Meal Planning for the Lazy
Some Helpful Tools
Why for the Lazy?
You don't have to be lazy to read this hub; anyone who wants help quickly, easily and successfully plan meals for their family can benefit. I have never been a great cook, but I have always been pretty organized. These tips can help even the laziest cooks look like culinary stars to their families!
Figure out what to make food for your family
QUICKLY
EASILY
INEXPENSIVELY!
Meal Planning
I do menu planning once a week, but you could plan even further in advance if you'd like. I've seen people plan for 2 weeks and even a month.
1. Make a Menu Board. (Optional but helpful) You could just use a calendar and write on it each week / month, but I made a board that I can reuse over and over. I think it looks nice in our kitchen as well. I like that if anyone wanted to see what was for dinner, they know exactly where to look.
a. This board has two different pockets filled with meals in two categories: Crock Pot and Non-Crock Pot. Meal cards have the name of the meal printed on one side and the ingredients / recipe on the back.
b. You simply clip the meal onto the day you want to eat it. (Credit for the idea can be found here.)
2.) Write down any current Recipes you enjoy making and eating. If you're doing the board, print them on small cards as described above. If not, put them onto regular index cards and store in an index card box. (You can categorize these too if you'd like.) Make sure you include the ingredients!
3.) Find Meal Ideas. I have found no better place to search for breakfast / lunch / dinner / dessert / snack ideas than on pinterest!!! If you're not on, you should get on. Not only can you see what all your friends have pinned, but you can also search and find many recipes according to your specifications. {Click HERE for 54 Meal & Snack Ideas for Toddlers!}
4.) Transfer these ideas to the little cards / index cards. This will be a work-in-progress as you will always find more recipes to add.
5.) Dedicate some time each week to find recipes, put them on your menu board / calendar. Turn over each card and write all needed ingredients onto your grocery list. STICK TO YOUR LIST if you want to stay within a budget. Plan one night a week, if necessary, to eat leftovers.
6. & 7.) Grocery Shop and Cook. I recommend enlisting your spouse for help. :)
8.) Repeat. Create a routine by doing the planning at the same time each week. This way you won't forget and have to scramble to come up with something to eat at the last minute.
***) OPTIONAL: Have your family help you plan! You can easily make this into a game! Have your children and spouse each choose one card that they'd like to eat the following week. Of course, that person has to help make it!
