For some reason when people discover that I am a “menu planner” they think I am uber organized and must have oodles of time on my hands in order to get this job done. I admit I am partially organized but I don’t have anymore time than anyone else……there are only 24 hours in the day after all. The reason I am organized is because I menu plan, and as far as time goes it is as easy as setting half an hour aside in my schedule to get it done. There are no secrets, false mirrors or crazy tricks, I promise.
An added bonus of menu planning is the side effect of more time! You save time in the kitchen, you save time stressing about what you are making for dinner each day, AND you save time by not having to shop for groceries multiple times a week.
Want to see how easy menu planning really is, here is the process broke down into 5 simple steps.
1. Set aside 30 minutes to JUST menu plan, write it in your schedule and commit to it. Yes I know, we are multitasking mavens, but drop that for 30 and just focus on planning your menu.
2. Choose 5 or 6 main dishes and complimentary side dishes that you would like to make for the week. Choose recipes that are quick to make, you like making them, and you and your family love eating them. It helps to match them up in your schedule too…..if you know you are super busy on a certain day perhaps make that day a slowcooker recipe or maybe even just leftovers.
3. Write down all of the ingredients you will need for the week on a grocery list.
4. Shop your pantry. Scratch off anything on your grocery list that you already have “in stock”.
5. Set time in your schedule to run to the grocery store and grab the rest of your ingredients…….once menu planning becomes part of your routine you will find you may only have to go to the grocery store once a week.
That is literally all you need to do….nothing to it right?
