Block Party Giveaway: Plan to Eat Online Meal Planner (3 Winners!)

This giveaway is now closed. Check back on July 4 for the winner!

Welcome to the Simple Living Media Summer Block Party! We’ve got 20 giveaways across the entire network this week to give you plenty of chances to win!

The final giveaway we have on Simple Mom is Plan to Eat, a genius little online program that pretty much does everything for you but actually cook your meals. And before too long, they’ll probably figure out a way to do that, too.

Plan to Eat is a simple tool that allows you to store your favorite recipes (and import them from around the Internet!), create menu plans using those recipes, and even provide grocery lists based on those same recipes.


You can share recipes with others on Plan to Eat, you can organize your grocery lists by store, and you can tag your recipes in infinite ways. You can even track nutritional information and cost breakdown of all of your recipes and menus! And for those of you that love going paperless, you can use Plan to Eat’s mobile app to carry all your menu planning with you. No more accidentally leaving the house without your grocery list.

My favorite feature? How astonishingly simple it is. Its clean interface allows for intuitive interaction — it took me mere seconds to get my account up and running, and I had my weekly menu plan created in minutes.

Take a tour of Plan to Eat to learn about more of its features… I’m still finding new ones!

(Oh, and Plan to Eat’s new spokesperson and blogger is Simple Mom columnist Mandi Ehman of Organizing Your Way…  I think that’s cool, too.)

Three Simple Mom readers will win a one-year membership to Plan to Eat!

How to Win

Everyone has three chances to win. Choose one or all three!

1. Comment on this post, and answer this question: It’s 5 p.m. and you just walked in the door from a busy day running errands — what’s your favorite go-to easy meal for your family?

2. Follow @simplemom and @plantoeat on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway. Be sure to come back and leave a separate comment with the link to your tweet.

3. Subscribe to Simple Mom by email or in your feed reader. Leave a separate comment letting me know you’re subscribed.

This giveaway will end at 11:59 p.m. EST on July 3 and is open to commenters 18 years or older. We’ll use Random.org to choose winners on July 4th! I hope you win!

Comments

  1. avatar Tanya says:

    Our fave go to meal is soup and sandwiches. Usually, I keep soup either on hand in tetra packs or frozen and the sandwiches are almost always mock BLTs or grilled cheese. It’s easy and quick and everyone will eat it :)
    Tanya´s latest post: rehydration

  2. avatar Tanya says:

    I subscribe via feedburner
    Tanya´s latest post: rehydration

  3. avatar Shellie says:

    Beans over rice with some grated cheese and salsa

  4. avatar Shellie says:

    I’m subscribed in google reader.

  5. avatar Fontaine says:

    My go-to meal is a simple stir fry. We usually have chicken strips frozen, as well as a bunch of veggies. I can heat up some olive oil and garlic, throw the rest on there, add some cous-cous and have dinner for all of us within 20 minutes. Yum!

  6. avatar Fontaine says:

    Also, I subscribe to simple mom via email :D

  7. 5pm? No dinner? Am I allowed to order out? There’s this fried rice joint just down the way that will deliver within 30 minutes. But if its coming from my own pan, then grilled cheese it is.

  8. avatar Mrs. Wright says:

    I keep cooked ground beef frozen in 1.5 pound portions. On a bad day I can easily thaw the meat in 5 minutes and throw it in some hamburger helper. I’ll nuke a can of green beans and dinner is served!
    Mrs. Wright´s latest post: Dirty Little Secrets

  9. I’ve subscribed via Google Reader.
    Evan Brammer | The Holy Life´s latest post: The Reason for the Holy Life

  10. avatar Mrs. Wright says:

    I subscribe in a reader!
    Mrs. Wright´s latest post: Dirty Little Secrets

  11. avatar Jen says:

    Most recently my go to meal is black bean soft tacos with cheese and avocado! So easy and delicious!

  12. avatar Jen says:

    I’ve subscribed via Google Reader.

  13. avatar allison says:

    I always have something frozen, just in case. This week I made a double batch of baked chicken. Ate half, froze half. I love having something healthy and quick already prepared.

