2 Easy Meal Planning Methods For Busy Families

Let’s be real—most of us aren’t out here cooking like we’re auditioning for Top Chef.

We’re not sautéing wild mushrooms or garnishing our plates with szechuan peppercorns (seriously, what even is that?). We just want to get dinner on the table without the drama.

That’s why at PAM™, we’ve created two meal planning methods to help busy moms (and the people who love them) feed themselves and their families without stress, spreadsheets, or specialty ingredients.

If you're overwhelmed by meal planning, tired of food going to waste, or just need to simplify dinner this week, you're going to love this.

🍽️ Method 1: The Off-the-Shelf Method

This one’s for the "just tell me what I can throw together fast" crowd, or for the ones who like a little less structure throughout the week.

The Off-the-Shelf Method is all about batch prepping individual ingredients and then mixing and matching them into simple meals all week. It’s like a home-cooked version of Chipotle or a deconstructed dinner buffet—everything’s ready, you just assemble and reheat.

Here's how it works:

1. Pick 1–2 proteins, a few carb options, and 2–3 veggies to prep ahead.

2. Store them separately in containers.

3. Use them throughout the week in wraps, bowls, salads, stir fry's, sandwiches, quesadillas—you name it.

   
   

This method is perfect if:

• Your schedule changes often

• You want flexibility

• You like “snack plate” vibes or mix-and-match dinners

🍽️ Method 2: The Prepped & Ready Method

More of a “what’s-for-dinner-is-decided” person? This one’s for you.

The Prepped & Ready Method involves planning specific meals ahead of time and prepping them in full so they’re ready to grab and reheat. It’s a dream if you hate making food decisions every night or have a busy week ahead.

Here's how it works:

1. Choose 3–5 meals to prep at the beginning of the week.

2. Cook and portion them into containers.

3. Reheat and eat—no decisions, no fuss.

   
   

This method is perfect if:

• You want to take decision-making off your plate

• You love reheating and relaxing (and not having to wash 2 loads of dishes everynight).

• You’re feeding multiple people and need a little more structure

So...Which One Are You?

You can use one method or a mix of both—it’s totally up to you and your season (or week) of life. But either way, we’ve made it super simple with our brand-new PAM Meal Planning Guide!

🛒 What’s Inside the Meal Planning Guide:

• A breakdown of each method (with step-by-step tips)

• Recipes your whole family will actually eat

• Ingredient lists and prep tips

• Simple meals that don't rely on calories, macros, or fancy math

• Dinner ideas that won’t take over your life

You’ve got two options:

👉 Grab the FREE digital download👉 Or treat yourself to the printed & shipped version for just $17 (Printed in color, on standard 8.5x11 paper, bound with a black coil spine you can open/close to add your own pages, with a clear cover and leather grain backing—it’s cute and practical.)

Click here to get your copy of the PAM™ Meal Planning Guide!

Cheers to keeping dinner simple, my friend.

Amy | Founder + CEO

Your sometimes-messy-but-always-organized “Jill of all trades” you didn’t know you needed—supporting moms with practical help, a sense of humor, and a whole lot of heart.

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