This week on the Comfort Food podcast, we dive into one aspect of meal planning that no one really talks about—the mental energy required to get it done. We’re honest and realistic about how much work goes into feeding our families, and what we can do to make it a little bit easier.
You can download this episode from iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn Radio, or wherever else you get your podcasts. or listen to it here! Then use this page to check out any links, notes, or tips we referenced.
Mental Load of Meal Planning
Mental load, which is all of the emotional and mental energy required, is often unacknowledged when we talk about parenting. It’s all the invisible work that goes into it—it’s who remembers to go to the store, make the list, and get the timing of the cooking right. Most often, this defaults to moms.
Which is all well and good but so many of us are doing this extra work and not being acknowledged for it. And it’s hard to split this mental work up.
Fed Up
Fed UpThis is the book by Gemma Hartley that Virginia mentions as the thing that gave her a mental load lightbulb moment.
How to Make Meal Planning Easier
We talk through a few ways to handle dividing and conquering the labor with your partner, including how to handle pantry staples and alternating cooking nights. We also love theme nights which help to cut down on the thought involved in making meals happen and apps and grocery list organization that can help.
Easy Family Meal Plans
If you’re wanting some help with coming up with healthy meals for your family, I hope you’ll check out my new meal plans. They come out each weekend and include 7 easy dinner ideas as well as breakfast and snack ideas. They’re all kid-friendly and yet delish for the parents too.
Using the Instant Pot to Your Advantage
We talked through my feelings on the Instant Pot and how hard it is to wrap your head around the timing of recipes. But send me your favorite recipes to help me figure out new ways to use this for my family!
Tiny Kitchens for Kids
Virginia is fascinated by the tiny kitchens trend where little kids have REAL kitchens on a smaller scale. Here’s one that she mentioned that wraps around the grown up size kitchen island.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this podcast episode, so please comment below or reach out to us at comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com.
Were you going to link the pitcher you both mentioned keeping on the table during mealtimes? I’d love to check it out.
Oh sorry that I missed including that. You can check it out here.
Thank you!