want to try new meals, we usually try them here.