If you had asked me a few years ago what “meal prep” looked like, I would’ve pictured a fridge full of identical containers, everything cooked on Sunday, and a level of organization I simply did not have.
That meal-prep method never worked for me.
This version does.
As a mom of two, my weeks are full — school schedules, activities, work, and all the little things that add up fast. Over time, I stopped trying to prep everything and started focusing on what actually makes our days easier. No perfection. No fancy systems. Just simple habits that support real life.
If you’re a busy mom who wants dinners to feel less stressful without living in the kitchen all weekend, this is for you.
What Meal Prep Really Means in This Season of Life
For me, meal prep isn’t about cooking every meal ahead of time.
It’s about:
- reducing decision fatigue
- giving myself options
- making weeknights easier on future me
I’ve learned that prepping components, not full meals, works best for our family. It gives me flexibility, prevents food waste, and doesn’t leave me overwhelmed before the week even starts.
Meal prep should support your life — not add more pressure to it.
My Go-To Meal Prep Ideas That Actually Get Used
These are the things I come back to week after week because they work.
Prep Ingredients, Not Full Meals
This one changed everything for me.
Instead of cooking entire meals in advance, I prep the building blocks:
- chopped veggies
- washed and cut fruit
- cooked rice or pasta
- roasted vegetables
When ingredients are ready, meals come together faster — and I can adjust based on what everyone is in the mood for.
One Protein, Multiple Meals
I almost always prep one main protein at the beginning of the week.
Some favorites:
- rotisserie chicken
- ground beef or turkey
- baked or shredded chicken
From there, that protein can turn into:
- bowls
- tacos
- pasta
- salads
This is how a lot of my weeknight dinners come together: you can prep some Italian-flavored ground beef and use it for either a high-protein pasta dish or a new family favorite, unstuffed pepper skillet.
Prep One Sweet Thing
This is where the “sweets” part of Sweets With Jules really shows up.
I like to prep one simple treat each week — something easy that makes the week feel a little more fun. Cookies, bars, or a simple dessert we can grab when the craving hits. My daughters love to bake with me, so we tend to do this as a family.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to exist.
Having something sweet ready means the kids have a treat I feel good about — one where I know the ingredients, with fewer preservatives and less processing.
Double One Dinner
Whenever I’m already cooking, I try to double whatever I’m making.
Dinners like our sheet pan chicken sausage meal, pasta, or casseroles are perfect for this. Half gets eaten that night, and the rest becomes lunch or another easy dinner later in the week.
This alone saves me so much time — and mental energy.
My Realistic Weekly Meal Prep Routine
Here’s what it actually looks like for me:
- I usually prep on Sunday (but not all day)
- I spend about 60–90 minutes total
- I don’t aim for perfection — just progress
Most weeks, that means:
- chopping a few veggies
- cooking one protein (or grabbing a rotisserie chicken at Costco)
- prepping fruit
- making one sweet treat
That’s it.
Some weeks I do more. Some weeks I do less. The goal is consistency, not doing it “right.”
How I Decide What’s Worth Prepping (and What’s Not)
Over time, I’ve learned to ask myself a few simple questions:
- Will this actually get eaten?
- Does this save time during the week?
- Does my family like it?
If the answer is no, I skip it.
I don’t prep meals my kids won’t eat. I don’t make things just because I “should.” I focus on what supports our real routines — not an idealized version of them.
Common Meal Prep Mistakes I’ve Made
Because I’ve made all of them.
- prepping too much food
- making meals no one wanted
- overcomplicating containers and systems
- trying to follow someone else’s routine
Once I let go of what meal prep was supposed to look like, it became so much more sustainable.
How This Fits Into Busy Mom Life
Meal prep isn’t just about food — it’s about mental load.
When I’ve prepped even a little, my week feels calmer. I spend less time deciding what’s for dinner and more time actually being present with my family.
It’s one small habit that supports the kind of slower, softer life I’m trying to create — even on busy weeks.
Final Thoughts
If you take anything from this post, let it be this:
You don’t need a perfect system.
You don’t need a fridge full of matching containers.
You don’t need to prep everything.
Start with one thing.
One protein.
One sweet treat.
One small step that makes your week easier.
That’s more than enough.
If you’re looking for ideas to turn your prepped ingredients into simple meals, be sure to check out my easy weeknight dinners for busy moms — they’re the kinds of meals I rely on during weeks like these.
And as always, thanks for being here 🤍
