A Mother's Heart

My Meal (dis)organization!

Has anyone else become frustrated trying to plan meals for the week?

I really have no excuse for being so disorganized.  I can't understand it! I have many organizational devices in place.  I have a calendar on my fridge, and I plan one week's worth of meals at a time, and write a grocery list.  I (usually) obtain everything I need at the grocery store.  I even created a "meal box", which is a file box containing index cards with every meal I make for the family, and corresponding recipes with similar ingredients, to minimize cost. 

So....how is it that the end of every week finds me without any food???  Where am I going wrong?

I end up feeling very frustrated at the end of the week.  Maybe I need more choices?  New recipes? Maybe I should plan lunch and dinner for each day?  We usually eat leftovers for lunch.  Hmmmm....any help??

this might help

6:00, 11/30/2007 .. Posted by kjprice616

I just posted something that works for me on my blog - http://www.homesteadblogger.com/athomewithkris/77406/

I plan one week at a time, but if sales are good at the stores, I'll plan further ahead than that. It helps to keep ingredients for our family's favorite quick meals in the pantry - spaghetti noodles and sauce, canned salmon and ramen noodles, a frozen pizza, a roast in the freezer and potatoes/carrots (I can stick it in the crockpot in the morning!). If I have the basics for about 5 meals always handy, then I'm never at a loss for something to cook!

I hope that helps a little!
Kris

Thanks! I like the idea of keeping the basics for 5 meals. It's like planning just one step ahead. Thank you!

Edited by missourimom on 11/30/2007 at 8:31

Are your reading my mind?

6:23, 12/7/2007 .. Posted by Mennobrarian

...because meal planning is something as a new wife I am still trying to learn, also. Here is what has been working so far: Like the previous comment, planning only a week's worth of meals (in case something goes on sale next week) *and* keeping a few must-have items on hand at all times that are consistently replenished (noodles, frozen or canned meat, salad fixings) so that way if meals run out, there will still be an something to fall back on. Huge pots of soup go a long way here, as do casseroles.