Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Works For Me Wednesday


Okay this is a newly discovered idea. I love the idea of weekly menus and have tried several different times in the past to implement them. But it has only been just recently that I have figured out a way to make them really work.

  • I printed up a blank weekly calendar from PrintMaster.
  • I then divided the days into three sections. A small one for breakfast, and two bigger ones for lunch and dinner.
  • I then fill in the easier sections first
    • Breakfast is always really easy; cereal on the days that I work in the morning, then rotate between things like waffles (frozen), French toast and oatmeal on days that I don't work early.
    • Some of the lunches are easy; days I work mornings get sandwiches, it is up to hubby and kids what kinds. Other days are more invovled because I am working afternoons I like to cook lunch on those days. Sundays always depend on if we are eating at church or not.
    • Dinners again rotate, easier things on days I work afternoons. Thursdays always get leftovers because that is our day to spend the afternoon in town at church meetings. Fridays it is homemade pizza - toppings vary from week to week.
  • I try to put one new recipe in a week -- this week it is Pizza Chicken today -- If it is a keeper that recipe then goes into my recipe keeper.
  • I fill in the leftover spaces with other dishes that I like to make and I know my family likes.
  • I keep the menu on the fridge in a sheet protector.
  • I make it on Satuday afternoon, check supplies, and make the grocery list from it. Only one trip to the grocery for the week.
  • And -- this is the best part -- After the week is over, I put it in a notebook to keep for later to give me ideas.
For more great ideas see Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer

7 comments:

Beck said...

Great idea! I like the thought of limiting the new recipes I try to one a week - it might result in my kids eating more!

Stephanie said...

I recently started planning lunches and breakfasts and it's made a huge difference! :)

Butterfly Mama said...

Good idea! I do plan dinners (although this summer I've been slacking!) but planning lunches and even breakfasts might make the day even smoother! Thanks.

PastormacsAnn said...

Always looking for help with planning meals. Sometime I just feel so uninspired - sandwiches again?

Rhonda said...

Good idea. I really struggle with meal planning. I'm going to give this a try.

Cheri said...

This is smart and a simple system. I have never ever never quite got the whole menu thing down. I mean I can do it for a week...and then I flounder and we end up having the same thing three weeks in a row. LOL Ok, not really but meanu planning isn't something I do well. Thank you for sharing your system!!!

Megan said...

This is a really great idea... I needed something likew this because as of recent I have been changing my eating habits but when it comes to meal time, I usually just make whatever pops out at me when I open the freezer door or cabinets. But I really like the idea od sitting and planning it ahead of time.

Thanks for the tip!