Food & Cooking
Menu Planning Central
(by 70 people)
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Why Menu Planning?
Not being the most organized person on this planet it was quite difficult for me to become a mother - well not that part ;-) but to have a child that just had to have healthy food several times a day was a big challenge for me. I am proud to say I succeded. It was done by planning the meals not a week ahead but one month ahead - and shopping once a week only.
A new membership site has just started: Menu Planning Central - a site I would have saved me time and thousands of dollars, but the Internet was not in Denmark at that time.
This lens is about being practical and an introduction to Menu Planning Central, a membership page.
Thank you for the grand prize - I am honored!
Let's See How Many of You Plan Meals ;-)
Menu Planning Basics I
What Exactly Is Meal Planning?
Menu planning is writing down what your family is going to eat for the week, making a grocery shopping list with the necessary items for the menu, grocery shopping once per week, and preparing the meals you have chosen. Sounds simple enough right?Then again, you have to:
Browse for recipes
Sit down and plan the menu yourself
Sit down and develop the grocery list
Not exacly simple and also time consuming, time better spend with your family and friends.
Want to see a sample menu?
A healthy menu sample click here to download
and the healthy shopping list Click here to download
7 Benefits of Menu Planning
1) Get Dinner On The Table Faster
If you know what you are going to fix for dinner, and you
have everything you need at your fingertips, getting the
food on the table becomes a snap. You dont have to stop at
the store on your way home, to pick up something to cook.
If you are stuck at the office, and your spouse knows what's
on the menu for the night - he or she can get started
without you.
2) Run To The Store Less Often
How many times do you run to the grocery store to buy
something to cook for dinner. I dont know about you, but it
takes me at least 45 minutes every time I do that. Menu
planning allows you to get all your shopping done once a
week, and make sure you have what you need to prepare
every single dinner for the week.
3) You'll Eat Better
You have the best intentions to prepare wholesome, healthy
meals for your family. Then you get home late, everyone is
hungry and there is nothing in the fridge. You head for
takeout or call the pizza delivery guy. If you plan your meals
and have what you need at home you are much more likely
to actually cook all those healthy dishes for your family.
4) It Saves You Money
How much food do you throw out each week because you
just didn't get around to cooking it? Plus every time you go
to the store there are a few extra things that just make their
way into your cart and on your grocery bill. If you shop less
and only for those items that you actually need, you spend a
lot less money on groceries each week. We wont even think
about how much we spend eating out each week.
To be continued...
Family Meal Cook Books
The Kid-Friendly Food Allergy Cookbook: More Than 150 Recipes That Are Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Egg-Free, and Low in Sugar by Leslie Hammond
Kids are our future, we have to take good care of more...1 point
Menu Basics II
5) It Saves You TimeIn addition to saving you money, meal planning also saves
you time. You only have to go grocery shopping once a
week, and there is no more walking around the kitchen each
evening for 20 minutes frantically trying to figure out what's
for dinner tonight. Everything you need from the recipe to
the ingredients is right at your fingertips.
6) Quality Family Time
When you think back to your own childhood, family dinner is
sure to come to mind as a time when everyone got together
to eat a meal and talk about the day. You can recreate that
experience for your family and spend some quality time each
week over a home-cooked meal.
7) It Is Easy
Last, but not least, menu planning is easy to do and makes
it easy to cook every day. All you need to do is set a little
time each week to plan out your weekly menu, write up your
grocery list and shop.
For at full report on Menu Planning Basics, a grocery list and a weekly menu plan go to:
Menu Planning Central.
Enjoy!
Food Commander Speaks!
FOODCOMMANDER (Episode 5: Slay the Old Slaw!)
The FOODCOMMANDER is not willing to "make nice". In his cooking show, he will bluntly tell you what's good and bad, right or wrong. Follow his command and you will eat like a chef! Episode 5: Crunchy Coleslaw Recipe guides and more at www.foodcommander.com
Runtime: 1:45
1418 views
4 Comments:
The Benefits of Family Meal Planning
Are you ready to save some time, feed your family healthier meals and save some money along the way? These are just some of the benefits of family meal planning. Let's look at all of them in a little more detail.Eat Healthier
Planning your family meals will cut down on your trips to your favorite fast food restaurant and the amount of pizza you have delivered to your door. Food you prepare at home tends to be much healthier than hamburgers with fries, fried chicken or pizza. When you plan your meals include some lean protein like chicken breast, as well as some salads and vegetables. Your entire family will benefit from the healthier meals.
