Easy Meal Planning That Will Save Your Sanity

Trying to plan and eat healthy is doomed if you are constantly exhausted at the end of the day and you have no energy or creativity left to whip up a meal. Scroll down for a step by step plan to get you started.

For a long while I have been doing weekly meal schedules. It makes it much simpler to shop and prepare meals at home. I can take into account the days that are going to be really busy and plan a crock pot meal or a grab and go meal. I can also plan more snacks for the day that I'm running to different sports.

Recently I wanted to try a two week meal plan. I am leaving town and I didn't want to stress out about food for my family the same week that I will be leaving. It was hard to feel creative and not stressed about what my kids could make and still get some veggies in.

Here is a look at what I did:

This weekly plan is what we will be eating when I am home all week. I added a few meals that I have not made before. I made sure I had three meals and a snack everyday. My kids love some herbal tea and a biscotti cookies. I always ask my kids what they want to eat and what they would be willing to help/learn to make. That way I don't get complaints for every stinkin' meal.

This is the week that I will be going out of town for a few days. It's simpler. My kids know how to make a lot of these meals so they can do it themselves and will actually put some veggies in the meal.  

I HIGHLY suggest using some sort of weekly meal planner so that you can sit down for about 30 mins and plan out a bunch of meals that your family actually likes that are familiar and easy to make. It takes the guess work out of your day to day eating and it makes a fast shopping list.

Easy Plan:

#1 Get something to write your lists on

#2 Make a list of all of your easiest meals to make

#3 Make a list of your families favorite meals

#4 Make a list of to-go meals

#5 Make a time to do your weekly meal plan ( I choose Sundays and shop on Monday or Tuesday)

#6 Just do it! You have to just get started and make the plan.

#7 Go through each meal and write what you need on your shopping list

#8 Go shopping for the ingredients that you need

If you do this for a few a weeks it will get easier and easier.

GOOD LUCK!

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How To Get The NEW Black & White Utah License Plates

Here in Utah, we have the BEST license plate in the game... The Arches plate. Orange, Blue, White. GORGEOUS. But all the sudden, we suddenly have THE TOUGHEST plate of all time: Black & White! And you can get it on your car today!

I saw this from Twitter user: @SplashNephew where he posted these new Black & White plates on his Volvo (Below).

Twitter blew up with people wondering HOW? How can we all get these plates on our cars? Firstly: These are special plates that require annual contributions to the Utah Historical Society. Meaning, you will pay $25 for an initial contribution, and $25/year as an annual contribution. Here is a STEP BY STEP on HOW to get these plates!

1. It can be obtained at ANY DMV office and will be mailed from the Utah State Tax Commission.
2. To order this plate by mail, submit a copy of your current registration, any documentation required for the special plate, and a check that includes the cost of the special plate, plus $4.00 for postage to: Utah State Tax Commission, Motor Vehicle Division, P.O. Box 30412, Salt Lake City, UT, 84130.

These plates, NO DOUBT, will start showing up all over the place, so get yours today! I'm THRILLED these are finally available in Utah!

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Wow! Utah's Next License Plates??

Utah's license plates are... OKAY. The Arches plate is AMAZING, but the others? Ehh...

I decided to design the NEXT license plates for MY HOME STATE: Utah!

1. The Dixie Plate:

There's not a chance this thing will fly, but I want it! I'd have it tomorrow! Fairly simple, but gives the St. George Pride Vibe with the sunset behind it. Showing clear skies that we get nearly everyday in St. George.

2. Modern Utah Jazz Plate:

No. Forget what I said on the Dixie Plate. I would have THIS ONE on my car tomorrow! The Jazz just did a whole new rebrand and they're keeping it simple. Bright yellow with the black. It pops. I love this plate!

3. The Beehive Plate:

The Beehive State, The Beehive Plate. An actual hive in the background with gooey honey running behind the numbers. This one would be the most UNIQUE plate in the world, and I'm kind of crazy about it!

4. The Elk Plate:

This ones for all the dudes out there. The Elk is the state animal of Utah, and I know there would be TONS of back-country folk that would sport this bad boy! Come on!

5. The Fry Sauce Plate:

Our most VALUABLE resource: Fry Sauce! It's a Utah staple, and it's GLORIOUS! In Fry Sauce We Trust!

6. The Califutah Plate.

This one is made for all those Californian's moving to Utah and trying to turn Utah into California. It's essentially the California license plate with Utah instead of California... Just to make them a little more comfy here.

