Meal planning is one of my favorite things. I love the satisfaction I get from knowing what’s for dinner. I don’t enjoy arriving at 4 pm and having no idea what to make for dinner when my children are hungry and I’m tired from a long day. Payday is my reminder that it is time to plan my meals for the next pay cycle (2 weeks). I like to have my Menu Planner and Grocery List printed and ready on a clipboard so that I can carry it anywhere: my favorite chair, the kitchen counter, the car, anywhere I might find myself with 5 or 10 minutes to add to the page.
For menu planning, grocery lists, and pantry inventories, check out what is available to members of ListPlanIt in Meal Planning. Not yet a member? Join today for just $5 and get organized in the kitchen and in the grocery store.
Here are some of my tools for meal planning.
- My 21 Meals page – is list of 21 of my most common family favorites.
- Input from your family – Give everyone a chance to suggest their favorites.
- Calendar – Check schedules and seasonal events and plan meals around activities.
- Recipe boxes/binders – These can be your own collected recipes.
- Cookbooks
- Internet – My favorite resources are AllRecipes.com and Pinterest.
- Menu Planner – ListPlanIt.com has several different menu planners in Meal Planning for different menu planning styles.
- Grocery List – Take one of ListPlanIt‘s grocery lists with you on your smartphone or tablet. They make shopping for healthy meals a snap.
What do you use to meal plan? For what amount of time do you plan your meals? Leave a comment below with your tips.
View Comments (1)
Your system sounds similar to what seems to be working for me. I generally plan 4-7 days in advance. The 'kids' still living at home are 15 and 20yo and our schedules are wild during this time in our lives. We tend to vary in the number of mouths to feed at any given time. The leftovers are lasting longer. I may need to start making half recipes? Or freezing half?? Anyone with experience here? :D Love your list ideas... Trying to decide which one to try first...
.-= joanna´s last blog .. =-.