The "Meat First Mentality"

Here at Whiffletree, we are really excited about the launch of our new Subscribe and Save program. This option allows you to create your own neighborhood or curbside delivery order, which repeats every 4 weeks. I believe in our food, and I am always thrilled to offer new ways for you to get your hands on it more easily.

For me, decision fatigue is a major hindrance to meal planning and grocery shopping. “Set it and forget it” is a win. With Subscribe and Save, you can carefully plan your order just once, nailing down and simplifying your staples (and scoring 5% off!).

I think this program will serve you best if you can adopt a “meat first” mentality. What do I mean by this? Aim for simple meals centered around a main source of protein/animal fat. It has taken me years to get into this mentality myself, but I hope I can give you a few tips to leap-frog ahead of me in your efforts!

A basic meal plan can consist of a weekly schedule of proteins as the main dish, accompanied by rotating sides and a variety of sauces/preparations. I suggest thinking through a typical week - how many eggs and which cuts and quantities of meat will you use? Multiply that week’s protein schedule by four and these are the perfect items to include in your Subscribe and Save order. Our eggs last a *long* time, and our meat comes frozen, so you can stock up and be set for a month. You might also like to incorporate some raw cheese or grassfed butter into your order. These are high-price items, but so good for you that it can be worth the investment to eat even just a few times per month.

Do not fear repetition! Decide on your meats and then capitalize on a range of veggies, herbs and spices, and other easy sides. (Sauerkraut from the farm store also goes well with almost any meal and can be the sole veggie component in a pinch!)

Do not fear leftovers! At this point in our family life, it makes the most sense for me to cook dinner almost every night and serve leftovers for lunch. But you could also use leftovers for subsequent evening meals or even for breakfast. (There is no reason we cannot eat meat, rice, vegetables, or even soup for breakfast! Throw a fried egg, avocado, or sour cream on top to jazz it up and make it more filling and breakfast-y).

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Here’s an example of a Straight family meal plan in this style:

Monday — Roast whole chicken

Serve with a green vegetable and a grain such as soaked brown rice or sprouted quinoa. Make extra grain for use on Friday and/or Saturday. Pop the bones straight into the crock pot after the meal so you will have broth on hand all week.

Tuesday — Ground beef 

Tacos, meatballs, meatloaf…add some organ meat if you can. Serve with a seasonal salad.

Wednesday — Egg and sausage casserole

Add cheese and optional veggies to the casserole. Serve roasted sweet potatoes on the side. (See my recent post for a basic recipe.)

Thursday — Slow cooker pot roast or pulled pork

Serve with roasted cauliflower or potatoes, coleslaw, or something green on the side.

Friday — Salmon

Great with a sauteed vegetable and leftover grain from Monday. You can easily swap in shrimp or halibut. All of these options cook simply and quickly with a little lemon and butter, which is great for a Friday night.

Saturday—A favorite soup recipe or “Refrigerator Soup”

Add any diced leftover meat, veggies, or grains into bone broth with fresh or dried herbs, onions, garlic, fresh ginger, canned tomatoes, olives, lemon juice, etc. in combinations that your family enjoys. Add sour cream, milk, cream, yogurt, or coconut milk if you like. Get fancy and top with crumbled bacon. Serve with a salad, raw cheese, and/or wholesome bread and butter.

Sunday—Could be something special, or leftover Refrigerator Soup!

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Hopefully this is helpful to you all! Making meal planning more manageable can be a huge help when it comes to budget and time. Remember you can always call the Whiffletree Farm Store or chat with an employee when you come by. We are happy to help you get the most from your food dollars and enjoy as much nourishing food as possible!