Welcome to the 7-Day Simple Meal Plans Kickstarter training!
I’m super excited to be taking you on a little journey over the next week.
This training will help you make the most of your Simple Meal Plans.
Meal planning is such a game-changing habit when it comes to eating well.
It will save you time and energy planning and shopping.
It’s also going to make it really simple and fun to nourish yourself with delicious, fresh real food on a daily basis.
Your future self is going to thank you!
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN TODAY:
- What to expect over the next 7 days
- 5 tips to set yourself up for meal planning success.
What to Expect
Over the next 7 days I’m going to take your hand and walk you though everything you need to know and do to get the most out of your Simple Meal Plans.
Step-by-step.
I promise I’ll be gentle.
You might even have some fun!
The biggest thing you need to be aware of is you’re building a new habit.
Like all new things, it’s going to feel a bit clunky and awkward in the beginning.
This is totally normal.
If you feel yourself getting frustrated or annoyed, remember ‘nothing has gone wrong’.
It’s only going to get easier from here.
5 Tips to Set Yourself Up for Meal Planning Success
1. Decide.
The first step is to decide to develop your new meal planning habit.
Really commit to yourself that you’re going to make meal planning work for you.
No matter what.
2. Start small – make it as EASY as possible.
Forming or changing habits is HARD WORK to begin with.
The best way to guarantee success is to make it as small, manageable and easy as possible.
I recommend starting with only using 1-2 new recipes from the meal plan in the first week.
Then build up from there.
3. Expect changes to your schedule.
In modern life there are always things that come up that will interfere with your meal plan.
Rather than get upset by them, remember changes are normal.
Change is supposed to happen.
4. Use the ‘Waste Avoidance Strategy’.
When your schedule changes and you can’t cook something you had originally planned, you won’t be on your own!
Follow the instructions in the ‘Waste Avoidance Strategy’ on each recipe to ‘preserve’ your ingredients for another night.
Too easy.
5. Don’t expect to be ‘perfect’ from the first week.
When starting something new it’s normal for it to be hard in the beginning.
It’s going to take a bit more time when you’re getting started.
But like all good habits, the more you do it the quicker and easier it’s going to get.
I promise 🙂
ACTIVITY
STEP 1. Decide to commit to making meal planning work for you.
STEP 2. Leave a comment below sharing why you want to simplify meal planning.
Looking forward to hearing your ‘why’.
Tomorrow we’re going to be looking at when you’re going to fit this new habit into your schedule. And why scheduling time is so important.
In the mean time have some fun in the kitchen!
With love,
Jules x
ps. If you need help with anything, leave a comment below.
I check them every day 🙂
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Hi Jules,
I stand in front of the freezer/fridge wondering what to have for dinner. I end up not deciding on anything and then having rubbish or needing to buy something because it’s too late to defrost something. I want to change this behavior.
Leonie.
Deciding ahead is totally going to solve that problem Leonie – Just trust the process. You can do this.
I want to make my life easier…and eat better….There has to be a better way and I am determined to find it so that we can have more ease at dinner time.!
You’re in the right place Gretchen!
More ease at dinner is heading your way 🙂
Hi! I want to eliminate the stress of not knowing what to cook & eat today & every day. I want the ease of knowing I’m eating healthy & I have what I need to cook today & every day. I want the confidence of cooking for today.
Brilliant Robin
You are exactly where you need to be for all of those things. Just follow the process 🙂
I’m looking forward to easing my decision fatigue–getting some meal ideas that are relatively simple with a less time consuming process overall.
You’re totally in the right place for all those things Margie 🙂
Hi all, i want to commit to meal plan to have healthier meals, more fun and more time for myself. I am sure planning ahead will make it efficient and save time and energy 🙂
Yes Bengisu!
Planning ahead will definitely make it efficient and save you time and energy so you will have more fun AND more time for yourself 🙂
You’re in the right place 🙂
Jx
I’m really keen to learn and adopt meal plans for better nutrition, less waste and the fun and variety of it
Excellent Majena!
You’re in the right place.
