Meal Planning Work-Life Integration: Femmeprenista's Guide
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Apr 8
- 7 min read
From Mealtime Mayhem to Masterful Meal Planning: A Femmeprenista's Guide to Work-Life Integration
Right, let's be honest, how many times have you stood in front of the fridge, staring blankly into its brightly lit depths, while simultaneously answering work emails & trying to stop the little one from using the dog's bowl as a hat? It's the classic Femmeprenista juggle, isn't it? The never-ending quest for Work-Life Integration for Mums: Ditch the Myth & Flourish!, played out in the daily drama of "What's for dinner?"
I get it. I really get it. With four kids, two energetic Miniature Pinschers (Cappuccino, the slightly more dignified elder, & Espresso, a furry tornado on legs), a PhD, & running Femmeprenista, my own kitchen often feels like a scene from a sitcom – a slightly chaotic, but always loving, sitcom. Actually, just yesterday morning, while trying to wrangle the kids for the school run & simultaneously prepping for a client call (client-facing is always kid-free, of course!), Espresso decided my favourite scarf was a new chew toy – talk about a wardrobe malfunction! And I know that feeling of utter defeat when the carefully planned "family film night" turns into a "working film night" because deadlines loom – and my partner's engrossed in his own PhD research on AI. We were halfway through "Encanto," the little one was finally asleep, and suddenly, BAM! A critical email from a client landed in my inbox, demanding immediate attention. There went our chance for some quality time. It's not ideal, is it? Sometimes it feels like we're ships passing in the night, even when we're in the same room.
But what if the real power lies not in blaming the system (because let’s face it, the system hasn’t exactly been designed with the modern entrepreneur in mind!), but in figuring out how you can navigate it? Even small wins, like a smoother dinner routine, can create ripples of positive change throughout your entire week. Imagine: no more last-minute dashes to the supermarket, no more staring blankly at the fridge wondering what culinary magic you can conjure with a wilted lettuce & a jar of pickles. Imagine actually enjoying family mealtimes, rather than seeing them as another box to tick on your never-ending to-do list. Sounds tempting, doesn't it?
Conquering the Mealtime Mountain: Why It Matters
Achieving work-life integration isn’t just some airy-fairy ideal. It’s about creating a sustainable, fulfilling life where your business energises, rather than drains, you. And it starts with taking back control of the small things – like mealtimes! This is especially important for us "Scaling Leaders," building businesses amidst the beautiful chaos of family life.
Think about it: How much mental energy do you currently spend wrestling with the "What's for dinner?" dilemma? How often does it lead to last-minute takeaways, unhealthy choices, or that familiar pang of mum-guilt when you realise you’ve served fish fingers for the third time this week? Now imagine reclaiming that mental energy. Imagine having a clear, simple system that takes the stress out of meal planning, freeing up your time & brainpower for more strategic work (or, you know, actually enjoying a glass of wine & a chat with your partner without feeling guilty!).
This isn't just about saving time & reducing stress. It’s also about prioritizing your well-being. Making mealtimes smoother creates a positive ripple effect on your energy levels, your mood, & your family’s health. Remember Lisa Nichols' wisdom: "Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows." For me, that overflowing cup means having the energy to not just run my business, but to truly be present for those pottery-cup-from-school moments with my kids. A well-nourished you is a better entrepreneur, a better partner, & a better mum. Plus, it’s a powerful message to your daughters about prioritising their own wellbeing.
Strategic Meal Planning: Your Secret Weapon
So, how do we turn mealtime mayhem into a well-oiled machine? Let’s dive into some practical, actionable strategies:
Embrace the Power of Planning (& AI!)
Juggler's Shortcut: Schedule a dedicated planning slot each week (maybe Sunday evening with a cuppa?). Treat it like an important business meeting – because it is! A well-planned week is a more productive & less stressful week. Honestly, I feel like my calendar is the boss of me some weeks! Try using time blocking techniques – even 30 minutes can make a difference. A simple Google Calendar or a dedicated planner like the Passion Planner can work wonders.
System Saviour: Use an AI-powered meal planning app! Seriously, these things are game-changers. They can generate meal plans based on your dietary preferences, create smart shopping lists, & even suggest recipes based on what’s already in your fridge. My teenage daughter will actually eat vegetables thanks to one of these apps (she loves the "personalised recommendations" feature), and because she gets involved. Check out apps like Whisk, Mealime, or PlateJoy.
