Menus by the Plan

Menu Planning can be simple or very detailed.

That depends on you.

Above is a photo of my grocery list and an inexpensive menu planner.
Click HERE for a link to printable menu plans.

I prefer a fairly simple method that works for me,

for our life, with a lot of flexibility built in.
A menu plan saves time!
A menu plan saves money. 

By request, I am sharing how I menu plan, along with

some other tips from around the web that may start you on your way

to meal planning in 2010!
Ok so it's mid-January, but it's still the first part of the year. ;-)

Building my menu comes from different sources.
First I check my pantry and frig to see what I have 'on hand', planning meals from those items.
Then I check the Grocery ads.

Many times I will plan around meats that are on sale or simply stock up. I use a lot of boneless chicken because it's easy. Make a list of every ingredient you will need to complete meals. Ever just wander around the grocery store with that glazed over blank look trying to come up with dinner ideas?  I have! But now I can giggle at those with the Deer caught in the headlight expression.  Having a list will save you TONS of time in the grocery store!  And extra trips back to town in the middle of the week for that one item you don't have to complete your meal. I've found planning also saves me money by keeping me out of the stores as often. I keep a running 'what we need' list on the frig. If we run out, we add it to the list.

If you eat leftovers (some people won't) then plan a next day meal from those. My favorite is a boneless pork loin.  I have made several different meals from that one meat in a week. Roasted Pork, shred leftovers for BBQ sandwiches and brunswick stew. Enlist ideas from your family!  The kids loved having their 'favorite' meals added into our menu rotation. Have some fun with it!  Add in Breakfast for dinner, Snack/finger food night, around the world dishes (Mexican, Italian, Chinese nights).  Another favorite at my house is Pizza night.  Usually this happens on the weekend (Friday or Saturdays). This also allows for me to skip my night of cooking (order in).  I've also found some easy and fun pizza variations. Our favorite is Pizza Rolls.

Photo from Cottage Sisters
Everyone gets to build their own from their favorite ingredients. 

But Sherri, menu planning takes too much time!

Maybe the 1st time or two; after that it's 30 minutes or less!
How do I manage it in a short amount of time?
It is now a routine (habit forming).
I keep that running grocery list and just add to it what I need to complete the meals.
I recycle weekly menu plans and use meal ideas from our family favorites master meal list.
I get ideas and inspiration from the web!

Each week there are hundreds of ladies that share their menus, along with recipe links at Organizing Junkie.
Also linking into Works for Me Wednesday over at We are THAT Family, because this REALLY helps our household work easier!

So how about it?  Will you TRY weekly menu planning?
I DARE YOU!
To help you out I will even post my humble master meal list.
Look for it sometime this weekend.
Now GO PLAN!