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 more confidence. Enjoy!

Read about some possible meal planning frameworks that could work for you!

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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 drain out of meal planning!

Learn more about our referral program and how you can earn 20% for every referred subscriber!

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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 month, you’re not alone. Find us on Instagram, where we’re sharing more tips for staying consistent, even when life is chaotic.

Get Riley's Grocery Swap Guide by emailing us at podcast@plantoeat.com.

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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 fix it).

- The power of flexible planning.

- The importance of back-up meals.

- And when to intentionally go off plan.

We also answer a few of your dinner dilemmas, so stick around to the end for all our good advice! :)

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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 episode of this book club breakdown!

Find the Lasagna Roll-ups recipe here: https://app.plantoeat.com/recipes/45609682/

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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 at the store!

Jump ahead to 54:35 to skip the meat discussion and hear answers to your dinner dilemmas!

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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 Grocery Shopping Secrets.

This conversation is full of heartfelt stories, practical wisdom, and good laughs. Don’t miss her tips on avoiding common shopping mistakes!

Find Carol online:

Website: https://www.carolannkates.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolannkates/

Get Carol's Blog Recipes!

• Banana Pancakes: https://www.carolannkates.com/post/cooking-for-aiden-he-loves-buttermilk-banana-pancakes
• Grilled Artichoke Hearts: https://www.carolannkates.com/post/grilled-artichoke-hearts

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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 and eggs to preserve freshness and quality.

If you want to understand the food in your fridge better, this episode is for you!

Mentions:

Souper Cubes Freezer Trays
Unexpected Cheddar from Trader Joe’s
Grocery Shopping Secrets by Carol Ann Kates

Roni's California Burrito Recipe

Riley's Chicken Pizza Crust Recipe

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