Just start somewhere...if that means one-two weeks of meals at a time, don't compare yourself to anyone else and JUST START! In the beginning, I only shopped for the first two weeks of the plan and then returned to shop for the last two weeks of the month. At first, I also found that maybe we were not hungry for the particular meal that was scheduled and flipped it with another day later in the week. Amazing how much growth has occurred in both areas in just a few months time. Audrey helps me shop our pantry and freezer and then we prepare a grocery list for the entire month's meal plan...we have used this as part of her Home Economics course as well. Once checking the calendar for the planned meal became a habit, I quickly realized it was much easier to just cook what had already been planned for the day. It also became apparent when shopping once a month, that I needed to schedule meals with items that ruin faster at the beginning of the month. With a flock of three, we have a portion of the meal left over most nights. The left overs are sometimes eaten for lunch, but soups and some meat dishes have enough for us to have later in the week as well...first one to the fridge gets the favorite!!
This particular month has a lot of activity, but I decided to share it anyway!! OYO:On Your Own...I will be out of town at a retreat, so they are literally on their own...I am sure they will survive. We have a college tour planned and will not be home those days. Then THANKSGIVING is here...I think I have the meal plan for that day :)
November
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2013
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Meal Plan
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Sunday
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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1
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2
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OYO
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OYO
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
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9
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Potato Soup
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Beef Stroganoff
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Tacos
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Left Overs
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Pizza Rolls
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Hawaiian Ham & Swiss Sandwiches
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Tortellini Soup
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10
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11
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12
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13
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14
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15
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16
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Salmon Chowder
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Mongolian Beef & Broccoli
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Taco Ring
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Coconut Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
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Baked Potatoes
Salad
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Crock Pot Pork with potatoes and carrots
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Left Overs
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17
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18
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19
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20
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21
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22
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23
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LSU
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LSU
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Chalupas
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Chicken Spaghetti
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Loaded Cornbread
Peas
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Salmon Patties
Potatoes and peas
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Pinto Beans and cornbread
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24
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25
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26
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27
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28
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29
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30
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Pasta Fagioli
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Meatballs and mashed potatoes
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Left Overs
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Baked Chicken with potatoes and carrots
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THANKSGIVING
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Veggie Night…okra, corn, carrots
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Breakfast: oatmeal
Smoothie
Egg/Toast
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Muffins/fruit
cereal
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Lunch: Sandwiches
Left
overs
Salad
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Burritos
Egg rolls
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I don't have the recipes linked at this time, but CHECK BACK...I will be adding those over the next couple of days. If I don't work fast enough, leave a comment and I can send it to you personally.
- First and foremost, plan meals that you enjoy cooking. After all, you are the cook and you deserve to enjoy the process.
- Plan meals that your family enjoys eating! While sitting with your family at a meal, ask what their favorite meals are and make sure to include the ones they mention.
- Make sure to have your activity calendar close when planning. This allows you to plan a crock pot meal or a sandwich dinner for busy days.
- Limit the amount of new recipes. I only allow one to two "new" meals per month. They are generally more time consuming because it is new to you. Some of the new meals may become a favorite, so don't hesitate to try a new recipe.
- Make days of the week have a theme. Sunday Soup, Meaty Monday, Tuesday Mexican, Wednesday Chicken and so on. It is sometimes easier to come up with 4 soups, 4 beef dishes, 4 chicken dishes....
- Take a quick look at the plan for the next day...may need to get meat in the fridge to thaw for tomorrow's crock pot meal.
- Organize the pantry and the freezer. Getting organized may be a lot of work up front but lessens the frustration at cooking time.
- Put it on the fridge or some other permanent home. I would hate for all of the time and effort go to waste because the meal list can't be found :( There are so many cute ideas...search Meal Planning Boards in Pinterest and you will not be disappointed. Personally, I just print one from Word and put it on the fridge. Once the month is over, it gets hole punched and put in a binder. (My intention is to create a year of meals and then be able to grab the month, adjust for activities
- Last but NOT least, forgive yourself on the days you get off schedule. It happens. Look at the calendar the next day, make the next meal and move on...and just think, you may have ingredients for a meal in case the meat didn't get thawed :)
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