  14. avatar Jen says:

    I’m subscribed in google reader.

  15. avatar Kim says:

    My favourite go-to meal: Eggs and toast. So easy.
    Kim´s latest post: 211- Sad Day

  16. avatar melissa says:

    ours is no stir tomato risotto.
    melissa´s latest post: Fred

  17. avatar Pamela says:

    I keep frozen baked chicken. We love mac n cheese and I can make that real quick.

  18. avatar Gillianne says:

    frozen veggies and pasta with meat sauce…………….If I’m not allowed to order out. With the new baby the budget is even tighter and I need to start planning out meals at home more to save on dollars and get us back on a regular schedule. This seems like a really good idea!

  19. avatar Crystal B says:

    My go to meal is a chili egg puff, which also happens to be my husband’s favorite! Most of what I use is stuff I always have on had, and since its eggs as the protein I don’t need to defrost anything!

  20. avatar Crystal B says:

    I already recieve your emails!

  21. avatar nat. says:

    I subscribe via Google Reader.

  22. avatar nat. says:

    It’s a tie. Either spaghetti or quesadillas.

  23. Favorite fast meal is spaghetti with meat sauce. I like to stir in some frozen chopped spinach too for some extra veg.

  24. i subscribe with Google reader

  25. avatar Megan says:

    Homemade pizza or quesadillas are an easy meal we routinely go to in a pinch around here.

  26. avatar Megan says:

    I subscribe via google reader.

  27. avatar Krista says:

    my go-to meal is homemade mac ‘n’ cheese and a leafy green salad with lots of veggies. the mac ‘n’ cheese takes no time to make, and while it’s baking i put together the salad and set the table.
    Krista´s latest post: Out of The Darkness Part 2- The Light at the end of the tunnel

  28. avatar anna says:

    wow, that site looks like just what i need!

    my current last-minute meal is chicken in a tomatoey-gingery sauce. i made it up one night when i realised i’d run out of time to bake drumsticks like i’d planned, and cooked it on the stove top, and it was better than i thought it was going to be. ;)
    anna´s latest post: Another Keesh challenge

  29. avatar Laura says:

    Hi!
    I’m a subscriber of your blog since last year. I love reading it.
    My favorite quick meal… frittata with vegetables (courgettes are our favorite)
    Thanks for organizing this giveaway.
    Laura´s latest post: Textile Jewelry – Singleton button earrings – Romantic Rose

  30. avatar evonne says:

    quickest for the picky eaters in our family is spaghetti. I use ground black angus beef my dad raises, always in the freezer and takes little time to brown. Canned sauce, whatever was on sale with coupons. heat some canned green beans and I have a meal each member will eat. The youngest doesn’t use sause but lots of parmesan cheese.

  31. avatar evonne says:

    I subscribe via email and love it!

  32. hmmm, my go-to meal lately has been Pizza Hut;) But aside from that we always have something frozen and ready to heat, our favorites are General Tzao’s Chicken or Bertolli’s Pastas from Sams Club.

  33. avatar StreuselMama says:

    Our last minute dinner is usually a stir fry with whatever veggies are on hand or some beans, greens and rice. Thanks for all these wonderful giveaways!

  34. I subscribe on Google Reader.
    Lisa Peterson´s latest post: The Tides are Finally Turning and Life Decisions

  35. avatar StreuselMama says:

    I subscribe via google reader.

  36. avatar Leslie says:

    My go-to meal is smoked sausage (or summer sausage) quickly sauteed with broccoli over pasta with Parmesan cheese. My daughter, husband and I eat it together, while my younger boys eat it separate, but it works for everyone!

  37. avatar Leslie says:

    I subscribe via google reader. Thanks for the giveaway.

  38. avatar Shannon says:

    Our last minute meal is is almost always breakfast for dinner. Egg wraps, fruit…. a hit with the kiddos and mom & dad!

  39. avatar Jessica says:

    Tacos. easy fix when I’m running late!

  40. avatar Jessica says:

    I subscribe via email!

