Jan. 10, 2007 - Feeding the Family - Menu Planning
I guess menu planning is mostly a "just sit and do it" sort of thing. But there are a couple of things I do to make it less dreadful and a much quicker and organized process. My menu planning is really quite simple but to put it in writing and to make clear sense was far more difficult than I thought! I also figured out how to show you the forms I made!
*** Most Important!!! Start with prayer! I pray for God's help to plan healthy meals for the week. And to plan them budget-wise.
1) I put together a Master List of my family's favorite meals (dinners). My list has about 20 meals. I wrote down 2 sides/vegetables to go with each entree. Also note, I have lots of other recipes/meals I make aside from these 20. This is just my central list when I don't feel like thinking much or in a hurry. My hubby likes it when I try out new recipes. So I try to do that once every week or two.
I have this Master List on the inside of my Recipe Notebook. I have a recipe box and cookbooks but I can't stand taking the time to sort through all this. So I now have a small 3 ring Recipe Notebook that I purchased from Pampered Chef. This is where I keep the recipe cards for the meals on my Master List. Quick & easy to access when making out my grocery list and when I'm getting ready to fix dinner.
2) So, once a week (for me it's Monday), I fill in my menu plan for the week. I use my master list to choose from. I also have the grocer's sale ads in front of me. What's on sale sometimes determines what's for dinner!
3) For breakfast and lunch it used to be "whatever". But recently I decided to plan these meals out as well in order to attain variety and healthier choices. I'm certain I'll be tweeking this a lot in the upcoming weeks as we try this out.
4) As I am completing my weekly menu plan, I am also doing a grocery list. My beloved grocery list I will share with you in the next day or so.
5) I keep the week's menu plan on the refrig so I can see at a glance what is for dinner that evening and to have an idea how much prep time I will need. It also gives both me and husband a quick know on how old the leftovers are - are they still edible or should they be pitched - no more trying to remember when something was made.
** I will be more than happy to e-mail my Weekly Menu Planner to anyone who wants it. You would need to have Excel. Then you can edit it for yourself. Just be sure to leave me your e-mail address in comments. If you have any filter on your mailbox be sure you allow mine in (jjconnelly@hotmail.com)
Comments
Jan. 10, 2007 - meal planning
Posted by kateyz
Jill- I need meal planning help!! I have blogged a few times about my difficulty with this. I try to do it and we eat much healthier when I do, but I seem to run out of ideas. I don't want my family getting bored of the same 2 or 3 week schedule. What do I do? I'd appreciate any tips you could offer!
Also, I had never thought to plan out lunches, but obviously that would be the way to go. No more scrambling around!
Also, on the photo topic, I use photobucket, which so far has been great. I post a LOT of pictures, usually every day. I ran out of HSB photo space long ago!!
blessings to you
Kathleen
Jan. 10, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Tracy
Goodmorning,
I have stumbled out made a coffee and here I am, so it is I who is doing the stalking today :) Your menu is so very organised, I admire you for this. I'm unsure if it is because my mind is so brilliant but I have it all in my head and just keep track of it in there, or maybe you are the brilliant one. I think I'll go with we are both amazing brilliant women who work a miracle in our kitchen's everyday.
I can't believe you commented on my kitchen, I really like it because it is a really good size but it is so 80's and really needs a revamp, but thank you for your comment it made me appreciate it again. It is my 12 yr old son eating out of the bowl, as if I would ever do that, I have no idea where he has learnt such uncouth behaviour :)
My husband is handsome, he tells me all the time and was most pleased some else agreed, lol.
I am so delighted I got to look in traininghearts fridge, mine is looking so empty now, it calls for drastic action and I must shop today and it is very hot here 43 degrees it is meant to get to. O.k I've nearly made my own post but could chat away for hrs, hope your having good day.
Tracy
Jan. 10, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jillconnelly
So, what do you all do to keep the family from getting sick of the same old dinners?
Here's what I do - Once a week I do a "guinea pig" meal. That is, try a new recipe. Then hubby and I vote on whether to add to the regular menus or to pitch it. The dear children get to vote but theirs do not count!!!! hee hee
By the way, anyone know where the reference to guinea pig came from when referring to something new and untried? Strange, indeed.
Jan. 10, 2007 - Wonderfully done!
Posted by MOMflippedisWOW
PLEASE, send me a copy! I need to get better organized and spend much less!
(Plus, I need to learn to cook for my 82 yo MIL, lol)
vickisue_gray@yahoo.com
living and learning each day!
Your friend,
Vicki
Jan. 10, 2007 - <i>Untitled Comment</i>
Posted by henryteachers
Jill your menu plan looks great! Send me a copy at henryteachers@gmail.com
Thanks so much! Mindy
Edited by henryteachers on Jan. 10, 2007 at 7:28 PM
Jan. 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Tracy
Now since you asked so nicely I will put a post on my blog how I organise my meals, this could be scary for I might have to face I'm not organised at all and am a fraud. I love a challenge and I'll get onto finding out about the guinea pig. Since you obviously are in bed and I'm here dedicated to the cause,and I suppose you'll use the little excuse of the time difference:) I'll find out about this little rodent.
Tracy
Jan. 11, 2007 - menu planning
Posted by berrymorin
Kudos to you. Menu planning save us money and time.
Jan. 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by JennLovesJesus
Hi Jill! I'd love a copy! My e-mail is tjj.johnson@att.net. Thanks for sharing!
FlyLady had a similar idea, but for a rotating menu where you list all of your family's favorite meals including some days for new recipes and rotating them through a monthly calendar. I never did that one. I think I'll try your way. Bottom line is to just do it!
Jennifer :)
PS My husband heard a rule of thumb for budgeting for groceries was $200 a month per adult and $150 a month per child!!! Hello!!!! Somehow I think we can manage to eat quite well for under $1000 per month, thankyouverymuch! But if I did have that kind of budget we'd be all organic for sure!
Jan. 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by JennLovesJesus
I think the guinea pig reference (that spelling doesn't look right) comes from using guinea pigs for animal testing. They get to be the first to try something out before it would actually be used for humans. I'm not positive though.
Jennifer :)
Jan. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by crazybusy
I am very impressed with how organized you are! That's something I am not very good at- planning out our meals. Most of the time it's "whatever sounds good" that day. I do keep our pantries and freezer stocked well enough that I *usually* have the ingredients on hand to make whatever it is we decide on.
LOL! The sales ad sometimes determines what *we* eat, too!
Love, Alyssa... who REALLY should be getting to bed now! :)
