11.30.2012

Our 10 Favorite Simple Meals



My husband is in the final push of his very full seminary semester. On our three-hour drive back from a whirlwind Thanksgiving visit with family, we looked at each other and said, "Can we do it?" The next four weeks were looking rather daunting.

In order for him to get his work done, he'll need to be gone more in the evenings and on weekends. Which means I'll have very little help with the kids and with meals. So we're eating simply.

If you are busy and stressed, make a list of simple meals. The best recipes for it are those you can make from memory and require very little hands-on time.

If you are trying to get away from processed foods or trying to eat out less, a list of simple meals can help you do it! If your pantry is stocked and you think ahead, you'll be able to whip up dinner even on the most stressful of days.

Our 10 Favorite Simple Meals

 

#1. Mac & Cheese: seriously as easy as the boxed kind, except for grating the cheese

#2. Burgers & Oven Fries: Buy grass-fed beef already shaped into patties, grill or pan-fry, serve with whole wheat buns (I like Trader Joe's buns); roast some potato wedges with healthy fat and salt and pepper until crispy

#3. Hummus with whole wheat pita, olives, feta cheese & veggie sticks

#4. Spaghetti with Meat Sauce: cook brown rice pasta, brown some grass-fed ground beef, dump in some all-natural store-bought spaghetti sauce

#5. A Big Pot of Beans: eat some right away, and freeze the rest to use in other recipes like...

#6. Mexican Chicken with Rice and Beans by Modern Alternative Mama

#7. Salsa Chicken and Black Bean Soup by Crock Pot 365 (use beans from the big pot of beans if you want it ready sooner, or dried beans if it will be cooking all day)

#8. Irish Nachos by Riddlelove

#9. Crock Pot Roast Chicken & Gravy by Nom Nom Paleo, served with roasted root vegetables

#10. Baked Potato Soup by Crock Pot 365


Still Need Some Help? 

 

If you are still in need of some simple-meal inspiration, here a couple great resources:
  • Real {Fast} Food by Trina Holden is full of simple meals as well as tips for meal planning and shopping that will simplify your life!
  • Every Friday, some great real food & natural living bloggers host a carnival called "Simple Meals Friday"! I'm sharing this post there today - be sure to hop on over for more simple meal inspiration!

 

What are your favorite simple meals?


I'm also sharing this at: Fight Back Friday, Farm Girl Friday, Foodie Friday, Monday Mania, Natural Living Monday, Fat Tuesday, Tiny Tip Tuesday, Pennywise Platter Thursday,  Simple Lives Thursday, Thank Your Body Thursday
Like what you just read? Subscribe so you don't miss a thing!

7 comments:

  1. Greetings from Los angeles! I'm bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the knowledge you present here and can't wait to take a look when I get home.
    I'm surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I'm not even
    using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, awesome site!
    My website :: free iphone 5

    ReplyDelete
  2. Joanna you have a really varied collection of go to meals.. thanks for sharing them on foodie friday. Good luck to your husband.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you! We are in the same situation at the moment and I need to remember to try and keep it simple in the kitchen. I get too excited about new recipes but I need to make a collection of my favourite old recipes and learn them as this will save so much time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katherine- I know! My husband used to ask why I never repeated meals. Pretty soon I think he'll be asking for something different! :)

      Delete
  4. Yum! We do a lot of bean based dishes - almost always in the crock pot. It definitely cuts down on the stress of making meals. Great suggestions!

    ReplyDelete
  5. A post I can get behind! I'm all about simple meals... and yet when the time comes to think of one I always forget. This is a great list!

    ReplyDelete