During the fall and before Christmas, I got off my weekly meal planning. I felt I was running to the grocery store ever other day because I was just coming up with recipes a couple of hours before dinner. I was spending more money, stressed out, and eating unhealthy. I went back to planning out my menu and it is so much better. Why did I ever stop? Some people are really intimidated by planning out a menu and getting organized, but it’s pretty simple if you just do a few things.
Meal Planning Made Easy
Pick a day to to go to the grocery store- Most people go around the same time every week so this should be pretty simple. If you don’t have a day, pick one.
I’m using Saturday for my example. Now write out on a piece of paper (or PC) all the days of the week. You’ll want to start with Saturday since that is the day you are shopping on. Mine looks like this.
Saturday-
Sunday-
Monday-
Tuesday-
Wednesday-
Thursday-
Friday-
If you know you will be eating out one night just go ahead and write it in. I know that on Monday my kids are out of school and we’re going skiing for the day so we’ll be eating out.
Saturday-
Sunday-
Monday- Eat Out
Tuesday
Wednesday-
Thursday-
Friday-
Next- What do you have going on that week, church on Wednesday or a practice where you won’t get home until 7:00? You’ll need to come up with easier meals on that day. You could do a crock pot meal or one that doesn’t take long. One of my quick meals is spaghetti so I’ll add it in on Tuesday and a crock meal for Thursday.
Saturday-
Sunday-
Monday- Eat Out
Tuesday- Spaghetti and salad
Wednesday-
Thursday- Crock Pot Salsa Verde (This is so easy and a family favorite.)
Friday-
We usually have a nicer meal on Sunday nights. I like to cook a whole chicken, which will take longer.
Saturday-
Sunday- Chicken and Rice, veggie
Monday- Eat Out
Tuesday- Spaghetti and salad
Wednesday-
Thursday- Crock Pot Salsa Verde (This is so easy and a family favorite.)
Friday-
We’re over half way done!! This time of year we don’t do anything on Friday nights, but it’s also the end of the week. I usually don’t make a very big meal this day. I usually pick something the kids like, let’s try breakfast for dinner this night.
Saturday-
Sunday- Chicken and Rice, veggie
Monday- Eat Out
Tuesday- Spaghetti and salad
Wednesday-
Thursday- Crock Pot Salsa Verde (This is so easy and a family favorite.)
Friday- Breakfast for dinner- pancakes, bacon, and fruit salad
Two days left!! Saturday and Wednesday are “normal” nights. I like Saturdays because i just went to the grocery store and I’m in the mood to cook. I’ll do chicken legs and fajitas.
Saturday- Crispy chicken legs, orzo rice, and sweet potatoes in the crock pot (I put these in when I get home from the grocery store.)
Sunday- Chicken and Rice, veggie
Monday- Eat Out
Tuesday- Spaghetti and salad
Wednesday- fijaitas
Thursday- Crock Pot Salsa Verde (This is so easy and a family favorite.)
Friday- Breakfast for dinner- pancakes, bacon, and fruit salad
That’s it! I usually have a frozen pizza in the freezer for a quick meal in case something goes crazy with my plan. You never know when you’ll have a doctors visit, traffic, or a practice will run long.
You may also like these posts.
LeAnn
Friday 5th of February 2016
This is exactly what I do! I make my shopping list on the back of the menu so I can flip back and forth easily as I am going thru the pantry and fridge.