Menu planning is something we intend to do when we get around to it or “when I’m get organized.” But this is backward thinking, menu planning should be your first step to getting organized.

A lack of meal planning means wasted money, extra trips to the store, frustration and cooking boredom.

We are all faced with meals three times a day, seven times a week, it should be planned. Don’t put it off any longer.

Meal Planning on the Fridge

I’ve tried several systems so far this dry erase board is my favorite. Everyone can see or add to this board on the refrigerator.

Divide the board into areas:

1. Menus
2. Freezer Inventory
3. Grocery List
4. Other

I Don’t Do Dates

I used to list menu by day of the week, but I change my mind a lot. Now I list what meals I can make with on hand  ingredents.

In the morning we all decide what we will have for that day from the list. If I fin  I’m exhausted by dinner time we have grilled cheese or pizza instead of a planned roast and I can move the roast to another day.

Freezer Inventory

I have to tromp out to the barn to check what’s in the freezer. When I unload groceries n the house I list whats going out to the barn freezer. Now I can see freezer contents glance. This helps with meal planning and grocery lists.

Even if your freezer is in the house its helpful to have a freezer inventory. How many of us have thrown away good meat becasue it got lost under the Lima beans?

Grocery Lists

Everyone in the family adds to the grocery list on the fridge. I use to transfer the list to paper and take to the store.

I recently joined tech savvy mommas and now transfer grocery lists to my IPod.

Grocery List on the Ipod or Iphone

I thought an IPod was for music. I bought mine to listen to audio books and MP3 teachings. I was so delighted to find this To Do app from Appigo.

I use it fo all my To Do list including menu planning and grocery lists.

I love that I can drag things on my grocery list to order by store isle.     I can add to my Ipod lists from bed, the car, etc. becasue the Ipod goes with me everywhere.

Meal Planning on Ipod or Iphone

Hubby and I wrote a list of 20+ meals we eat. I add the to my appigo To Do list (under projects) .I worked from and the fridge inventory list to make menus. Then I found the iFood Assistant by Kraft Foods.

The iFood Assistant by Kraft Food includes more than 7,000 tested, searchable recipes with detailed instructions and video demonstrations! You can use Ipodshorizontal view videos to follow along while cooking.

You  can also create shopping lists and add custom ingredients. This app offers tips and shortcuts such as “Dinner Tonight” and “Recipe of the Day” that feature daily recipes.

Neat app huh? How much for all these recipes and videos on IFood? 99 cents!

Reasons to Meal Plan

Save Time and Money

• Reduce grocery and gas bills by meal planning. A simple list of meals means an easy grocery list for the grocery store, which cuts down on impulse buys, wasted food, and needless trips to the supermarket.
• If you don’t plan, there will be days you end up harried and hurried with hungry kids and opt for a trip to a fast food restaurant (which can take more time than preparing a meal). The more harried and hurried the more fast food trips.
• Having a shopping list will make it easier for you to clip coupons.
• Stock up on sale items like hamburger, chicken, jars of spaghetti sauce, etc.
• Save the ultimate amount of time and money by using a book like OnceA-Month Cooking or Frozen Assets: How to Cook for a Day and Eat for a Month.

Make Healthier Meals

• Eating out may be convenient but fat-laden fast food is not nutritional (it’s a huge part of the reason our nation is experiencing an obesity epidemic).
• When you pre-plan your own meals, you can choose healthy options. You control the flavor and the fat and amount of sugar, you can grill or broil instead of fry. Planning ensures you are cooking a healthy meal every day of the week.

Easier Meal Preparation

• With a meal plan you always know what meat to take out of the freezer to defrost the night before and you’ll have the ingredients because they were listed on your shopping list.
• The easiest meals for me are made using my crockpot in the morning. I love smelling it cooking all day and simply setting the table at dinner time.

Teach Your Children Skills

• Include children in the meal planning process to teach them organizational skills and how to assemble a balanced meal.
• They can help to plan the meals and learn about the different nutrition groups.

Reduces Stress

• How frustrated do you get each night at meal time rummaging through the freezer and pantry? Once you menu plan won’t have to worry about everything that goes into making a meal.
• My dear OCD hubby asks me daily (usually before breakfast) “What’s for dinner?” I used to get irritated and roll my eyes but since I started meal planning I can give him a cheerful answer.
• There is something secure about having dinner organized and on the table at the same time every night. It brings peace to you and your family.
• Our family meal times are jeopardized by rushed schedules, overworked and exhausted parents. Meal planning allows us to have a special family time to share, rekindle, and reconnect.

Works for Me Wednesday is at We Are That Family