I've been meal planning for a few years now. It's just one of those things I do every Sunday as soon as the new grocery store sales ads come out because:
1) We're on a budget, so I need to see what meats and vegetables are on sale in order to plan our meals for the week; and
2) I like having a plan in place so that when Monday afternoon rolls around, I'm not scratching my head and scanning the pantry shelves trying to decide what's for supper in the midst of children and a home that need my attention.
Having a meal plan makes life a little easier for me.
If it doesn't for you, then DON'T do it.
That being said I know there are lots of people who don't meal plan because (1) they think it's too much work; (2) they like to be spontaneous; and/or (3) they don't know how.
In a previous post, I explain how meal planning works if you fall in camp #3. If you're in camp #2, I can only say that you can meal plan and be spontaneous. I'd much prefer to have a plan in place first, and if I want to change it, then I can.
For those of you who think it's too much work, here are 5 strategies that might help make meal planning a reality:
1. Don't think you have to plan every meal.
I know some people plan breakfast, lunch, dinner, even snacks. I've tried that in the past, and it just didn't work for me because we eat the same things for breakfast, lunch, and snack every day or I let the kids choose among what's available. I simply make sure we have those foods on hand each week.
2. Repetition isn't boring; it can be good.
I like variety in my menu, but my children do not. Perhaps yours don't either? I think mine would eat spaghetti or macaroni every night if I'd fix it. We have about 10-12 meals that we all like, so I fix them frequently because my husband and I like to eat our meals in peace. Trying to convince a child to "just try it" is not conducive to peace in my opinion.
3. A master list of your family's favorite meals will save you time & lots of heartache.
While I like to try new recipes, I do not like to be the only one who will eat them, and, as mentioned above, new recipes often lead to headache. It frustrates me to no end when my family finds the food I've prepared repulsive. So, I stick with tried and true family favorites most nights of the week. I do, however, try to take one night each week to experiment with a new recipe.
Right now, most of our family-favorite recipes are on my Menu Plan and Pinned Recipes I've Tried boards on Pinterest and in various cookbooks I own. Simply make a list and keep it handy for meal planning.
4. A different meal idea for each night of the week can be a lifesaver.
At our house, I rely on this schedule:
Sundays = Leftovers or Daddy cooks
Mondays = Try something new
Tuesdays = Pasta or Stir-Fry
Wednesdays = Meat-less (usually beans)
Thursdays = Mexican (usually fish tacos)
Fridays = Pizza Night
Saturdays = Dinner Out
Consider the foods your family loves, and devise a similar schedule {if it works for you! If it doesn't work, then don't do it!} For me, meal planning is so much easier when I have a schedule to rely on.
5. Find new recipes to add to your repertoire of family favorites.
I recently made this black bean sweet potato enchilada dish, and my husband requested that we add it to the rotation. The kids agreed. So, now I have another recipe I know my family likes. If you get tired of fixing and eating the same 5 meals, then try out something new. You'll discover quickly if it's a keeper or not.
Meal planning does take a little time and effort, but the rewards are amazing. Not only will you save money by eating out less and buying what's on sale, but you'll also feel good knowing you're fixing meals your family will eat.
I encourage you to have a meal planning day and set aside 30-45 minutes to do the following:
(1) Make a list of your family's favorite meals.
(2) Devise a "schedule" for each night of the week.
(3) Peruse grocery store sales ads to find out what's on sale.
(4) Plan your menu for the week according to your family's favorite meals, your meal "schedule", and what's on sale.
(5) Find 1 new recipe to try each week.
Of course, do what works for you in your present season. After having a new baby, I stopped searching sales ads for deals and relied on easy-to-fix meals.
Overall, though, if you commit to meal planning, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Do YOU meal plan? Why or why not? If you do, what advice would you give to someone new to meal planning?
Blessings to you, homemaker, as you manage your home and take good care of the money God has blessed you with!
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