See! It's a dead ringer! They'd LOVE IT!

Who do we need to send these to? Let's have the MOST AWESOME plates in the nation! Come on, Utah!

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At Cat Country Utah we LOVE helping out Local Southern Utah businesses. We would love to talk about your business and possibly do a giveaway for your business. 

Every week DJ and Aaronee select several local businesses in town to give FREE business shout outs on Cat Country 107-3 & 94.9. Next it could be YOUR business that gets the free air time.  It could also develop into an ongoing giveaway or sponsorship!

Just email your business name, contact person and the info you would like to get out to our listeners. Please email us for more info here: aaronee@townsquaremedia.com

To really enhance your FREE business shouts outs you can do a promotional giveaway from your business and really stretch the FREE airtime. The bigger the prize value the more air time you get. 

To market and advertise your business to the local market, pick a radio station that fits your target demographic and does well on social media to really influence the local consumers. You throw the party and we will get out our big megaphone and tell the people.

Here are some great ideas on how to market your business with the radio station and use your ad dollars well. 

-Contact radio stations: Reach out to local radio stations like us, and inquire about any promotional opportunities they may offer. Some stations may have segments or programs dedicated to promoting local businesses, events, or initiatives. We also have fun promotional opportunities to advertise regularly so ask us what we have going on at the time you want to advertise. 

-Community events and partnerships: Radio stations often support community events and initiatives. By participating in local events or partnering with community organizations, you may increase the chances of getting mentioned or featured on the radio. You also have multiple ties with business leaders in the area that also support the events or charities you choose to support.

-Provide value to listeners: When pitching your business to radio stations, emphasize how your products or services can benefit their audience. Highlight any unique features, special offers, or community contributions your business offers. Make sure you can say what the benefit is in 15 seconds or less. 

-Build relationships: Establishing relationships with radio hosts, producers, or media personnel can increase your chances of being featured. Attend networking events or reach out to them directly to introduce yourself and your business.

-Online radio, social media and podcasts: Consider exploring online radio stations and podcasts that cater to your target audience. Many of these platforms provide opportunities for business shout outs or interviews.

Remember, while free radio shout outs can be beneficial, it's essential to have a comprehensive marketing strategy that encompasses various channels to reach your target audience effectively. We can do that for you!

From promotional marketing and radio ads, SEO and digital marketing, to helping you with your website and social media, we got you! Contact Heather.pearson@townsquaremedia.com for your FREE business marketing overview to see how we can help stretch your marketing dollars.

Get the Cat Country Utah app and you can listen and score FREE prizes and FREE business shout outs across the state of Utah!

Aaronee LOVES the country lifestyle. She has a great little farm with Alpacas, goats, dogs, cats and chickens! So yes, some.....stuff on her boots. ;) Aaronee's playlist has everything from Reba & Brooks & Dunn to Rascal Flatts & Garth to Miranda Lambert & Laney Wilson to Kane Brown & Morgan Wallen. She loves them all. ♥ Get her some chips and salsa or tater tots and a root beer float and she is set. She loves chatting on social media so make sure to hit her up on the Cat Country Utah Facebook page!

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What gets stolen the most at Utah Walmart's?

It makes all of our prices go up. It get my blood boiling. I'll breathe and you can read. Here is the list of the top 8:

1. - Cosmetics
   Y'know, there are some real good drugstore brands out there, but swiping stuff like lipstick, mascara, compacts, and hair dye, isn't the way to go.

2 - Small Electronics
When it comes to small electronics, from basic watches to fancy smartphones and headphones, folks seem to eye those a lot.

3 - Toys
Toys like Hot Wheels or Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh cards, and Magic the Gathering cards disappear a lot.

4 - Over the Counter Medication
Now, for some reason, people nab pain relievers the most, followed by laxatives and pet meds. You'd think with self check out people wouldn't be so embarrassed to buy laxatives, ooo but there is a camera at self check out. hahahah

5 - Food
Interesting fact- packaged meat is reported as the most shoplifted item in America. Also on the list is baby food, deli stuff, alcohol, and noodle packets.

6 - Intimate Items
At the top of the lists mentioning the stolen goods at Walmart are things like pregnancy tests, condoms, and adult toys are apparently top targets.

7 - Apparel and Accessories
You won't believe it, but underwear gets swiped a lot from Walmart, along with shoes, hats, handbags, and sunglasses.

8 - Jewelry
I thought rings would be high on the list but apparently earrings, necklaces and bracelets take the top spots.