This post was prepared in partnership with Blue Apron
TThe past few weeks have been especially busy at our house. Between writing and launching a book, ongoing home projects, and church activities, our family has been juggling a lot. Those intense seasons come and go for most of us, and if we want to keep our balance and preserve our sanity, we have to become deliberate about how we manage our time and energy.
I wrote in my new book about practical ways to create a more peaceful home and how to calm the everyday chaos. The good news is it is possible to carry many responsibilities without feeling constantly frazzled. It doesn’t mean everything is effortless or perfect — perfection isn’t real — but it does mean choosing what to trim so you can focus on what truly matters.
One area I work to streamline is meal planning and grocery shopping. We stick to simple, reliable recipes that are easy to prepare and that rely on fresh produce and meats. By simplifying meals and routines, I free up time to spend with family. Time is precious, and I don’t want it wasted by being disorganized.
When our schedule is packed and dinner planning falls through, we tend to eat out more often than I’d like. It’s easy, and when everyone is hungry and tired, going out feels like the obvious choice. My teen son usually notices first that no one has started dinner — he’s always hungry and ready to eat — and while he can cook, I value our family meals and try to avoid everyone eating separately all the time.
Those busy days are predictable, so I’ve learned to plan for “in-between” options: meals that are quicker and easier than a full cooked-from-scratch dinner but better than ordering takeout or repeating breakfast foods. Planning for these in-between meals saves time and money and keeps us eating at home more often.
In an ideal world I would prep meals ahead of time every week, but with my schedule that’s not always realistic. Instead I use strategies that remove the stress of last-minute decision-making. One of my favorites is using a meal delivery service that brings fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and clear recipe cards right to the door. It keeps indecision out of the way and lets you focus on the simple, enjoyable act of cooking with your family.
Blue Apron delivers farm-fresh ingredients in a refrigerated box, so everything arrives fresh and ready to use. The recipes are chef-designed and come with step-by-step instructions, so even busy weeknights can become opportunities to try something new and delicious. I often discover new favorite recipes that I wouldn’t have made on my own.
It really is easy: the meal kits include pre-measured ingredients and clear directions, and most meals take under 40 minutes to prepare. Ordering one meal a week can be the perfect in-between option for your busiest day, giving you a break from shopping and decision-making while still enjoying a home-cooked meal.
Blue Apron offers plans for two people or a family, so you can order exactly what you need. The convenience of having fresh ingredients and a reliable recipe removes the dinner-time scramble and helps preserve time together at the table.
The best part is giving yourself a break. A Blue Apron night can become something to look forward to during a hectic week: an easy, comforting meal where someone else has already handled the shopping and portioning, while you prepare and enjoy fresh food at home.
Want to try it for yourself?
- The first 50 readers to sign up will get two free meals on their first Blue Apron order.
- There is no commitment and you can cancel the service at any time.