For a few years now, I have been planning our family meals. For a while I was planning for every two weeks, but now I plan a whole month at a time and shop for 2 weeks at a time. It has taken a long time for me to get comfortable with it, but here are some things I've learned.
-Have a list of meals your family likes. (Don't feel bad if ramen noodles or Hamburger Helper is on your list)
Click HERE for a blank worksheet created by Prepared LDS Family.
-Space out similar meals. For example, you may not want to have spaghetti and lasagna in the same week. This is on reason I prefer planning for the whole month. I would make breakfast food every other day if I could but my husband doesn't love that, so I plan on one breakfast food meal a week.
-Plan for a leftover night. We usually have one day a week when we need to clean out the fridge. It doesn't always fall on the same day every week, so I have to be flexible, but you have to LOVE leftover night.
-Plan for new recipes! To shake things up a little, plan a new recipe once a week or once every other week. This can help you find new favorites for your meal list. (Remember to use recipes that include your food storage, so you can learn HOW to use ingredients you may not be used to and so that your food gets rotated.
-Use a blank calendar and/or make a list of all the meals. I was reminded of this the other day. When I had one of my kids, my mother-in-law came for a few weeks and before I had my baby I made this list so she could pick something and cook. She was recently visiting and mentioned that. Since then, I have tried it for myself. I like it.
I am currently using this list and marking on a calendar I printed from Word want we ate that day. I have a binder with my calendars so I can look through it quickly to remind of things I made last month or things we haven't eaten in a while.
Meal planning helps me to feel a little more in control of my day, helps with my general sanity, and saves me money because I'm not going to the store every other day for things I need.
Remember, this month count and try to add to your SUGAR supply and CLOTHING for your 72-hour kits.
-Have a list of meals your family likes. (Don't feel bad if ramen noodles or Hamburger Helper is on your list)
Click HERE for a blank worksheet created by Prepared LDS Family.
-Space out similar meals. For example, you may not want to have spaghetti and lasagna in the same week. This is on reason I prefer planning for the whole month. I would make breakfast food every other day if I could but my husband doesn't love that, so I plan on one breakfast food meal a week.
-Plan for a leftover night. We usually have one day a week when we need to clean out the fridge. It doesn't always fall on the same day every week, so I have to be flexible, but you have to LOVE leftover night.
-Plan for new recipes! To shake things up a little, plan a new recipe once a week or once every other week. This can help you find new favorites for your meal list. (Remember to use recipes that include your food storage, so you can learn HOW to use ingredients you may not be used to and so that your food gets rotated.
-Use a blank calendar and/or make a list of all the meals. I was reminded of this the other day. When I had one of my kids, my mother-in-law came for a few weeks and before I had my baby I made this list so she could pick something and cook. She was recently visiting and mentioned that. Since then, I have tried it for myself. I like it.
I am currently using this list and marking on a calendar I printed from Word want we ate that day. I have a binder with my calendars so I can look through it quickly to remind of things I made last month or things we haven't eaten in a while.
Meal planning helps me to feel a little more in control of my day, helps with my general sanity, and saves me money because I'm not going to the store every other day for things I need.
Remember, this month count and try to add to your SUGAR supply and CLOTHING for your 72-hour kits.
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