Meal Planning For The Modern Parent

In today’s busy world, we’re constantly trying to figure out how to streamline tasks, chores, and work so we can allocate our time toward the things we value the most. We would much rather spend time with the kids, meet with friends, and indulge in self-care time. But when running a household and juggling a busy work schedule, it can be difficult to shave time off the monotonous tasks, like meal planning. Cooking dinner 5-7 nights a week for a young family can be super exhausting! Especially if you have little inspiration for what to make, finding the right medium between time management, grocery shopping, meal inspiration, and satisfying your family’s needs is no simple endeavor. Luckily, we’re here to help! Below is a breakdown of all the meal planning necessities you’ll need for a stress-less lifestyle.

The Staples

Most parents will admit that the key to a successful meal planning week will start with having stock of the right staples. Building from these key items is easy and can be done with little forethought put in. Having a well-stocked kitchen means a delicious meal is always within close reach. Whether you’re hard-pressed for time, feeling lazy, sick, or simply cannot make the trip to the store, you’ll have the basics you need already stocked and ready to work with. This list doesn’t include fresh veggies and fruits, as these are items you should replenish each week, if not every few days. For the best-stocked vegan kitchen, you’ll want:

• Bananas
• Dates (very useful)
• Lentils
• Nuts (cashews, almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts)
• Oats
• Pasta
• Beans and Rice
• Chickpeas
• Lemonds
• Tofu, Tempeh, Satan
• Tahini
• Frozen Berries
• Maple Syrup
• Plant-based Milk (Oat, Coconut, Almond, Soy)
• Vegetable Stock

Grocery Shopping

The next integral facet of successful meal planning is grocery shopping or grocery sourcing. Not every parent has the time and wherewithal to make the big trek into the grocery store. That’s where grocery delivery comes in. How amazing is it that in our modern world, we can select all our items online, set a date and time of the week, and have a delivery dropped off at our doorstep? That means more time to spend with your loved ones, or doing something you love rather than walking the aisles for hours. Yet, some really enjoy the process of shopping and the inspiration that comes along with it. If you’re a more traditional shopper, pick a day of the week and a time that you have relatively free (best if it’s a day off) to head to the store to pick up your favorite perishables.

Veggies

Grab as many leafy greens as you can, like chard, kale, spinach, carrots, mushrooms, peppers, jackfruit (a great replacement for chicken), onions, peas, broccoli or cauliflower, asparagus, and any other yummy veggies you’ll need.

Fruits

Pick up fresh fruits like bananas, stone fruits (like peaches and nectarines), blueberries (high in antioxidants), oranges, avocados (these make a great creamy base for a lot of Vegan dishes), cherries, and really anything else that strikes your fancy. These typically only last for about a week depending on how you store them and their ripeness at the time of purchase so you can feel good knowing you’ll have at least a week’s supply.

Your Favorite Plant-Based Products

After you have your staples and groceries for the week, you’ll be ready to craft delicious plant-based meals in no time. Something that will make life as a vegan much easier, is ordering some amazing plant-based products from local Los Angeles Bago Health. Choose from an array of dairy-free sauces, dressings, and dips to elevate any meal within seconds! Bago Health also offers delicious cashew-based cheesecakes in multiple flavors so you never have to worry about fulfilling that guilt-free sweet fix for the kids ever again. With hundreds of potential meals waiting to be made out of these wonderful ingredients, you’ll never have to stress again about what to make each night.

When you buy a product from a conscious kitchen like Julie’s, you’re buying the very best food, removed from preservatives, refined sugar, and unhealthy fats. You not only support a locally owned Vegan Los Angeles business, but you also nourish your body and your brain for sustained health! Check out Bago Health to see our many products, catering options, and deals! Currently offering convenient Local Delivery, Bago Health makes it easier than ever to satisfy your needs with the best vegan food in Los Angeles!