I so love menu planning. In the last couple of years - the time I've spent menu planning - I have seen my kitchen time lessen and my family dinners increase in taste and appeal, as well as nutrition. More than that, I have seen the amount of money I spend at the grocery store maximized. I no longer stand in front of the refrigerator moaning, "What can I fix tonight?" It is really a wonderful thing.
I not only menu plan these days. I also write myself to-do lists. This has also become a worthwhile habit, as I don't forget to get some things done that really need getting done. My time is better spent and I don't reach the end of the day thinking, "Where in the world did the time go? I got nothing done today!"
I no longer spend huge chunks of time on the telephone, except on those days when I call my mother. She is housebound for the most part and becomes lonely and bored. I would rather visit in person, but I am a good 4 1/2 to 5 hours away. Too far when you figure in the fact that we're a one car family and our gas money wears thin at best.
Making the best use of your time by planning specific tasks and then cutting down on waste takers can do wonders for anyone. It makes you less stressful and it gives you a sense of fulfillment. Try it.
My daughter and I are gluten-free out of necessity (and I try not to eat meat too often), but I don't always list that we make salads or Amanda eats a crunchy taco instead of what's on the actual plan. Just know that if you're in a similar situation, you can do little fillers at the spur of the moment and it won't kill anyone. Here's what we're planning this week:
Monday
Mini Meatloaves (made in large cup muffin pan)
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Tuesday
Chow Mein
Salads
Cheesy Chicken & Rice (for those who hate Chinese Food)
Wednesday
Rigatoni Pasta
Salads
Peas
Thursday
Beef Stew for Jeff (He can't eat too much vitamin K & broccoli is full of it)
Fruit Cobbler
Friday
Pizza & Pop
Saturday
*Going out to the state forest to pick blackberries. Having a picnic*
Chicken Tenderloin & Veggie Packets cooked over campfire
Potato Chips & Dip
Potato Salad
Cookies
Sunday
On Your Own
Visit Organizing Junkie for a HUGE amount of menu plan links.
1 comment:
I love the idea of the slow cooker chicken with marinara. Us adults would eat that for sure. Might have to give it a try. I am going to be looking for a lot of slow cooker meals these days. There are some nights where I have two or more meetings.
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