It’s back-to-school season, which means your brain is juggling lesson plans, classroom setup, and 87 emails—and that’s before lunch.

If you’re a teacher (or just a tired human) who wants to eat something other than Goldfish and cold coffee next week, I’ve got you covered.

This One Grocery Bag, Five Meals plan is designed for real-life energy levels. It’s healthy-ish, budget-friendly, kid-approved, and best of all… it’s actually doable.

What’s Inside the Plan

  • 5 easy dinners made from ~15 ingredients

  • Dump-and-go recipes (think slow cooker, sheet pan, and skillet)

  • Leftovers that can double as lunch

  • A printable grocery list

  • A quick meal prep guide to set you up on Sunday

The Weekly Dinner Lineup

Monday - Sheet Pan Sausage + Veggies
Chop it, toss it, roast it. Dinner is ready in under 30 minutes, and leftovers are perfect for wraps or bowls.


Tuesday - Turkey Taco Skillet
Ground turkey, black beans, and salsa come together in one pan. Serve with rice or tortillas—done!

Wednesday - Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken Bowls
Toss everything into your slow cooker before work. Come home to juicy shredded chicken ready for bowls, wraps, or salads.


Thursday - Leftover Remix Night
Use what’s left to build wraps, taco salads, nachos, or a taco pasta skillet. Zero brainpower required.

Friday - Frozen Pizza Night
The plan ends with a well-deserved break. Pair with a salad (if you feel like it) or just eat the pizza. Cold leftovers make a great lunch.


One Grocery Bag Shopping List

You’ll need just a handful of basics to make it all work. Think:

  • Chicken breasts

  • Ground turkey

  • Sausage

  • Black beans

  • Bell pepper, zucchini, carrots, onion

  • Salsa, taco seasoning, diced tomatoes

  • Rice, tortillas, frozen pizza

  • Shredded cheese + your favorite dressing

Click here to download the full grocery list + printable PDF

Optional: 30-Minute Sunday Prep

If you want to make weeknights even easier, the plan includes a quick prep guide. Chop your veggies, pre-cook your protein, and portion a few ingredients ahead. Future you will be grateful.

Real Talk

This plan isn’t fancy. It’s not Pinterest-perfect.
But it’s realistic, nourishing, and sanity-saving—which makes it perfect for the first week back to school.

Whether you’re headed back to the classroom or just need dinner on the table without stress, this plan is here to help you start the school year feeling a little more together.

Ready to simplify your week?
Grab your copy of the plan, grocery list, and prep guide below!



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Jessica

Let’s just say… my brain doesn’t believe in linear thinking.

I’m a former teacher with a to-do list the size of a CVS receipt and a mind that skips like a playlist on shuffle. Sound familiar?

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD or just feel like your brain has 47 tabs open, I want to share what’s actually helped me stay focused, feel less frazzled, and still function when my brain is doing backflips.

The Tech Tools I Swear By

1. Focus Keeper App

This little Pomodoro-style timer is a game-changer. I set 25-minute work blocks and challenge myself to stay focused just until the buzzer. It removes the pressure to be "on" all day and lets me work with my brain, not against it.

2. Google Keep

Digital sticky notes are my brain-dump sanctuary. I can organize by color, pin important tasks, and access them from anywhere. When ideas hit me mid-coffee sip or mid-scroll, they go here.



3. Forest App

This one grows a digital tree while you stay off your phone. If you touch your phone, your tree dies. Dramatic? Yes. Motivating? Also yes. I love seeing my little forest flourish by the end of the day.


4. ChatGPT

For quick answers, rewrites, lesson ideas, captions, and planning help. It’s like a thinking partner that doesn’t interrupt. I use it to brainstorm when my brain is stuck in the fog.

Peptides That Help Me Function

Enter my secret weapon: MAKE Wellness peptides.

These are all-natural, sweetener-free wellness supplements designed to support your body and mind. Here are the ones I use for focus, energy, and calm:

  • Focused: 1 capsule in the morning. It helps me zone in when I’m distracted by every bird, beep, and browser tab.

  • Energized: This powdered mix gives me caffeine without the crash. It keeps my thoughts clearer and my motivation higher.

  • Calm: I take this before bed so my brain doesn’t play the highlight reel of tomorrow’s to-do list on repeat or zero in on that one awkward moment I had twenty years ago. 

