This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are completley my own. #NestleSchoolDays #CollectiveBias

I don’t know about you, but I am over this hot weather. I am really looking forward to the cooler weather that comes with autumn, but I don’t love how busy our schedules become for a few months. Between homeschooling, soccer practices and games (I now have to get two kids to soccer practices four times a week, oy vey), and other family obligations, there’s little time for family dinners, or even dinner in general.

To help me keep organized and on top of the dinner situation I like to meal plan, so I wanted to share a meal planning printable with you today! I keep mine really simple and just rotate the same meals every week for the month, then switch it up the following month. I think one of the most important things while meal planning is to think about what you have going on each day and what you’ll be able to accomplish. For example, on busy soccer nights I know I need something easy so I love to rely on freezer meals or my slow cooker on those days.

To help me stock up for back to school I headed to Safeway to pick up some DIGIORNO® RISING CRUST® Pizzas and STOUFFER’S® Party Size Entrées (I like the party size because then we have plenty for our dinner and enough for leftovers for lunch the next day). I also had to get some SKINNY COW® Frozen Snacks for after school treats as well. 

Okay, let’s be honest, they’re really mostly nap time snacks for this busy momma.

Or also, “I survived taking all my kiddos to the store again” snacks; because with four kids under the age of seven chaos typically ensues.

And my husband wonders why it takes so long for me to run errands.

One of the things I love about Safeway is that it’s so easy to add your coupons electronically. Don’t you just love anything that makes shopping easier? Plus, Nestle and Safeway are partnering to give one lucky person a $100 gift card to Safeway! How could that help you get ready for busy back to school days?

#NestleSchoolDays Sweepstakes

Now that you’ve got your meals planned out you need a simple side to help complete the meal you can throw together in a snap, right? You can’t go wrong with salad and luckily my littles love the stuff, but they also love lots of dressing and it’s never good when we run out.

Did you know it’s actually really easy to make homemade dressing? I’ve got a great honey dressing recipe for you today. It’s a simple base that you can add any spices that you like to and cater to any type of salad.

Print

Honey Salad Dressing

A simple base recipe you can tailor to fit your taste with any spices!

Author: Justine Young

Ingredients

• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 TBSP honey
• 2 cloves of minced garlic about 1 tsp
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Other spices to taste as desired

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients together in a container with a lid, like a mason jar. Shake to incorporate ingredients, and then let sit (refrigerated) for a couple hours, or overnight.

Recipe Notes

Adapted from All Recipes

What are some of your favorite easy meals for  busy weeknights? I’d love some new ideas in our rotation! Don’t forget to print up your free meal planning printable, then check out Safeway’s website for money saving coupons!