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Ever find yourself staring into the fridge at 5 pm wondering what in the world to cook? That’s exactly the stress meal planning solves.
In this week’s episode of Everyday Ancestral, I sit down with Allison Schaaf, chef, dietitian, and founder of Prep Dish. She’s built a business around helping families like yours reclaim time, energy, and connection at the table.
Allison shares her journey from personal chef to entrepreneur, her discoveries around gluten-free living, and the real-life systems that keep her family of six eating well without overwhelm. More importantly, she shows how simple routines like batching vegetables or planning dinners just once a week can create more calm and more family connection.
If you’ve ever wished for less stress and more joy around mealtimes, this conversation is packed with practical hacks and inspiration.
Why This Matters to You
Buried under paperwork and still stressing about what’s for dinner? You’re not alone. Decision fatigue around meals is one of the biggest roadblocks to eating well.
How can you avoid the 5 pm scramble? Allison explains that just having a plan, even a simple one eliminates the stress. With a grocery list in hand and ingredients prepped, you’ll save money, reduce waste, and skip the temptation of takeout.
Are your kids picky or does your schedule feel impossible? Allison shares real stories of how she keeps meals simple: a protein, a vegetable, and a carb. No need for gourmet perfection.
Are you wishing meals felt like more than just food? This episode shows how dinner can be the vehicle for something bigger: time, space, and calm together as a family.
Actionable Advice
Start with your calendar: Map out Friday or Saturday how many nights you’ll actually cook and shop with intention.
Batch the basics: Chop vegetables ahead of time so weeknight dinners feel effortless.
Stretch one into many: Cook a protein or sauce in bulk and spin it into new meals throughout the week.
Invite kids into the process: Cooking, gardening, and serving spark curiosity and make them eager to try new foods.
Redefine convenience: Fresh fruit, cheese, or cut vegetables beat anything that comes from a package.
Allison grew up inspired by her grandmothers’ cooking and started experimenting in the kitchen as a teenager. That passion led her through culinary school, graduate work in nutrition, and eventually a career as a personal chef. Along the way, she discovered the impact of gluten-free eating through her own health and her clients’ healing. After facing the heartbreak of multiple miscarriages and later building her family through both adoption and birth, she created Prep Dish turning her expertise and resilience into a service that helps families everywhere simplify meals and reclaim connection at the table.
Links and Resources to Explore
Listen to the Full Episode – Available now on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.
Food is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to nourish both your body and your relationships. Try these strategies, take the stress out of mealtime, and notice how much more energy you have for what really matters, connecting with the people you love. Then go listen to the full conversation with Allison and see how meal planning could transform your family too.
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