How to Meal Plan Without Overwhelm (Plus Where We Ate in Cape Town)
Make dinner feel less chaotic — even on a Tuesday😊
In a previous post, I shared simple ways to reuse ingredients. Today, I want to go a little deeper — with beginner-friendly tips, pantry staples, and easy recipes to help you meal plan without overwhelm.
Why Meal Planning Even Matters
Weekdays are full — and no one needs the 5 p.m. panic of:
“This is frozen… that takes an hour… oh never mind, let’s just order.”
Suddenly you’re eating something that doesn’t satisfy or nourish — and you know how that ends.
As a food blogger, here’s what I’ve learned: Meal planning isn’t about batch-cooking every Sunday. It’s about reducing stress, saving money, freeing up time, and feeding yourself with care.
💛 Real Talk: What We Do as Women
We give away the best pillow, the softest towel, the nicest bowl. But meal prep? That’s yours. That’s self-love. It says: “I deserve a warm, satisfying meal — even on a Tuesday.”
How to Start Meal Prepping (Without Overwhelm)
If you’re just getting started, break it down like this:
Base: brown rice, couscous, quinoa, barley
Protein: chicken, beef, beans, eggs, fish
Vegetable: bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, green beans, cauliflower
✨ Pro tip: Make two different bases so you don’t get bored by Wednesday!
Easy Proteins to Prep
Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot
Add chicken + enough water to cover → cook 10 mins on high pressure → naturally release. No defrosting needed and it’s shreddable tender.10-Minute Baked Chicken Breasts
Perfect if you’ve thawed ahead. Juicy and flavorful.Fish
Cooks in 7 minutes! Add to roasted veggies for a full meal.
The Power of Vegetables
Air fry or roast veggies like:
Bell peppers
Broccoli
Carrots
Zucchini
Green beans
Cauliflower
Use them in:
Grain bowls
Sandwiches or wraps
Soups & stews
And the leftovers? Use them in:
Easiest Meal Prep Bases
My go-to: make two batches — one for grain bowls, one for salads.
5+ Couscous Recipes to Try:
Why Meal Planning Helps So Much
1. Saves Time
No “what’s for dinner?” panic
Fewer grocery runs
2. Saves Money
Buy what you’ll actually use
Plan meals around pantry staples
3. Healthier Eating
More balanced meals
Less takeout
4. Less Stress
No last-minute decision-making
The whole family knows the plan
5. Supports Batch Cooking
Stretch one protein across multiple meals.
6. Reduces Food Waste
Plan for leftovers
Use what you already have
📍 Restaurant Recap: Bo-Vine, Cape Town
Cape Town, we love you. ❤️
We celebrated Father’s Day at Bo-Vine — and wow. The food, the staff, the atmosphere — even the man of the day was won over (and that says a lot).
We were welcomed with broth shots (yes, actual broth in little glasses!) — and from that moment, we knew we were in the right place.
We shared the Bo-Vine Meat Board:
Cuts of grain-fed, aged South African beef, rich bone marrow, Béarnaise sauce, and crispy kale.
Even the kale-haters at the table were fighting over it.
If you’re local or visiting, it’s not just a restaurant — it’s an experience.
All text and images © 2025 My Anosmic Kitchen. Please do not use or republish photos without permission.
That’s all for now — thanks for being here!
I’d love to hear from you in the comments, or just tap the 💛 if this resonated. See you next week with more good food and thoughtful ideas.
Miranda, xo
Did you eat all that food? Looks delicious! We are jealous!