Menu Planning Central
Ranked #12,275 in Food & Cooking, #208,321 overall | Donates to KIVA
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!
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 ...
My Favourite "Get Organized" programmes
"I am Organized Now" is an audio, all you have to do is to put the CD on and get to sleep - yep you read it correct - do yourself a favour and check it out.
After 2 nights of listening to the CD I started to get organzied and now I can (proud) say: "I am an organized person!"
- Get Organized Now!
- LOVE THIS ORGANIZING BOOK! YOU WILL TOO!
Are you tired of the clutter in every room of your home? Is your To Do list a mile long? Do you wish your family was better organized? Are you drowning in paper? Are you wondering what you can do to stop proscratinating and start getting things done? Do you want more time in your day for your family and the things you love to do? Would you like to get organized, once and for all? - I am Organized Now Audio
- Out Of Every Thousand People...
The most organized person will achieve the most, do it faster with the least amount of effort AND have the most free time...
Learn NOW how simple & easy it is to be that one in a thousand.
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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tandemonimom
Feb 22, 2009 @ 3:23 pm | delete
- Great lens, very helpful! Please join the new Squidoo Best Tips for Homemakers group!
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machelle
Nov 29, 2008 @ 7:21 pm | delete
- Perfect Len's! If you feed a large family like mine then Menu Planning is a must! You have covered this topic so well and with great links!
Machelle at www.cheapfamilymeals.info
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bdkz
Apr 19, 2008 @ 2:41 pm | delete
- Great lens! I gave you 5 Stars and a Squid Angel Blessing!
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QuietMom
Aug 28, 2007 @ 7:28 am | delete
- Another great lens! :-)
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Swiftwalker
Aug 8, 2007 @ 10:01 am | delete
- What a great lens and a great idea! thanks for the info on menu planning.5 stars for you
*please take a look at my lenses*
cheers Tony.
ps im a fellow R.Js
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mmkellis
Aug 7, 2007 @ 10:33 am | delete
- Susan-
Thanks for stopping by my lens. I really like yours as well and gave it 5 stars.
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beth_kiley
Jul 23, 2007 @ 9:16 am | delete
- Susanne,
wow, another great lens!
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1BigDog
Jul 19, 2007 @ 7:09 am | delete
- Very nice lens and congrats on the top 100 I need this lens.. Please stop in and visit my lens. Best regards
John
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Retro_Loco
Jul 19, 2007 @ 6:04 am | delete
- Congratulations on making a great lens
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giddygabby
Jul 14, 2007 @ 6:54 pm | delete
- 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.
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Lori Arriaga
Jul 11, 2007 @ 2:24 pm | delete
- 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.
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desertgrace
Jul 10, 2007 @ 11:38 am | delete
- This is a great lens. I am sharing it with everyone I know!
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titanium_knights Jul 10, 2007 @ 8:35 am | delete
- Very nice lens - congrats on lens of the day! Will be using this helpful information!
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LABELSTONE
Jul 9, 2007 @ 7:26 pm | delete
- Congrats on being Lense of the Day - well deserved and great information!
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bdawkins Jul 9, 2007 @ 3:39 pm | delete
- Great lens! I'm having Copper River Salmon for dinner tonight grilled on a cedar plank, glazed with orange honey, lemon, and dill! Yummy!!
Congradulations on your lens!!
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easy-home-cleaning
Jul 9, 2007 @ 3:02 pm | delete
- Great lens surfsusan -
My newsletter
this month was just on this great topic. Saves so much time and even money!
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KimGiancaterino Jul 9, 2007 @ 12:57 pm | delete
- Congrats on LOTD. Menu planning is so important to people with health issues. Thanks for the great advice and resources.
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Shellrose
Jul 9, 2007 @ 11:54 am | delete
- WOW! Thank you for all the information!
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Jul 9, 2007 @ 12:45 am | delete
- Fantastic Lens.
We will try and see if we can organise the 2 and 4 year olds with this plan.
Paul
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mommyrevenue
Jul 8, 2007 @ 9:49 pm | delete
- 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.
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wahmfreeadvertisement
Jul 8, 2007 @ 1:51 pm | delete
- Awesome Lens, Meal Planning can save you lots of money
for sure!
two thumbs way up
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CultivateConnections_dot_com
Jul 8, 2007 @ 12:08 pm | delete
- I love your ideas, pictures and information. Keep up the great work! Teens Rock
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InFlames
Jul 8, 2007 @ 9:15 am | delete
- Very informative, and you are lens of the day !! Congratulations, great work. 5 stars for you.
