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    Home » Real Life » Healthy Eating Strategies » Free Meal Plans (Budget-Friendly & Healthy)

    Free Meal Plans (Budget-Friendly & Healthy)

    By Kristen Chidsey | 77 Comments | Published April 27, 2017 | Updated November 6, 2020 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Feeding your family does not have to be complicated, expensive, or time-consuming! With my free meal plans, meal planning is possible for the BUSIEST of people! And making a wholesome dinner for your family becomes a reality, instead of a task that seems unreachable.

    Layla and I at dinner table enjoying family dinner

    Do you want to feed your family more wholesome meals made with REAL food?

    How about saving your family some money at the grocery store?

    Check and Check.

    Let me tell you the secret to making those things a reality.

    MEAL PLANNING

    We have all heard that meal planning is the key to getting dinner on the table with less stress.

    But it is a lot of work. 

    Let me do that work for you!

    I have been creating meal plans for decades. In fact, that is why I started this blog. I had been sending out my meal plans to my close friends and extended family and they wanted a place to find my recipes.

    And now, I am here to offer YOU the same time-saving, money-saving, family approved meal plans!

    FREE HEALTHY MEAL PLANS

    Best news--I am offering these meal plans to you for FREE!!!

    Because it is my goal to help families of all shapes and sizes sit down to a wholesome, delicious meal--without stress!

    Things to know about my Family-Friendly Meal Plans

    • They will be tried and true and have been given the picky eater seal of approval.
    • Meal plans will be made with a budget in mind.
    • Meal plans will utilize similar ingredients for the week to minimize cost and food waste.
    • Meal plans use seasonal ingredients to cut back on food cost (and for better tasting meals!)
    • No recipe will have hydrogenated oils, high fructose syrup, or MSG.
    • Every recipe will be made with whole foods and from mostly scratch (occasionally I will take a short-cut like store-bought salsa or an organic pie crust.)

    Image Showing Meal Plans on blue background

    Meal Plan Testimonials

    • They really took the guesswork out of what to cook, which for me, was very time-consuming. So I’m very thankful for this huge time saver. -Morgan
    • I really enjoy the variety and ease of your recipes.  They make my life with three kids and a working husband so much easier by providing ideas for delicious, healthy, and simple, real food meals that my whole family can enjoy together.  Thank you! -Christi
    • I love your meal plans and the extra details you add in your email which helps me plan my shopping and how I will make the meals.  All of your recipes I have tried so far have been well received by my family of 5 and have been easy to prepare for me, a mom who works full time. -Kim
    • I LOVE everything about your meals and meal plans. It makes my life so much easier when I get them. -Beth
    • The meal plans helped me stay on budget! Thank you for your hard work and help! -Ella

    Sign up for Meal Plans NOW

     

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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marianne

      January 01, 2022 at 11:29 am

      Hi Kristen,
      I am totally plant based. Please include vegan recipes.
      Thank you
      Marianne

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 01, 2022 at 2:09 pm

        Hi Marianne. I have many paint based recipes on my site, but my meal plans are not dietary specific. Many people are still inspired to use them and adapt as needed.

        Reply
    2. Eugene Robbins

      January 13, 2021 at 8:07 pm

      Looking to receive my recipe.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 14, 2021 at 6:52 am

        Your first meal plan will be sent out on Friday. Happy to have you here!

        Reply
        • Diane

          February 01, 2021 at 7:52 am

          Hi Kristen,
          I am always looking for a good instant pot recipe. I am new to the instant pot. So any information will be greatly appreciated.

          Reply
          • Kristen Chidsey

            February 01, 2021 at 9:15 am

            I would love for you to sign up for my Instant Pot Tips emails which will help you greatly.

            Reply
        • Judy

          April 11, 2021 at 10:06 am

          Thank you.
          My husband and I are in our 70's. Been a mother of 2 daughters and many guests over our 44 years of marriage. I no longer want to cook daily meals as it seems daunting as I peek into the fridge. Sadly my husband isn't sure where the pots and pans are located as well as having no idea of what to prepare on ' his ' night to cook!
          Having easy and healthy meals for our daily routine would be most grateful.
          Thank you for your years of experience.
          Judy

          Reply
        • Initia

          October 04, 2021 at 10:42 am

          Thank You, looking forward to cooking with you!!

          Reply
    3. Michael Barber

      December 16, 2020 at 10:46 am

      Hi Kristen,I’ve just found your site,it looks great,lot’s of useful info.I have signed up for the meal planer and look forward to seeing much more useful information.Many Thanks, Mike (,from Great Britain)

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        December 16, 2020 at 11:20 am

        Hi Mike! So happy to have you here! Your first meal plan will come on Friday!

