Today I want to share a post that I recently wrote for Organizing Junkie. I firmly believe that our health always benefits when we take the time to menu plan. Not only because we tend to eat better, but we also have less stress and less wasted time and money when we have a p-l-a-n.
But…menu planning week after week can be really tough. Especially when you are trying to menu plan consistently. (The key word in that last sentence was consistently.) Consistency is always the hardest part.
Menu Planning – Made Simple
Consistency IS doable, when you keep things simple.
Simple System
Start by creating a super workable system. (Say that three times fast.)
What will work for you and your family? Do you want to go digital or stick to planning with paper? How will family members communicate certain grocery items that need to be replenished? Who will do the menu planning? How often will menu planning take place – weekly, bi-weekly, monthly?
Try a system and test it out, if it doesn’t work, go back to the drawing board. You have to do what will actually work for you and your family. Keep trying until you get it right!
Simple Schedule
Take the time to schedule each piece of menu planning into your week.
- Time to plan – choose recipes for the menu and also write a grocery list.
- Time to shop – regular days/times to hit the grocery store.
- Time to prep – intentional time to prep foods and meals, ahead of time.
- Time to cook – daily time necessary to prepare and cook meals.
Simple Solutions
Lastly it’s imperative that you search for ways to keep your meals simple! This is because dinner happens every.single.night. If you look for ways to build in more simplicity you’ll have more success! I pinky promise.
- Only try one new recipe a week, stick with your oldies but goodies while saving your new recipes for a night of the week when you have more time to cook. (If you need some new recipes, you can always try mine – they’re simple, of course, with free printables.)
- Make a list of your family favorites, this can easily give you a week (or more) of “go to” recipes.
- Make one night of the week a theme night, we do “Mexican Mondays” – I know, so original!
- Minimize prep time by following these five steps in your kitchen.
- Have a list of 3-5 dinners that you can make at the drop of a hat. (We usually opt for Breakfast for Dinner, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Homemade Mac & Cheese, or Quiche.)
- Use a crock-pot. Crock-pots are lifesavers!
Following these three simple tips will help you to better streamline the whole menu planning process and also keep your menu planning – yes you know – more consistent!
Happy Organizing!