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Home ยป Blog ยป Menu Planning

Menu Planning

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane

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Here is my simple menu planning process-so simple I feel funny writing a post about it!

I have been doing this for more years than I can count and nothing, I repeat NOTHING, has saved me for hassle, money, stress, than this simple process.  It also prevents me from being eaten alive by hungry children. ๐Ÿ™‚

All week long I have a piece of notebook paper hanging up on the inside of one of my kitchen cabinets.  As I notice we run out of something or someone needs something, I write it down.  I shop most of the time at a large grocery store once a week and I try to make this my one errand a week if at all possible, so this list holds just about everything I need from food to a school supplies or cleaning supplies or diapers.

My grocery shopping day changes depending on what works with my schedule at the time, but right now I usually go on Fridays.  On Thursday, I get my cute little pad of paper with the days of the week out (or I just use a piece of notebook paper), and think of dinners to make, along with maybe some desserts or snacks.

I own a few cook books, and also like AllRecipes to source meal ideas.

I try to mix it up with tried and true favorites and maybe one or two new things.  Friday is usually pizza night, Saturday I don’t plan for, because we might go out, or stay in, or teenagers might have plans or not, and I just play it by ear.  I also look at the calendar to see what the week holds for me, and how much time I have for preparation that day.

I add to my grocery list the ingredients that I will need to make the dinners I have planned, checking my cabinets to see what we already have.

My days of the week chart is not set in stone of course, I change things around because I might forget to defrost the meat, or have a really busy day with a fussy little one, and go for the easy meal instead of one that requires time, but I always know I have six meal ingredients on hand.

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January 16, 2014 ยท 22 Comments

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  1. Unknown says

    January 16, 2014 at 6:38 pm

    I use this same process. Simple is usually best!

    Reply
  2. The Stanfields says

    January 16, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    I use a very similar system. It is so nice not scrambling or worrying about dinner at 5p! Preparation is key! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  3. LindaDiane says

    January 16, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    Is this for dinner only?

    Reply
  4. lindley says

    January 16, 2014 at 8:29 pm

    Yes, yes! I use a board to write down items that we run out of —part of it for the grocery store, part of it for Target. As far as the actual planning goes, it's hard to nail it down on Sundays, when I'm trying to think ahead, but I have a general idea, so when I go to the store on Mondays, I get my items. There's usually one night a week that I can count on being interrupted for a business dinner or sports practice, but a rough plan saves us!!! And hooray for Friday night pizza nights!!!

    Reply
  5. NaDell says

    January 16, 2014 at 8:40 pm

    I LOVE planning a menu. I didn't think I would, but after the third kid, we were going out to eat WAY too much because I didn't prepare for dinner (with no real excuse, since we couldn't really afford to go out to eat).
    I finally learned to make a menu and I prep dinner (or make the whole thing and put the pan in the fridge) at naptime or just after lunch or anytime in the day that I can so I don't have to rush in the afternoons.

    Reply
  6. Still Reviewing says

    January 16, 2014 at 8:51 pm

    I usually have a few meals planned in advance. I don't schedule them for specific days, but I know in general what I have on hand and what I can make with it. I always get things ready the night before, thawing meat, getting ingredients out, etc. I also use the slow cooker a lot. With three little boys running around at dinner prep time, anything I can get done ahead of time is a huge blessing. I have posted menu plans on my blog in the past and just started up with it again. It became too much for me last summer and I stopped for awhile. I post our menu from the week before because that's the best I can do at this stage of life. Here is this weeks post, although I totally forgot to put mashed potato soup in the post. We had leftover mashed potatoes so I made mashed potato soup one night. The boys love it. http://www.homeecathome.com/2/post/2014/01/menu-plan.html
    I guess we have been eating a lot of soup, but it is cold in IL. Got a fresh snow today.
    Love your blog.
    Faith

    Reply
  7. Magnolia Verandah says

    January 16, 2014 at 9:27 pm

    Busy people are always the best planners.

    Reply
  8. Tiffany says

    January 16, 2014 at 9:55 pm

    Thank you for being so real and for sharing your great ideas! You are awesome!

    Reply
  9. Lesa says

    January 17, 2014 at 2:35 am

    I love this! I am working on my meal planning and only shopping one day a week. How much do you usually spend on groceries each month? I am trying to cut back but with two teenagers (plus a picky husband and two little ones) they are always starving! (and according to them there is nothing to eat, even though I spend about $200/week.) I tried your Tomato and Cheese Pasta soup last week and everyone loved it, but the picky one.

    Reply
  10. Lee Ann says

    January 17, 2014 at 3:46 am

    Love it! I do much the same. But, I have a basic 4 week plan of meals (some are repeated – like Taco Tuesday). I try to shop for pantry staples and meat (to freeze) all in one trip for the 4 weeks, then I just have to do smaller trips each week. Thinking up the meals is the hardest part for me, so repetition is good – and adding in a few new things every now and then.

