Meal Prep for Busy Moms: Easy Recipes to Save Time

Jan 10, 2025 | BREAKFAST, MAINS & MEALS, MEAL PREP, RECIPES | 0 comments

If you’re a busy mom looking to simplify your week and keep your family fed without the stress, you’re in the right place! In this post, I shared a glimpse into my life as a busy mom  of 4 as I execute a full day of meal prepping. From breakfast to dinner, I whipped up easy, delicious recipes to help keep my week organized and stress-free. If you’re also interested in meal planning, I’ve created an easy download you can use to get your meals planned and organized quickly. You can access it here!

Now, let’s dive into what I cooked and how you can recreate these meals at home and if you’re a visual person, scroll down to see my video for a step-by-step guide. 

Why Meal Prep Matters

Meal prepping has been a game-changer for my busy schedule. With kids, work, and everything in between, it’s easy to fall into the trap of last-minute meals or fast food. Prepping ahead allows me to:

  • Save time during the week
  • Stick to healthier options
  • Reduce stress around dinnertime
  • Keep my family’s meals organized

In this vlog, I shared how I tackled meal prep for the week with minimal cooking and maximum flavor.

Here’s What I Cooked

 

Breakfast: Turkey Sausage and English Muffin Sandwiches (cheese optional)

These breakfast sandwiches are a lifesaver for busy mornings. They’re quick to reheat, packed with protein, and super satisfying. And guess what… There’s no need to cook the sausage!

Here’s how I made them:

  1. Pan fry eggs on both sides. 
  2. Split English muffins.
  3. Assemble sandwiches with an English muffin, frozen turkey sausage patty, eggs, and cheese (optional).
  4. Wrap individually in damp paper towel and store in the fridge or freezer for easy grab-and-go breakfasts.

Lunch/Dinner: Honey BBQ Crunch Bowls

These bowls are perfect for lunch or dinner and add a delicious crunch to your meal prep. Here’s how I put them together:

  1. Layer a base of potato, rice or quinoa.
  2. Top with chicken of choice (my favorite is air-fried chicken thighs) seasoned well and tossed in honey BBQ sauce.
  3. Sprinkle with fried onions and a mindful serving of cheese. 
  4. Add a sauce – chipotle, honey mustard, ranch – you choose!
  5. Add a serving of veggies on the side.
  6. Store in individual containers for easy reheating.

Lunch/Dinner: Chipotle-Style Bowls

For a fun twist, I made Chipotle-style bowls that are super customizable. Here’s what I included:

  1. A base of cilantro-lime or plain rice.
  2. Add a protein. Pro tip: make a double batch of air-fried chicken thighs.
  3. Toppings like shredded cheese, corn, salsa, and guacamole.
  4. Drizzle with your favorite sauce or dressing for added flavor.

These are a family favorite and can be easily adjusted to suit everyone’s tastes.

Time-Saving Cooking Tips

Meal prepping doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are a few tips I swear by:

  1. Batch Cook Proteins: Cook all your proteins at once to save time.
  2. Use Simple Ingredients: Stick to staples like rice, beans, and veggies that are easy to prepare.
  3. Invest in Storage Containers: Use portioned containers to keep meals organized and ready to grab.
  4. Plan Ahead: Create a meal plan and shopping list to make prep day seamless.

Meal Prep Essentials

To make meal prepping even easier, here are some must-have tools and products I use regularly:

I’m also wearing my favorite leggings and a cozy jacket in the video, and I absolutely love them. If you’re curious, you can grab the leggings here and the jacket here. Check out my recent blog post on the best leggings for plus-sized women to learn why I own seven pairs of these!

Balancing Meal Prep and Mom Life

In the vlog, I also shared a realistic look at balancing meal prep with family responsibilities. It’s not always perfect, and some days feel chaotic, but having a plan in place makes all the difference. Meal prepping helps me feel more in control of my week, even when life gets busy.

