YOUR MISSION:
(should you choose to accept it)
To cook 4-10 x Simple Meal Plans dinners over a two week period.
CHALLENGE DATE:
13-26 July 2020
HOW TO JOIN:
1. Leave a comment below saying how many meals you will make.
2. Download + print your progress chart.
RESOURCES:
- Printable Progress Chart
- Week 1. Meal Plan – SUMMER
- Week 1. Meal Plan – WINTER
- Week 2. Meal Plan – SUMMER
- Week 2. Meal Plan – WINTER
- + ALL Challenge Recipes List
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
1. Review the meal plans + choose your recipes.
2. Buy your ingredients
3. Have fun in the kitchen!
4. Leave comments on the website sharing what you cooked.
HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE!
1. Leave a comment on each recipe page for every meal you cook.
2. Email a photo of your completed star chart to jules@thestonesoup.com
It’s going to be fun!
There will be a prize for everyone who completes the challenge!
And thankfully this message won’t self destruct π
With love,
Jules x
– – – – – – – – – –
Q. Can I use other recipes?
If you really want to of course. BUT one of the ideas of the challenge is to make life as simple and as easy as possible so I really recommend constraining yourself to only using the recipes in the meal plans listed above. There is magic in limiting choices.
Q. Will everyone get a prize?
A. All active simple meal plans members who complete the challenge and cook the number of meals they committed to will be eligible for the prize.
Q. Do we have to use recipes from a particular menu only, or can we use any of your recipes and it will count?
A. Itβs up to you. Iβll include 4 meal plans (2 x summer and 2 x winter) here. And I recommend focusing on those because it will make it easier for you not having too many options. Keeping it simple is key! But if you really want to use other recipes that will count. ?
Doing 10. Thanks to the extensive recipe archives and the substitution lists included with each dish, almost anyone could do Simple Meal Plans–even with food allergies/special dietary needs.
Excellent Debbie!
That’s my aim – to make every recipe as inclusive as possible.
Jx
10!
Go Helen!
Okay, I’m doing Dry July so I might as well doNo Fry July as well!
My goodness Helen, you won;t know yourself by August!
Anything that cuts down alcohol consumption is a good thing. If you want some extra motivation to quit drinking, I recommend the book This Naked Mind by Annie Grace. Really eye opening!
Thanks for this recommendation. Iβve started reading it. Looks good!
Excellent Helen!
I need to break my husband into this gently. My goal is 6. This should be fun!
It will totally be fun Patti! And your husband might surprise you π
Hi Jules,
Challenge accepted and I’m going to commit to 10 meals. After a long illness, I’m so excited to be back in the kitchen to cook and make some fantastic meals for my family. I will be switching between the summer/winter meal plans to hit this goal.
Oh excellent Scotland Squire!
Glad to hear you’re on the mend π
I go for 6, because my holiday just starts, and I sometimes like to have a day off. The recipes look great again. So we might end up with 10. But that is more than 6, so no problem, isn’t it?
No problem at all Ryanne!
The deliciousness, simplicity and substitutions make the decision easy. Going for 10.
Go Julie!
Great idea! I think 6 will be doable!
Excellent Jane!
Hey Jules,
I will commit to 4.
Trying to empty fridge / freezer.
Even if we make lots of substitutions, can we still count the recipe?
Cheers for the awesome idea.
Of course it will count Bella!
Emptying the fridge and freezer is always a fab idea π
I’ll commit to 6. Cheers.
Great Mark!
I’ll centralise the documentation of my completed meals here-
#1 Spinach & Feta Burgers
Brilliant idea Mark!
#2 Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry
#3 Indian Spiced Omelette
… with Cooked Greens.
I normally only cook three meals a week, but getting takeaway in the middle seemed to be against the spirit of the exercise, and the chart has nowhere to count weekend cooking, so
#4 Fish with Lime & Miso Butter
You could count weekend cooking and just mark it on one of the other days if you like Mark π
Too late now π Besides, it was good to just have something ready to eat on Sunday in particular.
#5 Roast Pesto Chicken & Broccoli
Slight cheat, since this didn’t involve any fresh cooking (all leftovers), but technicalities count, so
#6 The Good Greens
I was going to say that neither is it strictly a Challenge recipe, but not only did you say that other recipes were valid, but it was in an email about the Challenge, so particularly appropriate. Counting this one, I’ll certainly make #7 and probably #8 too.
Totally counts Mark!