    Reply
  11. Maggie says

    January 17, 2014 at 4:20 am

    If you're ever in the market for new cookbooks I highly recommend this one. Every recipe is quick, has few ingredients, and have been approved by young and old at my table. They also use very few processed foods, which I like. It's called The Best Simple Recipes: America's Test Kitchen. http://www.amazon.com/Best-Simple-Recipes-Americas-Kitchen/dp/1933615591

    Reply
  12. Anouk says

    January 17, 2014 at 9:26 am

    Ha, I can just copy and paste this post to my own blog. I do the exact same.
    I also keep one long list with all different options so that if I'm stuck making my weekly plan I can look at that for inspiration.

    Reply
  13. mouse says

    January 17, 2014 at 2:01 pm

    I do more or less the same thing with a whiteboard, and I have running lists for things we get from stores we don't go to every week, like Costco. I also keep a list of future meals that I can pull from…some weeks, I seem inspired to think of a bunch of meals to make and other weeks I struggle, so I add to the running list when I'm inspired to help tide me over the dry spells ๐Ÿ™‚ One of these days I've been meaning to make a list of favorites and group them by time of the year…hot soup is great now, but less so in July!

    Reply
  14. Chelsee says

    January 17, 2014 at 5:54 pm

    I do almost the exact same thing, but instead of the paper list, I use the COZI app on my phone to make my list. My husband and I share the account, so he can add things from his phone to the list too if he is out of something. I agree with you, having my meals planned out for the week saves me! And I love being able to eat dinner at home with my family every night. It makes me very happy.

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says

    January 17, 2014 at 8:03 pm

    Hello! This is a similar system that I like to use too! But I always get stuck on how to "menu plan" for breakfast, lunches, and snacks so I end up just throwing stuff together (that may or may not be very balanced or healthy). The same system that works for dinner doesn't seem to work so well for these other meals (at least for me). Do you have any suggestions for planning for these meals?

    Reply
    • SarahN @ livetolist says

      January 18, 2014 at 4:57 am

      Debbie, me and my partner make enough food at some dinners to cover lunches. Works well in winter when you want a warm lunch. As to snacks, we settle on a few things (when we're not counting calories like we are atm), like fruit, granola bars and savoury biscuits to have with cheese or spread like peanut butter. For b'fast, he doesn't eat it, so I have oats with frozen fruit (made to porridge in the microwave) on work days, and a banana/choc smoothie on non works days (these don't fill me up enough with my early work starts). Over Easter I'll enjoy some hot cross buns, and occasionally swap in a sweet cereal for a few. And as a weekend treat I'll cook a b'fast (pancakes, bacon and eggs) but generally I don't cause of the clean up factor :p

      Reply
  16. Heather says

    January 17, 2014 at 10:50 pm

    Where do you get your cute days of the week note pads? I REALLY need to start doing this to budget better.

    Reply
    • sara says

      January 18, 2014 at 2:06 am

      This is the free printable menu planner I've been using since 2005. I just photocopy a bunch of blank ones and keep them in my home binder. http://www.betterbudgeting.com/freeworksheets/menuplannerwk.htm

      Reply
  17. Rhonda says

    January 18, 2014 at 2:14 am

    Sarah,
    I have been following your blog for some time. I enjoy looking at your adorable kiddos and am in awe how you are raising 6 kids. I also always wonder how SAHMs manage on one income because I have never been able to do it. I recently quit my job; my wonderful hubby says we can do it on one income, don't worry. AGH! That's all I've been doing. But after I sat down to do a budget I realized that a size able portion of our dual incomes was going to eating out for our family of 4. I have never liked to cook and always stressed about getting dinner on the table after working all day. BUT I have been reading your recipes and studying your weekly menu (really!) and guess what? I'm learning to like cooking! Your simple but tasty recipes have worked great for us. So from this new stay at home Mom (and I'm 52 years old) thank you so much!!

    Reply
  18. Shawni says

    January 18, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    i have GOT to start doing this! Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  19. Matt says

    January 24, 2014 at 5:14 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  20. Elasha says

    January 24, 2014 at 5:15 am

    I totally agree that good menu planning and grocery shopping cuts down on lots of stress! Still working on being consistent at it at my house. I pretty much have to make it the focus of my day and week but everything else falls into place if I do. I also occasionally cook double (often spaghetti sauce or chili or soup) and keep a few dinners in the freezer for those unpredictable days with no time for cooking. Though with big families like we've got it means you've got to have a big soup pot. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

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Sarah Turner

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

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Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular. Just an o Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular.  Just an ordinary Monday morning breakfast counter after the kids leave for school.  Because ordinary gets the short hand in our culture but really it's extra special. 
It's a symbol of unselfishness, contentment, prudence and gratitude.  There is a certain peace about the ordinary.  It's the opposite of temporary-it holds the joy of contentment and gratitude and prudence all in one hand.  It's lends itself toward peace, and a settling in, not a constant search for more or less or anything.  Ordinary is authentic and good enough- in short it's a gem in disguise. ๐Ÿƒ
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! ๐Ÿก
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
๐Ÿƒ
As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
๐Ÿƒ
A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
๐Ÿƒ
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! โ˜€๏ธ
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
๐Ÿƒ
I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
๐Ÿƒ
Clip on bed lights save space. 
๐Ÿƒ
A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
๐Ÿƒ
When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
๐Ÿƒ
All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒฑ
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
โ˜€๏ธ
When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
โ˜€๏ธ
More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
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