Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Menu Planning

We had a busy weekend - it always shows when that happens because I don't get a chance to sit down and write up posts.  Plus, the well has been a little dry lately :-)  I think of great ideas when I'm laying in bed but then forget about them when it's time to post!

I love meal planning.  I've tried all kinds of ideas through the years to keep things exciting.  I've had some really dry times in menu planning too.  I find that we go through different stages in life where I can menu plan and stick to it like glue and then other times when life just gets in the way and we are eating the cupboards bare until I have a chance (or desire) to get to the store!  Recently I came across a couple different blogs that shared some good ideas on menu planning and I thought I would share.

The first one comes from Creative Home Keeper.
The basic idea is that you write down 20 or so of your favorite recipes to rotate throughout the month.  Yes, 20.  That leaves room for eating out, leftovers, and new recipes.  I also like that she actually has two lists - one for spring/summer and one for fall/winter.   When I read this post a few weeks ago, I liked the simplicity of it.  It's been stewing in the back of my mind since then and I'm slowing creating my spring/summer list.  One of the reasons this appeals to me is that it is flexible but I don't feel like I have to search recipes every Thursday to plan my menu.  I can use my master list to keep things simple. 

The other blog is Lime Life Planners.
I like this concept because she uses her planner to plan out meals and her grocery list.  Now, you know I am a total planner girl so this appeals to me on so many levels (and no, I don't use a Lime Life Planner - I just a cheap old planner I get on Amazon!).  My disclaimer to the grocer list, though, is I have a master list on my computer that matches the aisles in my store to make shopping easy.

If you don't meal plan or are looking for inspiration - maybe one of these ideas can help make planning just a little easier!