Save Time
How much time are you spending now running to the grocery store a few times a week. I used to run to the store at least 3 times a week to buy something to fix for dinner. Planning your meals out for a week at a time and then putting together a grocery list with everything you need to cook those meals will cut your trips to the store down to one a week. This alone will save you a few hours each week. Plus you won't be standing in front of your fridge and pantry every night trying to come up with something you can fix with what you have at hand.
Save Money
All that eating out and having food delivered can quickly add up. By preparing more meals at home you will save quite a few dollars each week. In addition, you will save on your monthly grocery bill, since you will be making a list of everything you need for the week and won't end up buying extras that just go to waste. I used to throw out food almost every week before I started meal planning.
For a free sample of Menu Planning Central click here
More to follow ...
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The Benefits of Family Meal Planning II
Less StressYou know the routine. It's 6 pm, everyone in the family is starving and you have no idea what's for dinner. Trying to come up with something to cook from what you have in the kitchen while your kids are tired, hungry and screaming isn't one of the most fun family activities. You will be much more relaxed about dinner, when you know exactly what you are going to cook ahead of time and known you have everything you need in the house.
Quality Time Together
Meal Planning also encourages everyone to gather around the dinner table each day. Who could resist the delicious smells coming out of the kitchen? Dinnertime has always been a great time for families to gather and share news and experiences of the day. Parents and children can pay each other undivided attention. Cook some dinner, set the table and don't forget to turn off the TV. Make dinner a daily family tradition again.
I encourage you to give family meal planning a try. I am sure you and your family will see the benefits within less than a week.
Don't have the time or patience to plan your family meals? Let Menu Planner Central do it for you!
For A Free Sample Menu Visit Menu Planning Central
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bdkz
Great lens! I gave you 5 Stars and a Squid Angel Blessing! Posted April 19, 2008 |
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QuietMom
Another great lens! :-) Posted August 28, 2007 |
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Swiftwalker
What a great lens and a great idea! thanks for the info on menu planning.5 stars for you Posted August 08, 2007 |
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mmkellis
Susan- Posted August 07, 2007 |
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beth_kiley
Susanne, Posted July 23, 2007 |
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1BigDog
Very nice lens and congrats on the top 100 I need this lens.. Please stop in and visit my lens. Best regards Posted July 19, 2007 |
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Retro_Loco
Congratulations on making a great lens Posted July 19, 2007 |
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giddygabby
Susan, congrats on your well deserved LOTD honor! I confess I have failed at every meal-planning exercise because I'd rather be at my computer than cooking! The food rots in the fridge. And yet...those times I cook are marvelous fun, so I always have a pantry full of staples in case I get the urge. Posted July 14, 2007 |
Great lens and website resource you have. This is something we all can use some tips on. Feel free to stop by my website at www.christianwomensresources.com where you can submit menu planning articles to or add your lens to my CWR group lens I started.
