If I have no idea what I am making, there is nothing defrosted, and the kids are getting hungry, chaos is sure to follow! The easiest solution is to run and grab fast food, right? To take out the stress of dinnertime, save some money and save a few pounds as well (!), all you need to do is take a few minutes each month and plan ahead. The first month takes a little more time, but once you get the hang of it, you will never turn back.
Here is how to begin to meal plan.
Supplies: Calendar ($1 at a dollar store),
or use a free fillable and printable one online.
Different coloured pens (if using paper and more than one meal per day)
All your family's favorite recipes (cookbooks, recipe cards, Pins, etc.)
Once you have all you need, find a place to sit and create your plan. I find it easiest to start a master list with main dishes, another with side dishes, and one more with vegetables. This is where you need to take a look at all your cookbooks and recipes. Doing this makes it easier and faster in future months to coordinate your meals. Be sure to leave room for forgotten items or new ideas. This step is the hardest! After this step is done, you will not need to do it again- only look at it each month (or add when necessary)!
Next, ask your family what they would like to eat for the next month. (In my house, in the winter there is more soups and casseroles whereas in the summer they ask for more salads and barbecued items). That way, no one can complain about the food, lol.
When you are ready, Take your calendar and begin by using you main dish list. Fill in one different meat for each day. Separating days between meats keeps everyone from getting tired of eating the same thing. Remember to include leftovers from large meals in the next few days!
Once you have one months worth of main dishes, take a look at you master list of sides and add to each main. Finally, add in you vegetables.
Try to remember if you have daily activities. We need to go to Girl Guides on Thursdays, so on those nights, I plan either a crock pot meal that will be done early, or one of my quicker meals to prepare. Also, on Tuesday afternoon, my daughter has violin lessons that fall right during the time I need to cook. So I need to plan to be able to stop my meal prep to take her.
If you want to add in breakfast and lunch plans, be sure to do this now as well. This step may be overwhelming. If you are just beginning, I would suggest to stick to a supper plan until you get the hang of it. If you are a homeschooler, the lunch plan is especially helpful!
Once you have your meal plan made, check what ingredients you have in your house. Make a grocery list for all items you do not already have on hand. I like to break it up into once a week shopping, so we know we have all ingredients to cook our meals. (Of course that's the theory- there is always something that gets forgotten lol)
Every morning when you wake up, look at the meal plan and take out the meat needed for that day. This way, you cannot say that you did not have anything out! Once the meat thawed and you have all the ingredients in the house for dinner, there is no excuse for having to buy dinner. Your family will enjoy the home cooked meals and it will save you a ton of money!
*Remember to be flexible! Some mornings my family looks at the schedule and doesn't want that nights meal. Switch it up. Replace Tuesday with Friday. Who will know but you?
