Surprise! This week, we're giving you a bonus episode to finish up the final handful of dinner dilemmas. In this episode, we tackle dilemmas about juggling multiple eating preferences in one household, budgeting constraints, and preparing unique side dishes. Thank you for making us your trusted friends in meal planning and sending your questions, frustrations, and dilemmas! Happy New Year! Sign up for a free trial + get 20% off your first annual subscription: plantoeat.com/PTEPOD ...

We are finishing 2025 with lots of recipe inspiration! As we transition into Winter and a New Year, we are encouraging you to add some new recipes to your meal plans. Break out of those ruts and start 2026 with some fresh ideas for your planning. Thanks for listening in 2025 and Happy New Year! Sign up for a free trial + get 20% off your first annual subscription: plantoeat.com/PTEPOD Contact us: podcast@plantoeat.com Connect with Plan to Eat online: Instagram Facebook Pinterest

The holidays are coming, and your kitchen is about to get a whole lot more crowded. Let's make space now before the chaos begins! Between holiday meal prep, leftovers, cookie exchanges, and the inevitable influx of food, your kitchen can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we're walking you through some kitchen declutter tips that will save you stress, money, and precious counter space. Decluttering now means you'll start January with a clean slate instead of inheriting last year's mess. ...

Think you don't need a meal plan? Or winging it is easier? We're busting the biggest meal planning myths today, and you might be surprised at what you've been believing. In this episode, we're tackling the misconceptions that keep people from experiencing the true benefits of meal planning. From "it's only for organized people" to "my handwritten list is working just fine" (spoiler: it's not), we're setting the record straight. If you've been resisting meal planning because of any of these my...

This week, we're diving into dinner dilemmas that hit close to home because even meal planning pros get stuck in ruts! Ever meal plan for "fantasy you" only to realize real you has karate, dance class, and zero energy? We've all been there. In this episode, we're tackling picky eaters and food sensitivities, breaking free from the same-five-recipes cycle, and making meal planning work with tiny kitchens and limited storage. Plus, we share our go-to hacks for when nothing sounds good. You'll w...

This is the final episode in our Meal Plan Like a Pro Series, and today we're helping you go beyond the basics with advanced meal planning techniques. When you are an advanced meal planner, you're able to adapt and make changes on the fly without getting flustered. You become a meal planning strategist. In this episode, we discuss three strategies that advanced planners can use to get the most out of their meal plans. Plus, we break down how you can make these strategies possible with Plan t...

We're going back to the basics! In this episode, we're helping overwhelmed listeners get started meal planning and feel successful quickly. Our three themes for today's episode are Foundation, Adjustment, and Personalization. Build the foundation of creating a meal planning habit, learn and adjust future plans, and start to personalize your planning to your life and personality. We're here to guide you and encourage you to just get started and let the pieces fall into place as you gain ...

This week, in our Meal Plan Like a Pro series, we're helping you build a repeatable system you can rely on. The best part about having a meal planning system is that it takes the decisions out of planning! In this episode, we discuss creating meal planning templates for easy drag-and-drop planning, "capsule" meal planning (and what it means), and how to plan around what you already have at home. These systems are going to help you save money, waste less food, and take a lot of brain dra...

Welcome back to Meal Planning Like a Pro! Today, we are covering a few more "advanced" meal planning strategies to help you streamline grocery shopping and reduce decision fatigue. In this episode, we talk a lot about meal planning for a longer stretch of time and then only grocery shopping once to save time and energy. We also cover coordinating your recipes to save money and adapting your plan for sales or seasonal ingredients. If you’re working on building your meal planning habit this mon...

Welcome to our new Meal Plan Like a Pro Series! Whether you’re brand new to meal planning or a seasoned pro, we’re going to help you become a better planner and take a deep dive into meal planning in the next several episodes. Today, the topic is sticking to your plan! In our recent listener survey, staying consistent with planning came up as one of the biggest challenges, so we're here to help you tackle it. In this episode, we cover: - Why your plan might be failing (and how to ...

