Before I even introduce this post I want to ask you to stick with me on this one. The benefits are well worth the effort. I am incredibly excited to share this series with you but honestly I am a little overwhelmed with where to start and how to present the material. I don’t want my poor writing skills to prevent you from getting a complete handle on the concepts that will be presented.
Be sure to subscribe or come back daily so you don’t miss a single article in this series.
In today's fast-paced world, where takeout food and quick processed boxed meals have become the norm, the art of home-cooked family meals may seem to be a relic of the past. Listen, there's something incredible about food - planned, raised, prepared and served in love. You can’t beat gathering around the table, enjoying wholesome, home-prepared meals as a family. Modern convenience meals can't quite replicate it. Not to mention, the short sightedness of relying on already stretched global supply chains. What happens when a ripple makes its way through the system. Trust me you don’t want all or maybe even any of your eggs in that basket. This is where the concept of a family meal plan comes into play.
A family meal plan is not merely a calendar marked with what’s for dinner each day; it's a strategic, thoughtful approach to your family’s nutrition and health. It's about designing a roadmap that puts your family's dietary needs, preferences, and schedule at the forefront. Done properly it is like food insurance. It ensures your family will have locally produced nutritious clean food no matter what is happening in the world around you. And, believe it or not, it can actually make life easier.
One of the most obvious benefits of having a family meal plan is the opportunity to improve your family's overall nutrition. When you're in charge of what's on the menu, you can ensure that meals are balanced, nourishing, and filled with a variety of foods that your family enjoys. It offers the freedom to incorporate a wide range of fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins, which can be a challenge when relying on ready-made meals or takeout.
Beyond better nutrition, family meal planning can save you significant time and stress. No more last-minute scrambles to figure out what's for dinner or emergency grocery runs for a missing ingredient. With a meal plan, you know exactly what you're cooking each day, and you can secure required ingredients well in advance. It also means fewer instances of eating out or ordering in, which can lead to substantial savings in your food budget over time.
Don’t read past this one - The benefits of family meal planning aren't just practical. There's a deeper, more emotional aspect to it as well. Planning and preparing meals together can strengthen family bonds. It's a chance to teach children about the value of good nutrition, the joy of cooking, and the importance of contributing to family life.
Moreover, having a regular meal plan can help create a sense of rhythm and predictability at home—a comfort in our often chaotic world. Please don’t under value the previous two points. There’s something deeply satisfying about sitting down together, sharing the day's experiences, and enjoying a meal that you’ve planned and prepared as a family. This is medicine like none other.
There is a lot of ground to cover in this series. If the idea of planning your family meals seems daunting, remember the tremendous benefits it can bring. Better health, less stress, more savings, and deeper family connections—definitely worth the effort. As we delve further into this topic, we'll provide you with tools, tips, and tricks to create a family meal plan that fits your unique lifestyle and needs. Because every family deserves the pleasure and benefits of shared, home-cooked meals and the confidence that those meals will always be available. Stay tuned!
And in full disclosure I want you to know that my goal in writing this series is not simply to have you embrace and practice meal planning, though that would be a great step forward. My goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools required to produce and locally source all of your food requirements. More on that as we progress through the series.
This series kicks off what I am calling the “Grow Model Food System”. This concept is a major shift in current thinking around food production and distribution. Stay tuned!