Hi Jules,
I want to have more enjoyment in the kitchen. I want to let go of the burden that comes with the thought “What are we going to have for dinner?”. I want to let go of the thoughts that I have failed on some level as a parent because I don’t have something organised for dinner. Of course I also want the increased health and energy that will come with meal planning. This is not coming naturally to me…….yet
You’re totally in the right place Tanya!
Just trust the process and you will get there 🙂
If I can quiet that little voice in my head that talks about what is for dinner, Simple Meal Plans will have been a success ? I cook for my husband and daughter. I like doing it but would like to streamline the process a bit.
You’re totally in the right place Joan – Meal Planning is the perfect habit to make that little voice happy and calmer. You’ve got this.
I would love to not think about food so much and insert more joy and care around food. Lately it’d like I check it off my list and barely notice I’m eating and eating later in the day and bad off switch. Not at peace with it.
You can change that Leslie
You’re on the right track – being intentional and inserting more care up front is the key.
And just know it IS POSSIBLE for you to find peace. Just take it one step at a time.
I would like to become someone who meal plans so that I do not rely on take out food so much, to eat healthier meals and to make cooking less stressful.
You’re totally in the right place Jacqueline
You can do this!
I want to make my life easier and I want to eat healthier.
You’re in the right place Åsa!
Because I am living alone I have been buying pre prepared meals. But I am getting bored with repetitive meals. I want variety and I want to start eating healthy food.
Excellent reasons Jan!
Mostly it’s only me eating the meals. My partner does his own thing. This week I will comment to making 2 meals (2 servings) from the plan as I like leftovers. I want to work on portion control this week too.
Sounds like a plan Nancy!
Rather than thinking about it as ‘portion control’ what if you focused on listening to your body and letting it tell you when to stop?
Want to try new recipes that will give me more options if I’m tempted to get takeaways ?
You’re totally in the right place for that Denise!
I’m going back to school while working full time in a few weeks, and am nervous about figuring out how to navigate a busier schedule. I want to meal plan so I have some strategies in place to eat healthy, easy meals without having to think too hard about them.
You’re totally doing the right thing Lizzie 🙂
I want to have fun in the kitchen cooking healthy and nutrient rich and tasty food for myself and my husband. I am tired of opening my fridge never knowing what to cook and then just choosing carb loaded unhealthy options which do nothing for our health or well-being. I am really looking forward to partnering with you Jules to learn about cooking simple but heathy meals.
You’re totally in the right place Jules 🙂
I want to plan my meals so I always have a healthy and delicious choices and don’t use lack of dinner ideas as an excuse to eat whatever is “easier” but not better for me.
Excellent Caro – this will help you find easier AND better for you – you don’t have to choose between the two.
At last I worked out how to read and make comments! Why am I doing this? I’m tired of trying to work out what to make for dinner, and my hubby works for Trader Joe’s so he brings home all sorts of bad choices. With access to a great grocery store I should be able to eat correctly and lose this weight I’ve gained. I’ve tried meal planning on my own but you are right, there are many barriers to success
Wow lucky you having a husband who can shop for you Barbara! You’re in the right place. You can do this (and the weight will take care of itself)
What better way to manage lockdown than to meal plan, right? Though it’s my partner who is our DS (Designated Shopper), it will still be helpful to have an overall design to what we shop for and eat for the week. Thanks for the help, Jules.
Absolutely Joie!
I love that you have a DS 🙂
You are all over this!
Learning how to plan a meal that is both healthy and delicious will help me to enjoy “dinner time”. Instead of feeling just get it over with. I’ve never really learned how to cook well, to bring a lot of flavors together. I cook simple/basic meals. I’m hoping to broaden mine and my family’s enjoyment of healthy food!
Simple is good Kim! You don’t need to know how to bring a lot of flavours together – you can trust me to come up with the creative ideas. 🙂
So I don’t fall back to unhealthy choices when I am stressed and have no mental energy left to cook.
Having this habit is exactly what you need to overcome that Sonja. You’re in the right place 🙂
Oops I didn’t realise I had click on reply before
My why – so I’m not at the fridge/freezer when should have started cooking thinking what can I make for dinner. And also to void food waste.
