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Hi Reader,

Last week I had a mini epiphany after complaining to myself about two random things for weeks on end:

1. My (very old) workout socks all had holes in them.
2. The supply of rubber bands I keep on hand for closing bags of this and that when these are all in use had run dry.

The epiphany was that I had to do something in order to fix these issues. My socks weren't going to magically become whole again, nor were rubber bands going to magically appear without purchasing a bunch of green onion bundles. #IYKYK So, I ordered new socks (swear by these) and a bag of rubber bands on Amazon which took me all of 90 seconds.

Problems solved.

Why am I telling you this random story? Because life can feel chaotic and busy, but in order for it to feel less so, we need to do something about it.

Lay out outfits for yourself and/or your kiddos the night before. Order groceries for delivery or pick up to avoid spending a ton of time in the grocery store. Use Amazon Subscribe & Save for often-used items. MEAL PLAN!

True, sitting down to pick then plan a week's worth of dinner recipes takes a little bit of time, but it greatly reduces mental load during a busy work and family week. If you can prep some of the ingredients and components ahead of time — great! If not, simply knowing what you're going to make for dinner vs winging it is such a game-changer.

All that said, I'm happy to provide some inspiration to do just that with your free weekly meal plan! Here's what's on tap:

1️⃣ Baked Chicken Thighs​

2️⃣ Oven-Baked Burgers​

3️⃣ Chicken and Rice Soup​

4️⃣ Apple Orchard Panini​

5️⃣ Wild Rice Harvest Bowls​

Let's Break it Down

#1 Baked Chicken Thighs This is the most cooked recipe on IGE. If cooking chicken makes you nervous - this recipe is completely fool proof and completely delicious! Serve with Pasta Salad, Cucumber Tomato Salad, Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms, or Garlic-Herb Angel Hair Pasta. Get the Recipe

#2 Oven Baked Burgers I've heard from countless folks over the years how much they appreciate this recipe because the burgers sizzle hands-off on the oven vs requiring attention and tons of clean up after cooking on the stovetop. Serve with frozen french fries or Seasoned Broiled Potatoes, and Marinated Vegetable Salad. Get the Recipe

#2 Chicken and Rice Soup I make this recipe 12 months a year - that's how much my family loves it! Use leftover baked chicken thighs, or rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken if you have it on hand. Tip: anytime I'm at Costco I buy 2 rotisserie chickens. One to eat right away then another to shred and store in a Ziplock bag in the freezer to add to soups, casseroles, etc. Serve this soup with buttered peas or a side salad, and sliced apples or peaches. Get the Recipe

#4 Apple Orchard Panini 'Tis the season! 🍎 I cannot tell you how delicious and satisfying this grilled cheese sandwich is. Use your favorite GF bread (I like Canyon Bakehouse Heritage Loaf for BIG slices) and if you don't care for brie, use provolone cheese instead. Serve with potato chips and a side salad or Air Fryer Asparagus. Get the Recipe

#5 Wild Rice Harvest Bowls This recipe goes gangbusters each fall, and this fall has been no different! Packed with cozy fall flavors and craveable texture, these gorgeous bowls are a crowd pleaser, and full meal in one. Get the Recipe

👩🏻‍🍳 More Recipes to Try

• Kiddos: Pizza Fries​
• Dessert: Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes​
• Breakfast: High Protein Overnight Oats​
• Weekend: Kickin' Green Chili​
• Salad: Apple Orchard Salad​
• Game Day: Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken​

⭐️ NEW! On Iowa Girl Eats

Gluten Free Breakfast Bombs Soft, chewy, packed with flavor, and freezer-friendly too - this naturally GF breakfast recipe is a MUST TRY! Get the Recipe

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Happy planning,