I didn’t post a menu this month because there is absolutely no way we would be able to stick with it! We are moving in the middle of the month. I’ve already started packing up the kitchen, and eventually it will all be in boxes.
Even though we can’t adhere closely to a menu, we still must eat! Though we are making some impromptu choices throughout the month, I have a game plan of sorts that we are following so we can still eat nutritious meals.
How to meal plan while moving
Prepare freezer meals in advance
We’ve known for some time that we had an upcoming move, so I snagged some disposable baking dishes to prepare freezer meals. When I had a few extra minutes or when I prepared meals that freeze particularly well, I made a couple of freezer meals that I’ve been able to thaw and bake for easy dinners.
A couple of my favorite meals to freeze are Baked Ziti, Mexican Rice Bake, Sloppy Joe Macaroni and Cheese, and Creamy Turkey Mushroom Spaghetti.
For general tips on freezing casseroles, you can see a previous post.
Prepare meals that don’t require cooking
If I don’t have a freezer dinner I can thaw and throw into the oven to reheat, then the next best thing is a meal that doesn’t require cooking. These meals include things like sandwiches, wraps, salads, and other meals prepared with healthy convenience foods.
Take advantage of healthy convenience foods
When I hear the term “convenience foods” I think of less healthy items, including frozen pizzas and TV dinners. Thankfully, there are a host of convenience foods that are actually healthy! We will be taking advantage of a number of these.
- Sliced or chopped fresh fruits and vegetables
- Rotisserie chicken and other cooked meats
- Bagged salads
- Yogurt cups
- Hard-boiled eggs
- String cheese, cheese cubes, and snackable cheese wedges
- Hummus
- Canned tuna and chicken
- Whole-grain crackers
An entrée of rotisserie chicken with cheese cubes and vegetable sticks on the side is nutritious, filling, and takes almost no time to prepare!
Get takeout and eat at restaurants judiciously
I have nothing against getting takeout or eating at restaurants in principle. However, the price of food from restaurants, as well as the food’s nutritional impact (an abundance of calories, but a lack of healthy things like whole grains and vegetables), is a concern. Thankfully, there are ways to minimize the cost and maximize the nutritional profile of restaurant foods so these can be a useful part of meal prep while moving. Here are a couple of examples:
- Purchasing small sub sandwiches (prepared with whole grain bread and lean meats) and pairing these with sliced fruit instead of chips
- Picking up grilled chicken strips from a restaurant to add to a salad kit we have at the house
- Getting single-patty hamburgers and serving these with a vegetable tray instead of French fries
Use disposable dishes
I usually try to avoid single-use products because of their environmental impact. However, once the kitchen gets packed up, we don’t have many other options. For the last few days in our old house and the first few days in our new house, we’re going to rely on paper plates, plastic silverware, plastic cups, etc. This means I don’t have to spend time washing dishes, nor will I have to pack any dishes as the movers are arriving to load the truck.
Final thoughts
Though we’ve faced a few small hiccups, securing housing and preparing to move has gone relatively smoothly. I’m hopeful our last couple days of packing and the actual move will go likewise. I’ll post again once we get settled in our new place.
How have you handled meal planning while moving? What tips can you share?