  41. avatar Jessica says:

    follow simplemom & plantoeat on twitter
    tweet-http://bit.ly/aWRJ7d

  42. avatar Adrianne says:

    I subscribe via e-mail!

  43. avatar Adrianne says:

    Our go-to is probably broiled open-faced cheese and tomato sandwiches. Quick and easy!

  44. avatar Bronwyn Kate says:

    We love spaghetti noodles with sautéed zuchinni and smoked salmon. It’s super fast and yummy!

  45. avatar Bronwyn Kate says:

    I’m subscribed via Google Reader.
    Bronwyn Kate´s latest post: Super Scrumptious and Healthy Spinach Dip

  46. avatar PeachRainbow says:

    Chicken Macaroni

  47. avatar PeachRainbow says:

    follow you both and tweeted;
    http://twitter.com/thepeachrainbow/status/17640936830
    PeachRainbow´s latest post: Friday Favo-List

  48. avatar PeachRainbow says:

    Subscribed via google reader
    PeachRainbow´s latest post: Friday Favo-List

  49. avatar eileen says:

    I’m subscribed via email. One of my family’s favorite quick meals is naan bread, a jar of natural spagetti sauce and shredded mozzerella on top. Each gets their own natural pizza and can add toppings if they wish. We also use eggs a lot as we have chickens.

  50. avatar Larisa says:

    I usually make quesadillas or chicken tacos and serve with guacamole!!

  51. avatar Alicia Hotn says:

    My go-to meal is quesadillas with rice/beans on the side. I usually have brown rice already made and frozen so I just have to heat it up with water, add beans and spices and then it’s done! Quesadillas are quick and always a winner with the kids.

  52. avatar Alicia Hotn says:

    I subscribe via google reader. Thanks!

  53. avatar Kelly says:

    homemade pizza (premade shell) and a big salad!
    Kelly´s latest post: Life

  54. Our go to meal is pasta, with white or red sauce, or even with pesto. We keep a variety of sauces and healthier pastas in the pantry so we can throw them together with some fresh veggies and meat, if we want it.
    Tara @ Feels Like Home´s latest post: Grace and Her Babies

  55. I subscribe via email.
    Tara @ Feels Like Home´s latest post: Grace and Her Babies

  56. avatar Yael says:

    A quick and easy stir-fry.

  57. avatar Karyn says:

    Probably spaghetti and meatballs.

  58. avatar Karyn says:

    I subscribe.

  59. avatar Whitney says:

    Quesadillas with leftovers…easy and enjoyed by the family!

  60. avatar Whitney says:

    I subscribe via email. Thanks for the giveaway!!

  61. avatar Kelly says:

    I make a recipe from Kraft called “Marvelous Mini Meatloaves” and freeze the leftovers, so they are often in the freezer. If I have some of those, I’d probably heat them up in the microwave, fry some frozen perogies with peppers and onions (or microwave a “baked” potato) and microwave a can of corn.

  62. avatar Kara says:

    Vegetable stir fry with frozen veggies and brown rice. It’s fairly quick. I’ll be honest though…if there are cookies around, I might eat three before I’m done cooking my meal… :D

  63. avatar Kara says:

    I’m also a subscriber via my yahoo reader.

  64. avatar Jocelyn says:

    I “heart” Trader Joe’s! My kids are 11, 9 and 6, and they have me running in a way that leaves little time (or energy) for lengthy cooking and baking sessions… especially in the summer. My day will come again…

    Anyhow, a pretty standard “go to” meal in our house is Trader Joe’s spicy chicken sausage sauteed with green beans and brown rice (if we have 50 minutes) or sliced potatoes (if we don’t).

  65. avatar Kelly says:

    I subscribe via RSS :)

  66. avatar Jen says:

    Soup and sandwiches! Easy and simple.

  67. avatar Jen says:

    I’m subscribed to Simple Mom via email.

  68. avatar Heather says:

    In the summer it is bread salad or macaroni salad. I always make sure I have the main ingredients for those and the recipes are flexible enough that I can just add what ever else I have

  69. avatar Emile says:

    I subscribe!

