Hey, hey!

Happy New Year, my fabulous foodies! 🎉 Let’s kick off 2025 with a fresh start and some seriously delicious meals. In this episode, we’re diving into the magic of seasonal cooking—using what’s fresh, tasty, and budget-friendly to create meals your family will love. Plus, I’m sharing a cozy, seasonal weekly meal plan to make dinnertime stress-free. Grab your coffee (or that leftover holiday champagne) and tune in for all the juicy details!

This Week’s Meal Plan:

Monday: Butternut Squash Soup with Turkey Sausage – Creamy, comforting, and so easy in the Instant Pot.

Tuesday: Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs with Roasted Root Veggies – Juicy chicken paired with caramelized veggies for a one-pan win.

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Stew – Hearty, flavorful, and perfect for those midweek dinner blues.

Thursday: Pork Stir-Fry with Bok Choy and Snap Peas – A quick, vibrant dish that’s better (and faster!) than takeout.

Friday: Pan-Seared Salmon with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Sautéed Kale – A fancy Friday night dinner made simple.

Saturday: Spaghetti Squash Alfredo with Grilled Chicken – Kid-friendly, creamy, and so much fun to make.

Sunday: Rustic Vegetable Minestrone Soup – The coziest end to your week, packed with seasonal veggies and flavor.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why Listen?

Whether you’re feeling the post-holiday dinner slump or just want fresh ideas for the New Year, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical tips, and a whole lot of fun. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it!

Call to Action:

Click play to get all the details, tips, and inspiration! Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with your mom squad—it’s the perfect way to start the year together.

xx Blaga

Hey, hey my friend,

Welome to the final episode of Meal Planning for Busy Moms for 2024! This week, we’re saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming the new with ease and simplicity. I’ll be sharing a pantry-friendly weekly meal plan that’s quick, delicious, and perfect for using what you already have. Plus, I’ll teach you how to reverse-engineer your week—starting with how many meals you actually need and building them around what’s in your pantry and fridge.

This episode is all about easing into the new year with stress-free meal planning that saves time, money, and your sanity. So grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s step into 2025 feeling prepared and confident. Happy New Year, friends!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How to decide how many meals you actually need for the week.

The importance of using what you already have to save money and reduce waste.

Why cooking meals you know and love is the best way to ease into meal planning.

A pantry-friendly weekly meal plan to inspire your meals this week.

This Week’s Meal Plan:

Episode Highlights:

Join the Meal Planning for Busy Moms community for more tips, meal plans, and inspiration.

Stay connected for exciting new content in 2025!

Thank you for tuning in to the last episode of the year! I’m so grateful for your support, and I can’t wait to continue this journey with you in 2025. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with love, laughter, and delicious meals. I’ll see you next year, friends!

Have a blessed and beautiful week,

xx Blaga

P.s. Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps more busy moms find us and join the meal-planning fun!

Hey, hey beautiful Mamas,

Welcome to a very merry episode of Meal Planning for Busy Moms! With Christmas just days away, I’ve got a festive and practical weekly meal plan to take you from Christmas Eve all the way through the “in-between” week before New Year’s. Whether you’re planning a traditional Christmas dinner or looking for quick, healthy meals to keep everyone happy and fed, this episode has you covered.

We’ll also dive into my top tips for managing your holiday meal prep so you can spend more time making memories and less time stressing in the kitchen. And don’t worry—if you still need inspiration for your Christmas menu, I’ll point you to my Thanksgiving episodes packed with ideas for turkey and ham feasts.

Plus, I’m sharing some exciting news for 2025: starting in the new year, Meal Planning for Busy Moms will streamline to one episode every Sunday, giving you everything you need to master meal planning and tackle the “What’s for dinner?” question with ease.

This Week’s Meal Plan:

Monday: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Tuesday (Christmas Eve): Charcuterie Board & Appetizers

Wednesday (Christmas Day): The Big Feast (Turkey or Ham)

Thursday: Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders with Sweet Potato Fries

Friday: Instant Pot Beef Chili

Saturday: Build Your Own Pizza (or order takeout)

Sunday: Sheet Pan Salmon with Roasted Asparagus and Potatoes

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Get My Book: Meal Prep Made Simple on Amazon by Blaga Goertzen

Thanksgiving Episodes for Christmas Inspiration:

Turkey Menu Ideas (Episode from October)

Ham Menu Ideas (Episode from November)

Become an Insider: Sign up here to get all recipe links delivered straight to your inbox!

Join the Community: What’s for Dinner Mama’s Facebook Group

Thank you for tuning in to this week’s episode. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas! Be sure to join me next Sunday for more meal planning magic as we kick off 2025. Be blessed, my friends!

xx Blaga

Welcome to Episode 118 of Meal Planning for Busy Moms!

The holiday season is here, and with all the chaos, who has time to think about dinner? Don’t worry, Busy Mamas—I’ve got you covered! This week, we’re diving into a festive, family-friendly meal plan that’s quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious. Plus, I’m sharing a special recipe for Overnight French Toast that will make your Christmas morning stress-free and magical.

