Meal Plan // Week of January 6, 2025

Why I Skip Meal Planning During the Holidays

You may or may not have noticed, but I don’t meal plan during the last six weeks of the year! From the week before Thanksgiving, when I’m planning my older son’s birthday celebration meals, to Thanksgiving itself, and all through December, I’m caught in a cycle of planning meals to host or bring to gatherings. This rhythm is always followed by using up leftovers and cleaning out the refrigerator—only to repeat the process all over again! Sound familiar?

Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of planned breakfasts and lunches during this time, but regular dinner meal planning takes a back seat. Instead, I plan dinners on a rolling basis, about every 2-3 days, and this approach works well for me. It’s not always worth sharing because, quite honestly, it can be a bit of a chaotic process. The upside? Some pretty delicious dishes come out of my attempts to use up stray ingredients in the refrigerator!

Resetting Meal Plans for January

Now that we’re in the first full week of January, the structured meal plans resume, and no one is more thrilled than me. Because we will be returning from a vacation and jumping back into the swing of real life, I’ve already planned out the week and pre-ordered groceries for pick-up upon our return. This small act of preparation, which I’ve done for years, is a true lifesaver.

To plan meals in January, I often look back at meal calendars from previous years for inspiration. After a holiday season filled with rich and indulgent foods, I find myself craving lighter fare such as salads and soups. Coming home from a tropical vacation—where indulgences were certainly enjoyed—makes a gentle reset even more appealing. This post-vacation reset always includes plenty of balanced, fresh, nutrient-dense meals to help me transition back into everyday life.

THIS WEEK’S MEAL PLAN:

1

Carrot Soup with Turmeric, Ginger and Lemon

This healthy soup makes me feel like I'm at the spa – it's nourishing, comforting and full of nutritious anti-inflammatory, immune supporting ingredients. It's vegan if you skip the chicken broth, but I love getting a chance to use my homemade collagen-rich bone broth in this soup.

Check out this recipe

2

Quinoa Salad with Arugula, Roasted Carrots and Fennel

This is one of my favorite salads to make all the components for ahead of time. It takes just minutes to assemble and enjoy for lunch or dinner all week long. It's a nutritious and satisfying salad on its own, but it's delicious with roasted salmon on top for a boost of added protein.

Check out this recipe

3

Chipotle Shrimp Fajitas

Flavorful and perfectly spiced shrimp and veggies can be tucked into blistered flour or Siete almond tortillas but in our house they just as often get turned into bowls. Easy bowls include shredded lettuce or cabbage, warmed black beans, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, and pickled red onions.

Check out this recipe

4

Curried Red Lentils with Greens and Garbanzos

A warming bowl of hearty lentils are a welcome, easy weeknight dinner during the colder months. Serve with a scoop of steamed rice, a dollop of Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice and cilantro.

Check out this recipe

5

Sweet & Spicy Sesame Chicken Meatball Bowls | Ambitious Kitchen

One pan sesame chicken meatballs with crispy broccoli and a sweet & spicy sauce. Serve with rice for delicious sesame chicken meatball bowls!

Check out this recipe

Cheers,

Christina