Meal Prep and Meal Planning is back for 2026!
I prepped Taco bowls for my work week lunches, I’ll taco home made guac and tortilla chips with me as well.
I’ll post the taco bowl recipe this week. They are super good (I had one yesterday for lunch).
I also cut up a lot of fruit for the week- I’ve found if it’s grab and go, the kids and I are more likely to eat it,
To keep my grocery budget down, I shop at Aldi (using Instacart, I wrote about how to do it here), our local Grocery Outlet, and use cashback rebates that offer a lot of 100% back (I wrote a post about some of my favorite apps here).
I hit up Aldi on Saturday and restocked a lot of pantry staples- canned tomatoes in various forms, several types of beans, and rice. I also picked up corn tortillas, cheese, and bread. We go through a lot of bread because my oldest has a sandwich every day for lunch. I was out the door for $74.13, just under my budget of $75.00.
Breakfast: The kids tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee and a slice of toast with goat cheese and spicy honey.
Lunch: M-F I pack myself and the kids’ lunches. I bring 5 lunches to work on Monday and stash them in the fridge. I pack the kids’ lunches each night before bed, except for the cold stuff and ice pack- those I put in when I get up in the morning. This week, my lunch is taco bowls.
Dinner: This week, dinners are pretty simple. I’m easing back into meal planning in 2026, and not planning any complicated dinners that involve a lot of steps.
If there is something that one of the kids ends up not liking, they can have a sandwich or a fruit and yogurt smoothie.
- Sunday: Homemade Soup (thanks mom!), and homemade bread. The big kid had a smoothie.
- Monday: Mac n’ Cheese, Meatloaf, and Fruit
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Tuesday: Breakfast for Dinner (Waffles, Eggs, & Fruit)
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Wednesday: Skillet meal- Maybe Chicken Tetrazini
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Thursday: Chicken strips, mashed potatoes, fruit smoothies
- Friday: Takeout night!
- Saturday: Leftover Palooza and whatever leftover fruit is hanging around.
Today is National Spaghetti Day, and what better way to celebrate than sharing some of my favorite recipes that feature the long, skinny pasta that almost everyone loves!
I’ve been working on my content calendar for this month, and I’m excited that January has 5 Fridays – that means 5 Freebie and Deal posts!
Do you have an FSA? An FSA is a 
This is one of our family traditions, even since Bubs was a baby. My brother and I grew up doing this, too. I’m not sure if winter holiday light displays on residential properties are big in other parts of the country, but here in Southern California, it’s serious business. Some of these houses put the Griswold’s to shame.
Looking to engage in some sustainable fun this weekend? Check out Porchlight Community Services’ end-of-year clothing swap this Sunday, November 30th, from 1pm-4pm.
Hewes Family Fun 