In this episode, I’ll be covering:

A 7-day meal plan featuring comforting favorites like Oven Roasted BBQ Chicken, Beef Tacos, and Cheesy Ham & Rice Casserole.

A fun and relatable holiday story about how I learned to simplify Christmas morning.

Step-by-step instructions for the ultimate Overnight French Toast recipe that you can make ahead of time.

How to join our What’s for Dinner Mamas Facebook group to connect with a community of meal-planning moms.

Why you need to grab my book, Meal Prep Made Simple, to streamline your holiday season.

This Week’s Meal Plan, Here’s what’s on the menu:

Monday: Oven Roasted BBQ Chicken with Veggies

Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie

Wednesday: Beef Tacos

Thursday: Grilled Cheese and Homemade Tomato Soup with Veggies and Dip

Friday: Beef Dip with Caesar Salad

Saturday: Cheesy Ham and Rice Casserole

Sunday: Cream of Cauliflower Soup

Featured Recipe: Overnight French Toast

Make Christmas morning extra special with this easy, make-ahead recipe. Prep it the night before and enjoy a warm, delicious breakfast without the stress.

Ingredients and step-by-step instructions are shared in the episode. Don’t miss it!

Get all the recipe links sent right to your inbox by becoming an insider here.

Resources and Links Mentioned

Get the Book Meal Prep Made Simple – Your Guide to Stress-free Meal Planning, especially during the holiday season. You can buy it on Amazon here.

Join the Facebook Group: What’s for Dinner Mamas – Connect with a community of moms sharing tips, tricks, and inspiration here.

Subscribe & Share

If you loved this episode, be sure to:

Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.

Leave a review—it helps other moms find the show and join the meal-planning fun.

Share this episode with your friends or family who could use a little holiday meal-planning help!

Thanks for tuning in, Beautiful Mamas! Wishing you a blessed and beautiful week. See you Wednesday for more meal-planning inspiration!

Hey, hey beautiful mama,

Welcome to Meal Planning for Busy Moms! This week, we’re tackling dinner chaos with a brand-new weekly meal plan filled with quick, delicious recipes that will save your sanity during the holiday rush. Plus, we’re diving into the 12 Days of Christmas Meals and Traditions, packed with festive ideas and family activities to keep your holidays merry and bright. Let’s make this season magical and manageable!

Here’s your weekly menu, complete with recipe links to help you get dinner on the table fast:

Let’s Connect:

Thank you for tuning in! Have a blessed and beautiful week,

xx Blaga

Hey, Hey!

It’s December 1st, and I can’t believe how fast this year has flown by! This month, I’m bringing you fabulous holiday tips, stress-free brunch ideas, and hacks to make holiday meal planning seamless. In today’s episode, I’m sharing a brand-new weekly meal plan featuring quick, delicious, and family-friendly recipes to keep your dinners stress-free during this busy season.

Plus, I’ll introduce my Pantry Power-Up Hack—a simple yet game-changing way to organize your pantry so you can breeze through the holidays like the rockstar you are. Whether you’re juggling holiday shopping, school events, or family gatherings, this episode has everything you need to stay ahead of the mealtime madness.

This Week’s Meal Plan:

Monday: BBQ Chicken Skewers with Veggies

Tuesday: Instant Pot Stroganoff

Wednesday: Sheet Pan Haddock with Broccoli

Thursday: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice

Friday: Instant Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Saturday: Crispy Chicken Quesadillas with Fresh Salsa

Sunday: Hearty Beef Stew in the Instant Pot

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How to tackle a busy week with a simple, efficient meal plan.

My Pantry Power-Up Hack to keep your pantry organized and ready for action.

A sneak peek into upcoming episodes filled with holiday tips, brunch ideas, and more!

Resources Mentioned:

Grab my book Meal Prep Made Simple for time-saving hacks and delicious recipes: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DNVH97R9

Become a Meal Planning Insider for exclusive recipes and tips: https://busymamamealplanning.com/landing/insider

Join our What’s for Dinner Mamas Facebook community to swap ideas, share wins, and connect with other moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whatsfordinnermamas

Thank You for Listening!

Thanks so much for tuning in to episode 114 of Meal Planning for Busy Moms! If you loved this episode, please share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps so much! And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. See you next Sunday for more holiday-inspired tips and meal planning magic!

Have a blessed and beautiful week,

xx Blaga

Hey, hey!

Welcome to another episode of Meal Planning for Busy Moms! 🎉 This week, I’m sharing how to Meal Plan Like a Black Friday Boss. Whether you’re braving the crowds or shopping from the comfort of your couch, these tips and recipes will help you stay fueled and stress-free on the biggest shopping day of the year.