Watch the Full Vlog

Want to see how I prepped these meals step-by-step? Watch my full vlog below for detailed recipes, time-saving tips, and a behind-the-scenes look at how I stay organized:

Meal prepping doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With a few simple recipes and a little planning, you can save time, reduce stress, and keep your family fed with healthy, delicious meals all week long.

I hope this inspires you to start your own meal prep journey! Let me know in the comments: What are your favorite go-to meal prep recipes?

What Happened During the TikTok Outage?

On January 19, 2025, TikTok experienced an unexpected 12-hour outage. Over 170 million U.S. users were left unable to access the platform. The downtime caused frustration but also sparked conversations about diversifying content strategies.

Did You Know?

According to Business Insider, searches for “alternative platforms to TikTok” surged by 30% during the outage.

How Creators Stayed Productive

Instead of waiting for TikTok to come back online, many creators focused on:

  • Diversifying Content: Some explored platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or Pinterest to expand their reach.
  • Planning Future Content: Downtime became planning time for brainstorming new ideas and scheduling posts.
  • Skill Development: Creators took the opportunity to learn new tools like video editing software or even improve SEO skills for their blogs.

Take your content strategy to the next level. Download my free Content Diversification Checklist and start future-proofing your brand today!

Hi, I’m Danielle! I’m an Author, Content Creator, Wife, and Mother. I am passionate about helping other moms reach their full potential in life. After all, we only get one.

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    The Risks of Platform Dependence

    Relying solely on one platform like TikTok may feel convenient, but it comes with risks that can jeopardize your long-term growth and income:

    • Outages Disrupt Engagement: Whether it’s TikTok or another app, outages mean losing access to your audience. The 12-hour blackout showed how creators can be caught off guard.
    • Algorithm Changes: Platforms regularly update algorithms, which could reduce visibility for your content overnight.
    • Loss of Control: When you rely on a single platform, you’re at the mercy of their rules, policies, and decisions.

    The TikTok blackout highlighted the importance of having a backup plan. When creators diversify their content across multiple platforms, they gain greater control over their audience and income streams.

    Don’t risk losing your hard work. Download my Content Diversification Checklist and take the first step toward a more secure content strategy!

    A Step-by-Step Guide to Future-Proofing Your Content Strategy

    Ready to reduce your reliance on a single platform? Follow these actionable steps to future-proof your content strategy:

    1. Start with a Diversification Plan:

      • Identify at least 2–3 platforms that align with your content style. For instance, TikTok creators often find success on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

    2. Repurpose Content Across Platforms:

      • Maximize your efforts by repurposing one video into multiple formats. A TikTok video can also be an Instagram Reel, a Pinterest Idea Pin, or a YouTube Short.

    3. Leverage Owned Platforms:

      • Your blog and email list give you direct access to your audience without intermediaries.
      • Start building your email list today using this free checklist that outlines the steps to diversifying your strategy!

    4. Create Backup Content:

      • Have a library of evergreen content ready to share if a platform goes down. This keeps your audience engaged, no matter what.

    5. Set Measurable Goals:

      • Track your engagement, follower growth, and conversions across each platform. Adjust your strategy based on what works best.

    By implementing these steps, you’ll be better prepared for any future disruptions while continuing to grow your brand.

    Key Takeaways for Future-Proofing Your Content Strategy

    1. Create Backup Plans: Always have backup content ready to share on other platforms.
    2. Leverage Your Blog: A blog gives you full control over your content, unlike social platforms.
    3. Build an Email List: Direct communication with your audience ensures they’ll stay connected, even during outages.

    👉 Don’t wait for the next disruption to catch you off guard. If you have this you can start building your resilience today!

    Conclusion

    The TikTok outage wasn’t just a hiccup—it was a valuable lesson for creators everywhere. Use this moment to diversify your platforms, grow your audience, and build a sustainable content strategy.

    What’s your takeaway from the TikTok blackout? Let me know in the comments below!