I was out with some girlfriends last night and I was amazed as I sat and listened to them talk about how hard it is to manage a household and stay organized. I, being a very organized and detailed person, never realized how hard it is for women who aren't that way. My girlfriends asked me to help them with this and that and that is when I realized this would be great topics for my blog.
Have you ever sat dow at the kitchen table and decided, "I am gonna start cooking dinner every night." You then proceed to click recipes, go online and search Rachel Ray and Southern Living for the best recipes to WOW your family. Then you head to the grocery store to buy $250 worth of stuff that you can't use for your recipes and get home to realize, "that was a total waste of my time and money!" Below is a step by step plan for making a meal plan for your family.
Step 1: Start with one meal per day, for example, Dinner.
Identify what meat you will be eating(not what recipe)For example
Monday: Chicken
Tuesday: Beef
Wednesday: Pork
Thursday: Fish
Friday: Pasta
If your family doesn't eat one of the meats listed above, just insert your own option. My husband doesn't eat fish so I make him a steak the day I make fish for the rest of the family.
Step 2: Find your recipe to match your meat. I like to make quick 30 minute meals. I am very busy and need simple but good meals. So lets take Monday to start. I found a recipe for baked chicken that was breaded with Corn Flakes. I am now ready to start my grocery list. Identify all items you need to make your main dish that you don't have in your pantry. Write those items down on your grocery list.
Step 3: Choose your side items to compliment your main dish. I usually choose a veggie and a starch for each meal. A quick solution if you don't like to cook is Vegetable Steamers in the frozen food section. Add the items you don't have to your grocery list.
Step 4: Repeat the same for each day you of your meal plan.
Step 5: Duplicate for breakfast and lunch if you choose.
Step 6: Add additional items to list for shopping and get going to the grocery store.
Now ladies, don't try to do step 2 through 6 if you haven't done step 1. How do you eat an elephant, one step at a time!! If you are going to the grocery store without a list, you are spending money on things you don't need. You will save a large amount of time and money on this chore if you plan. I know it is hard for those of you that are reading this but trust me, once you start the habit of planning your meals, it wont seem like such a chore.
Happy Planning!
