How to Menu Plan

How to Menu Plan

Hey guys!

One of the most asked questions I receive when it comes to my lifestyle is how to menu plan. I LIVE by a menu.

You guys know I make a list for EVERYTHING and pretty much stick to it. I’m the same with my menu planning.

Menu planning isn’t for everyone but most working moms that I know and have helped have said it’s life changing.

I became a stay home mom almost 8 years ago. The first FIVE years was a disorganized MESS. I was home all day everyday but NOTHING seemed to get done.

I got more accomplished and I was more organized when I was working 8-5.

The more I did the more I messed up. Incomplete projects, no dinner, no laundry. I wasn’t managing my time well.

For one entire year I started to plan EVERYTHING.  When I started Adrienne’s Essentials I was ready. I was in control of my schedule and my home was running like a well oiled machine.

The most significant thing that I could have EVER done was start meal planning.

I have been doing this for so long, I almost know the sale cycle of the stores I use so it’s easy for me to plan for the month.

I’m going to list the items in the order that “I” do them. You have to do what works for you.

I suggest you start out by planning for a week. Start small.

• Know what you have in your pantry/refrigerator/freezer. – This is the NUMBER ONE thing that will keep you from over spending or buying things you don’t need.  It’s easy to plan when you know what you already have.  Make a list of things you need more of. Those staples that you use ALL the time.

• Scan your local grocery sale paper BEFORE you start to think about what you want to eat for dinner in the coming week. If you do that, you can plan what you want based on what will be on sale. You can normally see what your local grocery store will have on sale at least a week before the sale.

• Write out some things you will like to cook for the week. – This is SO fun to me. Mainly because I don’t do it all myself. The kids and Tony all contribute. They ALL have things they want so it’s never just ME making all the suggestions. I also LOVE Pinterest for food ideas. I have literally made a months worth of dinners straight from Pinterest.

• Shop sales. – I don’t know if you all know this but I’m a couponer. I do have a stockpile BUT it’s NOT out of control and insane. It’s literally enough for my family and if I get REALLY good deals on things I donate them to local shelters and women’s groups. The only thing I have abundance of is paper towels, tissue and laundry detergent. Having a family of 5 we run though those items.

• Once you have a list of what you have on hand, what you need and what you would like to make go to the grocery store and get what you need.

 

When items are on sale (especially meats) I buy double. One portion will be what I use to actually cook with for the month, the rest goes in my freezer.

When I’m ready to menu plan again, I always pick from what I have in my freezer FIRST then add new ideas.

I don’t always go by my menu. I may get a craving for something that I didn’t have on there. Sometimes when that happens I just eat what I’ve cooked and make a note of it for the next menu.

NORMALLY that works. Other times not so much so I’ll go out and get what I want for dinner.

I keep a menu on the fridge so NO ONE has to ask me what’s for dinner. BEST THING EVER lol.

The only thing I have to go to the grocery store to get are my fresh items. If we are having something with salad or fresh vegetables I normally buy those a couple days before we have it

or I’ll run out and grab it once I drop the kids off at school.

I cook ALMOST everyday. The only day I don’t cook is on Wednesday. That’s our bible study night and I don’t want anything getting in the way of that.

So on Tuesday I make sure to plan so we have leftovers.  MOST of the time that works out.

I hope this has been helpful! If you have any questions, leave them in the comments.