The Plan to Eat Podcast

In this episode, Roni and Riley dig into the meat chapters of Grocery Shopping Secrets by Carol Ann Kates, from choosing the best cuts to making your dollars stretch further at the store. We talk about how meat is labeled, how to select the best cuts, and why the freezer is your best friend when it comes to reducing waste. You don’t have to buy the most expensive cut to cook a great meal. With a l...

In this special episode, Roni and Riley sit down with Carol Ann Kates, award-winning author, former grocer, and expert in all things food and shopping. Carol Ann shares her story of growing up in her family’s grocery store, co-owning a chain of markets in Northern Colorado, and turning decades of experience into practical tools for home cooks. You’ll hear about the real-life challenges of running...

In this episode, we continue our book club breakdown of Grocery Shopping Secrets by Carol Ann Kates, focusing on the chapters about dairy and eggs. From how to properly freeze milk and cream to understanding egg labels at the grocery store, this chapter is full of useful, often surprising, information. We discuss why some butters have more flavor and how gelato compares to ice cream. We also cover...

This is a special bonus episode with answers to your Dinner Dilemmas! Check out this episode for answers to questions about getting started with the paleo diet, having different preferences than your spouse, cooking with busy after-work schedules, budgeting, and more! Links & Resources: Plan to Eat Free Trial – Try the app that helps simplify grocery shopping, freezer tracking, and meal planni...

We're continuing our Book Club Breakdown of Grocery Shopping Secrets by Carol Ann Kates. This week we're diving into the sections on selecting fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs/spices at the grocery store! These chapters have SO much information about produce including fun tidbits, how to select the best produce, how to store it to keep it fresh longest, and seasonal availability. Ther...

We’re kicking off a brand new Book Club Breakdown with Grocery Shopping Secrets by Carol Ann Kates! In this first episode of our multi-part series, we’re delving into the early chapters, discussing grocery budgets, pantry clean-outs, sneaky food labels, and how a well-planned shopping trip can save you money! We share what we learned, what surprised us, and the simple ways you can save money witho...

It's almost Summer and we're tackling vacation meal planning in this episode! Vacations are for slowing down and making memories, not stressing about what’s for dinner. In this episode, we’re talking about how to meal plan - before, during, and after your trip - to keep things simple and stress-free. Whether you're road-tripping with snacks in the cooler or coming home to an already...

In this episode, we dive into a seasonal favorite: spring cleaning! But instead of tackling closets and garages, we're talking about cleaning out your fridge, freezer, pantry, and even your Plan to Eat recipe book to freshen up your meal-planning routine. Plus, we answer multiple Dinner Dilemmas! This week covers: How to reduce food waste and grocery costs by planning with what you already ha...

It’s the final episode in our Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat breakdown. This week is all about Heat - the element of transformation. Whether you’re roasting, simmering, searing, or baking this chapter details the nuances of it all! We explore how heat affects ingredients, including their flavor and texture, and how to gain confidence in applying heat for the best results. As with all the elements, the way...

We’re back with another episode in our Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat series, and this week it’s all about Acid! Acid is the unsung hero of flavor - it brightens, balances, and brings depth to your dishes.  In this episode, we dive into the science of acid in cooking (and how it shocked us!), how it affects the color and texture of foods, and why it's called salt's "alter ego". You’ll a...

We’re continuing our "book club breakdown" of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat, and this week is all about Fat! Fat does much more than add richness - it carries flavor, creates texture, and is essential for balanced, delicious meals. Ever wondered why you don't like the taste of olive oil? Or why your food gets soggy instead of crispy? We’ll break it all down and share practic...

We’re kicking off our breakdown of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat, and this week, it’s all about Salt! Salt is the key to unlocking flavor - it enhances taste, balances sweetness, and transforms bland dishes into something truly delicious.  In this episode, we explore how salt impacts cooking, why it’s essential, and how to use it effectively in your home kitchen. If you’ve ever wondered ho...

In this milestone episode, Roni and Riley revisit some of the show's most memorable and impactful conversations and give a preview of what's to come. Thank you for listening to the show and supporting us for 100 episodes! #17: Interview with Katie Kimball on Picky Eaters and Getting Your Kids in the Kitchen #39: Interview with Linda Feller, of Sip + Sanity, on Party Planning #66: Gain Ba...