Femmeprenista Hack: Integrate meal prep into your existing business routine. I often listen to business podcasts or catch up on industry news while chopping vegetables – it’s like a productive brain break! This allows me to combine what would normally be "downtime" with a necessary task, freeing up more focused time later.
Quick Clarity Tip: Batch cook whenever possible. Double those portions & freeze half for a future "emergency meal." Your future self will thank you. I promise! This one small shift, inspired by my own research on time management for female entrepreneurs, can save countless hours during the week.
Streamline Your Shopping
Tech Tip: Create a shared, digital shopping list that syncs with your partner’s phone. No more duplicated efforts or forgotten essentials. You know that feeling of getting back from the shop & realising you forgot the one thing you actually needed?! My partner & I use AnyList, & it's been a lifesaver.
System Saviour: Explore online grocery delivery services. It might seem like a small luxury, but the time you save is invaluable. Think of it as an investment in your sanity. Honestly, some weeks, the thought of navigating a supermarket with four kids & two hyperactive dogs feels like an Olympic sport.
Get the Whole Family Involved
Fun Family Tip: Turn meal planning into a family activity. Get the kids to choose a meal each week (within reason, of course – I’m not suggesting a nightly diet of pizza & ice cream!). This takes some of the pressure off you, teaches them valuable life skills, & can even make mealtimes more enjoyable (who knew?).
Creative Chaos: Get creative with leftovers! Turn last night’s roast chicken into a delicious chicken & vegetable pie. This is not only budget-friendly but also reduces food waste, & a great way to get the older kids involved. This brings back a great memory of when my eldest, then aged around 9, actually produced the best chicken pie that I'd ever tasted! She even used some of the herbs we'd grown in our (slightly neglected, let's be honest!) garden.
Overcoming Objections & Limiting Beliefs
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "Carlene, I'm already overwhelmed. Where am I going to find the time for all this planning?" Trust me, I understand that feeling. I’ve been there. Just last week, I had a beautifully planned menu all set… only to have it completely derailed by a surprise school event, a toddler with a sudden stomach bug, and my partner being called away for a last-minute conference. The final straw? Discovering that Espresso, our puppy, had decided my carefully prepped ingredients for a healthy Buddha bowl were her new chew toys. I ended up resorting to cereal for dinner (twice!). It was not my finest moment, and I felt that familiar wave of overwhelm crash over me. It can be tempting to dismiss this as "just another thing to add to my to-do list," especially when there always seems to be a never-ending list of things to do in between my PhD research and the business.
But what if this shift in perspective, this commitment to creating a smoother mealtime routine, is precisely the key to unlocking more time & reducing that overwhelm? Remember, it's often the small, seemingly trivial things that make the biggest difference. As Jim Rohn said, "Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.” Thinking about that quote now, it made me realise that this isn’t just about food, it’s about creating systems (that all-important 'Flow' pillar of the Business Flourish Framework: Female Entrepreneurs' Blueprint for Success) for a less chaotic life.
This is where working smart, not just hard, comes in. My ongoing PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship often reveals that facing systemic challenges fosters incredible resourcefulness in finding creative solutions. For instance, a recent study showed that 68% of Black female founders bootstrapped their businesses initially, highlighting their ability to leverage limited resources effectively. Leveraging AI, streamlining your systems, & taking personal responsibility for creating a more efficient routine is an investment, not a burden. It's a step towards achieving that harmonious work-life balance we all crave.
From Chaos to Control: Your Next Step
Ready to transform your mealtime mayhem into masterful meal planning? Start small. Choose just ONE tip from this post & commit to implementing it this week. Maybe it's scheduling that dedicated planning slot, downloading a meal planning app, or creating a shared shopping list. One small win can create a ripple effect of positive change. Share your chosen action in the comments below! We're all in this together, & even sharing small triumphs can be surprisingly empowering.
And remember, you don't have to reinvent the wheel. For those just starting out and needing help defining your niche and ideal client, our Spark Program can provide the clarity and direction you need. Learn more about how we help "Foundation Builders" lay a strong business foundation here: https://www.femmeprenista.com/spark.
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)
Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift
P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!
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