I still lean on healthy habits like walking and sleep, but these peptides have made those habits easier to stick with.

TL;DR

If your brain is buzzing and burnout feels close, you don’t need to reinvent your entire routine.

Start small: try a 25-minute focus session. Try one new supplement. Try a tech tool that takes pressure off your brain.

Supporting your ADHD brain (or your teacher-brain-that-feels-like-ADHD) doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

It can be a few smart tools + some gentle support = a more functional, calm, and focused YOU.

You got this.

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Jessica

You made it to Day 7—and now it’s time to take what worked and keep it with you.

Today’s task is to write down 3 small but powerful reset intentions for the school year. 

They could be:

📝 “Drink water before coffee”
📝 “Leave work at work”
📝 “Move my body every day”


Whatever you choose—keep it visible. 

On your mirror. In your planner. As your phone background.

Why it matters
Writing intentions down gives you a north star to come back to when things get busy.

This reset doesn’t have to end. You can keep building on these tiny habits, one day at a time.

I’m cheering you on every step of the way 💛

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Jessica

You deserve a peaceful ending to your day.



Your sleep deserves better. So today’s reset is about what you don’t do: scroll, check email, or binge late-night reels.


✅ Set a screen-free zone for the last 30 minutes of your day


✅ Replace it with something gentle: stretching, reading, journaling


✅ Bonus: Use a Calm peptide to help your body relax into rest


Your brain, body, and nervous system will thank you.

Why it matters: Blue light, endless scrolls, and mental overload keep your brain alert when you should be resting. Logging off helps you sleep deeper and feel more refreshed in the morning.

📥 Need help winding down? The Reset Guide includes a bedtime routine checklist you can print or keep by your bed.

One more reset to go—you’re doing amazing!
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Jessica

Clear space, clear mind

You don’t need to Marie Kondo your whole house.

Just 5 minutes. One surface.

✅ Set a timer for 5 minutes
✅ Pick a space (fridge, pantry, counter, etc.)
✅ Toss, wipe, tidy. That’s it.

You don’t have to finish it all - just start.


Visual clutter = mental clutter.

Even a quick reset creates room to breathe.

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Jessica

Ready to give your brain a break?

Today’s reset is all about choosing one simple tech tool to support your week.

Pick ONE to try today! Here are some examples: 
  • Google Keep: simple to-do lists that sync across devices
  • Focus Keeper or Forest App: work in short bursts with breaks built in
  • Waterllama: cute, fun hydration reminders
  • The Notes App - (already on your phone!)
  • Lose It! - meal and macros tracking
  • and more! 


Do you have a favorite app that helps you save time? Let me know about it! 

Let it make life easier; not busier.

I linked my favorite tools + a free tech tool tracker inside the Reset Guide - download it here!

Tomorrow’s tip is short but mighty. Keep going!

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Jessica

Let’s talk about food prep—but make it easy.


Today’s reset is to build a grab-and-go lunch or snack station. Stock it with things you actually want to eat: 
  • yogurt + fruit
  • hard boiled eggs
  • wraps
  • protein bars
  • smoothie packs
  • cheese sticks/cubes
  • pepperoni slices
  • veggies/hummus
  • bags of chips/crackers
Put everything in a clear fridge bin or a designated snack drawer so mornings feel 10x easier (and you don’t end up hangry). Grab some and stash in your teacher bag for midday snack breaks. 

Don't like those ideas? Stock it with your faves or even Reese's PB cups. No judgement here. I have cookies in mine! 
Why it works: You’re less likely to skip meals or grab junk from the vending machine when options are prepped, handy, and visible.

Your future self is going to thank you tomorrow morning.

We’re halfway there. Don’t stop now—Day 4’s a good one!

📥 My Reset Guide includes a done-for-you snack station checklist—grab it on the blog!
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Jessica

Day 2 is all about starting strong—before coffee.


Drinking 20 oz of water before 10 am can kickstart your energy, help with digestion, and even improve focus. It’s one of the easiest ways to take care of yourself before the chaos begins.


💡 Bonus Tip: Add lemon or electrolytes for extra benefits. I love mixing in my MAKE Hydrated and Fit peptides to really fuel my mornings!


