Menu planning is essential to our family! It seems as though there is always something going on, kids going to different activities on different nights of the week, different gatherings and goings-on, so it's nice to be organized and have dinner already planned out in advance. I know we all dread the question, "Mom, what's for dinner?!"
I've tried planning for just a week, two weeks and a month and have worked out a great combo that works for our family. When you menu plan weekly, you're having to create a new meal plan every week and grocery shop every week which can get tiresome over time. What I use for our family, is to "sketch out" the dinners for one month, build in some new recipes, keep some favorites, some free nights (or left-overs night). But stay flexible! Life happens and sometimes you just need to change up the menu to accommodate. I do our grocery shopping for two weeks' worth of time. This allows me to 1) keep a more accurate inventory of our grocery/pantry needs, 2) allows us to use all of our fresh produce, dairy and breads (If I did it for a month, most fresh produces and things like that would spoil L
I usually will print off a simple calendar to use. There are so many free calendars available online, TimeAndDate.com, etc where you can get something basic or you can find really cute monthly/themed calendars (ahem... Pinterest!) to use as well. Each week I try to have one of the following, and will usually combine a few together:
I ask everyone for some ideas, if there are any special requests that they would like. Sundays are usually the days where I try a new recipe, since I don't really know how much time it will take, how a recipe will turn out etc. Plus it's nice to have a really great, homemade Sunday dinner! Crock-pot nights are usually the nights when I know some or all of us will be getting home a little late and need something ready when we walk through the door.
With each meal, I try to have something fresh, whether it's fruit or veggies, to accompany the meal. I prefer not to do canned foods, but will when I need to or am in a time crunch. Frozen produce is also a great non-canned option!
We like to do the majority of our shopping at wholesale stores like Sam's and CostCo for the bulk items. For our hygiene and dry goods, I will usually get those from Walmart or Target and then for fresh fruits and veggies I either get those from the local Farmer's Market, Market Street or Tom Thumb. In the end, and despite multiple store stops, it really does save us money - money that we can use for family fun, getaways, home improvements, shopping or saving!
I usually don't put too much effort into planning breakfast and lunch. The kids have their breakfast staples at home, I get an english muffin at work; at lunch the kids eat at their schools, and my husband and I usually have leftovers. Not a whole lot of planning here!
But this, in a nut shell, is what has worked well for our family and I hope that it works well for yours!
© Cruzin' Thru | 2014
I've tried planning for just a week, two weeks and a month and have worked out a great combo that works for our family. When you menu plan weekly, you're having to create a new meal plan every week and grocery shop every week which can get tiresome over time. What I use for our family, is to "sketch out" the dinners for one month, build in some new recipes, keep some favorites, some free nights (or left-overs night). But stay flexible! Life happens and sometimes you just need to change up the menu to accommodate. I do our grocery shopping for two weeks' worth of time. This allows me to 1) keep a more accurate inventory of our grocery/pantry needs, 2) allows us to use all of our fresh produce, dairy and breads (If I did it for a month, most fresh produces and things like that would spoil L
I usually will print off a simple calendar to use. There are so many free calendars available online, TimeAndDate.com, etc where you can get something basic or you can find really cute monthly/themed calendars (ahem... Pinterest!) to use as well. Each week I try to have one of the following, and will usually combine a few together:
- Soup
- Sandwich
- Chicken
- Pork
- Beef
- Crock-Pot Meal
- Grilled Meal
- Pasta
I ask everyone for some ideas, if there are any special requests that they would like. Sundays are usually the days where I try a new recipe, since I don't really know how much time it will take, how a recipe will turn out etc. Plus it's nice to have a really great, homemade Sunday dinner! Crock-pot nights are usually the nights when I know some or all of us will be getting home a little late and need something ready when we walk through the door.
With each meal, I try to have something fresh, whether it's fruit or veggies, to accompany the meal. I prefer not to do canned foods, but will when I need to or am in a time crunch. Frozen produce is also a great non-canned option!
We like to do the majority of our shopping at wholesale stores like Sam's and CostCo for the bulk items. For our hygiene and dry goods, I will usually get those from Walmart or Target and then for fresh fruits and veggies I either get those from the local Farmer's Market, Market Street or Tom Thumb. In the end, and despite multiple store stops, it really does save us money - money that we can use for family fun, getaways, home improvements, shopping or saving!
I usually don't put too much effort into planning breakfast and lunch. The kids have their breakfast staples at home, I get an english muffin at work; at lunch the kids eat at their schools, and my husband and I usually have leftovers. Not a whole lot of planning here!
But this, in a nut shell, is what has worked well for our family and I hope that it works well for yours!
© Cruzin' Thru | 2014