#7 Smoky Cauli Taco Bowls
#8 and last βEuropeanβ (Zucchini) Burgers with Red Wine Sauce
Congrats on completing the challenge Mark! Don’t forget to email me and caroline to claim your prize!
Hi Jules, I sent it to jules@thestonesoup.com not long after I posted here. Do I need to email Caroline separately?
No she’ll get it Mark! Well done!
I’m in for 6!
Excellent Helke!
I can do 8 – this will be fun !
Woondeful Beth!
And it will totally be fun π
Iβm looking forward to the daily accountability of completing this challenge. I was planning to go low and say 6 meals, but after some thought will go for 10.
Go Sherrill!
I love the simplicity and nutritional goodness of your recipes and like the challenge of cooking more of them. Count me in for 6. Thank you Jules.
Yay Glenda!
Count me in Jules. I stick to a meal plan each week, but need to add more of yours in, so I will commit to 7 over that period. I can’t wait to choose them π
Fab Deb!
I’m in, sign me up for 7 (may take the option of substituting one or two of my own).
Excellent Wally!
Hi Jules, I will commit to seven, as I have my nephews coming to town during that timeframe and I know we’ll be eating out by the beach. This sounds fun and I love when I plan ahead so this will help! Thanks!
Excellent Laura!
Eating by the beach sounds heavenly π
Iβll aim for 10 since Iβm cooking all the time anyway! Love these recipes for lunch leftovers the next day!
Go Raelynn!
Hi Jules!
Iβll commit to 6. And youβre never too old for colorful pens and stickers!
Thanks for your inspiration!
β€οΈLeesa
Yes Leesa! I have a bit of a stationery fetish π
I commit to minimum 6. My goal would be 8!
Focus on the 6 Sylvie – it’s easier for your brain to hit a concrete target.
I have marked my diary – going to commit to 6 since most of the time I cook enough for two meals. If my hubby eats some of my meals I will try for more!
6 is great Gillian!
I have made my choices!
sunny parisian carrot bowls with chicken
Indian omlette
European burgers
Fish with olive lemon salsa
spiced cabbage and eggs
Fish with lime and miso butter.
I am holding off from buying fish – hoping my grandson catches some fish this weekend and shares! π
Lucky you having the possibility of super fresh fish Gillian!
Thanks for posting your plan – now as you cook each one just leave a comment on the site so we know what you made – and so you can claim your prize at the end!
I commit to six!
Excellent Jamie!
Do we have to use recipes from a particular menu only, or can we use any of your recipes and it will count?
It’s up to you Jamie.
I’ll include 4 meal plans (2 x summer and 2 x winter) here. And I recommend focusing on those because it will make it easier for you not having too many options.
Keeping it simple is key!
But if you really want to use other recipes that will count. π
What a great idea! I’m in – I’ll aim for at least 6 over the two weeks.
Wonderful Lizzie!
Iβll make 10
Great idea Jules
Go Kath!
I’ll join in for 4 meals as my family are fussy little buggers so it’s not easy with meal times in my house. Thanx for a great idea Jules.
4 is fab Linda!
I hear you on the fussy little buggers.
I made a rule the other day that they’re not aloud to complain about the food I give them. They don’t have to eat it but they’re not aloud to say something is ‘yuck’ or disgusting.
So far it’s made a huge difference. Not to what they actually eat but how we all feel at meal times.
I wonder if that would help you?
I agree. If one of the kids doesn’t like it, there’s no need for them to be rude about it!
I’ll aim for ten meals but let’s see what actually happens! Oh well, I’ll aim high!!
It’s made meal times so much nicer Kathy! (And I think they’re actually eating more veg)
If you’re going to go for 10 you need to sound more certain you can do it. Aiming high is great but there is more power in certainty. What would prevent you from doing 10?
I thought of replying (responding) to a few of your comments such as a love of star charts but this one, I will reply to you! Maybe I wrote this to you already!! My mom “did not allow” us to say all those things you mention. It sticks with me to this day when I hear grown-ups rudely gagging like its normal expression of someone’s work and if I think they might benefit from some tact, I mention this teaching my mom gave me when young. Thank you!! Its easier to get young ones to think its not their right to let the world know the extremes of their likes or dislikes.. I will consult my two about this challenge. Our recent month was a rough change-of-season!! I’ve settled in for Summer..
Glad you guys are settled in for the Summer – would love it if you joined the challenge!
I will participate but I can’t say how many I will cook! Normally 5 recipes are enough for a whole week (lunch and dinner) with leftovers, new combination and so on… So it is hard to tell… ?
