I always love to see what posts are most popular. Sometimes I feel shallow because my What I Wore posts usually top the charts. So, I guess you're shallow too. LOL! Also, everyone seems intrigued by "thrifting". Cool. Because, I love to thrift...that isn't hard to write about.
But also very popular has been my Day Planner. Who knew there were so many people out there like me who needed to figure out how to organize their busy lives. So, I thought I would share how I menu plan. Because, let's me honest...cooking can be a chore. And, NO ONE ever seems to have ideas for dinner.
Once a month, I sit down at my kitchen island. I pull out my notebook of recipes I have yanked out of magazines, found on blogs, or printed off the net. I also have a TON of cook books, but I don't use them that often. So, in an attempt to use them more. I pull down one or two to find a recipe.
I then begin to go through the recipes and begin to pull ones I want to try. I try to balance out chicken/pork/beef, soup/stew, casseroles, etc... It's easy to get on a kick & stay on it. I love soup & crusty bread. And, while I'm blessed that The Gunny never would complain. He prefers a meal that he can sink his teeth into.
I then take the recipes about 20 or so and cross-reference them to our social calendar. ie: church, sports, work, etc... Also, we go to the gym every Monday, Wednesday & Friday, so I know I need something that is already cooking or cooked.
I then place the dinners into their days. I plan nights for leftovers. I also only plan about 12 new recipes & use my tried & true recipes for the others. Tacos, meatball subs, Mexican chicken, Spicy Sausage Pasta (from Kevin & Amanda's blog), etc...
I print two copies of my Menu Plan. I post one of the fridge, so everyone knows what's for dinner. And, I keep one in my Day Planner with the recipes. I schedule in my Day Planner if a recipe needs to be prepped the night before. Works like a charm....
I then separate my recipes into weeks & write out grocery lists for each week. I have tried doing the once-a-month shopping. But, it just doesn't work for me. One, the produce would never last. Two, inevitably some item gets used for another dish & I have to go to the store anyway. Third, we go through so much milk I need a cow. I do, however, try to shop for all my meat monthly at Sam's Club. So, I do a master list with all the meat I will need & freeze it.
Then, I shop for the week.
Another trick I use to insure that the items I need will be there when I cook is below...I write on anything that is a recipe. Below, I only needed 1/2 the bags...so my kiddos know they can have some, but to leave half of the bag for the recipe. Works like a charm!
Also, you have to stay flexible...life happens. My recipes get shifted around a bit. Sometimes my Monthly Menu Plan may last 5-6 weeks.
If you're interested, I'm happy to share my Monthly Menu Plans/Recipes/Grocery List. Let me know if you are interested and I can post them with a link so you can download them.
Hope this helps those of you who are always wondering what to have for dinner. I sure know it has helped me & alleviated a LOT of stress.
Happy Planning, Friends!
No comments:
Post a Comment