What if meal planning wasn’t just about food—but about reclaiming your time, your energy, and your peace of mind? In this episode, Katie sits down with Tori Wesszer—dietician, mom, blogger, and founder of Fraiche Living—to talk about the real mental load behind the daily dinner decision and how meal planning can offer relief, routine, and more meaningful family moments. Tori shares her personal journey from meal planning burnout to building a life-giving system that simplifies dinner time and empowers families to make nourishing choices with less stress.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: “What’s for dinner?” and why it’s such a stressful question

02:00 – Tori's take on how kids changed the dinner game

04:00 – The emotional and mental toll of daily meal decisions

06:30 – Why meal planning matters: health, sanity, and family connection

08:15 – Common barriers to successful meal planning

10:30 – How Fraiche Table removes friction from dinner prep

13:00 – The power of prepping meals for you (especially as a mom)

15:30 – Shifting habits: From day-by-day chaos to weekly rhythm

17:00 – Letting go of perfection and embracing online grocery shopping

19:30 – Comparison traps and why dinner doesn’t need to be fancy

21:00 – Saving time, money, and your mental energy through meal planning

26:00 – Kid-friendly meals, custom plans, and searchable recipes

29:00 – Minimizing food waste and maximizing nourishment

31:00 – Getting kids involved in meal planning (without stress)

34:00 – Special gift for listeners: 15% off Fresh Table memberships

35:00 – Final thoughts on making dinner a meaningful part of your day

Notable Quotes:

“Balanced doesn’t mean perfect—those two are not synonymous.” – Tori Wesszer

“It’s not a recipe deficit. We don’t need more recipes—we need systems.” – Tori Wesszer

“Let go of the picture-perfect meal. If you made it and your family is fed, you did a great job.” – Tori Wesszer

Resources & Takeaways:

Tori’s Meal Planning Platform:

• Fraiche Table: Ready-to-use meal plans, grocery lists, and customizable weekly menus designed for busy families.
• https://fraicheliving.com/fraiche-table-meal-plan/

💥 Special Offer: Receive a 15% off discount code for annual Fraîche Table memberships by following and DM-ing Fraîche Table Instagram account. https://www.instagram.com/fraicheliving/

Recommended Reading:

• Atomic Habits by James Clear – Tori’s go-to for habit formation
• Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell – A reminder to protect what matters most: your time

Tori’s Hacks:

• Freeze leftover herbs in olive oil for quick flavor cubes
• Prep a few key ingredients (like roasted veggies or grains) to mix and match through the week
• Use meal plans not only for dinner—but for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and even kids’ lunches

Involving the Family:

• Let kids choose meals from the platform
• Make the grocery store a game—try one new fruit or veggie each week
• Start small: even stirring, setting the table, or choosing toppings is a win!

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