So glad you’re joining in Irina!
Why don’t you commit to 6 meals for the 2 weeks? It’s good to have a concrete number for your brain to focus.
Ξ commit to one per day, it will either be a lunch or a dinner, most probably a lunch. I do intermittent and low carb/high good fat so my eating window is in the day time. I absolutely LOVE that we are doing it all together! Thank you Jules for the idea and inspiration.
Wonderful Maria!
I do Intermittent Fasting and Low Carb / Healthy Fat as well so I was planning to have some for lunch and others for dinner.
So glad you’re enjoying the inspiration π
I’m so excited about us doing it all together as well.
Jx
Iβll do 6!
Go Hannah!
I’m aiming for at least 3 each week to get us through sports commitments and “don’t feel like cooking Fridays”, or more depending on recipes. Thanks Jules, looking forward to it!
3 per week is excellent Kelly!
I’ll be realistic and commit to 6.
What a great idea to generate extra motivation.
Realistic is always the best approach Keryl π
Count me in for 10!
Excellent Kaitlin!
Count me in. I choose to make 6. ?
I’m committing to 10!
So excited you guys love a star chart as much as me π
I will commit to 3 – 4 per week. Usually have leftovers for lunches over the week. Who needs take away when I can have a delicious meal made in the same time. So glad I made the decision to join.
I’m so glad you made that decision as well Anna π
And focus on 3 per week. A clear target makes it easier for your brain to achieve the goal.
Yay for leftovers lunches – my favourites!
Hi Jules,
I commit to 6 meals.
Wonderful Deveri π
I do love a chart for marking off new habits! Count me in for 8, please π
Yes aren’t they fun Carla!
8 is my lucky number π
Ok, Iβll say 6 – 3 per week should be doable, I hope!
No need for hoping Anke. You can totally do 3 per week.
I believe in you!
Thanks, Jules! π
Great project β₯οΈ I am going to commit to 6meals and aim for more!
Wonderful Christiane!
Focus on the 6 to make it easier for your brain to achieve the goal.
Challenge accepted! In for 6 meals ??
Fab Andrea!
I commit to 6 because we have a family gathering in the middle of this two week ahead.
Nice one Stephen π
I will commit to 6. (If I can make more, it will be a bonus!)
Excellent Bonnie!
Stay focused on the 6. A clear target is easier to hit π
I’m in! July 13th is my husband’s birthday, so this will be a perfect way to begin the celebration. I’ll make 7 dinners during the Challenge! Thank you for being our inspiration and guide.
You’ll have to wish your husband a happy birthday from me Ann.
7 sounds fab.
And thank you for letting me be your inspiration and guide. I’m so lucky I get to do this.
I’m planning on 10. I love the simple meal plans when I use them consistently! Life is so much easier and take out ends up being work!
Oh yay Sandy!
Isn’t it funny how take out can seem like more work than cooking. And cooking is so much more fun π
I’m pretty sure I can do 6. My daughter may be able to fly home on June 30,and she’s got a lot of food homesick cravings that will be important to fill. When she’s here and your menus are up, I’ll try to raise my game.
Oh that’s wonderful your daughter is coming home Murphy.
Just focus on the 6 to make it easy for your brain π
Iβm game! Iβll shoot for 10.
Go Ken!
I look forward to doing this – I would realistically say 6 meals – but hopefully more π
Excellent Ethel!
Stick to 6 as your focus to make it easier for your brain to achieve the goal π
I will do 8 !! And why not 10 π
Stick to 8 Emilie. It’s important to have a clear focus for your brain in achieving goals.
You can do 10 next time π
Great Project!! Im joining too!!
I will make 3 to 4 meals per week!
Love this kind of initiatives!!!
I will also share my meals in my account in Instagram to inspire others @mimomentoahora
Iβm in! Will try for 10 ?
Excellent Michele!
Excellent Maria!
I’d recommend committing to 3. Our brains are better at achieving goals when there is a clear focus.
And that would be fab if you shared on Instagram.
I’d also love to have your comments here on the Simple Meal Plans website so we can learn from what you cooked π
So fun!
Me too !! This is such a motivation Jules ?
Yay Emilie!
Yay! I cannot wait to participate!
Excellent Katherine! And you get an extra prize for being the first one to commit π
And how many dinners are you going to make?
10! π
Go Katherine!
Late entry here. Iβll go for 6. Hopefully more, but would rather feel smug for doing better than beat myself up for not achieving what I set out to do.
Smug is great Jo!