Meal Planning Madness

I'm not sure if I have ever done a post on this before but meal planning, for me,  is an absolute MUST if we want to eat anything other than chicken nuggets during the week (but yes they do make it to the meal plan at times-this week in fact).  Meal planning has multiple benefits including to help keep shopping trip costs down (it limits mindless buying and then multiple trips to the store to pick up forgotten or meal items), prevent the need to eat out or order in-again saving money, and it just helps us stay sane.  With two working parents and sometimes changing schedules we need the structure.  Most days Tommy is home first so it helps if he knows what's for dinner so he can start to prep and/or make dinner.  I get home around 6pm so it's nice to have things going or ready (sometimes) so we can have some extra family time before the bedtime routine starts with the little one.

Our method isn't very elaborate and is pretty easy to do. It actually adds time to our week rather than take extra time.  Here's how it works (for us):

Saturday mornings I start by cleaning out the pantry and fridge and I 'shop' through what we already have.  Sometimes we have enough for another weeks worth of meals and we just need to get veggies and some side items-there are weeks I will make myself use what we have-we will have clean out the fridge dinners some nights which will include everything from sandwiches, and chicken nuggets to soft pretzels and leftovers. I also take this time to toss any expired items or leftovers that are over 4 days old.  Sometimes these items become our lunch for Saturday.  

 This is my fridge after a purge...soon those fruit and veggie drawers will be full!

After I go through the fridge and pantry I start thinking of what we want for dinner Saturday (that day) through Friday consulting with Tommy to see if there is anything he is itching for and I write out a potential meal schedule keeping in mind the day: is Tommy giving lessons that night or will we be doing something that day?

I start making my shopping list based on what I need to cook the planned meals using the recipes as guides.  I also think about what events coming up I need to make/bake something for and add anything I need for that to my list. During the week I keep a running list of  items I think of that we want/need so I don't forget them-I will consolidate that list with my main list organizing it by store (if I need to hit up more than one) and it's location in the store (I don't have all day and this makes it harder to forget things-yes even if it's on the list I have forgotten items before!).  I actually have a little journal that I use to plan and list.  It's cuter to carry around than a piece of loose leaf and it lets me reference previous plans so I don't repeat too soon or if I need some ideas!  I also love that it has a pocket in the back of it that I use to stash needed coupons and my receipts.

Once my list is complete I will go through my coupons pulling out ones that I know I will use/need.  I use a small file to help organize my coupons-the ones I know I need I will pull out and place in the front pocket of the file so I don't forget!  

Then I head out to the store!  We shop at Wegmans now mostly but other stores that end up on a trip can be Target, Home Depot and Wal-Mart.  Once a month we do a BJ's Wholesale Club run for bulk items like toilet paper, diapers, K-cups, etc.  We have just started going to a local Farmers Market Saturday mornings which I am LOVING to pick up produce and some other fun items (like Olive Oil!).  I love getting fresh GOOD produce and supporting my local farmers.  I am rarely happy with produce purchased at the regular grocery store and I am so glad this is an option for us.  I purchase the veggies we will eat for the week with our meals as well as fruit for Lilly and our lunches/snacks.

 Lilly loves the farmers market too!

I really LOVE grocery shopping.  Like it's on the verge of weirdness love.  I can tell you now that I shop with Lilly most of the time and planning and knowing what I need really helps keep me sane.  There are times she's all done and I still have shopping to do-having a well organized list helps me finish quickly.  It takes me about 30-45 minutes to prep...but it's totally worth it to get that time back during the week to spend with Lilly. 

Oh and don't let this fool you.  There are weeks that things don't go according to plan-things come up and we adjust.  Sometimes we don't feel like eating something and will change it up.  It happens.  Usually Fridays are our order in days.  We order pizza mostly and sometimes splurge for Sushi.  And pretty funny as I am updating this -I had nothing planned for dinner today and really I neglected everyday this week outside of Monday-it happens-we can't be perfect all day and everyday.  This was meant to be my eat things we already have week and today we kind of failed at that.  Tommy brought home a rotisserie chicken and we just made rice and corn with it (which to be fair we did already have!)  Bonus is that leftovers can be made into yummy chicken salad for lunches.  As soon as my little fingers finish typing I am going to jot down a plan for tomorrow and Thursday just so I can have some peace of mind.       

If you are struggling during the week I highly recommend trying out meal planning if you aren't already.  One final tip-get up and out to the stores EARLY (or shop during the week if you can).  I don't know if this is the same where you are from but Saturdays around our area get crazy! I HATE crowded grocery stores and even worse, dealing with the traffic.  Because Saturdays are our only (best) option we are up and out the door by 7AM hitting the Farmers market and then the stores on our list.  This leaves the rest of the weekend open to family time and other plans we may have which include spending time with this cutie: