By: Whitney Cornelison | Simplifying Family
MEAL PLANNING FOR BEGINNERS
Meal planning. Do those two words make you want to close the pantry and call for delivery? Feeling desperate or frustrated? Here's help!
I used to be in that camp too! With my planners, whiteboards, calendars, cookbooks, and lists everywhere. This method has saved my sanity and my budget. I am so happy to share it with all of you.
SEE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE
Take a look at 3 areas of our kitchen – the pantry, the refrigerator, and the freezer.
MAKE A 2-COLUMN LIST
On the left hand side, write the day/date. On the right hand side, write down 18-22 favorite meal ideas.
PREPARE TO GROCERY SHOP
Using your list of possible meals as a guide, create your grocery list based on what you already have and what I still need for those meals.
The day before or the morning of, I will make a more detailed decision on the dish, depending on what I have left and its state of freshness.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
CHECK THE CALENDAR
Using this meal planning list in conjunction with your monthly calendar helps in making the best possible plan for your family. Don't forget to add Taco Tuesday and Pizza Friday!
By keeping your lists you are creating a library of meals that makes planning for the next month of meals easy!
SAVE YOUR LISTS