Well I've finally gotten into a groove with my meal planning. It's a little complicated but I enjoy doing it because it appeals to my organizational side. Also it's really helpful when you're trying to save money and eat at home more. This way, I know what I'm making and that I have most, if not all, of my ingredients. In the past I have tried various different methods for meal planning but this is what I've found works for me (at this point in my life. Lord knows it may change.).
I try to plan out my meals for each paycheck. Since our income comes in on the 15th and the 30th, those are my start dates for meals. I try to go ahead and work on my plan a few days before the "start" date. I usually glean from my pinterest boards. Trying to focus on my vegetarian meals to start with, then interspersing some of the less healthy meals and some desserts or breakfasts. I mainly plan dinners. Most of our lunches are leftovers from the night before. But I've found that we tend to eat a lot of the dinners so I'm trying to plan a few extra meals that can serve as lunch options. Weekday breakfasts are usually granola, oatmeal, smoothies or leftovers from weekend breakfasts (biscuits, waffles, pancakes, muffins).
I try and choose recipes with certain things in mind:
Once I have an idea of recipes I want to use (some are tried and true, some are new experiments), I try to fit them on my calendar. I actually have a designated google calendar that is just for my meals. It helps me visualize and plan them better. I try to give myself a few open nights where we'll either eat up some leftovers or have a meal that got bumped for whatever reason (going out to eat, plans changed, etc.). I also try and plan more time-intensive meals for the weekends and the easier, faster meals for the week. I probably only plan for 1 meat meal a week. Most of our meals that have meat are when we go out to eat.
So, once I have my meals and my calendar figured out, I compile all my recipes together in a google document (you could also use word, I just like using google docs so I can access them wherever I am). Other options could be to make a pinterest board for each meal planning period. Whatever works for you. Unfortunately, I currently print out all the recipes for the time period. I wish I didn't have to do this but it's what works best for me. I'm working on compiling my favorite meals together for a cookbook so that I don't have to reprint them every time I use them. I just don't like using all that paper. But I try to recycle and reuse them as much as possible.
Anyway...I've started trying to date my recipes in my document so that when I have them printed out, I can remember when they're for without having to go to my calendar. I also have some days where I don't use a recipe, just wing it with meals I'm familiar with. For example, spaghetti, tacos, stir fry or fried rice are meals that I either know or improv with the ingredients I have. I try to write these meals down so that I remember to buy ingredients for them.
Once I have everything compiled, I go through my recipes and meal plans to create my grocery list. It's easy to forget your "staples" that you always have around. I find I tend to forget to buy garlic or onions because I usually have them around. But you need to make sure you restock when needed. It's best to be in your kitchen when compiling your list. That way you can be sure you have enough. Check the amounts called for because you may have some rice but not enough for 2 cups dried. I also try to space out some of my purchases, especially of fresh vegetables and fruit. Most fresh produce lasts about a week in the fridge so I try to purchase those once a week instead of every two weeks. Also, if I can, I like to purchase meat fresh so that I don't have to worry about freezing it or thawing it for a meal. But, this doesn't always happen for me so whatever works for you.
I also divide up my list by store. I don't purchase everything at one store because of prices, sales or specialty items. But I try to buy as much as I can at one store to save the hassle.
Ok, so I thought I would share with you my upcoming meal plan. It involves a lot of basil and tomatoes since those are coming in right now. I'm also hoping to go blueberry picking soon so I hope to have a ton of fresh berries.
So there you go! I hope this is helpful for you. It's taken me awhile to get to this point but it seems to be working well for us. We're eating out less, saving money, and can focus on eating healthier foods. I try to do some extra cooking over the weekend to prepare for the week. Anything that I can do in advance helps dinner to be ready faster during the week.
Let me know if you have questions or if there are any special recipes you'd like for me to share!
I try to plan out my meals for each paycheck. Since our income comes in on the 15th and the 30th, those are my start dates for meals. I try to go ahead and work on my plan a few days before the "start" date. I usually glean from my pinterest boards. Trying to focus on my vegetarian meals to start with, then interspersing some of the less healthy meals and some desserts or breakfasts. I mainly plan dinners. Most of our lunches are leftovers from the night before. But I've found that we tend to eat a lot of the dinners so I'm trying to plan a few extra meals that can serve as lunch options. Weekday breakfasts are usually granola, oatmeal, smoothies or leftovers from weekend breakfasts (biscuits, waffles, pancakes, muffins).
