I've done the whole New Year's Resolution thing, and I've actually completed my goals a few times. I haven't done it in a long time, but I think I need to do at least one thing during the new year, especially with the baby on the way.
So we've tried different ways of getting ourselves together when it came to meal-planning and grocery shopping. (This is right after our move.) It was madness for awhile. I think we've finally got a system down now with minimal to zero madness. That's what we're looking for in life right? Well, most of us.
It seemed like a good idea to do a menu for two weeks and shop for those two weeks, but in the end, it didn't quite work for us. We ended up with way too much waste, and I don't like to waste...anything. (Anyone need empty applesauce containers for a craft project? Gosh, I'm such a teacher... hey, church did need 250 of them for their kids' Thanksgiving project and I supplied 1/5 of them. You do the math.) The waste was mainly from trying new recipes and not realizing how big the servings would be, or if someone calls us up to go out for dinner unexpectedly...and then there's leftovers from that meal, or if we ended up with leftovers from my parents or the in-laws. I'm no good with remembering when I put things into the freezer even if I put the date on there, so that doesn't help. Stuff is usually piled on top of each other.
Lately, we've found a solution that works pretty well. With the help of
Aby's (of Simplify 101) printable grocery list (or make your own), there has been some welcomed relief in preparing each day's meal. We usually just plan for dinner, and leftovers are for lunch the next day (taking into account if Norm is going out with coworkers for lunch). We come up with a weekly menu (this works for us more than the 2-week), and then take note of what items we have already and what to put on the shopping list (conveniently located on the opposite side of the grocery list), listed in aisle order (dairy, deli, breads, etc). I also note which I need to do certain things, like thaw meat the previous night, etc. Usually, the night before, I look at what's on the menu and then take out everything I need that can be taken out (minus refrigerated items)...so any utensils, pots/pans, ingredients.... if I am using a canned food, I even take out the can opener and put it on top of the can. It helps, trust me. If I'm trying out new recipes, I figure out how much time it takes to do everything, so I know exactly when the last possible moment is that I can start dinner and have it all done before Norm gets home to eat. Then the food is all ready when he walks through the door, and we can enjoy our meal together.
Let's hope we can continue this through 2009...minus the few months when all my good friends bring over meals for us because new baby needs tending to...*hint hint*
I also want to get back into shape (like the old college days, right?)...but we'll save that for later, maybe after May when the baby is born.....*sigh*
This post is written for Parent Bloggers Network and BigTent, the online home for trusted groups.
Comments (2)
I don't have to do that much cooking, just lunch for myself for the week (well, one portion goes to Calvin), but it's always to good to have a few options as well as "staples" in your pantry... and then when I purchase fresh stuff (like veggies), I buy ones that are "flexible" or will keep longer. It's always fun to try new recipes, but it's even more fun to figure out ingredients can be used in multiple recipes. If you want some of my staple recipes, let me know! :)
@baerchen2279 - definitely. i love getting recipes from ppl i know so i can ask for suggestions and tips if it doesn't turn out right. anything with common ingredients are welcomed.