This is a post from Melissa Ringstaff of A Virtuous Woman
Why I Love Menu Planning
Just like with any type of planning or organizing I do to help my home run smoother, menu planning gives me a plan of action that I can implement throughout the week.
Nothing is worse than standing in front of the fridge at 4:30 in the afternoon, knowing that everyone will be starving in just a short time and having no idea what to make for supper.
The same goes for breakfast and lunch. Since we home school and everyone is home all day long, I need to prepare three meals a day most days of the week.
So by planning ahead, usually on Sunday, I can spend an hour putting together creative, healthy meals that my family will enjoy. That way all the thinking has been done. I don’t have to think about what we’re eating because I already know! It makes a huge difference.
Now, in all honesty, not everyday goes according to plan and sometimes the menu for the day gets thrown out the window, but that’s okay!
So. Let’s talk about how to plan your menu!
Menu Planning Resources
I like to use a number of resources when planning my menu for the week.
- What’s already in my pantry and refrigerator
- My list of “Go To Meals”
- My Recipes to Try board on Pinterest
- Cookbooks
- My recipe box
How to Plan Your Menu
I like to sit down with my menu planner, and my collection of recipes, and my tablet for inspiration. Then, I think about my week. What days will I be out of the house and need a quick meal or maybe something in the crock pot that we can come home to?
Then it’s time to decide on recipes. The first place to start is your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. What do you have on hand that needs to be used up before it goes bad? Make a list or a mental list of those things that need to be used up this week. What recipes will work with your ingredients on hand?
Plan a Rainbow
You want to feed your family a variety of foods. When thinking about your plate, try to choose foods that are different colors – red, green, orange, white. Your plate should be colorful, otherwise you’ll be missing out on important vitamins and minerals.
Themed Nights
One tip to make it easier to come up with ideas for your meals is to assign each day a theme. For instance:
- Sunday: Comfort Foods
- Monday: Copy Cat Take Out
- Tuesday: Crock Pot
- Wednesday: Mexican
- Thursday: Pasta
- Friday: Soups
- Saturday: Leftovers
Family Favorites
When planning your menu, it’s good to take into consideration your family’s personal preferences. I don’t indulge picky eaters, but I also try not to have a plate full of food that one child really doesn’t care for. I wouldn’t serve coleslaw and sliced tomatoes and Brussels sprouts all in the same meal because one child would be miserable.
Try New Foods
Mealtime should be an adventure. Encourage your family to try new foods, taste new cultures and explore the world right from your dining room. I try new recipes every week. But you could try a new recipe each month. Make it fun! Children who are exposed to a variety of flavors from a young age will be less picky over all.
Planning Your Menu
By implementing all of these ideas and resources, planning your menu each week should take no more than an hour and it will save you a lot of time and {more importantly} stress the rest of the week.
