Over the past few years since I've been dating Brett and then married to him, my thoughts on dinner time have changed drastically! I used to have hours to spend cooking and Brett and I could (and did!) eat out whenever we wanted. Then we switched to eating out on the weekends..and now we eat probably one meal out a week. We eat at home a lot! It is just more affordable, healthy, and comfortable with a little one.
So, there are a few things that make my menu planning go well and keep me from having to run to the store every day.
Menu Planning Tips:
*I take one afternoon a week while Anna Ruth naps (generally Sundays!) and write out all the meals and snacks we will eat the following week.
*I find my recipes from magazines, this blog, www.ourbestbites.com, Skinnytaste.com, or by using what I have on hand.
*I then write a grocery list (as pictured above!) written out by the order of the store. This saves SO much time! I start my list with "Produce" because this is the first section I see when I walk in...next, frozen, bread, and so on.
*There are a few "staples" I always make sure we have-whole wheat bread, milk, eggs, a block of cheese, natural peanut butter, and fresh fruit.
Then I shop one day a week for groceries and generally don't have to go back to the store during the week! Occasionally I will buy a treat for the week or bake something. We try not to eat dessert or a treat every night though, which is difficult for me during ice cream weather. :) Watermelon is a great substitute!
SO, I'd love to hear from you! How do YOU keep the meals coming for your family??? Please share below!
I go through the grocery ads and buy what is on sale and then plan my menu. Major shopping for meats, fish and chicken is usually once a month but occasionally twice. Then I fill in with the fruits and veggies on sale.
ReplyDeleteI look through the weekly flyers to see what's on sale and try to plan around that. I do my major stock up shopping once a month (first week)for non-perishables. I separate my lists by store because I usually hit at least 2 stores each week. A couple of our stores price match, so I can use the flyers for that as well. I try to meal plan 2 weeks at a time, so I can buy items and use them in multiple dishes. Each week I look ahead and adjust anything that changed (did we get a call from friends to eat out and change the routine?). I keep it in a word document (two columned with my menu on the left and grocery lists on the right). Since we don't have kids, we just plan dinners and lunches on the weekends.
ReplyDeleteI like to keep a list of our favorite foods in the back of my planner. {We are farmers, so that means spur-of-the-moment suppers which can be challenging!} Each week I choose a few menus off our list and but ingredients for them. I have also done a lot of freezer friendly meals. I love to cook... I just don't like deciding WHAT to cook! :) {Thanks for the time you spend on your blog! I enjoy reading it!} GOD'S RICHEST BLESSINGS to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments everyone! I love reading how other people keep everyone fed around their house! I may need to change my routine and use some of your ideas soon seeing as our family is expanding. :) this is sister Sara by the way!
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