Stop the Meal Planning Struggle

Meal planning is the worst isn't it?  Week after week, trying to figure out what to make, how to stay on budget, and feeding everyone before 8 at night.  I mean, it gets old.  Maybe this why these meal planning deliver services are so popular (do not get me started on those..)  

Let's start with some basics.  

Pick a day of the week to plan meals for the coming week.  I do mine on Thursday nights because I do my grocery shopping on Fridays on the way home from work (it is the best, no one is there, they have actual fun these to do).  Make your grocery list at the same time.

How many nights do you need to plan for?  Are there nights where they are at practice or client meetings where you will not have a full house for dinner?  My advice, plan leftovers for those nights, or order a pizza.  

While we are talking about leftovers, plan for one night to be a complete leftover night.  Heat up everything, put in the kitchen counter, let everyone full their plates and then meet up at the table, like a little smorgasbord.

Check your pantry and freezer,  what is in there to make dinner.  Every couple of months, I do a pantry/freezer clean out, where all of meals come from what I have on hand.  Let me tell you, the meals can get alittle crazy.  At the end though I have a clean pantry and freezer so it is a win in the end.

Look for inspiration.  Pinterest is my favorite place to find new recipes.  I will admit, it can be over whelming at first, but once you find some recipes you like, you will find some good people to follow and it will be easy to come up with new ideas to keep dinner fresh.  

Make a cookbook of family favorites.  It's easy and will give you some ideas for when you are really stuck for something, just flipping through mine sparks ideas.

Start a tradition, which is awesome because it plans dinner once or twice a week.  Thursday night is breakfast night at our house.  All the yummies, eggs, toast, sausage, bacon.  It's easy on a night when everyone is tired from the week.

My last bit of advice is to plan around the sales.  Check your grocery ads, chicken on sale?  Sounds good for a couple of meals.  Helps the budget too.

Any questions, please feel free to drop me a line!

~Cyn