I have always struggled with what to make for dinner, but who doesn’t. I open the fridge and it’s a big blur. If I don’t already have in mind what to make, then it is the first thing that I can grab, like eggs, hot dogs, mac n cheese, grilled cheeses, tuna, and cereal. Those are the staple Fast Home Food around my house.
I have done some research on meal making and how to improve. There are methods out there by some very organized people. What works for me is kind of in-between. A little organized, but with room to breath.
I sat down and made a master meal list. It is sloppy, but it is all the meals that I have ever made in the past. I had Jordan rate them with a check mark to know what he really liked, (he’s pretty good to eat anything I make without complaint).
Then I make a weekly meal list that gets stuck on the fridge. I write down 6-7 meals that sound good to make or are something I feel like I could make that week. I started by assigning those meals on the list a certain day of the week to make them, but then I felt tied to it and what if I didn’t feel like making chicken that day?! So my list is free, free to pick which ever one I think I can make that day. Then I make a grocery list and go buy all the ingredients for those 6-7 meals. So now that I have all the ingredients for the week, I really have no excuses for not cooking. It is all there. With those meals that are planned, they usually take me 2 weeks to get through. Those other staple meals get plugged in and we go out too.
On the weekly meal list, there are always a few favorites, one new meal to try out, a breakfast meal for dinner, and a sandwich. Lots of variety. I try to add what side items would go with that meal too.
Have fun making Dinner, or if is not fun, have fun ordering take out! What meals are your favorites? Share them on a comment here!
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I’m usually a lurker but had to jump in here…I’ve been into menu planning for the past few months. And just last night I had my DH rate my meals (new and old). I have a similar process & it makes life SO much easier. No 5pm dinner drama anymore. I love it. We’re eating well, saving money and no fast food. Good all around.
Your meal planning sounds a lot like mine. If I don’t make a menu for the week, I end up trolling the aisles of the grocery store in a complete fog, spending WAY too much money on stuff we don’t need. We usually allow some form of take out during the week, either Friday or Saturday. And we often have breakfast for dinner. And then there are those “fend for yourself” nights we we raid the refrigerator of its contents. The kids love that night as it gives them an excuse to eat cereal and toast!
I have all my meals planned for the year on my computer. It’s just saved and so any given month/day I can scan what looks good and shop for that. All the recipes are there on the side. (It’s just the calander that comes on our mac.) I also have desserts and sides there too. Any time someone emails me a good recipe it’s really easy just to copy and paste it there. Lots of great ideas at my finger tips.
Hi Marie,
I’m your swap partner for the back to school swap hosted by my kid sister, Marta…I just thought I’d check out your blog for inspiration and I am INSPIRED!!! Love all your cute ideas and will be sending you some of my favorite back-to-school goodies this week!
Have a good dinner tonight…looks like it’s all under control at your house. Wish I had a meal plan…
Mique, we do eat better when I cook at home. And I love the no 5pm drama.
Melissa, we have fend for yourself too. Cereal is a great invention.
Melissa, way to go having it computerized. Nice to have it all right at your fingertips.
Gab, I can’t wait to swap with you too. I need to get inspired over at your blog world.
I’ve been doing the “Express Meals” or meal in a bag from Kraft Foods.com. I just print out the menu for the week complete with the shopping list.
What ever your system, it really does save the stress of what’s for dinner.
I love your blog!! – so far have copied about 5 recipes to try!! Like the idea of menu planner, although not usually one for planning ahead – but given there are times when I stand there staring blankly into the fridge, having a list to work from would be a good start – get sick of cooking the same things over and over, so need to start find good main meals, instead of all these yummy cookies!!
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