• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Nourished Planner

Nourished Planner

Daily Planner for a Well-Nourished Life

  • Inside the Planner
  • Blog
  • Try it Free

Easy Summer Meal Planning Hacks

June 25, 2018 By Heidi Larsen Leave a Comment

Craving healthy dinners but can’t find the time to get them made? Yea, we feel you, and that’s why we’re challenging ourselves to get back to the basics and back to the rhythm of summer meal prep and planning.

Nourished Planner Meal Prep Ideas | nourishedplanner.com #mealprep #recipes #planner #dayplanner

Each season’s style of meal prep and meal planning is a little different. Not just in the choice of recipes you crave, but how you meal plan and prep.

So if getting out and living your best life this summer has left you in in the meal planning rut, here are a few ideas and hacks to get back on track.

Summer Meal Planning Hacks

Grab a rotisserie chicken, or two. Shred the chicken and make a healthier creamy chickensalad, or mix the shredded chicken with Mexican seasonings or guac for light mid-week tacos, or top it over your favorite greens with strawberries and avocado for a fresh and tasty lunch or dinner. It’s a solid source of protein that you didn’t have to cook.

Take advantage of the fresh seasonal produce that doesn’t need a lot of attention. Unlike winter where the produce tends to be more root vegetable-based that requires cooking, summer is the prime time for juicy, flavorful, and delicious raw fruits and veggies. Take advantage and create a meal of stackable bites with a creamy cucumber tzatziki dip.

Have a good salad dressing or sauce each week. The sauce makes the dish, at least in our minds and having one simple dressing or master sauce like this Asian-flavored one can entice you to stick around and make that quick meal at home rather than driving through a fast food restaurant. Use it as an easy marinade for meat or chicken and then extend it for a grain or healthy noodle bowl for super easy summer eats.

Prep some freezer foods like smoothie packs, healthy granola bars or even yogurt pops that can cool you down and fill you up at the same time.

Stick to the batch cooking system. Each week cook one grain, one vegetable, one salad, one protein, and one sauce – then develop the art of layering your foods to make them stretch into multiple meals.

Remember, healthy eating and delicious meals don’t have to be difficult.

In fact, some of the best flavors come from the fewest ingredients. Stick to what you know, try new recipes only when you have time and focus on the flavors of the season. Most importantly, get back to your planner and write in your meal plan for next week.

It’s one less decision and one big stressor you have to make every day.

If you need some help coming up with a meal plan, check out these 20 Healthy Dinners Made in a Snap!

Don’t forget to check out our Batch Cooking Basics Guide, where you’ll learn the REAL secrets to successful meal prep, and it starts with just a few simple recipes. Thank you for following Nourished Planner, and see more on Instagram and Facebook. Sign up for our FREE Weekly Meal Plans and Shopping Lists emailed to your inbox here, and sign up for the Nourished Life Challenge here. 

Sign Up Here

We want to know, how are you using your Nourished Planner? Hashtag #nourishedplanner on Instagram or tag us on Facebook @NourishedPlanner and show how you are using it! 

Filed Under: Blog, How-To, Recipes Tagged With: meal plan, meal prep, summer

About Heidi Larsen

I like to create and share recipes that are fresh, seasonal, mostly simple, often healthy, comfort food. And sometimes with a little cheese and butter mixed in.

Are You Ready Transform Your Meal Times and Your Life?

Get Your Free One Week Planner To Start Today

Get it Now

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Get a free weekly planner

It is time to regain control of your life, declare yourself master of the kitchen and take back your health.

ARE YOU READY TO LIVE A WELL NOURISHED LIFE?

Get weekly e-mails with recipes, tips, hacks and to help you take back your kitchen, your help and say yes to more things you love. Welcome to your new life.

Categories

  • Blog
  • How-To
  • Organization
  • Recipes

The Latest

10 Life Lessons to Help You Plan for the New Decade nourishedplanner.com

10 Life Lessons to Help You Plan for the New Decade

5 Ways to Stay Sane Through the Holidays | nourishedplanner.com

5 Ways to Stay Sane Through The Holidays

Become more aware of what's really worth your energy. Habits nourishedplanner.com

5 Small Daily Things That Can Change Your Habits for Good

Footer

  • Our Story
  • Influencer Program
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
© 2019, Nourished Planner payment method icons payment method icons
Copyright © 2021 · Nourished Planner · Terms & Conditions · Privacy Policy