Posted July 11, 2007
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desertgrace
This is a great lens. I am sharing it with everyone I know! Posted July 10, 2007 |
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titanium_knights
Very nice lens - congrats on lens of the day! Will be using this helpful information! Posted July 10, 2007 |
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LABELSTONE
Congrats on being Lense of the Day - well deserved and great information! Posted July 09, 2007 |
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bdawkins
Great lens! I'm having Copper River Salmon for dinner tonight grilled on a cedar plank, glazed with orange honey, lemon, and dill! Yummy!! Posted July 09, 2007 |
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easy-home-cleaning
Great lens surfsusan - Posted July 09, 2007 |
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KimGiancaterino
Congrats on LOTD. Menu planning is so important to people with health issues. Thanks for the great advice and resources. Posted July 09, 2007 |
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Shellrose
WOW! Thank you for all the information! Posted July 09, 2007 |
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trafficpayouts
Fantastic Lens. Posted July 09, 2007 |
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mommyrevenue
Great tips! I love to eat, sort of like to cook, but hate planning meals. When I do make appropriate plans, it really does save time from hunting in the frig trying to decide what to cook, and then realizing you need to thaw out some meat at the last minute. Posted July 08, 2007 |
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wahmfreeadvertisement
Awesome Lens, Meal Planning can save you lots of money Posted July 08, 2007 |
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CultivateConnections_dot_com
I love your ideas, pictures and information. Keep up the great work! Teens Rock Posted July 08, 2007 |
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InFlames
Very informative, and you are lens of the day !! Congratulations, great work. 5 stars for you. Posted July 08, 2007 |
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surfsusan
Thank you for all your kind words, I have stared to return the visits, please have patience, since this may take some time ;-) Posted July 08, 2007 |
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Working_From_Home
Hi Susan, Thanks for making this lens. There are certainly many benfits of planning meals ahead of time. Lisa Posted July 07, 2007 |
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Partybluprints
Great Lens - Love Organization Help. Take a look at my party plans which walk you thru hosting a party in your home. Posted July 07, 2007 |
I'm new but I sure know quality when I see it. This Lens exhibits Top Quality in all aspects.
Posted July 06, 2007
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Brite-Ideas
Hey, great lens, Posted July 06, 2007 |
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ethis
Nice lens and helpful info! :) Posted July 06, 2007 |
hi there Susan. I agree what a wonderful lens. I have practiced menu planning for years now. It saves you money and most of all time. More time to spend with my loved ones (and to do my internet marketing)
Regards, TrudyVan
http://www.squidoo.com/missing-children-in-south-africa/
Posted July 06, 2007
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Regina Baker
Congratulations on being lense of the day and for offering such an awesome service! Blessings for continued success! Posted July 05, 2007 |
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Crystal_Booth
Excellent tips! Congrats on LOTD! ~ Crystal Posted July 05, 2007 |
Yes my lens shows that we have ingredients and allow people to get a high level of dinner quality at night.
Posted July 05, 2007
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LifeTeamBuilders
Hey Susan! Posted July 05, 2007 |
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SJD1948
Hi surfsusan: Posted July 05, 2007 |
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kathysart
~*~ Posted July 05, 2007 |
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odordude
Well done Susan. I am having the slay slaw for dinner tonight no doubt. Congrats on being the lens of the day Posted July 05, 2007 |
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Jessica-Colon
Susan, Congrats on being lens of the day. It is great to see another MM get that recognition. I love the lense by the way. Posted July 05, 2007 |
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Barkely
Congrats on lens of the day. I need menu planning! I'm usually looking in the fridge at 5:00, wondering what to cook for supper. Posted July 05, 2007 |
Thanks for putting together such a great lens! Anyway you could devise a Vegan menu planning ?
Keep up the great work! All the Best, Karen at Karen's Kinkade Art Store
Posted July 05, 2007
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DianaWalker
Congratulations! Food is such an important subject, and you've certainly done lots with it! Posted July 05, 2007 |
Congratulations on being Lens of the Day -- I love your site!
Diana
Posted July 05, 2007
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budgetdial
Congrats on being the lenses of the day. Healthy meal planning is so important! Posted July 05, 2007 |
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kellymccausey
Susanne, congratulations on being featured! It's awesome seing a MMer getting some buzz on Suidoo! Posted July 05, 2007 |
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happynutritionist
Hmmm, not sure if my earlier post went through, as I wasn't logged in, so, here goes again...gave you 5 stars, I'm a fellow Squidoo-er, and also nutrition consultant for Menu Planning Central so it was great fun to find this in my email...congratulations!! Posted July 05, 2007 |
Wonderful lense! When I saw the "Lense for the Day" I wondered if it was the same Menu Planning Central I'm helping as Nutrition Consultant for, and it is:-)
5 Stars from a fellow-lensemaster...stop by and visit sometime :-)
Claudia L. Meydrech, CN
http://happynutritionist.com
Posted July 05, 2007
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brookehudson
Hi Susan, amazing lens. Thank you for the valuable menu planning tips and resources. Great job! This lens is super 5 stars from me. Posted July 05, 2007 |
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Jump-Start-Your-Finances
Congratulations on lens of the day. Great info also. I have been trying to do more menu planning to save on grocery costs, and the info you share is very helpful. Posted July 05, 2007 |
Congratulation on your lens of the day. I know my husband shops and plans our meals as we have role reversal in that I work shifts and he runs his business from home. I am not complaining though, he is a great cook.