In this episode, we share a mix of surprising facts and practical grocery tips from the final chapters of Grocery Shopping Secrets. We dive into the seafood section! Learn how to pick the freshest fish and the difference between wild-caught and farm-raised salmon. We also explore the deli counter, which isn't just about deli meat! Carol Ann provides a great breakdown of how to create your own veggie and fruit trays, plus extensive info on how to self-cater a party! Don't miss our final ...

In this episode, Roni and Riley dig into the meat chapters of Grocery Shopping Secrets by Carol Ann Kates, from choosing the best cuts to making your dollars stretch further at the store. We talk about how meat is labeled, how to select the best cuts, and why the freezer is your best friend when it comes to reducing waste. You don’t have to buy the most expensive cut to cook a great meal. With a little knowledge and smart planning, you can make a delicious meal, reduce waste, and save money a...

In this special episode, Roni and Riley sit down with Carol Ann Kates, award-winning author, former grocer, and expert in all things food and shopping. Carol Ann shares her story of growing up in her family’s grocery store, co-owning a chain of markets in Northern Colorado, and turning decades of experience into practical tools for home cooks. You’ll hear about the real-life challenges of running a family business, her favorite childhood memories at the store, and what inspired her to write G...

In this episode, we continue our book club breakdown of Grocery Shopping Secrets by Carol Ann Kates, focusing on the chapters about dairy and eggs. From how to properly freeze milk and cream to understanding egg labels at the grocery store, this chapter is full of useful, often surprising, information. We discuss why some butters have more flavor and how gelato compares to ice cream. We also cover how dairy fat content affects taste and texture, and share practical tips for storing both dairy...

This is a special bonus episode with answers to your Dinner Dilemmas! Check out this episode for answers to questions about getting started with the paleo diet, having different preferences than your spouse, cooking with busy after-work schedules, budgeting, and more! Links & Resources: Plan to Eat Free Trial – Try the app that helps simplify grocery shopping, freezer tracking, and meal planning all in one.Paleo Blogs: PaleOMG and Nom Nom PaleoBudgetBytes.com – Budget-friendly recipes&nbs...

We're continuing our Book Club Breakdown of Grocery Shopping Secrets by Carol Ann Kates. This week we're diving into the sections on selecting fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs/spices at the grocery store! These chapters have SO much information about produce including fun tidbits, how to select the best produce, how to store it to keep it fresh longest, and seasonal availability. There are tips for how to freeze and preserve produce as well with exact instructions, so you'll never question...

We’re kicking off a brand new Book Club Breakdown with Grocery Shopping Secrets by Carol Ann Kates! In this first episode of our multi-part series, we’re delving into the early chapters, discussing grocery budgets, pantry clean-outs, sneaky food labels, and how a well-planned shopping trip can save you money! We share what we learned, what surprised us, and the simple ways you can save money without overhauling your life. Let's learn how to spend less and shop smarter! The book: Grocery Sho...

It's almost Summer and we're tackling vacation meal planning in this episode! Vacations are for slowing down and making memories, not stressing about what’s for dinner. In this episode, we’re talking about how to meal plan - before, during, and after your trip - to keep things simple and stress-free. Whether you're road-tripping with snacks in the cooler or coming home to an already-planned grocery list, a little planning goes a long way! Enjoy! Our new book club pick! Want to ask us your D...

In this episode, we dive into a seasonal favorite: spring cleaning! But instead of tackling closets and garages, we're talking about cleaning out your fridge, freezer, pantry, and even your Plan to Eat recipe book to freshen up your meal-planning routine. Plus, we answer multiple Dinner Dilemmas! This week covers: How to reduce food waste and grocery costs by planning with what you already haveTips for cooking with chronic illness or unpredictable energy levelsEasy ways to adjust meals for pi...

It’s the final episode in our Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat breakdown. This week is all about Heat - the element of transformation. Whether you’re roasting, simmering, searing, or baking this chapter details the nuances of it all! We explore how heat affects ingredients, including their flavor and texture, and how to gain confidence in applying heat for the best results. As with all the elements, the way to get the best result is to know what you're after. Do you want food that's crisp, tender, chewy...