  70. avatar Emile says:

    Spaghetti or black beans & rice.

  71. avatar jerri says:

    mac & cheese! Super easy, fast and my kids love it

  72. avatar jerri says:

    I subscribe to the email

  73. avatar cindi says:

    I keep homemade meat sauce in the freezer. In a pinch, I defrost while cooking pasta.

  74. avatar Meghan says:

    we have cheese, crackers, fruit, veggies, etc.

  75. avatar Tracy says:

    Oh that is SO our life… no idea what to have at dinner at 5pm! My go-to is usually something we’ve already prepared and frozen like leftover pulled pork. Throw in some yummy bbq sauce, throw on rolls and serve with fresh veggies and fruit. Though I am a fan of our made ahead and frozen salsa chicken burritos with black beans and corn. Throw those babies in the microwave for a couple of minutes and you have dinner ready!

  76. quesadillas!
    Becky – Clean Mama´s latest post: Can You Afford Nutritional Supplements

  77. avatar Meghan says:

    i subscribe via e-mail.

  78. avatar Tracy says:

    I’m a subscriber via email!

  79. avatar Dani says:

    Our go-to meal is stir fry or breakfast for dinner!

  80. avatar Jessica says:

    Our go-to meal: cold cereal with milk or pizza’s!
    Jessica´s latest post: Independence Day

  81. avatar Jessica says:

    I subscribe in e-mail

  82. avatar melanie says:

    for grownups: quick stirfry. for kids: scrambled eggs or grilled cheese. i know, i’m not supposed to make a separate meal for the picky kids … but we’re talking about a busy day, right? nobody wants a tantrum on a day like that! ;-)

  83. avatar melanie says:

    i’m a subscriber!

  84. avatar grimsaburger says:

    My go-to meal? If I’ve remembered to throw together some dough at 3, pizza with whatever toppings we can scrounge up in the fridge. If not, tacos!
    grimsaburger´s latest post: Good grief- people

  85. avatar grimsaburger says:

    I subscribe in my Google Reader!
    grimsaburger´s latest post: Good grief- people

  86. avatar Ilse says:

    pizza–I keep a chunk of dough in the freezer for the crust along with pepperoni and cheese and then use whatever veggies I have on hand for the other toppings.

  87. avatar Melody says:

    I subscribe via Google Reader. Mine are rice and beans, quesadillas and spaghetti with pre-cooked ground beef from the freezer. I’m excited to try Plan to Eat even if I don’t win!

  88. avatar Efi says:

    Usually it is sandwiches or pizza or even chicken nuggets with salad.

    Keep up the good work.

  89. avatar Tammy says:

    Bread, cheese and tea– the easiest recipe to make– and a strangely fond memory from hubby’s life under Communism… I usually make this once a week on those days when I know I have very little time to cook. The tea is a fresh mountain tea from Albania.

  90. avatar Michele says:

    My go-to dinner is black bean, cheese, and green chile quesadillas!

  91. avatar Ali says:

    5pm dinners? I guess Spaghetti would be my quick dinner.

  92. avatar Melodie B says:

    Eggs!

  93. avatar Michele says:

    I subscribe through Google reader :)

  94. avatar Ali says:

    I subscribe via email.

  95. avatar Melodie B says:

    I subscribe with an RSS reader.

  96. avatar Becky says:

    My quick go-to meal would have to be spaghetti. I can have that on the table in a flash.

  97. avatar Becky says:

    I subscribe via email!

  98. avatar Adrienne says:

    My favorite quick meal is shrimp pasta. Frozen shrimp takes no time to thaw, so by the time the pasta is done, the shrimp & veggies can be sauteed. Toss it all together, and a delicious dinner is on the table!
    Adrienne´s latest post: Trip to Alabama-Trip to Illinois-Fathers Day

  99. avatar Erica says:

    I subscribe via email … and LOVE it! :)

  100. avatar Jennifer F says:

    My simple solution for dinner in a hurry is spaghetti. I always keep a can of sauce and pasta on hand.