Meal planning is an art that I
think has been lost over the past generation.
I have counseled many people who feel overwhelmed at the idea of meal
planning. People do not know where to
begin, so they do not even start. If you
do not currently meal plan, ease into the habit by making small changes. Do not think that you have to create perfect
meals. Over time, you can tweak your
plan to meet your needs.
Start with one meal. If dinner is your main meal of the day, plan
out that meal. Choose main dishes that
you want to make and eat for several days.
Add on reasonable side dishes, and you have a meal plan! Be sure to post it somewhere that you will
see it, and follow it. I post mine on
the refrigerator, and when my husband asks me what is for dinner, I ask him
what the refrigerator says. This way I
do not have to come up with something every day when my husband asks!
To make your grocery list,
write down the ingredients that you need to make the foods on your plan. Be sure to add breakfast foods (cereal, milk,
etc.) and lunch foods (sandwiches, healthy variety soups, fruit, veggies) to
your list. As you become more confident
in your meal plan, you can add another meal (i.e., lunch) to your plan for the
week.
I have been a little busy lately and have gotten out of the habit of meal planning on a regular basis. I am trying to get back into the habit, and I am on the hunt for some new menu items. I have run across someone else's blog that has some make ahead meals (very important to me, since 1 night per week I work unto 9:30 and 3 nights per week I work until after 6 at my full time job) and 30-minute meals.
Want to know what is on my meal plan? Please note, these meals were not necessarily chosen for low calorie or health-promoting meals. I just wanted something new, and hopefully something relatively easy! I am easing back into meal planning, too!
