Meal Planning

If you're reading this you're probably where I was a few years ago. At a lost of where to get started for meal planning. It seems like each week you attempt but it never happens. You feel defeated and just not sure what to try next. Not everything works for everyone, and you need to find your own grove. Let me tell you, I've changed my ways up more than once, life changes and you have to be able to adjust and make changes as well. I am going to share what works for me and I hope it helps you at least with a starting point so you can go from there! You will notice that we are a VERY basic family, 90% of the time we don't have a side, just main dish, our recipes are also very "safe" as I'm the picky eater. However I do meal swaps/freezer meals to try new foods! Okay okay I'll get to my tips!

Tip #1:

Create A Meal List

Sort your meals by categories that work for you! The categories on the sheet also coordinate with how my cookbook is organized. I keep the sheet in the front of my cookbook.

Tip #2:

Sort By Days Of The Week

This next step makes picking meals super easy (at least for myself) I sort all the meals by days that work for us. Wednesdays we usually eat at church, or if we don't we need something fast. In the summer there is not Wednesday night activities at church so we make sure we grill that night but also others (see that's where change comes in, I'm ok switching days of the week etc due to weather)

Tip #3:

Find What Works For You

At first I would plan for the entire month, however now seems to be more week to week. Find what works for you and do that. You don't need anything fancy just a pen/pencil and paper. Write downs the days of the week and also write down any activities you might have going on, this will help determine what you have time to make! Than going off the list in tip #2 plan your meals for what works for you!

Tip #4:

Keep It Simple

 Choose 2-3 vegetables, fruits, and snacks to have each week and rotate them. Breakfast made easy – muffins, toast, cereal, fruit, yogurt. No need to go all out especially when you're getting yourself and kids ready for work and school.

Tip #5:

Double Check

Double check what you already have for ingredients, make sure you are using up what you already have before just going to the store and buying more! Sometimes I will meal plan only off what I have and just buy the few things I need to complete the meal this way I can clean out my cupboards and freezer!

That's all I have for now! As I find more tricks that work for me, I'll share them with you! :)