Family Meal Plan (Real Life Edition) – February

Welcome to the latest Family Meal Plan (Real Life Edition) – a flexible, doable look at what we actually ate this week, as a family of 6. This isn’t a perfectly curated plan or a “cook every night” situation. It’s easy recipes, repeat meals, a pizza night or dinner out, and a plan that works around real life. I share breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and a full cost breakdown so you can see how it all comes together during busy days.

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This week was busy as usual, I’m still playing catch up from winter break and school closures. I relied on my Instant Pot this week! Here’s what we made – we plan loosely and adjust as we go – perfection is not the goal.

Breakfasts this week

• We kept mornings simple and cozy – scrambled eggs and toast
• Protein waffles (store bought)
• Fluffy pancakes – we make these on the weekend and freeze them for the week ahead.
• Breakfast cookies (store bought) these are a new love for me and Frankie – they also have a really good version of these at Aldi (but of course it’s easier to order them online).
• Nothing fancy, just quick options that keep everyone fed before school.

Lunches this week

• I made an air fryer turkey breast I had in my freezer, and then we made these incredible turkey cranberry walnut sandwiches!
• Leftovers

Dinners this week

• Harissa Honey Fish Tacos: A total hit! Lightly spicy (barely), a little sweet and shockingly kid-approved. Served with avocado slaw, they’re so crazy good, we’ve made these SO many times!

• The best lasagna, made with cottage cheese: The whole family loves this (rare, even my picky eater eats this!) Also leftovers freeze really well.
• Chicken schnitzel and cabbage–kale-apple slaw: from the Skinnytaste High Protein cookbook. We use the air fryer for this. I also used a leftover coleslaw mix instead of cutting a head of cabbage and it worked like a dream. And don’t worry-if you don’t have an air fryer, there are oven instructions too.
• Instant pot Hungarian goulash: a fave from my childhood – this is my moms recipe.
• 5 Ingredient chicken pitas: quick, delicious, and all of the ingredients can be found at Trader Joe’s, making your grocery run a breeze. If you don’t live near a Trader Joe’s I’m sharing substitutions! These can also be made with rotisserie chicken.
• Instant pot lemon chicken risotto – a risotto I can get behind because you’re not stirring constantly. It’s so good!

Snacks:

• I made a batch of peanut butter protein balls (from pantry staples I already had, need to make a double batch next time because Nick and I take them to work too).
• And we got apples from the orchard near our house. Easy, wholesome snacks that work for snack plates ( make epic snack plates on this beautiful plate for the kids after school). I got this apple slicer that changed the game!!
• We also do pretzels, cheese sticks, and carrots/ranch

Notes

• I had a turkey breast in my freezer, also had fish for fish tacos and chicken breasts. The breakfast cookies are a new find we are definitely loving. And I made sourdough for the sandwiches. Would you guys want that recipe?

The Cost Breakdown

• Groceries: $142 (Aldi)

• Restaurant: $60 (Open Flame – a family restaurant near me, I just went with the kids and we shared an entree and a few kids meals, including tip)

• Total for the Week: $202

If you’re looking for a meal plan that’s flexible, forgiving, and designed for busy days, this is exactly how we do it.

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