Meal Planning - How We Do It

How do you plan for dinner? Do you go to the grocery store multiple times per week?  Do you walk around the grocery store, randomly throwing food (and snacks) into the buggy, only to see a large total at checkout and you hope you've got what it takes to make a few meals during the week? This is what we used to do.  Every time we opened the fridge or cabinets I would say, "We don't have any food." When really, there was plenty of random food items in the fridge or pantry, they just didn't seem to go together for a meal.  With professional school comes extreme time management, and while I'm still not a pro at that, I think I've conquered our dinner mystery.

On a good week, this is what we try to do:

On Saturday or Sunday I sit down with my recipe binder. In it are recipes we know we like and some new ones to try in the future.  I've separated it out into categories, and when we find a new recipe we like, I type it up, print it out, and stick it in the binder (like the one you see above, and the recipes I share here on the blog). That way we don't forget about it!  Each weekend we pick about 5 meals out - some from the binder, some new meals, and some that don't require an actual recipe. Having the recipes at hand, even for more simple meals reminds me of all the ingredients I need and prevents me from forgetting to grab it at the store. We choose 5 because we usually eat at Community Group one night a week, and then we sometimes have leftovers for the other night or plan to go out.

Next, I make our list (no surprise there, huh?). I found this cute meal planning notepad in the dollar bin at Target a little while back, but before that I just used scraps of paper. I flip it over and on the back write out our 5 meal ideas. Beneath each one I write the ingredients I need to pick up (leaving off any that I already have).  I also make a list in the bottom corner of other things we need for the week - the usuals, like milk and bread.

Then I take it to the store with me, and mark off things as I go. This results in a slightly crumpled list, because I can still be frazzle-brained in the store, but it helps!  Now, here's the most important part:  only buy what's on the list! This is one of our main goals of meal planning - not just to plan but to $$$save$$$. And I promise it really helps.  I try, try, try to stick to the list, and when I do I notice the savings. We aim for only spending $60 a week on our grocery store total (including non-meal related items like cereal, milk, etc). It's often less than that because of pantry staples, etc. Let's do a little math:  60/5 = $12 a meal (assuming we're only planning five meals, but sometimes more for the same price goal).  That's $6 a meal per person.  I know you could eat out for $6 per person, but this is home cooked, and often times MUCH healthier.  Here's where I'll throw in another good point in meal planning:  by writing out what you plan to eat for the week you SEE what you're putting into your body and can account in advance for your servings of fruits and veggies. Or note that you've eaten red meat 4 out of 5 meals this week. (We aim for only one red meat, a couple of chicken, and maybe a meatless meal.) This can also help reduce your food waste (= money waste) by planning to use the same ingredient for more than one meal!  By no means are we experts at this yet, because we still throw away spoiled food, and we still eat out more often than we should, and we still don't always have enough fruits and veggies each day, but we try and we can only get better trying - and that matters.

OK... off the soapbox...

Next, I fill in each day with its meal. I try to base this on the ingredients for the meal and how quick I need to use them before they go bad.

Then I hang it on the fridge with any recipes that go along with it so everything is ready to go each night, and I'm not searching for or looking up a recipe.

10 Reasons to meal plan:
1) can plan your own HEALTHY meals
2) lets you track your meals and food choices
3) lets you track how many times you eat out
4) saves you time at the store
5) saves you money by only buying the things you need
6) saves you money by eating what you buy and not letting it go to waste
7) keeps you sane
8) keeps you full
9) gives you an answer when husband says "What's for dinner tonight?"
10) a full husband makes for a happy husband... at least in this house