Receta Menu Planning Series {Getting Started}
Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net/by Stuart Miles
To some people, menu planning comes easily. However, others simply don’t know where to begin. This post will hopefully give some insight into what you need to get the ball rolling on this very helpful task.
In order to give your menu planning a good head start, think about the following questions as it pertains to your everyday schedule and life.
1. What does your budget look like?
In order to make meals and purchase groceries for those meals, you need to have a clear understanding of what your family budget is, both weekly and monthly. How much can you afford to spend on food? Once you figure it out, set aside the money, either in your account or take it out in cash and place it in an envelope. We keep ours in our account and I “mentally” remember how much we have budgeted.
2. What does your schedule look like?
If you have children like I do, then you know your daily schedules can very from time to time. Even if you don’t have children, you may be involved extra-curricular activities outside of work that may take up the majority of your free time. We have play dates every Wednesday afternoons and gymnastics practice every Thursday evening. I’m not looking to make super complicated meals on these days since we will be busy. The same idea holds true for doctor and dentist appointments. If they are in the late afternoon/early evening, you will not catch me making 4 course meals for dinner. When making a menu, you must take into account what your upcoming weekly and monthly schedule will be so you can plan accordingly.
3. Which food items do you already have in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry?
Knowing the items that are already taking up residents in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantries can help you tremendously when it comes to menu/meal planning. What I normally do is make a list of everything that we have in all of these areas. I place a star next to the items that are going to perish soon or have expiration dates that are sneaking up. Placing a star next to these items makes me aware that they need to be eaten soon, and therefore, should go into the first few meals that will be planned.
4. What times during the week will you be available to make your food list, menu, and go shopping?
Just like with anything else in life, menu planning takes time. Think about your schedule and all the daily tasks you need to do. Will you be able to make time to produce that food list, menu, and go shopping? If you have a busy schedule, try to set aside time to get these tasks accomplished. If you have children and find it difficult to concentrate on making lists and going grocery shopping while in their presence, then plan for a time when you can do these tasks child-free. In order for menu planning to succeed, you must make the time to get it done.
5. Where do you plan to do the bulk of your shopping?
There are plenty of places where you can purchase your food. There are farmer’s markets, co-op stores, regular stores, places such as Wal-Mart and Super Target, and warehouses such as Costco and Sam’s. Think about the ones that you frequent the most, as well as the ones that offer the best deals. Since we are military, we have access to the commissary so this is where we do the bulk of our shopping. Knowing where you will be shopping beforehand will help cut down on time because you aren’t left to decide at the last minute where you need to buy your groceries.
6. What are your limits when it comes to cooking?
I will be the first to tell you that making four course gourmet meals every night just does not happen in our house. I know my personal limits as a home cook and it is important that you know yours as well. If you are to tired at the end of the day to cook a recipe with 10 ingredients in it, then don’t do it. It is ok to put down ‘frozen pizza’ or ‘hot dogs and instant macaroni and cheese’ on the menu. Remember, the key word here is ‘plan.’
7. Do you have a recipe collection?
Whether you keep your recipes in a binder, recipe box, or online with programs such as Pinterest and Ziplist, having easy access to them can help the menu planning process run smoother. You can refer to them once you start planning your meals. This blog serves as my online documentation of our family favorites, however, I also have a recipe binder in my pantry that is filled with more family favorites.
8. What kind of meals do you eat for breakfast and lunch?
To obtain the full benefits of meal planning, you must also plan out breakfast and lunch. Planning out a full day’s worth of meals can help save you money in the long run. During the school week, our family eats things such as waffles, cold cereal and toaster strudels for breakfast. I put those on our menu so I know what things I need to purchase at the store. Since my kids are both in school, I also plan out their school lunches, which are usually sandwiches, fresh fruit, and some sort of snack.9. Do you want to plan your meals weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly?
Figure out whether you want your menu plan to be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. To answer this question, you must think about a few things…how much will your family budget allow for food allowances and when do you normally get paid (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly). We get paid bi-weekly so I have been known to plan my meals for two weeks. In the last few months, however, I have been planning our menus weekly. By doing this, it gives me a chance to use up perishable foods before they expire. If you are unsure about which route to choose, you can always try them all out and see which one will be the best fit for your family.
Knowing the answers to these questions will help you get started on the right track to meal planning. Thinking about and analyzing each of these answers will aide in the implementation of your menu planning process.
Join me next week where I will write about making the perfect menu to meet your family’s needs.
More posts in the Menu Planning Series:
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