Diaper Swappers

mel j · 02-12-2013, 07:02 PM

I have to get back into this. It was so helpful when we were doing it. My husband and I eat differently now though so it's a bit confusing.

One thing that really helps, though, is to write down a list of ideas for meals just before going to get groceries - basing meal ideas off stuff that's in the fridge or pantry that needs to be used up. I also didn't try to do "Monday is ----, Tuesday is ----," etc. Instead it was 7-8 dinner ideas that we could do any day depending on what we felt like eating. Also, you could write a list of things you eat a lot of; certain dishes are definitely weekly staples for us.

I'm trying to do some freezer cooking too, to save on some time eventually.

Sarah-B · 02-15-2013, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mel j

I have to get back into this. It was so helpful when we were doing it. My husband and I eat differently now though so it's a bit confusing.

One thing that really helps, though, is to write down a list of ideas for meals just before going to get groceries - basing meal ideas off stuff that's in the fridge or pantry that needs to be used up. I also didn't try to do "Monday is ----, Tuesday is ----," etc. Instead it was 7-8 dinner ideas that we could do any day depending on what we felt like eating. Also, you could write a list of things you eat a lot of; certain dishes are definitely weekly staples for us.

I'm trying to do some freezer cooking too, to save on some time eventually.

Yes I would love to hear more too!

judyjudyjudy · 02-21-2013, 09:14 PM

I try to think of a type of cuisine for the main meal that I make on Sunday or Monday and then do another type every other day with simple in-between. Example:

M: Lentil Tacos
T: Smoothies & Toast
W: Pasta & Veggies
TH: Hummus w/ Pita & Veggies
F: Big Green Salad w/ grilled potatoes & onions

We eat leftovers for lunch which is great to not have to think about lunch ideas too.

I also use the calendar on my computer to make an "event" that is recurring and then I make some thing recur every month or every other week if we eat it a lot. I try to keep Sunday simple with either waffles & fruit or smoothies & toast or breakfast burritos. I think it's great to throw breakfast as dinner into the mix because those meals are usually easy to make.

Kshoo Design · 04-03-2013, 09:38 AM

It takes alot to plan meals. Just surround yourself with a good cookbook and you should do fine!

Mac & Cheeses mom · 04-03-2013, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly dolly

I do it out of necessity. I don't get home until 5:30 most nights so if I'm not prepared with a meal idea we eat sandwiches or mac n cheese. I use the printable from this site...right now I'm using 2 copies...but I may create one similar with more blocks at the top. I color-coordinate all the ingredients needed for the meals with that printable...the stuff I have in black, the stuff I need in another color.

I plan based on a few things. First I look at my week and note if there is a night that I know we will be eating away from home or a night that will require a quick meal. Then I look at the meats and supplies I have in my pantry. Lastly I look at sales and see what is cheap that week.

I try to plan based on leftovers too. Like on Friday we had steak for supper. I knew we would have leftovers so I planned tonight's meal to use the leftovers. If I know I'm making 2 chicken dishes that week I try to cook it all at once to save time.

I usually plan on Thursday or Friday because that's when I shop. But you could plan at any time. I tried several different apps and printables before I found one that worked for me.

I also have a list of all the meals I make hanging on my fridge. I have them categorized by main meat for the meal so if I know I have a pound of ground turkey in the fridge but I'm not sure what to make with it I glance at the list and realize we haven't had goulash in a month...and I add it to the menu.

This is what I do.

Melmonkey · 04-03-2013, 11:49 AM

I took out my South Beach diet cook books and away I went, we have meals planned for a week!

homebirthmom · 04-15-2013, 04:46 PM

bump. I am hoping to get more ideas on the M-S plan
perhaps M is fish, tuesday salad and soup, w- meat w veggies

I just need a set thing. we did this long ago but w 6 different peoples needs, I gave up. we are constantly scrambling to make food last minute now

02-12-2013, 07:02 PM	#11
mel j Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,947 Ratings: 85 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Meal Planning I have to get back into this. It was so helpful when we were doing it. My husband and I eat differently now though so it's a bit confusing. One thing that really helps, though, is to write down a list of ideas for meals just before going to get groceries - basing meal ideas off stuff that's in the fridge or pantry that needs to be used up. I also didn't try to do "Monday is ----, Tuesday is ----," etc. Instead it was 7-8 dinner ideas that we could do any day depending on what we felt like eating. Also, you could write a list of things you eat a lot of; certain dishes are definitely weekly staples for us. I'm trying to do some freezer cooking too, to save on some time eventually. Last edited by mel j; 02-12-2013 at 07:04 PM.

02-21-2013, 09:14 PM	#13
judyjudyjudy Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 32 Ratings: 1 Feedback: 100%	Re: Meal Planning I try to think of a type of cuisine for the main meal that I make on Sunday or Monday and then do another type every other day with simple in-between. Example: M: Lentil Tacos T: Smoothies & Toast W: Pasta & Veggies TH: Hummus w/ Pita & Veggies F: Big Green Salad w/ grilled potatoes & onions We eat leftovers for lunch which is great to not have to think about lunch ideas too. I also use the calendar on my computer to make an "event" that is recurring and then I make some thing recur every month or every other week if we eat it a lot. I try to keep Sunday simple with either waffles & fruit or smoothies & toast or breakfast burritos. I think it's great to throw breakfast as dinner into the mix because those meals are usually easy to make.

04-03-2013, 09:38 AM	#14
Kshoo Design Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 31 My Mood:	Re: Meal Planning It takes alot to plan meals. Just surround yourself with a good cookbook and you should do fine!

04-03-2013, 11:49 AM	#16
Melmonkey Creator Of The Pixie Skirtie<br>www.hyenacart.com/Melmonkeyszoo Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,664 Ratings: 46 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Meal Planning I took out my South Beach diet cook books and away I went, we have meals planned for a week! __________________ After a bumpy road of infertility, 6 years of procedures,CLAIRE IS 2!!!!!!! missing our angel(9/5/12) BF for 18 months, BLW, AP,don't believe in any schedule and became a slave to my baby who is attached to my boob and am tickled pink to be that way. Yes, I shower daily!

04-15-2013, 04:46 PM	#17
homebirthmom Registered Users Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7,119 Ratings: 272 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Meal Planning bump. I am hoping to get more ideas on the M-S plan perhaps M is fish, tuesday salad and soup, w- meat w veggies I just need a set thing. we did this long ago but w 6 different peoples needs, I gave up. we are constantly scrambling to make food last minute now __________________ homebirthin mom to 5 4 born unassisted. lost 6 along the way.