One Mother’s Answer to the Question: “How Do I Simplify Our Meals?”
I often hear from mothers asking for help setting up a simple meal plan for their families. They tell me they feel like they spend so much of the day cooking and cleaning up, which eats away at the time and attention needed for prayer, study, and homeschooling. They long for something simpler but aren’t sure where to start. This article is my first attempt at offering some help and direction in that process.
In our own home, my husband and I follow a very simple structure: we share one main meal at midday and a snack in the evening. We both work from home, which makes that mid-day meal possible. Our children follow a similar rhythm, though theirs includes a light morning snack, a full lunch, and a simple evening meal or snack. Our young adult sons, who require more calories due to their activity levels, often supplement the shared family meals with additional food they purchase themselves, usually more protein (like ground beef, milk, yogurt, or protein shakes), along with treats like ice cream bars.
What follows is a sample meal schedule I recently prepared for a friend with four young children. It’s based on real, whole foods and includes three meals a day: a morning snack, a mid-day meal, and an evening family dinner. The foods are simple, repetitive, and child-friendly—easy to prepare, easy to portion by age, and easy to clean up.
Sample Daily Meal Plan for a Family with Young Children
(Children: Ages 7, 4, 2.5, and 9 months)
Morning Snack (Light Breakfast)
- 1 hardboiled egg (chopped or halved for toddlers)
- ½–1 banana or pear (mashed or sliced as appropriate)
- 1 slice of toast with butter or peanut butter (or half for little ones) or a granola bar
- Drink: water, milk, or tea (coffee for parents)
For the 9-Month-Old Baby
- Breastmilk/formula on waking
- 2–3 tbsp mashed banana or pear
- 2–3 tsp soft scrambled egg or mashed yolk
- Optional: soft toast fingers or baby oatmeal
Midday Lunch (Main Meal)
- Cooked white or brown rice (or mashed potatoes)
- Cooked lentils or soft beans (excellent protein and iron)
- Scrambled eggs, chopped ground turkey/beef, or tuna (on Fridays)
- Steamed frozen vegetables (e.g., carrots, peas, broccoli) chopped or mashed as needed
For the 9-Month-Old Baby
- 3–4 tbsp soft rice or mashed potatoes
- 2 tbsp mashed lentils or finely ground meat (no salt)
- 2 tbsp soft cooked vegetables
- Water in a small cup + breastmilk or formula
Evening Dinner (Family Sit-Down Meal)
Rotating Simple Themes:
- Soup, stew, or chili with bread or rice
- Pasta with a mild sauce and soft vegetable side
- One-dish bakes, casseroles, or quiche
For the 9-Month-Old Baby
- 3–4 tbsp soft solids from the family meal:
- Mashed lentils, soft pasta, or finely flaked meat
- Blended or chopped soup veggies
- Applesauce or soft fruit slices
- Water + breastmilk/formula
Optional Simple Sides or Snacks
- Fresh fruit slices (banana, orange, apple, berries)
- Yogurt or cheese cubes
- Peanut butter
- Toast or granola bar
- Hardboiled eggs
- Milk, water, herbal tea, or coffee (for adults)
Tips for Peaceful Simplicity
- Batch boil eggs once a week and refrigerate for grab-and-go use
- Boiled Egg Instructions: Place eggs in a pot and cover with cold water. Cover and bring to a boil. Turn off heat and let sit, covered, for 15 minutes. Then drain and cool under cold running water.
- Cook extra rice and beans to use across multiple meals
- Use a crock pot and rice cooker to reduce active prep time
- Use a bread machine for freshly baked healthy bread
- Freeze sauces or soups in portions to reduce midweek cooking
- Double casseroles and freeze one for a future dinner
- One-pot meals save time and are easy to adapt for little ones
Remember: routine builds peace. Children thrive on knowing what to expect, and so do mothers. You don’t need variety or perfection—just consistency and a quiet sense of order.
Mrs. Dania C. Michael, O.P.
Homeschool Support
Classical Liberal Arts Academy