Brilliant Natasha! You’re totally in the right place 🙂
Lots of reasons to meal plan: prevent overeating, reduce carbs, increase veggies and make sure I eat protein.
Great segment! Jenny B
Yes Yes Yes Jenny!
Just make sure you come back to these reasons if your brain ever starts to not want to plan 🙂
My why – so I’m not at the fridge/freezer when should have started cooking thinking what can I make for dinner. And also to void food waste.
I want to do this because I see planning as the hardest part of cooking! To get help planning and doing the shopping list seems like half the battle is over. Then I can just cook and eat!
Yes Susan planning makes everything so much easier! And I can do most of that hard work for you – you just need to tweak and go 🙂
I want to tranition to a healthier eating style. My partner asks daily “what’s for dinner….what’s for dessert? Having a desirable and easy meal planning method is helpful. ” It is nice to watch Jules cook in the videos. That’s how I learn best, by observing! I am glad Jules embraces many food sources. I am pleased to be more focused about “What’s for dinner!”, I hope to make eating relaxed and less streeful.
You’re totally in the right place Kasey 🙂
And so glad you’re finding the videos helpful!
I feel stress about cooking healthy food but I also feel stress when I don’t eat healthfully… I’m hoping for a slightly less stressful existence! ?
Less stress is an excellent goal Caroline!
You can do this – building the habit of planning and using really simple recipes will help for sure.
Just remind yourself cooking healthy food can be simple. And it’s better when I eat healthfully.
Keeping your thoughts on track is the best way to get on top of the stress. And trust the process 🙂
So there is food in the fridge to cook a good meal with after work instead of having to go to shops first. Eat healthy and reduce takeaway.
Fantastic Shelley! You’re in the right place 🙂
I don’t want to be eating the same old ingredients but don’t want to waste food by it going off. I also need to be prepared for visitors. I don’t live near shops so need to shop once a week for the week.
You’re definitely in the right place then Amanda 🙂
Baby step 1: I have committed to meal planning so that I may offer the whole family wholesome, healthy meals every day (and not just when I am inspired….).
Beautiful Coralia!
Your family are very lucky 🙂
I want to simplify meal planning to set myself up for success and ensure there is variety in what I’m eating.
Wonderful Diana!
I’ve gone back to the beginning!!!
A very good place to start Rosemary 🙂
To make it easy to try new recipes… A wholistic way so it is not a one-off with ingredients I will never use again. Jules’s recipes are so interesting.
Excellent Lucy!
I just perused everyone else’s answers and am happy to be in this crowd. Most of the answers apply to me as well. I love to be in the kitchen, talk about food, congregate with cooks, and fantasize about the next great meal. Jules, you have a grounding style and provide more information with your recipes than I see anywhere. Let’s go, let’s go!!!
LOVE it Gay!
I don’t seem to be able to get beyond the first page. What am I not doing? I expected to jump right in and begin this new adventure in meal planning….but seems I am stuck in cyberville!! HELP
Sorry! It’s meant to be a day-by-day thing Margie… so you’ll get an email every day.
But if you wanted to jump right in you can access all the daily lessons from this page (you’ll need to go back to this main page to explore each daily lesson)
https://simplemealplans.mystagingwebsite.com/kick-starter/
Sorry it wasn’t clearer.
Jx
When I don’t plan ahead, I make bad choices and overeat food that tends to be unhealthy.
Excellent reason to plan then Marjorie 🙂
I want to simplify my meal planning so cooking and eating are happy stress free times
Brilliant Hannah!
Always my intention to meal plan, but sometimes takeout is so easy. Looking forward to setting up a food prepping habit so i can convince myself away from the phone…
Brilliant Ginna! You know it’s possible for cooking to be just as easy (and so much more rewarding). You can do it 🙂
We want to simply our meal planning to change our eating habits, reduce waste & reduce waist!
Our goal is to be fit and healthy grandparents
Ash & Nic
I LOVe that you have a clear and inspiring goal Ash & Nic (and also love the reduce waste and reduce waist!)
