This turned, “UGH” into “WOW.” As is common in my life, I over bought at the store while grocery shopping. While walking the different isles many different options kept popping into my head and me not taking into account the time required for each meal….or my energy level after a long day at work.

Four days later I’m staring at two large containers, one of pre-cut onions and another one of onions and peppers that I had planned on fixing fajitas with. It was use them or lose them day. I was out of time for the veggies and for dinner after working late. I typed in Gemini, HELP. I gave it my list and asked what I could do. The first recipe out of the gate saved everything. Sheet Pan Fajitas.

I had never fixed them this way, but it would save the veggies and dinner so I gave it a shot. And just WOW. I loved them. Everything came out…well, better than how I normally fix them.

A “use it or lose it” recipe for when the pantry is full but the clock is ticking.

• Prep time: 10 minutes

• Cook time: 20 minutes

• Total time: 30 minutes

• Serves: 4 people

• Heat Setting: 400°F (Oven)

Ingredients

• 1 lb Chicken Breast or Steak ( I used both ), sliced into thin, ½-inch strips (Fajita style)

• 1 container (approx. 8 oz) Pre-cut Onions ( I like mine with heavy onions)

• 1 container (approx. 8 oz) Onion & Bell Pepper mix

• 3 tbsp Vegetable Oil (or melted lard for a more traditional flavor)

• 2 tbsp Taco Seasoning or Fajita Seasoning (Think packs here, I used one of each)

• Optional: Flour tortillas, shredded cheese, or a scoop of sour cream for serving.

Directions

1. Preheat: Heat your oven to 400°F.

2. The Mix: In a large bowl, toss the chicken and steak strips, raw onions, and the onion/pepper mix with the oil and seasoning until everything is evenly coated.

3. The Spread: Spread the mixture in a single, even layer. If the pan is crowded, split the ingredients between two pans. You want the air to circulate so the veggies get those flavorful brown “char” spots.

4. The Roast: Slide the pan into the center rack of the oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes depending on your oven.

5. The Finish: Remove the pan and check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F and the onions are soft and translucent with caramelized edges.

Serve: Let it sit for 2 minutes. Serve straight from the pan with warm tortillas.

In the end, what started as a grocery store 'over-buy' turned into one of the best meals we've had all month. It just goes to show that you don't need a fancy plan or hours in the kitchen to put something great on the table, sometimes you just need a single sheet pan and a little bit of flexibility. Next time you're staring at the fridge wondering where the time went, give this a shot. Your future, tired self will thank you.

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Let’s be honest: Meal planning for the week is an absolute energy drain. I’d spend hours trying to figure out what the family wanted while fighting off a barrage of ads and pop-ups on recipe sites. It was more work than the actual cooking.

Now? I use AI. ( Stick around, this will save you an enormous amount of time.) No more clicking through “life stories” ( Disclaimer: I use life stories in my recipe articles too) to find a recipe, no more “prompt engineering” gymnastics, just a simple conversation that eliminates the stress.

The Why Behind this Guide

We’ve all been there: standing in the kitchen on Saturday paralyzed by decision fatigue. Then the dreaded walk through the house asking each member of the family what they might like for dinner this week. Just, UGH, because the answer is always the same, ‘Just whatever you decide.’

I wanted to share this with you because meal planning shouldn’t feel like a second job. I want to show you how to reclaim your sanity by offloading the mental heavy lifting to AI. The goal is simple: total relief. By using what you already have, your phone, computer etc.. you can go from “what’s for dinner?” dread to a complete plan for the week in under five minutes. Lets get started.

My Process

I follow a simple, two-step method to get the best results: (There should be an AI app on your phone already, if not, go to the Google Play Store or Apple Store and download one. I actually use 3 for work related tasks. But, Grok, ChatGPT and Gemini are all great to use for this)

1. Inventory Check: I start with exactly what I have on hand.

2. Specific Constraints: I tell the AI how many people I’m feeding and what kind of meals I need (e.g., quick, budget-friendly).

Pro Tip: The more you use a specific AI, the better it gets at learning your family’s likes and dislikes, no peas for me!

The “Copy & Paste” Template

To get started, try using this format in your AI prompt:

• Ingredients I have: [Insert ingredients, e.g., 3 lbs chicken, 2 lbs ground beef]

• Meal Count: [Number of meals needed]

• Household Size: [Number of people]

• Meal Style: [e.g., Budget-friendly, under 30 minutes, kid-approved]

Sample Prompt & Results

The Prompt

“I have 3 lbs of chicken breast, 2 lbs of ground beef, and 4 ribeyes. I need 5 dinner ideas for 3 people. Give me budget-friendly and quick meals to fix for after school and work.”

The AI Output (Example)

• Monday: Quick Chicken Stir-fry with frozen veggies.

• Tuesday: Ground Beef Tacos (15-minute prep).

• Wednesday: Pan-Seared Ribeyes with a simple side salad.

• Thursday: Sheet-pan Lemon Herb Chicken and potatoes.

• Friday: Beef and Bean Chili (great for leftovers!).

The Next Step: Grocery Lists

Once you like the plan, simply ask the AI: “Can you create a categorized shopping list for these meals based on what I’m missing for ( add store name)?” It will organize everything by aisle, saving you even more time at the store.

The Bottom Line:

Life can be hard enough, meal planning doesn’t have to be. By offloading the mental heavy lifting to AI, you reclaim your Saturdays and your headspace for more enjoyable plans. Start with one meal, see the magic of an organized shopping list, and never look back at a “what’s for dinner?” panic again. Until next time, happy cooking and even happier planning.

In the deepest mines, the Pillars are what keep the roof from caving in. They are the silent, steady strength that allows the work to happen safely. Without them, the whole operation grinds to a halt.

Modern life for “the rest of us” isn’t much different. Between a demanding job, a growing family, and the constant noise of the digital world, we all need something solid to hold things up. We need systems that provide stability so we can focus on the work that actually matters.

The Goal: Strength Through Simplicity

I created The Pillars to share the tools and structures that actually work for “Norms” (Normal Folks). I’m not a tech-guru or a coding wizard. I’m a guy in Frankfort, Kentucky, sitting at a Mac Mini, trying to build a foundation that won’t crack under the pressure of a busy 24 hours.

Inside The Pillars, we’re going to focus on three main supports:

• AI for Norms: Practical, real-world ways to use tools like Gemini to stop the “zig-zag” chores and start reclaiming your mental space.

• The Digital Toolkit: Mastering the essentials, like Google Sheets, to track your growth without needing a computer science degree.

• The Daily Briefing: Building a routine to stay informed and steady without getting buried by the 24-hour news cycle.

Why it Matters

Stability isn’t about being “fancy” it’s about stewardship. If we can build better pillars in our daily routines, we create the space and safety to focus on our faith, our families, and our stories.

I’ll be here every week sharing the structural tweaks I’m making to my own life. I’d love to hear what “pillars” you’re building to keep your world standing strong, too.

Until then, keep your foundation solid and your tools sharp. Let’s build something that lasts.

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