It’s a brand new year and what better way to get organized than to plan your weekly menu! Some of the reasons I menu plan include:
1. I never have to come up with a last minute meal idea off the top of my head
2. Our meals are for the most part healthier and well balanced which helps keep my weight in check
3. I always have the ingredients in the house for whatever I’m making because I make up my menu plan before going grocery shopping
4. I always know what meat to take out of the freezer the night before
5. I save money by not buying groceries I don’t end up using
6. I save money by basing my weekly menu on what is on sale that particular week
7. I save time by planning quick and easy meals
8. I save time by using my crockpot and preparing the meal in the morning when I have more energy
9. My kids and husband enjoy knowing in advance what is for dinner
10. Planning meals ahead of time helps me to avoid last minute unhealthy desperation meals
These are a few of my reasons for menu planning…..please feel free to add your own in the comments. I really want to encourage anyone that has been thinking about it to just give it a try. It usually takes me about a 1/2 hour preparation on Sunday night…this time spent is well worth it. If you are new this week to MPM please leave me a comment and let me know because although I do try to get around to all the participants sometimes I just run out of time in my day.
My menu:
Granny says
Happy New Year to you, Laura! I’ve enjoyed your blog and it just proves that even a Granny isn’t too old to learn new tricks 🙂
Anonymous says
Great menu this week! I plan out my menus to save money too, and pretty much agree with your list as well!
Hope you have an awesome 2007!!
momrn2 says
I just may have to give a more formalized way to meal plan a try in the new year!! Wonders never cease! 🙂
Happy New Year!!
Anonymous says
Happy New Year! It will be so nice to get back to proper meals after the crazy holiday eating.
becky says
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I completely agree with all of your reasons for Menu Planning. It saves me money at the grocery store because I am not aimlessly shopping and putting stuff in that we won’t need for the week. Your menu looks delicious, by the way!
Mrs.T says
I agree fully with all of your reasons for menu planning! My menu is up for the week.. what a nice way to begin the new year!
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!
God bless,
Mrs.T
Anonymous says
Happy New Year, Laura! I’ve just posted my menu for the week. I have started a food blog, so, I’ve used Mr. Linky to connect directly to it.
My food blog is:
http://edenskitchen.blogspot.com
Eden
Tammy L says
Your chicken skillet recipe sounds yummy! 🙂
Happy new year, Laura! 🙂
Anonymous says
Happy New Year.I love that you do the menu plan every week it sure helps with grocery shopping..
Amy W says
Laura- You really hit all the major reasons why I plan my menu. It’s amazing how much smoother things run when we know in advance what is for dinner! And the $$savings$$ is a big incentive too!
Mrs.T says
Hi Laura,
Just a note to let you know I’ve posted the Cherry Pepper Chicken recipe over at my blog.
Enjoy!
God bless,
Mrs.T
alisonwonderland says
i’ve got my plans for the week posted! thanks, laura, for hosting this helpful idea!
happy new year!
Proverbs31 says
Happy New Year everybody!
I’m trying something new this week (we’re gonna see how it goes.) I’ve posted two links, one for my dinner menu on my main blog, and one for my lunch menu on my homeschooling blog – hope nobody minds. I’m gonna try to teach the kids to cook. We’re gonna try to survive that. 😉
Have a great day and a great week!
Anonymous says
I’m going to do mine tomorrwo if that is okay…Happy new Year dear friend,………sounds like this year will be great!
Anonymous says
Thanks Laura for keeping us all on track!
Anonymous says
Ooh, I’m so glad to be back to menus 🙂 Hope you had a joyous Christmas and are having a happy New Year Laura!!!
Anonymous says
Thanks for hosting this every week! Happy New Year. I printed out a pantry/freezer inventory list this week to help plan before grocery shopping. It looks like we are all off to a good start.
Stacy-Aussie in America says
Happy New Year to you and your family!
I think I will try the miracle chicken – it looks yummy – and easy.
My menu is up.
Hope you have a good week.
Stacy
Anonymous says
I have been a menu planner for years. But I am new to blogging 🙂 If I know ahead of time that the week is going to be crazy I will premake all the meals and then freeze them. So all I (or the kids) have to do is pop it in the oven and enjoy…. even if mom is working late:)
Anonymous says
I’m posting my first menu monday. I’m hoping my husband and kids will think to check my blog to see what’s for dinner!
Kristen says
Thanks for the invite to join. I hope I did it right 🙂
I look forward to getting inspiration from all the participants.
Anonymous says
I agree with all of your reasons for menu planning. I feel so much better when I take the time to do it. Thanks so much for hosting.
Happy New Year!
Anonymous says
Okay this is one of my New Years’ resolutions. I used to do this all the time but I need to get back to it.
I will work on it this morning and post it then.
Thanks for the inspiration!
MichelleD says
I planned yesterday, but didn’t post until today! I got a fun magnetic calendar to keep on my fridge for my menu planning (and I also write down any ahead-of-time prep things I need to do on the day I need to do it), and I posted my menu today by taking a picture of it!
Thank you for giving me this accountability!
She says
i just found this meme today. I went ahead and made my menu a day late. I’m hoping to keep it up all year long. Organiztion is on my todo list for new years.
Gem says
I found your blog through the Blogging101 site, and wow do I love it! I am so organizing-challenged, and love seeing all the ideas.
As far as menus are concerned, I’ve been using Menus4Moms for about a year now and it is a wonderful tool to help when you’re stuck for a menu. Even if I don’t follow every menu Monday-Friday, it at least gives me some ideas to start from. Her recipes are extremely down-to-earth and family-friendly as well.
Anonymous says
I was sitting here thinking I needed groceries because I have nothing. So, I got to looking… I actually have quite a bit of stuff in my house. I am getting overwhelmed trying to make a menu to use up these items.
I still have to get groceries since I need bread, milk, etc but I can spend waaayyy less this week if I just get those items… I should have everything I need to cook for a week (or even 2 weeks depending on left-overs)
So, my question is… is there a website where I can go type in everything I have at my house and get a menu from it?
Ruth :) says
I’ve posted our menu for the week – I’m not ‘new’ but I haven’t posted for some time – I’m getting back in the swing of things 🙂