Menu planning sometimes is not easy. Who has the time when you have a family, job or other things happening in your life to create a menu? Well, I sure do and I can tell you that it can take a lot of pressure off during the week when there other things happening in your life when you have a meal plan menu.
Day #19
Menu planning
is setting aside a certain amount of time to decide upon which meals you want
to prepare for your family for the week, month, etc. I find the Menu planning is effective in that
it saves you time trying to think about what should you eat or prepare for your
family. There are many websites and
blogs that can help you with meal planning.
is setting aside a certain amount of time to decide upon which meals you want
to prepare for your family for the week, month, etc. I find the Menu planning is effective in that
it saves you time trying to think about what should you eat or prepare for your
family. There are many websites and
blogs that can help you with meal planning.
If you need a
sample sheet for planning your meals for next week, consider the FREE one that
is here at SSFAM. Go directly to my “downloads” tab and print off a sheet. Start to plan what you want to prepare for
next week. When you get to the end of
next week after planning, think about how much time planning has saved you for
the week.
sample sheet for planning your meals for next week, consider the FREE one that
is here at SSFAM. Go directly to my “downloads” tab and print off a sheet. Start to plan what you want to prepare for
next week. When you get to the end of
next week after planning, think about how much time planning has saved you for
the week.
Meal Planning Menu Resources
*Simple Savings For ATL Moms
*Emeals http://emeals.com/meal-plans/
*Real Simple http://www.realsimple.com/
Simple plan to
consider when meal planning using your grocery store circular:
consider when meal planning using your grocery store circular:
*Gather your cookbooks or the internet and
get great recipes.
get great recipes.
*Look at the meats that are on sale first
{only if you eat meat}
{only if you eat meat}
* Check for
drinks that are on sale or frozen drinks.
drinks that are on sale or frozen drinks.
* Check your coupons to see if you have a
coupon for a deeper discount. Is there a coupon you can stack for a double deep
discount {remember the stacking coupon topic?}
coupon for a deeper discount. Is there a coupon you can stack for a double deep
discount {remember the stacking coupon topic?}
*Decide what
meals you or your family may want on certain days.
meals you or your family may want on certain days.
*Start a theme
for meals on certain days. For example,
on Fridays we have Fish! The fish can be fried, baked or steamed. So it gives us some options and plus we
don’t get bored with the same meal. What
can you think about for Monday – Friday as a theme for your family?
for meals on certain days. For example,
on Fridays we have Fish! The fish can be fried, baked or steamed. So it gives us some options and plus we
don’t get bored with the same meal. What
can you think about for Monday – Friday as a theme for your family?
*Check for healthy side items or vegetables
that you can place with the meals.
that you can place with the meals.
* Don’t forget to check your pantry and
freezer for meals or sides that you can create or put together with items you
purchase from the grocery store.
freezer for meals or sides that you can create or put together with items you
purchase from the grocery store.
* Take your menu planning worksheet or grocery
list with you in the grocery store when you go.
This way you will get all the items you need and not have to go back to
the grocery during the week.
list with you in the grocery store when you go.
This way you will get all the items you need and not have to go back to
the grocery during the week.
Question: Did you find any of these meal planning tips
helpful? Do you currently meal
plan? How often do you check the grocery
store circular for meals you can prepare for the week?
helpful? Do you currently meal
plan? How often do you check the grocery
store circular for meals you can prepare for the week?
Happy Couponing,
Quida
My husband and I meal plan and it has been wonderful with our busy schedules
Thanks for the tips! I def. meal plan. I typically do it on Sundays, while looking at the ads to see what's on sale.
This rocks!! I have been trying to get into a meal planning schedule. Yours is perfect! It is easy and basic which works for me. This way we can sit down as a family and figure out what we would like. I won't have to fly by the seat of my pants when I get home from work. I try to use the ads to help me but sometimes I feel like we get stuck in a rut. Thanks for the menu planner download. I am going to print it now. 🙂
Your tips are very helpful! We usually decide last minute what our meals will be among several favorites that I try to keep ingredients stocked. Thank you!
kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com
I usually plan for two weeks of meals at a time. It is such a huge help, then I am not standing around at dinner time asking myself what i am going to make. It is already decided! I love your menu plan download too, thanks for sharing-i will definitely be printing that off and using it!!
Wonderful Amanda and thanks for downloading my meal plan. 🙂
Yes all your tips are useful. I try to meal plan but don't always stick with it.
kd329@yahoo.com
Stay tuned for an upcoming series Karen. You may want to check it out. 🙂
I definitely find the meal planning tips to be helpful. I have been thinking that this is something I really need to do especially since I work full time & sometimes I have to work 12 hour shifts. I worry if my kids are getting enough nutritious foods, which is why I have decided to meal plan. I check the grocery store circular at least twice a week to see what's on sale.
That is a good way to start {checking the grocery store circulars} to see what is on sale. Thanks for the comments Brittany.