Episode Summary

Let’s be real—figuring out what to feed your people every single day can feel like a full-time job. In this episode, we each share an actual week of our go-to dinners—complete with shortcuts and survival-mode strategies.

Whether you’re a meal prep queen or someone who forgets what’s in the fridge by Wednesday, this one’s for you. No shame, just solidarity.

Standout Quotes

“You’re not a bad mom if meal planning feels like a mental load nightmare.” — Katelynn

“I’m not here for shame meals—I’m here for survival meals.” — Annie

“It’s not about perfection—it’s about feeding your people and surviving the week.” — Annie

“You don’t have to cook something brand-new every single night. You just have to feed your people.” — Katelynn

Takeaways

1️⃣ Dinner is hard. Period. You’re not alone if meal planning feels like another mental load on your overflowing plate.

2️⃣ Your family’s favorite meals don’t have to be fancy. If it feeds them and they like it, it counts.

3️⃣ Batching helps. Annie and Katelynn both rely on prep-ahead breakfasts, casseroles, and sheet pan dinners to keep it simple.

4️⃣ Costco is the third co-parent. From chicken nuggets to rotisserie chicken casseroles, it’s a lifesaver.

5️⃣ Breakfast for dinner is always a win. Especially if it involves homemade McGriddles.

Mentioned in this Episode

Annie’s Recipes:

• Breakfast Burritos
• Just Bare Chicken Nuggets in the air fryer
• Spaghetti and meatballs in the Instant Pot
• Costco Rotisserie Chicken Casserole
• Cheeseburger Mini Meatloaves
• Sheet Pancakes
• Sheet Pan Eggs

Katelynn’s Recipes:

• Smashed Burgers and French Fries
• Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, and Cracker Barrel Copycat Country Style Green Beans
• Chicken and Dumplings with Sauteed Squash and Zucchini
• Fajitas – Sheet Pan Version or Skillet Version
• Sheet Pan Sausage, Potatoes, and Green Beans
• Omelettes
• Better Homes and Gardens Salmon Loaf

Featured Chaos Anthem

“Home” (Vitamin String Quartet Cover)

This instrumental version of Home is the perfect reminder that dinner doesn’t have to be gourmet—it just has to happen. Let this calming string arrangement ground you in the rhythm of real-life motherhood. Whether you’re serving up a homemade casserole or thawing a freezer burrito, you’re still creating home.

🎧 You can find it (and all our episode anthems) on The Chaos Commanders: Season One playlists available on Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

Connect with Us

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📸 Instagram: @thechaoscommanders
📘 Facebook: The Chaos Commanders Podcast
🌐 Website: thechaoscommanders.com

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