I try and choose recipes with certain things in mind:
- what's the season? what foods are in season, cheaper, easy to find, fresh
- what things will I be doing that need special planning? - parties, potluck meals, having people over
- what's the weather like? do I want less time at the stove or oven? is grilling an option? do I have some time for a slow cooker or all day meal?
Once I have an idea of recipes I want to use (some are tried and true, some are new experiments), I try to fit them on my calendar. I actually have a designated google calendar that is just for my meals. It helps me visualize and plan them better. I try to give myself a few open nights where we'll either eat up some leftovers or have a meal that got bumped for whatever reason (going out to eat, plans changed, etc.). I also try and plan more time-intensive meals for the weekends and the easier, faster meals for the week. I probably only plan for 1 meat meal a week. Most of our meals that have meat are when we go out to eat.
So, once I have my meals and my calendar figured out, I compile all my recipes together in a google document (you could also use word, I just like using google docs so I can access them wherever I am). Other options could be to make a pinterest board for each meal planning period. Whatever works for you. Unfortunately, I currently print out all the recipes for the time period. I wish I didn't have to do this but it's what works best for me. I'm working on compiling my favorite meals together for a cookbook so that I don't have to reprint them every time I use them. I just don't like using all that paper. But I try to recycle and reuse them as much as possible.
Anyway...I've started trying to date my recipes in my document so that when I have them printed out, I can remember when they're for without having to go to my calendar. I also have some days where I don't use a recipe, just wing it with meals I'm familiar with. For example, spaghetti, tacos, stir fry or fried rice are meals that I either know or improv with the ingredients I have. I try to write these meals down so that I remember to buy ingredients for them.
Once I have everything compiled, I go through my recipes and meal plans to create my grocery list. It's easy to forget your "staples" that you always have around. I find I tend to forget to buy garlic or onions because I usually have them around. But you need to make sure you restock when needed. It's best to be in your kitchen when compiling your list. That way you can be sure you have enough. Check the amounts called for because you may have some rice but not enough for 2 cups dried. I also try to space out some of my purchases, especially of fresh vegetables and fruit. Most fresh produce lasts about a week in the fridge so I try to purchase those once a week instead of every two weeks. Also, if I can, I like to purchase meat fresh so that I don't have to worry about freezing it or thawing it for a meal. But, this doesn't always happen for me so whatever works for you.
I also divide up my list by store. I don't purchase everything at one store because of prices, sales or specialty items. But I try to buy as much as I can at one store to save the hassle.
Ok, so I thought I would share with you my upcoming meal plan. It involves a lot of basil and tomatoes since those are coming in right now. I'm also hoping to go blueberry picking soon so I hope to have a ton of fresh berries.
- Monday 7/15 - payday = winging it for dinner
- Tuesday 7/16 - eating out with friends
- Wednesday 7/17 - time with family
- Thursday 7/18 - Summer Veggie Pasta Salad
- Friday 7/19 - Stir Fry Pasta Primavera (guest for dinner)
- Saturday 7/20 - possibly busy all day but I hope to make Sweet Potato Burger and some buns
- Sunday 7/21 - church meal - Pimento Cheese, french bread and Lemon Blueberry Loaf
- - then for dinner Red Lentil Curry with rice
- - also hopefully making Tomato, Basil, Chickpea salad for lunches
- Monday 7/22 - Tomato Arugula Orzo dish (I may substitute spinach for the Arugula)
- Tuesday 7/23 - leftovers and/or the Sweet Potato Burgers
- Wednesday 7/24 - Pesto Quinoa Cakes with Roasted Tomatoes with some fresh veggie
- Thursday 7/25 - Winging it Night
- Friday 7/26 - Southern Summer Vegetable Meal Night - whatever's fresh from the local farms
- Saturday 7/27 - Mexican Night - Quesadillas or maybe a Taco Bake?
- Sunday 7/28 - if we don't have other plans: spaghetti, probably with beef
- Monday 7/29 - leftovers/clean out the fridge night
So there you go! I hope this is helpful for you. It's taken me awhile to get to this point but it seems to be working well for us. We're eating out less, saving money, and can focus on eating healthier foods. I try to do some extra cooking over the weekend to prepare for the week. Anything that I can do in advance helps dinner to be ready faster during the week.
Let me know if you have questions or if there are any special recipes you'd like for me to share!
Comments
Post a Comment