Comments on: How to menu plan? There’s really nothing to it!

By: wendyb964

wendyb964 — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:01:08 +0000

I AM a science/math geek, hence have always loved the science of baking! The past 10 yr since I’ve been ill my clutter and organization flew out the window. My resolution is to get organized and stay that way. We have way too much stuff so lots to donate–most is too nice to throw away. That includes food—if we ate our way through the pantry and freezer we wouldn’t need to shop except for fruit/veg/dairy for months! In the summer with our garden our grocery bill should be even lower. A thorough inventory and meal planning is a great place to start. I stumbled across this site and am excited to peruse more and have a plan of action.! Thanks, wendy aka pc

By: Rashmi

Rashmi — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 06:44:16 +0000

Quick question –
Do you plan all meals and snacks, or just dinners?

By: Trim the Budget: Create a Meal Plan « Garnished

Trim the Budget: Create a Meal Plan « Garnished — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:52:22 +0000

[...] I’m an Organizing Junkie writes about how to menu plan. [...]

By: Faith

Faith — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:47:25 +0000

I used MS Outlook to set up my menu plan.

1. Wednesday is “leftover” day, along with clean out the fridge, since the trash is picked up on Thursday. We have sandwiches or soup if there are no leftovers.
2. Rotation of starch – Every Thursday and Sunday= rice; every Friday and Monday = pasta; every Saturday and Tuesday = potato (remember, Wednesday is leftover day)
3. Rotation of meats – a little trickier to program, but I use a 3 week rotation; Beef, Fowl, Pork, Seafood, and keep repeating (skipping Wednesday of course).
4. Rotation of vegetables – even trickier, but I made a list of the vegetables I like, then a list of the vegetables my husband likes (on the ones we like the same, they are only on his list). I have two vegetables a night. Mine rotate every 25 days, his every 10 days (again, skipping Wednesday).
5. Once the calendar is on a rotation schedule, I determine what meal I will make with the options at hand. I cook just enough for 3 meals – one for each of us and enough for me to carry to lunch the next day.
6. Thursday is shopping day. The fridge is clean, the menus are planned, and shopping is a breeze.

I started this system because we would both get home from work and ask each other, “what’s for dinner?” This led to eating out because we had not planned anything. We not only save a ton of money with this schedule, we eat healthier and it helps our waistline!

By: Melody Hyatt

Melody Hyatt — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:10:27 +0000

Thank you so much for this! Im starting 2011 menu planning and Im following your system! Hope this helps lessen the chahos in our home as far as dinner goes.

By: Pam T

Pam T — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:08:44 +0000

I’ve just moved to the US. Back in England, when my husband and I were both working full time and had a million and one commitments on mid-week evenings (no kids though), we used to plan the week on Sundays too. We’d start by listing the days and activities – if Monday we both had things on from 7pm, then I would have time after work to make salmon and boiled potatoes with green veg (good on a Monday, since it was bought fresh on the Sunday)…. but if on Wednesday he had bowling til 7 and I had college from 7, it was a good day to have chilli in the slow cooker! I found the planning avoided stress in the most part, but when I started we occasionally had last minute take-out panic if one of us stayed at work late, or traffic, or other disaster. I intentionally buy some extra bits and pieces like stir fry goods for hurried assembly should this happen. :-) I’d like to use my slowcooker more, and here in the US I’m working from home, so I’ll be keeping an eye on this website for new slow cooking, and prepare hours ahead recipes.

By: Rose

Rose — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:11:46 +0000

Hey I hope you have time to reply to this (and see it!!). My son has allergies to dairy, eggs and peanuts. I thought about avoiding those but both my OB and my ped (specializing in allergies) seem to think there’s nothing to doing that. If I DID do it, what type of foods do you recommend? Even with my son’s dairy and egg allergy I have a hard time being creative with his meals. He ends up eating a lot of the same and then ends up refusing to eat .. any advice, websites, cookbooks?? Thank you and I love that you menu plan, it saves tons of money.

By: Planning a Menu: The Next Step to a Healthier You

Planning a Menu: The Next Step to a Healthier You — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:44:29 +0000

[...] Laura starts by browsing the week’s deals and then basing her menu off of that, looking online and [...]

By: How To Defrost A Freezer - freezersite.info

How To Defrost A Freezer - freezersite.info — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 07:05:15 +0000

[...] For Food | Andrew …Defrosting The Freezer – ChristianMumsHOW TO: Pin a Butterfly | BEYONDbonesHow to menu plan? There's really nothing to it!Efficiency Impact of Defrosting a Chest Freezer …The excellent freezer tip that wasn't.How to cook [...]

By: 31 Ways to Save on Your Grocery Budget: Tip #2 : Coupon Geek

31 Ways to Save on Your Grocery Budget: Tip #2 : Coupon Geek — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:42:41 +0000

[...] those of you needing more info on how to plan a menu, click here. Need a little inspiration, check out the weekly Meme here called “Meal Plan Mondays.” [...]