Kimberley Gillan, food security expert and author of HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?: Nutritious Meals from $50 Per Week , joins the pod for an insightful discussion on eating healthy without breaking the bank. Her book is a game changer for families and individuals looking to make nutritious, budget-friendly meals a reality. In this episode, we explore the impact of rising food costs on diets and budgets, pr...

Join Roni and Riley as we dive into the topic of home-cooked food and share our favorite cooking tips and tricks. In this episode, we explore our personal journeys to becoming home cooks, including the lessons we've learned along the way and the people and resources that have inspired us.  Whether you're a newbie in the kitchen or looking for fresh ideas to elevate your cooking, this con...

Heather Bell of @JusttheBells10 is a mother of eight and is a viral cooking and lifestyle influencer. She and her husband, Luke, hail from Michigan where they provide eggs to local grocery stores and restaurants. They raise Clydesdale horses and beef cows, and they operate a masonry business as well. She is the debut author of Mama Bell's Big Family Cooking: 100+ Big-Batch Homestyle Recipes Y...

What if we told you cooking more meals at home could help you save money, eat healthier, and spend more quality time with your family?  In this episode, Roni and Riley talk about the different reasons why home cooking needs to be your 2025 resolution! Home-cooked meals have this amazing ripple effect on basically all aspects of our lives and we want to encourage you to cook at home more in the new...

Alison Kay is a food writer, teacher, and podcaster. She specializes in bringing the wisdom of ancestral food to modern kitchens in a joyful and practical way so that you can learn without overwhelm and make traditional foods part of your life. In today's episode, we talk about Alison's journey from veganism to ancestral eating and how changing her diet helped her overcome struggles with...

Join Riley and Roni for a conversation about reducing the craziness around holiday meal planning and prep. We dissect planning, food prep, managing leftovers, and adopting a new mindset to maximize enjoyment! We hope this episode helps you accept the imperfections and get the most fulfillment from your holiday meals this season. Cheers and Enjoy! The Eisenhower Matrix Questions for Humans Cards Si...

Julien and Kiersten Saunders are authors of Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game By Walking Away published by Penguin Random House. They are the creative voices behind the blog richandregular.com , hosts/producers of the award-winning video series, Money on the Table , and hosts of the rich & REGULAR podcast which has earned over 3 million downloads in just two years. Their mission is to inspire b...

Join Roni and Riley for a conversation about "less is more" when it comes to meal planning. This conversation gives many practical tips for simplifying your meal planning and creating minimalist meal plans! Tune in for some recipe inspiration and practical planning methods. Enjoy! Tiny Rhythms Wall Magnets Sign up for a free trial + get 20% off your first annual subscription: plantoeat.c...

Jordan Schenck is the President and Chief Operating Officer for Flashfood, an app-based marketplace that connects shoppers with fresh produce, meat, and other groceries at up to 50% off. This interview focuses on why food waste is a complex issue and how Flashfood works to help reduce food waste. Read about the origins of Allspice: https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-allspice-p2-995556 Flashfood...

Riley is back this week to help cover the topic of family meals and why we should be trying to have more meals together with our families. We share a lot of helpful tips and ideas during this conversation so you can feel empowered to have more family meals starting this week! Here are some of the resources we mentioned: FMI.org thefamilydinnerproject.org Conversation starters Harvard EdCast Podcas...

Rebecca lives in Colorado with her husband and two kids. Food has been an important part of her life since 2009, when she saw firsthand how it can be used to heal. Since then, she has strived to provide her family with nourishing meals using as many local ingredients as possible. She writes at her website, ahumbleplace.com , where she offers resources for homeschoolers and guides for food and meal...

This is a rerun of Episode 69 with Carly and Carmen of Radiant Knowing! A Nutritionist and Dietitian duo, Carmen and Carly help women unlock the clarity and confidence they need to nourish their bodies holistically and age-proof their health while creating a simple and sustainable plan for feeding their family. They love to help moms revolutionize their systems to get more organization and structu...