Menu Planning Tips & Resources We all know that meal planning is, a lot of times, the "last" item on our list of things to get done each week! It takes time to organize meals, make out grocery lists, and make sure dinner is on the table when our loving husbands return home. It is our heart's desire to provide healthy meals for our precious family, yet getting it all done can be overwhelming at ti m es. We want to put good, healthy food on the table without having to spend hours planning and cooking. While food is an "essential" part of our lives, as wives and mothers we have so many more important things to do besides spending our time in the kitchen. We have husbands to care for, children to teach, disciple, and have fun with, people to minister to, as well as our own times with the Lord! (I will say, though, that bringing your children along side of you in the kitchen can make for some of the most special memories and teaching times!) Here are a couple verses the Lord brought to mind as I was contemplating what to name my first eBook on menu planning:
Many times meal planning and preparation can become such a stress - a worry - in our lives. However, these verses show us that we shouldn't worry about what we shall eat . . . because LIFE is greater than food! Isn't that refreshing? There are many things we can do to organize ourselves in this area of homemaking. I want to share some of the things that have helped me. Before you begin, you will need to determine how much money you can spend each month on groceries (if you don't already have a budget in place, now is the time to do that too!). Below I have listed some ideas for how you can go about making out your menus. Whether you decide to plan a month at a time or just a week at a time, planning ahead will go a long way in making your life run smoother. Here are some tips that may help you in your meal planning endeavors: PLAN MEALS A MONTH AT A TIME 1. Start by making a list of all the meals your family likes. 2. Use a monthly calendar and chart out meals for a whole month, making days for leftovers, eating out, etc. if needed. Keep in mind if there are certain days during the week that you will be pressed for time. Plan quick and easy meals on those days, leaving the recipes that take more time for those nights you "have" the time! Also plan on an evening when you have more time to double or triple a recipe and put the extras in the freezer. Chart these "freezer" meals on your monthly menu as well, noting that they are in the freezer already. 3. Make master grocery lists for each week's meals. Once you have done this once, you will have a whole month worth of meals planned, with grocery lists to go with it. You can then work new recipes in here and there in the months to follow, but the bulk of the work will be done already. 4. If you really want to get ambitious, you can do the once a month cooking, where you cook up meals for a whole month and freeze. I have never done this, but prefer to just double or triple a recipe and freeze it. COOK IN BULK 1. Buy hamburger in bulk. Cook 3-5 pounds in a large crockpot by cooking on high until done, breaking up the hamburger and stirring throughout the day. I add some minced onion and garlic powder while it cooks. Once the hamburger is done, drain in a colander and rinse with water (this helps the flavor of the meat when you freeze it not to get that greasy taste). I let the meat cool, and then scoop 2-3 cups of meat in freezer bags and freeze. This meat is now ready for sloppy joes, casseroles, spaghetti, pizza, beef enchiladas, etc. This saves so much time and helps cut meal preparation down a lot. 2 Use this same concept when cooking cubed chicken or any other meat. Precook the meat and then freeze it in small quantities to use for meals. 3. Double up meal preparation when you can. If you are making a meal that can be frozen, 2X or 3X the recipe and freeze the extra for another day! I have done this and it is not that much more work to prepare enough for 2 or 3 meals while you have all the pots and pans dirty. RESOURCES Many, many books have been written on meal planning, healthy cooking, organizing recipes, etc. Here are a few resources you might find helpful.
There are many different software programs available for making shopping lists, menus, recipe databases, etc. I will list a few that I found that may be helpful in this important area of planning meals:
Here is treat for you to enjoy! My family LOVES this recipe. It is quick and easy to put together and won't stay around long!!! Enjoy! Yummy Homemade Granola 1 cup butter or margarine In a large, 4-quart saucepan, melt the margarine or butter and the brown sugar together. Stir it up and let it simmer for a few minutes (2-3 minutes). Add the salt and cinnamon, then the oatmeal. Remove pot from heat and stir until all the oatmeal is coated. Spread the granola onto 2 cookie sheets (with sides) and bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes, until golden brown. Cool granola completely on pan, then break up into pieces and transfer to a container. Add raisins or nuts if desired. [My husband and kids just LOVE this recipe! It is so much better for them than the boxed cereals and so much more filling! It is so easy to make, too! My husband told me that if he eat s a bowl of the granola in the morning he isn't hungry until lunch! The other boxed cereals don't "stick" and he said he is always hungry by mid-morning.] Portions of this article were taken from my new eBook entitled Menu Planning Made Easy! Because Life Is More Important Than Food! by Sheri Graham. In the eBook I share what I have done to make meal planning easier. Included is 4 weeks worth of meals, recipes, shopping lists, and tips to make your life easier! Along with the 4 weeks of menus, recipes, and shopping lists, I have also included forms and instructions for you to make up your own menus that will reflect your own family's taste in food! PLUS, I am including some ideas and recipes for breakfasts, lunches, and some desserts. |
OR
Godly Family eBooks
Homemaking eBooks
Homemaking Booklet Series eBooks
Home Business eBooks
Toddler Scripture Read-Aloud & Copywork eBooks
Educating Our Children eBooks
Holiday eBooks
Check out our blogs:
© 2005-2010 Graham Family Ministries