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October 11th Meal Prep
October has a way of slowing everything down in the best way. The air is crisp, the leaves are starting to turn, and somehow the kitchen becomes the warmest, busiest room in the house again. After the scramble of getting back into routine in September, this is the month where things finally start to feel settled, and a little prep on Sunday goes a long way toward keeping it that way.
If you're feeding a full table this week, I hope this list takes some of the weight off. And if it feels like too much, it's okay to skip most of it. Mix up a few jars of overnight oats, or slice up the fruit as soon as you get home from the store, and let that one small thing make your mornings easier. Progress, not perfection. Every little bit you do on Sunday is something you won't have to think about on a busy Wednesday.
What We're Making This Week-
Overnight Cookie Dough Oats — Breakfast that feels like a treat but is really just a good, filling bowl of oats. Stir everything together in jars on Sunday night, and in the morning all anyone has to do is grab a spoon. These are a big hit with the kids, and I love that breakfast is already sitting in the fridge waiting.
Egg Bake — One pan, a dozen-plus servings, and mornings are covered. Once it cools, I cut it into squares and stack them in a container so anyone can reheat a piece in under a minute. It's hearty enough to keep everyone full until lunch and easy to switch up with whatever veggies or meat you have on hand.
Brownie Protein Bites — My answer to the afternoon snack attack. No oven needed, just mix, roll, and chill. They taste rich and chocolatey but actually hold you over, which makes them perfect for a quick snack between school lessons or a little pick-me-up for mom.
Boiled Eggs — A staple that shows up on this list just about every week, and for good reason. A big batch takes almost no effort and gets used for everything: lunches, snacks, egg salad sandwiches, or a quick bite with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
PB Oat Cups — Peanut buttery, chewy, and so easy to grab on the way out the door. These are one of the most requested snacks in our house, and they make a big batch without much work at all. (This one's exclusive to my recipe books or Kitchen Collective membership!)
Mini Pancake Bite Muffins — All the cozy flavor of a pancake breakfast, baked in a mini muffin tin so there's no flipping at the stove. They freeze and reheat beautifully, and little hands love that they're just the right size. (This one's also exclusive to my recipe books or Kitchen Collective membership!)
Taco Meat — Getting the meat browned and seasoned ahead of time means taco night comes together in minutes. Anything left over works great in burrito bowls, quesadillas, or on top of a baked potato for an easy lunch.
Sandwich Bread — The loaf I make every single week. A couple of fresh loaves on the counter cover sandwiches, toast, and grilled cheese for days, and it's so much more budget-friendly than buying bread for a big family. There's something about homemade bread that makes the whole week feel a little more taken care of.
Prepped Fruits and Veggies — It doesn't get much simpler than this, but it might make the biggest difference of anything on the list. Wash it, cut it, and put it front and center in the fridge. When the apples are already sliced and the carrots are already in sticks, they're what everyone reaches for first.
You can find the PB oat cups and pancake mini muffins inside my Ultimate Homemade Bundle which includes 4 of my best selling books at 30% off or In the kitchen collective down below!
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