You asked and I listened…here’s yet another free “real food” meal plan! This one utilizes produce that’s typically in-season during the summer months, and since so many of you have your own garden you have yet another cost-saving opportunity when stocking up for this meal plan. Creating these plans is rather labor-intensive though so I can only do it every so often. If you’d love to get some guidance on a more regular basis please check our sponsor, The Fresh 20, who cranks out new and creative meal plans on a weekly basis (including vegetarian and gluten-free options)!
As always, this is what you’ll find with the “100 Days of Real Food” meal plans:
- One 7-day practical “real food” menu plan designed for busy families
- Complete meals listed each day for breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner with leftovers incorporated
- Food quantities calculated for a family of four
- Corresponding grocery list showing what to buy in order of the store and actual cost for each item (as opposed to the price per serving) with seasonal ingredients highlighted so they can be purchased from the local farmers’ market if desired
- Budget-friendly prices comparable to what a family of four would receive on full food stamp (SNAP) benefits – $167/week – with plenty of additional cost-saving opportunities because:
- Coupons were not used
- Sale prices were not used
- Prices for organic items were used in most cases
- Summer garden harvests were not incorporated
- All underlined recipes are available on 100DaysofRealFood.com – check out the Recipes & Resources Page for a full list
- All recipes are working mom/dad-friendly including tips on what to make in advance over the weekend
- Almost every item listed follows our strict 10-day pledge rules, with just a few minor exceptions to keep the plan realistic for those busy working parents
Here’s the scoop on how to get your Meal Plans
- Become an email subscriber by entering your email address in the box below.
- Follow the instructions in the welcome email. Make sure you check your junk/spam folder (or search all mail for 100daysofrealfood) if you don’t see it.
As a subscriber, you’ll get weekly blog updates, too!
Tomatillo Salsa
Hello! For some reason I am
unable to access the most recent summer meal plan link- I am an email subscriber but just can’t seem to find it! Is there any way someone could send it to me? Thanks!
Hi, I am a member and I cannot get the summer meal plan. Please can you help me,my email is [email protected]
The link to the summer meal plan doesn’t work. It goes to a Facebook page that doesn’t exist. Can it be reposted? Thanks!
Hello and thank you for all the wonderful information! I love the idea of your weekly meal planning so much. If you buy the paid subscription does it offer lower weekly cost plans? We are a family of 4 with a budget of $280-300 max Monthly for food so Im trying to find a weekly plan/ideas with lower cost. Thank you!
Lisa’s meal plan are available at no cost. You just need to become a subscriber.
I have only just started to look at your site and already you are my new best friend, haha. Thanks for ALL this wonderful stuff (especially the grocery lists!!!)!!!!
These are just wonderful and something I have been looking for (or trying to create myself) for over a year! Thank you! Thank you for creating these. I look forward to a fall and winter seasonal plan should you be working on those too! :)
I would challenge you to a mini-pledge to $20.83 per person. Or $83.33 for a family of four. I am not trying to stir up mischief. However, I would love to see a site that offers menus with real food to family with low incomes. This could encourage more low-income families to eat healthy. And for those of us that the kitchen/cooking is their weakness (but try extremely hard to overcome their weakness).
I fully agree with you on this! We are only a family of 3, but we only have about $80/week to spend on groceries with link. It’s very trying to afford regular (processed/cheaper) food on this budget, let alone anything organic or healthy. Healthy or organic items where we live are VERY expensive. A carton of organic eggs here costs upwards of $4 and the same with organic milk ($5 for a half gallon)!
Not all food stamp recipients receive $167 a week for a family of four. Our budget for a family of 6 is $125 per week. That is part food stamps and part our money.
Thanks for these! I’ve had a hard time finding healthy ways of making my meal plan. I know I’ve spent more then I need to and added more food. My spouse is a full time seminary student and I’m a stay at home mom. We’re looking forward to homeschooling next year and want to simplify life. That includes a healthier menu, and meal time order! Thanks!
Pls. send me information about your program
Can’t find where to download the menu plan…I get regular emails from you….but have not gotten this…:(
The summer meal plan (and 3 others) are on facebook. Here’s the link: http://www.facebook.com/100daysofrealfood#!/100daysofrealfood?sk=app_190322544333196
You have to “like” the page then click on the image you want to download. Good luck!
I just downloaded all 4 meal plans. You have to click on “Meal Plan” several times before the 4 images pop up. Just a cursory glance seems to indicated a menu that is heavy on the grain-carb side, which I am trying to avoid. Also, the prices are estimated from the southeast region of the US – if you live in a region with a higher cost of living as I do, the prices will be much higher. In particular, the prices for organic fruit seemed unrealistically low. In my area, the true cost would probably be double. Also, Meal Plan 4 requires that you own a slow cooker and a tortilla press, neither of which I have or plan to purchase. Not saying these are bad plans, but you must take your personal circumstances and preferences into account when estimating the true cost.
Looks like menu selections from weight loss diets I’ve been on. I’d venture to guess that most families would have to make consumption modifications to eat this way. Maybe this would be good since a good majority of the US is overweight? When you can’t have gluten or dairy, your choices are even more limited…& more expensive.
It’s good to see the next generation carrying on the message of whole foods. My children are 24 and 28, and I have been reading labels and eating this way since I was a teenager in the 70’s.
btw AL are my initials – Ashley is my first name