Start the habit: Keep a water bottle by your bed or set a phone reminder. Simple tweaks = big wins.


Can’t get in 20 oz? Do 10. Or even just 8. The point is to drink water first thing in the morning to get your body up and going. 


📥 Grab the free Reset Guide with daily trackers and bonus tips to help build your hydration habit!



You’re already 2 days in. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Don’t forget to have your Daily Reset Time. Drink some more water while you’re at it!

Day 3 drops tomorrow 👏


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Jessica

This is your chance to take a breath, open up your planner or app, and choose one time each day to check in with you.

Your goal:

📝 Spend 15–30 minutes at the beginning of each week to do a weekly planning sprint: meals, movement, and must-dos.
🕐 Then, each day, pick a daily reset time (morning, mid-day, or evening) to review your meals, movement, and must-dos and check in where you are for that day.

It doesn’t have to be a big reset time; even 1 to 2 minutes to check in with yourself is a huge advantage to your overall mindset. 

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Jessica

Let’s be real: Teaching is exhausting. Working from home is exhausting. LIFE is exhausting.

But I’ve found a tiny 3-minute window of peace that helps me reset before or after the chaos. No fancy supplements (okay, maybe one), no long routines—just three simple steps.

Here’s my 3-minute reset routine to shift from "go-go-go" to "okay, I can do this."


Step 1: Hydrate with Purpose (1 minute)

I mix up my MAKE Hydrated or Fit + Hydrated peptide powder with cold water. It tastes amazing, helps fight fatigue and bloat, and gives my body a head start on hydration and recovery.

Bonus points: Use a fun cup, metal straw, or fancy ice to make it feel like a mini treat. Sometimes the vibe matters more than the function.

Step 2: Phone Face-Down + Breathing (1 minute)

I flip my phone screen-side down, sit up straight, and breathe.

  • Inhale for 4 counts

  • Hold for 4 counts

  • Exhale for 4 counts

Repeat 5 times. It slows my heart rate and quiets my racing thoughts. I sometimes say this to myself:

“I can’t do it all, but I can do what matters most right now.”


Step 3: Pick 3 Priorities (1 minute)

On a sticky note, whiteboard, or Google Keep, I write down:

  1. One must-do task

  2. One feel-good task

  3. One let-it-go task (yes, letting go is a task)

This keeps my day anchored. It doesn’t matter if I have 15 things on my to-do list—these three give me direction without overload.


Why It Works

This tiny reset doesn’t need a 5 am wakeup or a $200 yoga mat. It just brings me back to me.

Whether I’m walking back into my office or getting ready to crash after a long day, these 3 minutes make me feel grounded, calm, and (semi) in control again.

Small steps. Big difference.

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Jessica

Spoiler: You don’t have to rely on a 3rd cup of coffee to feel human by lunchtime.

When I was teaching full-time, I didn’t know what peptides were. I just knew I was tired — like, bone-deep tired. Every. Single. Day.

Back then, I thought exhaustion was just part of being a teacher. The stress, the bloating, the brain fog — I assumed it was normal.

Now that I’ve left the classroom and started focusing on my health, I’ve discovered something that would’ve changed everything: natural peptides.

🧠 First of All, What Are Peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids — basically, tiny building blocks your body already uses to support things like:

  • Energy

  • Focus

  • Sleep

  • Digestion

  • Inflammation control

The peptides I use now (from MAKE Wellness) are all-natural, made from real ingredients, and come in powder packets I mix into water — kind of like a hydration drink, but way more targeted. Some of them also come in capsule form. 


☕ What I Used to Do: The Coffee Spiral

Raise your hand if this sounds familiar:

  • Wake up tired

  • Drink a huge coffee

  • Teach 5 hours straight

  • Hit a wall at 1:00

  • Reach for more caffeine

  • Crash by 5:00

  • Still can’t sleep

Coffee worked temporarily, but I was jittery, bloated, and totally drained by the time I got home. And I was still exhausted the next morning.


💧 What I Do Now: Peptides for Energy, Focus, Bloat Support & Calm

Swapping out my third (okayyyy… sometimes fourth) cup of coffee for natural peptides was a game-changer. I still get the energy and focus I need, but with none of the crash, jitters, or anxiety spiral that used to come with it. Here’s what I use now, and what it’s helped me reclaim:

⚡ 1. Energized – Clean, Sustained Energy

This powdered peptide gives me a gentle energy boost (yes, it has a little caffeine) without the spikes or crashes. I sip it mid-morning — usually when I start diving into curriculum writing or back-to-back Zoom calls. It sharpens my focus without making me feel anxious or wired.

