Menu Planning!

'Three Meals a Day...'

When my children used to ask me around 3:30ish every day, "What's for dinner?" I would reply, "It's a surprise!"--because I wouldn't know myself!! A few years ago, my husband suggested that maybe we could have dinner at the same time every day. It would be a beginning step to have an orderly day. The same time?! That was asking a bit much. You see, I am disorganized at heart. Thankfully, my husband has lots of patience and grace! I have gotten much better, but still have a lot to learn. I want to share something that has helped me tremendously. A MEAL PLAN!

1. Menu planning has wonderful benefits. You know exactly what you are having so you know what you need at the grocery store.


2. Because of #1, you are saving money (if you stick to your list, in other words NO IMPULSE BUYING!)


3. You will eat healthier (no pre-packaged meals)


4. A balanced diet


5. No more rushing around at 7:00pm trying to figure out what to have


6. No more cereal for dinner :o)


7. When you add the same time of eating everyday to this, no more whining kiddos

Those reason should be enough! If you would like to see more reasons to meal plan, click here!

To begin, use what you have! Inventory your pantry, cabinets, and freezers. You might be surprised! When my husband suggested we do this, I was quite shocked to find that we had 32 lbs of chicken and 15 lbs of ground meat (plus other meat) in our chest freezer (yes, thirty-two). The conversation went something like this:

Jason: "did you know you had 32 pounds of chicken in the freezer?!

Me: "well, no, but I only bought it when it was on sale!"

In other words, if you inventory first you won't have 32 lbs of chicken with nothing to cook for dinner.

To inventory, break it down into categories: Freezer items would be: meats, vegetables, fruit, and misc. Pantry items: canned goods, boxed/bagged items, condiments, snacks, breakfast items, baking items, beverage items (like coffee, tea, kool-aid, etc). It is always easiest for me to see something on paper. Write it all down!

Next, sit down with a few favorite cookbooks, favorite Internet recipes, or magazines (I love the Kraft Food & Family magazine! It comes every quarter and it is FREE. To sign up, click here. Also have with you a calender with large blocks to write in. I created on of these that I use weekly. You are welcome to download it here.

Fill in each block with a meal! Also, if you are using the calender, you can see dates that you may have something planned and therefore you can make it a crock pot day, etc. The calender that I made has slots for desserts and snacks. You don't have to have desserts and/or snacks every day! We don't, but the slot is there when needed. Make the system uniquely yours. You know what is best for your family!

It may take a little getting used to, but try it for a whole month. It is generally best if you make your meal plan on the same day each week. Try to do it the day before going grocery shopping. I seem to always get sidetracked if I try to do it the same day as shopping.

You might want to also include a leftover day. Another money saver. Keep your leftovers and have buffet night or throw it all into a soup or casserole! Yum! Have fun!