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Thirteen reasons why I do a weekly menu plan:
- I never have to come up with a last minute meal idea off the top of my head.
- Our meals are for the most part healthier and well balanced which helps keep my weight in check.
- I always have the ingredients in the house for whatever I’m making because I make up my menu plan before going grocery shopping.
- I always know what meat to take out of the freezer the night before.
- I save money by not buying groceries I don’t end up using.
- I save money by planning my weekly menu around what is on sale that particular week.
- I save time by planning quick and easy meals (especially crockpot meals which can be prepared in the morning when I’m not rushed and have more energy).
- My kids and husband enjoy knowing in advance what is for dinner.
- Helps me to avoid last minute unhealthy desperation meals.
- I don’t have to spend any more time in the kitchen than is absolutely necessary.
- Knowing in advance what is coming up allows me to often prep one meal while making another, saving me even more time.
- Dinner is organized and on the table at the same time every night.
- It gives me something to blog about every Monday :)
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Those are great reasons. I use to plan my meals when the kids were young.
Alot of good reasons. Makes sense to me.
Like you I love to organize! Love it!!
I like your Thursday Thirteen header. Very cute!!
Wow, that’s being very organized. ;) Definitely useful for shopping and planning!
All great reasons to be organized. The reasons that mean the most to me # 5 and #6, and I won’t buy anything that’s not on my list.
Happy Thursday!
http://www.arewethereyetmom.com/
I need to follow your example. If i could figure out how to do this, it would eliminate a lot of stress
My Menu Planner Monday went haywire this week, but it still works better than rooting through the cupboards and the fridge at mealtimes! (I just posted a recipe from the planner)
I’m working on next weeks right now before I do the weekly shopping later.
Hope you are all warm!
I must confess, I always pop into your blog to check out your menu plans … I really admire you. Wish it was that easy for me … suppose I just have to get started, hey ;-)
All great reasons to do a weekly meal plan. We have very small fridges and freezers here in Germany, so don’t have enough room to store groceries for an entire week, so I only plan a day or two at a time. Most people here go to the market and bakery on a daily basis. We do eat very healthy though.
Happy T13. :)
Good reasons. I am still menu planning – I just haven’t posted it my for awhile.
~Betty~
I have to admit…I have enjoyed Meal Planning…and you have helped me with this…
Yeah, I’ll add to number 13 that it lets your readers just steal your ideas!
I have one question about menu planning Monday. Often when I plan my menu, at least one of the items I need is not available at the grocery store when I go. What do you do? Have a backup? Make it without that ingredient? Go to another store later to try to get it?
Kim
Good question Kim, because this has happened to me. Drives me crazy! It usually means I have to make a trip to the one other grocery store in town to get what I need. The great thing about Menu Planning is that I can quickly just move days around if I need to..so if I don’t have the ingredients for Tuesday’s meal I can make that Friday and make Friday’s meal on Tuesday for example. Hope that makes sense.
I’m enjoying your comments everyone!
Laura
I totally agree. I hate wasting food and I hardly ever waste any food now because of a coordinated menu and focused grocery shopping instead of random “this looks/sounds good” grabbing. It also makes the toddler happier because the trip is faster. I try to convert my friends over to menu planning because wasting food is a big pet peeve of mine.
but its so much fun running around the grocery store like a chicken without a head.
Those are great reasons! I’m working on getting that in place. Its a little difficult because I only cook once a week, each member of my family has one night, and I need to get them to give me menus so I can make a list and go. So far we’ve been shopping almost daily, and it is painful on the budget.
I posted 13 things people say to large families! The first in a 2-part series!
I agree with all these for why I do it,too!!!
Kim
Great list… I especially like #10. Thanks for sharing!
Happy TT!
Another great idea! I keep trying to do menu’s and sometimes it works and other times its hard but after reading your list I realize that it would be easier to just do it! Thanks! And thanks for dropping by my TT!
Menu planning makes life so much easier. I need to try out #11. I think I will like that one!
Thank you so much for sharing your ideas for organizing. I’m very messy and I hate it. My husband wishes I was a more orderly person. I’m praying about this and have suddenly found your site. God answers prayer fast. I am thankful for people like you and I truly hope to become similar. Blessings and thanks, Kathi
I agree with all those reasons. However, the reason I feel is the most important reason I do it is: It saves me so much time at the grocery store. I write my list in order of how the store is laid out. As long as I have my list and stick to it, it’s a breeze!
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