I have a running grocery list on the fridge. It’s helpful to have a magnetic notepad on the fridge so that I can easily jot down foods and ingredients as I run out of stuff I need all the time. Encourage your family members to add to the grocery list too. Did your spouse use the last paper towel? Have them add it to the list. Kiddo need something for an upcoming school party? Have them add it to the list. Get everyone in the habit of adding to the grocery list.

Shop weekly for pantry staples such as pasta, stock, canned tomatoes & beans, chicken & hamburger, milk & dairy products and fresh/frozen produce. Be sure to lit out ingredients for anything special you plan to cook. Getting into a routine of shopping weekly gives you the option to pull something together quickly when your plan goes sideways (hello sick kids and soccer schedule changes!).

Weekly, ask your family for meal requests; what would they like to see for dinner? We all get into ruts and it can be helpful to crowdsource new ideas. Make a list of the requested meals and figure out how they’ll work into schedules.

Create a flexible meal schedule for the week and put it where folks can see it. Have a busy night with school open house? Consider pre-making a pot of something that can be heated up easily. Everyone home on Friday nights? How about make-your-own pizza? Not really sure how the week will shake out? Have on hand ingredients for 2-3 easy meals that you can pull together in 30 minutes or less. (Tip: frozen veggies are your friends here)

Enlist your kids in the kitchen. Make a list of what needs to be prepped and get them involved! Selective eaters benefit from interacting with foods away from the table & the pressure to eat. Have kids wash fruits and veggies in the sink, rip lettuce for salads, cut veggies (with a safety knife such as these). Don’t forget to include setting the table–make one place setting as a guide so that kids can replicate at each seat.

Consider a Chores List that assigns tasks to get ready for dinner (set the table, bring food to the table), tasks to clean up (bring plate to dishwasher, clear the table, wrap leftovers & put in fridge) and tasks to clean up the kitchen (final look around before turning on the dishwasher, wipe the table & counter tops). These are just my suggestions. You’ll likely have a different list tailored for your kids and home.

For older kids, consider putting them in charge of dinner one night each week. For example: Monday night is pasta night. What else can be served with the pasta? Hint: ideally meals will have a protein, veggie &/or fruit and a starch. This is a super way to teach kids about creating a balanced meal.