Optimally, the point is fun. Yes, most food holidays are contrived and arbitrary, brainstormed by a marketing board or social media consultant. (Like why is National Strawberry Cream Pie Day on September 2, when strawberries are totally out of season?) But they give us an excuse to celebrate the foods we love. And who isn’t hungry for a reason to celebrate? No, this meal plan does not sync the recipes with the actual dates of the holidays—otherwise, we’d have you eating milkshakes, crème de menthe, and cream-filled donuts for dinner three days in a row. Our meal plan is simply inspired by September food holidays. National I Love Food Day falls on September 9, and I’m sure we’ll all be observing, whether we know it or not.

New to Meal Planning? Start here! 10 Things to Know If You’re a First-Time Meal Planner Looking for Last Week’s Meal Plan? Here you go! (Plus, all past meal plans!)