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Trying to be more of a planner

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By Home with Tracy
In December I started making a monthly meal plan.  I was excited, but a little nervous about how it would all turn out.  I must say I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome.  It didn't take as much time as I thought it would.

I made the meal calendar for the month and then wrote down all the ingredients I would need.  That part was a little overwhelming at first.  I separated the lists into perishables and non-perishables/freezable.   Now I do a once a month shopping trip for the non-perishables/freezables and then a bi-weekly shopping trip for perishables.  I don't stick to the menu every day, but I know that I will have enough meals for a whole month. 

When making out the menu I tried to put similar meals back to back.  Like one night we will have meatloaf and the next night we have shepherd pie.  I use the same ingredients 2 days in a row.  It saves time and money.

My once a month shopping trip consists of bulk buying.  When I get home from that shopping trip I package the meats, cheeses, etc into appropriate portions and put them in the freezer.  I also, within a day or 2, put a whole package of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the crock pot and let them cook for the day.  That evening I will use a couple of the chicken breasts for dinner and then the rest I shredded/cube and put into appropriate portions and freeze.  That way when I have another chicken meal, all I have to do it take a package out of the freezer of already cooked chicken.  I find it saves a lot of time.

I am still working out some kinks, but I am pretty happy with the results.  There are still days that I get overwhelmed but I just brush it off and start over the next day.  
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  1. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    We found that doing this was a great way to keep the household running smoothly as well. After 34 years of keeping a home, we have tweaked our methods several times and always remain flexible. Time has gotten to where we can only keep two week worth of food on hand and we pray a lot when company comes, for by the end of two weeks things are very slim in deed. Happy home making to you.
    Mrs. J.

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