Plus, BIG NEWS—I just published my first book, Meal Prep Made Simple: Reclaim Your Time, Save Your Sanity, and Make Dinner Effortless! It’s now available on Amazon, and it’s your ultimate guide to conquering dinner chaos with fun, fast, and fabulous strategies. 🎉

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Grab My Book, Meal Prep Made Simple!

If dinner time feels overwhelming, my book is here to save the day! Inside, you’ll find:

It’s perfect for busy moms like you, whether you’re a kitchen pro or just starting out. Grab your copy on Amazon here and make dinner effortless—for yourself or as a gift for a friend!

Links and Resources:

Get Meal Prep Made Simple on Amazon

Join our What's for Dinner Mama's Facebook Community to get daily dinner inspiration, here.

Stay Connected:

Thank you for tuning in! If you loved this episode, please leave a review, share it with a friend, or tag me on social media. Your support means the world!

Have a beautiful, blessed week, and happy Black Friday shopping! I’ll see you on Sunday where I drop your weekly meal plan!

Bye for now,

xx Blaga

Hey, hey!

Welcome to this week’s episode of Meal Planning for Busy Moms! We’re diving into a fresh meal plan packed with quick, family-approved recipes, a genius 30-second hack to make life easier in the kitchen, and a bonus Thanksgiving menu for my American friends. Whether you’re hosting the big day or just bringing a dish, I’ve got you covered! Also I have a new guide LIVE on Amazon!  (Check it out below!)

This Week’s Meal Plan:

Here’s what’s cooking this week:

Bonus Thanksgiving Menu:

For my American listeners, here’s a cozy ham-centered menu to make your holiday stress-free:

Main: Glazed Ham

Sides:

Desserts:

If turkey is more your style, here is my other (Canadian) Thanksgiving Menu for inspiration:

Herb Roasted Turkey (with plenty of butter, of course!)

Classic Stuffing – because Thanksgiving isn’t the same without it.

Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes – a little extra sweetness never hurt anyone.

Green Bean Almondine – simple but so good!

Cranberry Sauce – homemade or store-bought, no judgment.

Pumpkin Pie – because, obviously, it’s a must.

30-Second Genius Hack:

Save time during the week by pre-mixing your spice blends! 

Quick Announcement Before We Wrap Up!"

Hey friends, I’ve got some exciting news to share with you—my brand-new guide, Meal Prep Made Simple: Reclaim Your Time, Save Your Sanity, and Make Dinner Effortless, is officially live on Amazon!

Whether you’re tackling picky eaters, stuck in the dreaded “What’s for dinner?” loop, or just looking to make dinner less stressful, this guide has got you covered. It’s not a cookbook—it’s a game plan for making mealtime simple, efficient, and even a little fun.

And let’s be honest—this time of year, it makes the perfect gift. Need a thoughtful hostess gift for holiday gatherings? Or maybe you know someone who could use a little help answering that daily dinner dilemma? This book is the beautiful little nudge they need to make dinner time easier and more enjoyable.

You can grab it now in Kindle or paperback—just search Meal Prep Made Simple by Blaga Goertzen on Amazon, and it’s all yours.

So, if you’re ready to reclaim your evenings, save some time, and actually enjoy dinner again—or help someone else do the same—go check it out. And let me know if you grab a copy! I’d love to hear how it’s helping you.

Join Us!

Become a Meal Planning Insider! Get weekly meal plans with recipe links (including the Thanksgiving Bonus Menu) delivered straight to your inbox along with exclusive tips and tricks to make dinnertime a breeze. Click here to join.

Join our What’s for Dinner Mamas Facebook community! It’s the perfect place to share ideas, swap recipes, and connect with other busy moms. Click here to join.

That’s it for this week! Wishing all my American friends a beautiful Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, and good food. And to everyone, have a blessed week—see you back here Wednesday!

xx Blaga

Hey, Hey!

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean doing it all yourself! In this episode, we’re diving into the ultimate hosting hack: the Thanksgiving potluck. I’ll share my top tips for coordinating dishes without drama, asking guests to bring what they want (or what they can), and making sure the big-ticket items like turkey and stuffing are covered. Plus, we’ll chat about keeping contributions fair, making the day fun and memorable, and why potlucks are my absolute favorite—despite my Macedonian roots where bringing a dish used to be offensive.

Whether you’re a potluck pro or hosting one for the first time, this episode is packed with laughs, tips, and a plan to make your Thanksgiving stress-free and delicious.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

💌 Become a Meal Planning Insider: Ready to make meal planning easy every week? Get my weekly meal plans delivered straight to your inbox, complete with recipe links! Sign up here: Click to Join.

👩‍🍳 Join the ‘What’s for Dinner Mamas’ Facebook Group: Connect with other busy moms, share meal ideas, get inspired, and lighten your dinner load. Join the group here: Join Now.

Let’s Connect:

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to share it with your friends, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review! Your support means the world to me and helps other moms find their way to easier, stress-free meal planning.

Until next time, happy planning and happy eating!

xx Blaga