        Reply
    4. Catherine Reno

      October 16, 2020 at 10:06 am

      How can I save your meal plans and recipes. I print so many of your recipes and have reams of paper. There has to be a better way to save on computer

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 16, 2020 at 10:37 am

        Hi Catherine! I am so glad you enjoy my recipes so much! You can hit print on the recipe and then instead of selecting the printer to print to under the tab labeled "destination" select save as a PDF. You can also just bookmark the recipe.

        Reply
    5. Elsi

      October 10, 2020 at 2:00 pm

      When I opened the newest meal plan, I wondered if you had looked into my fridge and pantry. I have sweet potatoes that need to be used, and two big bunches of broccoli. I have a pork roast in the freezer, and although no brussels sprouts, I do have two heads of cabbage. While I won't totally follow your menu, the recipes that you've provided are definitely going onto my meal plan for this week.

      Two comments:
      1) In the e-mail that delivers the menu, I was looking for a link to your website. I finally realized that the logo at the top of the mail was a link. You might consider just a "Visit my website for even more recipes" kind of link.
      2) Now that I'm on the website, I can't find a way to search. The word "search" appears in the top banner, but it's in a dark font that just about blends in with the background and it's not an active link.

      I really appreciate receiving your weekly menus and the other e-mails that arrive from time to time.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 11, 2020 at 6:01 am

        Hi Elsi! Thank you so much for your insight on my emails and site. I am undergoing a redesign right now and the search bar is HIGH on my list to make more user friendly. I will be sure it is activated until then though--that should not be an issue.

        Reply
    6. Joan Becker

      September 15, 2020 at 4:10 pm

      Hi, I LOVED your recipe for sheet pan chicken fajitas. it was chicken, peppers, red onions and a fabulous rub. Unfortunately, i cannot find that recipe. please help - It is GREAT!!!
      thanks.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 15, 2020 at 5:15 pm

        I am so sorry Joan, but I never had a recipe like that on my site. I wish I could help!

        Reply
    7. Jo Anne

      August 14, 2020 at 8:10 pm

      Hi - is this where we sign up for the free menu planning? I thought I did but I’m confused - please advise - thank you! 😊

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 15, 2020 at 9:50 am

        Hi Jo Anne! I just confirmed you are subscribed and your first meal plan was delivered yesterday. Check your inbox 🙂

        Reply
        • Jo Anne

          August 15, 2020 at 12:02 pm

          Received❣️Thank you😊

          Reply
          • Kristen Chidsey

            August 15, 2020 at 1:59 pm

            YAY!

            Reply
    8. Cris

      July 25, 2020 at 2:36 pm

      Thank you so much for what you are doing to help familie in this difficult time.
      God Bless YOU!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 25, 2020 at 3:44 pm

        You are so welcome! I am blessed to be able to help!

        Reply
      • Nicky Strahl

        July 26, 2020 at 11:54 am

        I never learned to meal plan (nor really to cook) until I had kids. Now I've been struggling with just finding a routine let alone eating/cooking and finding time to work out (I'm a single mom with no help). Over the last 3 years now I've gained 80+pounds due to eating out and lack of exercise! I've been dieing (literally) for this help for my kids and I!!!

        Reply
        • Kristen Chidsey

          July 26, 2020 at 1:08 pm

          I am SO SO happy you found these meal plans. I can't wait to help you and your family enjoy healthy, easy meals and save you money! Take care Nicky!

          Reply
    9. Hawley S, Barrett

      July 20, 2020 at 3:11 pm

      i have not ben able to get your meal plans. I seem to get others things on my computer, so I don't think it is my computer. Maybe you deleted my name from your list of people who want your meal plans. Please put me back on your list.

      thank. you
      Hawley
      barrett
      uhawley@ gamil.com

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 20, 2020 at 3:26 pm

        You are on the list Hawley! You will be getting a meal plan on Friday. Keep me posted if you do not 🙂

        Reply
    10. Lois

      July 13, 2020 at 12:17 pm

      Hi Kristen
      This sounds like fun! I have a husband and 7 children to cook for. I've been meal planning for several years, but always open to new ideas to try!
      We are market farmers, so we have lots of vegetables and many varieties, but I find summer the most challenging for cooking. We are just so busy working outside! I hope you include lots of veggies!

      Lois
      Wanderingshovelfarm.ca

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 14, 2020 at 7:02 am

        Hi Lois! I am so glad you found my meal plans! I have to say I wish you lived closer to share some vegetables with me--I have a black thumb. But I still love veggie heavy dishes. I hope you find many here to enjoy!

        Reply
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