You’re on the right path 🙂
I’ve already been using some of your recipes and enjoy them. And I appreciate your suggestions for substitutions and variations – I live alone and have trouble using up the contents of my refrigerator. My goal is to avoid sugar and excessive carbohydrates, eat healthily, avoid eating between meals, and lose some weight. No specific questions right now, but I’m looking forward to your education and suggestions!
Thanks for sharing Ann! And you’re totally in the right place for minimising sugar and carbs and eating healthier with ease 🙂
I already am used to planning meals on my own, but want to use new and healthier recipes. My husband and son and I all carry a bit of extra weight, to varying degrees, and my husband and I need to watch our cholesterol. I think we just need a change in our usual meals to help us. I love that your recipes are all gluten free. I am gluten intolerant and recipes that are all gf mean that there don’t need to be any alterations to recipes to cater for me. I am keen for simple recipes too. Looking forward to it. Thanks Jules!
You’re in the right place Heather 🙂
I want to make sure we have real meals instead of just fillers (cheese, chips, snacks) for when we’re hungry. Meal planning – simple meal planning – sounds like a smart thing to do. Even though I’m a pretty good cook, I get tired of having to come up with ideas all the time, so default to “grazing” when I don’t feel like cooking. As seniors we need nourishment without too much effort!
IT’s totally the smart thing to do Sherry 🙂
We all need nourishment without too much effort.
I need to plan because I live alone and am usually buying in quantities that ultimately go bad in the frig before I can use them.
Brilliant Jane! We have lots of single people using SMP for that reason. Most of my recipes serve 2 – so you can either just make 2 portions and save one for another meal. Or use the serving size adjuster to make one.
Guess who is really far behind? My main goal is to introduce some new possibilities in our eating habits to accommodate my husband’s Type 2 diabetes. My first week I made salmon with macadamia nuts (huge success), then the following week mushroom/spinach soup (also big success). Then I had one meal we didn’t like, Christmas came, procrastination set in. I’m back and hoping to get re-energized!!
Carolyn Carolyn Carolyn!
You’re not behind at all – you’re exactly where you need to be.
You can do it! Just focus on the steps in this training. 🙂
Hi Jules. I’m looking forward to be able to spend less time worrying about what to eat and spending more quality time with my ,husband, who after suffering a stroke , has become totally dependent . I have always loved cooking and entertained a lot ,, however now circumstances has changed ,it will be a great relief to master simple meal planning and cooking. Thank you for your great help. Lene
I’m sorry to heat about your husband Lene – Building this simple habit will make a big difference. Glad you are taking the time to learn 🙂
Hi Jules,
The reason why I’ve come to SMP is that I’ve found I’m spending too much time thinking about what I’m going to eat on a daily basis and then shopping too often and hauling the goods home, storing them and then often wasting food. I’d like to save time and not have food on my mind so much.
You are in the perfect place Marian! Enjoy 🙂
I will enjoy planning which will avoid wastage and the hopefully the desire to snack
Yes Carol! PLanning will help with both those things. Especially the desire to snack – the more proper meals you eat the less you’ll want snacks. So fun
Thanks, Jules! I’m in! Have been trackingbwith you all week, but not posting. Realized I need to firm up my commitment (step 1), so came back today to review each day
I love eating vegetables and feel better when I eat healthy, but often get off track because I tend to overcomplicate things. Step 2 – start small and make it easy as possible is where I most need your help and why I’m doing this.
Excellent Melanie!
We need to add more veggies to our diet and I need to have leftover that i can take to work for lunch since cafeteria eating is no longer and option. If i don’t plan I either purchase veggies that aren’t used, or we default to starchy fatty meals.
You’re totally int he right place Kathy!
I simply want to be able to answer THAT question.
“What’s for dinner?”
Whether it is the night before, or even 5 mins before dinner time. I want that to be my SUPERPOWER.
ooh I love it Bella!
My hubby, my head chef here at home, deserves my help. Truly deserves it. I need to up my game and reduce his decision fatigue.
Thanks Jules & Caroline for your wonderful help and all your work.
You’re so welcome Heather 🙂