2 Dinners + Grocery List While I Travel
Headed out for a few days of work travel this week, so I planned two dinners I could make in my sleep — and stocked the fridge + freezer with easy, high-protein meals for the kids and dad while I’m gone.
These aren’t Pinterest-perfect, but they are nutrient-dense, realistic, and actually get eaten. Try using my favorite skylight calendar, all meals & recipes are there as well as a full family calendar. Keeps us super organized!
Here is $0 off your first 3 Instacart deliveries as well to make it easy.
Sharing the full plan below:
🍗 Dinner 1: Balsamic Chicken Thighs with Couscous + Arugula
Why I love it:
One pan, no brainpower, and you can swap the couscous for the frozen veggie couscous blend from H-E-B if needed — love that one.
Ingredients (serves 2–3):
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs ½ pint cherry tomatoes 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp olive oil ½ cup couscous (cooked in bone broth) or 1 bag H-E-B frozen quinoa/couscous/veggie blend A few handfuls arugula
Instructions:
Cook couscous or heat frozen veggie mix. Sear chicken in olive oil, salt, pepper — 6–8 min each side. Deglaze with balsamic, add tomatoes, blister 2–3 min. Serve over couscous and arugula.
Macros (per serving, approx):
500–550 cal | 35–40g protein | 25–30g carbs | 5g fiber | 25–30g fat
🌮 Dinner 2: Peach Salsa Shrimp Tacos
Why it slaps:
Sweet heat, 10 mins start to finish, ~30g protein, high fiber — and it’s summery and fresh.
Ingredients (serves 1):
4–5 oz wild shrimp, sautéed in chili powder, paprika, lime 1–2 tortillas: Siete almond flour or Ezekiel sprouted corn (check freezer section) 1 peach, diced 1 tbsp red onion, chopped 1 tbsp cilantro ½ cup shredded cabbage or arugula 2 tbsp plain full-fat Greek yogurt (I use it as the sauce) Squeeze of lime + drizzle of hot honey (optional but 🔥)
Instructions:
Toss salsa: peach, onion, cilantro, lime. Cook shrimp 4–5 min in skillet. Warm tortillas, layer in cabbage/arugula, shrimp, salsa. Dollop with yogurt + hot honey drizzle if using.
Macros (per serving, approx):
375–425 cal | 30–34g protein | 22–28g carbs | 6g fiber | 14–16g fat
🛒 Working Mom Grocery List
Kid + Dad Approved While I’m Away
Everything I stocked to keep things running while I travel — high protein, low stress, and no junky fillers.
🥣 Proteins + Meals for Kids:
Oikos Pro 20g Greek Yogurt (kids love the vanilla + strawberry)
Stonyfield Organic No Sugar Yogurt Pouches
Vital Farms pasture-raised hard-boiled eggs
Chomps or Archer mini beef sticks (great protein option for kids)
Pre-cut fruit + organic berries
Annie’s Organic Mac & Cheese Cups — I love the High Protein Super Mac from Target (Hot tip: Mix in a Serenity Kids Organic Sweet Potato Pouch = sneaky veggie win)
Dr. Praeger’s Pizza Stars — sneaky veggies, but kids still love them
KidFresh frozen fish sticks or chicken nuggets (also packed with hidden veggies)
Applegate Chicken & Maple Sausage Links (clean, high-protein)
🍼 Baby Staples:
Serenity Kids or Once Upon a Farm pouches
Happy Baby or Little Bellies teething sticks
🥣 Breakfast + Snacks:
Magic Spoon, Three Wishes, or Lovebird Cereal (high-protein, low sugar, dad & toddler approved)
Annie’s Organic Cheddar Bunnies (because… always)
🍕 Freezer Finds for Dad Nights:
Love Midtown frozen pizza (seed oil-free + high in protein) or Rao’s frozen pizza (cleaner option, still delicious)
💡 Working Mom Hack
I label bins by meal/snack type in the fridge and freezer so nobody’s texting me at 7 PM asking “what’s for dinner.” Prepping is hard enough — let’s set them up to win.
Or you can use my favorite skylight calendar, all meals & recipes are there as well as a full family calendar.