🧠 Bonus: I take it with Focused (capsule) for even more mental clarity when I really need to dial in.

🔥 2. Lean + Fit + Hydrated – Bloat Relief, Recovery & Daily Support

Every morning, I mix Fit (for muscle recovery) and Hydrated (for electrolytes + bloat support) together in water. They taste great combined and keep me feeling clear and balanced all day.

Alongside that, I take Lean (2 capsules) which supports metabolism, reduces bloating, and curbs my appetite — naturally, without stimulants.

Together, these have helped me feel lighter, stronger, and way less sluggish by midday. 

😴 3. Calm – Nighttime Wind-Down

This is the powder I pour right onto my tongue every evening before bed. Calm helps me actually relax after a full day of screens and task-switching. I stop scrolling 30 minutes before bed, take Calm, and let myself wind down.

I sleep deeper, wake up earlier, and don’t feel like I’m dragging through the first part of the day anymore.

🙋‍♀️ What I Wish I Knew Back Then

If I could go back and tell my teacher-self anything, it would be this:

“You’re not lazy. You’re not bad at routines. You’re not a bad teacher because you can’t get everything done in your school day. You’re just exhausted, and your body needs real support, not just more caffeine.”

These natural peptides have helped me feel more like myself again — not because they’re magic, but because they support the parts of me that were constantly running on fumes.


🎁 Want to Try My Routine?

I’ve put together a quick guide that shares:

  • My exact peptide routine (when I take what, and why)

  • How I pair it with meal prep, walking, and hydration

  • Links to check out the science and ingredients behind MAKE Wellness peptides

📥 Want it? Grab it here.

💬 Final Thoughts

Whether you’re in the classroom, at home writing curriculum, or just trying to feel better during the workday — you deserve support that works with your body.

I’m not anti-coffee (I mean, have you met me?);. I’m just pro-options. 

And these peptides? They gave me mine back.



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Jessica

You know that moment when your planner looks like a Pinterest board but your actual life looks like an unfinished group project?

Same.

When you're tired, bloated, and running on fumes, the last thing you need is a planning system that overwhelms you even more.

Here are the tools and tricks that help me plan my days without burning out.

First: Ditch the Perfect Plan

Perfection isn't the goal. Feeling supported is.

I used to write these color-coded, high-achieving schedules and then immediately feel like a failure when I couldn’t stick to them.

Now? I plan for real life. The kind where bloating, brain fog, and burnout are part of the equation.

My Low-Energy Planning Tech Stack

1. Canva Weekly Planner Template

Simple, customizable, and reusable. I plug in my tasks, meals, movement, and self-care in one place. It makes the week feel doable.

Grab it for free HERE as a PDF
And here's the Canva Template.

2. Google Keep

Color-coded blocks help me visually separate work, home, and rest. I schedule breaks like appointments and set alerts to remind me to, you know… eat.

Want some headers? Here's my Canva Template!

3. ChatGPT

When I’m mentally tapped out, I let ChatGPT help me outline posts, meals, or write gentle to-do lists. The key? Don't copy it word for word; make it your own!

Peptides to the Rescue

I sip MAKE Hydrated or Energized when I sit down to plan. It helps reduce brain fog, ease bloating, and boost clarity.

When I pair that with a small stretch or walk before planning, I feel more energized and clear-headed.


Check out these Peptides HERE. I recommend looking into the Science! 

Planning in Survival Mode? Try This:

Instead of a full schedule, I list one thing per category:

  • Must-do

  • Move-your-body

  • Eat/fuel

Three things. That’s it. Everything else is a bonus.

And if you're dealing with a bloated belly or foggy brain? Try planning standing up, drinking water while you write, or even talking your plan out loud into a voice note.

TL;DR

Planning while exhausted doesn’t need to be pretty.

Use tools that simplify, not complicate. Let your plan reflect your real life, not your highlight reel.

And when all else fails? Drink water, write down three things, and let the rest go.

You’re doing better than you think.

Read more »

Jessica

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