Band Parents

Band Parents

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Works For Me Wednesday


Hey everyone, My submission for this week has to do with meal planning. I work outsdie my home and still put a home-cooked meal on the table most nights. I like to cook, but mealplanning can be difficuly. My Mom just commented last night that she getsso worked up about meal planning sometimes that she gets all out of sorts. So to save my sanity, I plan my entrees by day:
  • Monday = Ground beef night - this is meatloaf, salisbury steak, sloppy joes, tacos..
  • Tuesday = Chicken - Sauted chicken breasts, chicken pot pit, etc
  • Wednesday = Pasta - spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, stuffed shells
  • Thursday = Red meat night - pork chops, Kielbasa, steak, London Broil
  • Friday = Meatless or homemade pizza

Now these are not hard and fast rules. What they mainly do is provide some sort of structure that my ADHD brain can then organize around. I know every Sunday night I need to pull Ground beef out of the freezer. I can decide what to do with it when I get home. Or I did. If you have been following me, about 2 months ago I started a new job where I have a 1 hour commute. Today I start carpooling. However, It means I need to work an 8-5 schedule. I had been working 7-4 so I had time to make a 30 minute meal. Now either I make something up ahead of time that Hubby and/or the 11 YO can warm up or I rely on said family memebers to make it themselves. But anyways, Meal planning by matching an type of entree per day - Works for me!

12 comments:

Natalie said...

I love this idea! You're right, just putting some guidelines to the day helps to not make it so overwhelming. I'm getting tired of opening the freezer and just staring inside trying to get some inspiration for meals.

Domestic CEO said...

I love this idea and do this all the time. Designating a day like we do makes it so much easier!

Susanne said...

Great idea! I so fly by the seat of my pants with cooking. This will also help my grocery shopping out!

Overwhelmed! said...

Nice idea! Anything to help make meal planning easier is very much appreciated.

I've posted a WFMW tip as well. Stop by and take a peek. :)

Katherine@Raising Five said...

We do this, too! I work better when things are in categories! Thanks for sharing - enjoyed looking around your site!

Shalee said...

Fantastic idea. Often I'm just pulling something from the freezer to work with that night, only to find out that I don't have everything I need. Plus, this will help you with the grocery list, too.

Very useful... Thanks!

Mall Worker said...

That is a great idea! Some simple guidlines like that could make meal life so much easier!

Sandra said...

Great idead, I do this too. I make menus, then make the grocery list from those menus. Makes it easier each morning because I look at what's for dinner and just pull it out of the freezer.

Anonymous said...

We do that for our lunches... it makes it so much easier and if I'm teaching one of the other kids my 12 year old can easily put together lunch.

Maybe I'll share my lunch menu as a WFMW post.

Have a blessed day!

Theresa

Mom2fur said...

This is a wonderful idea--especially the part about knowing what to take out of the freezer! Doing it on a regular basis means you won't be stuck one night with everything frozen solid 'cause you forgot. (And I don't care how well microwaves defrost--it isn't as good as letting the fridge do the work!)

Amy said...

Great way to guide your meals for the week. I do the same thing! It helps when you are grocery shopping too- very easy to remember!

PastormacsAnn said...

Lately I've been very un-inspired in the meal making dept., maybe this will help. Thanks!