Posted July 05, 2007
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Jennifer-Sams
Congratulations on achieving the lens of the day award. I love to be organised so the information was just right for me. Rock Climbing Posted July 05, 2007 |
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Dominique
Hi, great lens. I am always trying to plan meals without much luck. Thanks for the tips! They will help me get started again. Posted July 05, 2007 |
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Amy_VanishMyMortgage
Great lens! As a mother of four, I appreciate the wealth of great information that you have provided. All the best, Amy at VanishMyMortgage.com Posted July 05, 2007 |
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jessica9653
Interesting Lens. I know there are a number of menu planning sites out there including DinnerPlanner.com which was one of the first. I think their service is less expensive. Posted July 05, 2007 |
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PaulaFarris
Congrats on LOTD! Good information here. And I really like the layout. Your lens is very well designed. Good work! Posted July 05, 2007 |
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debsgreatfinds
just wanted to say the menu planner is great Posted July 05, 2007 |
Great lens and info rated you 5***** check out my lens thanks
DEb
Posted July 05, 2007
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Janusz
Thoroughly deserved!!! well done Susan. Posted July 05, 2007 |
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Rystique
Inpirational. Maybe if I get more organized, I will have more time to put into developing my lens. Posted July 05, 2007 |
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BowWowBeds
Very informative lens. I find myself making spaghetti a lot because I know how. You are right! If I kept certain ingredients on hand then I could whip up other meals without having to run to the store each time. Oh Posted July 05, 2007 |
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Christopher_Scott
Great lens girl. Seems like a great way to eat better and more healthy. Posted July 05, 2007 |
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rms
Congrats on LOtD! Well deserved. 5 stars! Posted July 05, 2007 |
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Garuda_The_Rider
gr8 lens.. very useful for mom.. :-) Posted July 05, 2007 |
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VacationTip
Congratulations, you've done a great job here, excellent information! 5 stars! Visit my lens about Top 10 Vacation Spots. Posted July 05, 2007 |
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Waterwalker_Publishing
Hi Susan, Great lens :-) Posted July 05, 2007 |
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JonitasKalimpo
Great lens this one!! congratulations susan, you made a very excellent job. Left you the 5stars Posted July 05, 2007 |
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estories
What a great resource for families! Original idea! Posted July 05, 2007 |
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Kmre68
My mother-in-law always plans her meals. Me on the other hand not so much, but some good tips. Thansk. Posted July 05, 2007 |
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gpower2llc
Thank you surfsusan. I have a family of six, so this information will be very helpful indeed! Posted June 30, 2007 |
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Janusz
Great Lens Susan.. 5 Star performance Posted June 29, 2007 |
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CliveAnderson
Hi Susanne, This is certainly a great lens you have here. Great subject and very well presented. I see you advertise for FREE in the SQUIDOO Zone on FirstForIncomes Forum. 5 stars 4 U. Thanks again... Clive Anderson Posted June 26, 2007 |
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surfsusan
Hi HCD I did write this lens for you and all of us, who is not that organized ;-) will visit your lens. Posted June 26, 2007 |
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HCD
Hi surfsusan- Posted June 26, 2007 |
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Food Related Blogs
Fetching RSS feed... please stand by Fetching RSS feed... please stand byLook who made this lens!
surfsusan
Love food, love food, love food. I read about food, when I go shopping it is for FOOD, I plan meals, I talk about food, I eat at restaurants, I cook and last but le...
more
What's here
- Let's See How Many of You Plan Meals ;-)
- Menu Planning Basics I
- Family Meal Cook Books
- Menu Basics II
- Food Commander Speaks!
- More...
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