Now that I have that resolution taken care of I can move on to another one. I have been wanting to do better at menu planning. I cleaned out my freezer a month ago and I found all kinds of good things that I ended up throwing away because they had been in my freezer FOREVER!! So I am trying to do better at menu planning so I remember to use up those things in my freezer before they go bad. So I am looking for a few suggestions. How do you plan your menus?
Your beans look great. You are such a great canner! I have not canned anything for over 2 years. :O
ReplyDeleteI plan menus by what's on sale at the grocery store that week! It actually makes a nice variety because there is always something different on sale.
For my meals I usually break the nights of the week down like this: 2 beef, 2 chicken, 1 other meat (like pork, seafood, etc...) and 2 meatless meals.
Have fun meal planning! :)
Wow, I'm impressed with those beans! My husband and I have a book that we've filled in with our favourite recipes separated into chicken, pork, fish, quick meals - that sort of thing, and I go through it and try to choose a selection that varies the week but also uses the same sort of ingredients and plan a menu for the week. A lot of fish gets frozen in our house and I always need reminders of what's in the freezer, so I've written a list and taped it to the fridge.
ReplyDeleteI usually shop every 2 weeks, except for things like milk, bread, eggs, which we need more often. I try to make a 2 week menu and use a variety of different foods. Usually I ask the kids what one thing is that they would want. I also have DH give ideas. Then I don't have to worry about what I'm making for another 2 weeks.
ReplyDeleteI also check what I already have before making the menu so that I can try to use that food, so it doesn't go bad.
Your beans look great!
Nice work! I have never canned. I remember there being a lot of swearing and broken glass when my mom had canning days.
ReplyDeleteI'm sort of on the same lines as UTMommy. I print out a monthly calendar (2 at a time), look through cookbooks, and write on the day of the calendar the cookbook name, page number and what the recipe is called. It really doesn't take long to do this and I plan 2 or 3 months in advance. Then every week before I go to the grocery store, I pull out the calendar and look at the recipes and write down everything I will need for the week...
ReplyDeleteHowever, isn't Suzanne smart to plan her menus weekly when the ads come out...
I'm sort of on the same lines as UTMommy. I print out a monthly calendar (2 at a time), look through cookbooks, and write on the day of the calendar the cookbook name, page number and what the recipe is called. It really doesn't take long to do this and I plan 2 or 3 months in advance. Then every week before I go to the grocery store, I pull out the calendar and look at the recipes and write down everything I will need for the week...
ReplyDeleteHowever, isn't Suzanne smart to plan her menus weekly when the ads come out...
My DH hates the way I do my menu. I get my alotted amount of money for food at one time so I plan out a whole month of meals and get all the food at once, except for the perishables like mike, eggs and bread. Each of my kids have a day of the week where they get to chose what they want for dinner that day and get to help prepare it. This stops the fighting on who gets to help mom. They also cant't complain if I make something they don't like.
ReplyDeleteI'm no good at menu planning. Sometimes I'll plan something then when it comes down to making it I don't feel like it anymore.
ReplyDeleteWay to go on getting that canning done!
I'm really impressed by your canning! I'm curious, though. Where were the beans before you canned them? Were they dried, from your garden?
ReplyDeleteI have a sheet listing all the items I usually make for dinners in the categories of: ground beef, poultry, vegetarian, breakfasts, pork/misc. meats and beef/seafood. When I make my shopping list I list down the side of it 2 meals from each category, trying to use what I have on hand. With 1 night a week as leftovers, that gives me two weeks of menus. Then each day I pick a meal that will fit the days activities, focusing on using up perishable items first. The meal ideas that don't get used that week, get bumped to the next week's list.
I like having more options because I often forget to buy something I need for a meal, or life throws me a curve and what I might have made just won't work with the day's events.
Nettie: We didn't grow pinto beans. They actually came from Cortez Colorado.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the wonderful menu planning ideas. I will try to work up a plan that works for me and share it with everyone when I figure it all out.
YOU are a domestic goddess! Go you! Go you! Lol. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to see you on Friday! The kids always have so much fun together and I enjoyed getting to visit together! :)
ReplyDelete