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surfsusan
Jul 8, 2007 @ 7:54 am | delete
- Thank you for all your kind words, I have stared to return the visits, please have patience, since this may take some time ;-)
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Working_From_Home
Jul 7, 2007 @ 4:04 pm | delete
- Hi Susan, Thanks for making this lens. There are certainly many benfits of planning meals ahead of time. Lisa
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Partybluprints
Jul 7, 2007 @ 6:32 am | delete
- Great Lens - Love Organization Help. Take a look at my party plans which walk you thru hosting a party in your home.
Partybluprints.com
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Rocity
Jul 6, 2007 @ 4:17 pm | delete
- I'm new but I sure know quality when I see it. This Lens exhibits Top Quality in all aspects.
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Brite-Ideas
Jul 6, 2007 @ 11:29 am | delete
- Hey, great lens,
Barb
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ethis
Jul 6, 2007 @ 7:03 am | delete
- Nice lens and helpful info! :)
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TrudyVan
Jul 6, 2007 @ 4:01 am | delete
- 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/
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Regina Baker Jul 5, 2007 @ 11:47 pm | delete
- Congratulations on being lense of the day and for offering such an awesome service! Blessings for continued success!
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Crystal_Booth
Jul 5, 2007 @ 10:46 pm | delete
- Excellent tips! Congrats on LOTD! ~ Crystal
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Barry Wah Lee
Jul 5, 2007 @ 9:52 pm | delete
- Yes my lens shows that we have ingredients and allow people to get a high level of dinner quality at night.
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KarenKay
Jul 5, 2007 @ 9:11 pm | delete
- Hey Susan!
Thanks for the awesome lens!
My husband is the family cook...
I just like to eat! I'm making
him take a look!
(But I fear he'll blow the
budget on your cool gadgets!)
Congrats on LOTD!
KK
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SJD1948
Jul 5, 2007 @ 7:34 pm | delete
- Hi surfsusan:
I really enjoyed your lens. It reminded me of a number of things I learned in a dietary managers course I took several years back.
I gave you 5 stars.
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kathysart
Jul 5, 2007 @ 4:49 pm | delete
- ~*~
Fantasy Fairies are SMILING on YOU!
Aloha from the Big Island of Hawaii. Thank you for such a fantastic lens.
FIVE STARS
Kathy
~*~
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odordude
Jul 5, 2007 @ 4:31 pm | delete
- Well done Susan. I am having the slay slaw for dinner tonight no doubt. Congrats on being the lens of the day
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Jessica-Colon
Jul 5, 2007 @ 3:42 pm | delete
- 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.
Planning A Wedding On A Budget
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Barkely
Jul 5, 2007 @ 3:18 pm | delete
- 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.
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Karen
Jul 5, 2007 @ 3:17 pm | delete
- 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
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DianaWalker
Jul 5, 2007 @ 2:53 pm | delete
- Congratulations! Food is such an important subject, and you've certainly done lots with it!
Diana
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dianawalker
Jul 5, 2007 @ 2:49 pm | delete
- Congratulations on being Lens of the Day -- I love your site!
Diana
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budgetdial
Jul 5, 2007 @ 2:47 pm | delete
- Congrats on being the lenses of the day. Healthy meal planning is so important!
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kellymccausey
Jul 5, 2007 @ 2:42 pm | delete
- Susanne, congratulations on being featured! It's awesome seing a MMer getting some buzz on Suidoo!
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happynutritionist
Jul 5, 2007 @ 2:12 pm | delete
- 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!!
Claudia @ http://happynutritionist.com
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happynutritionist
Jul 5, 2007 @ 2:07 pm | delete
- 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
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brookehudson
Jul 5, 2007 @ 1:08 pm | delete
- Hi Susan, amazing lens. Thank you for the valuable menu planning tips and resources. Great job! This lens is super 5 stars from me.
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Jump-Start-Your-Finances
Jul 5, 2007 @ 12:59 pm | delete
- 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.
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Nursegwen
Jul 5, 2007 @ 12:51 pm | delete
- 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.
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Jennifer-Sams
Jul 5, 2007 @ 12:06 pm | delete
- Congratulations on achieving the lens of the day award. I love to be organised so the information was just right for me. Rock Climbing
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Dominique
Jul 5, 2007 @ 12:03 pm | delete
- Hi, great lens. I am always trying to plan meals without much luck. Thanks for the tips! They will help me get started again.
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Amy_VanishMyMortgage
Jul 5, 2007 @ 11:51 am | delete
- 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
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jessica9653 Jul 5, 2007 @ 11:37 am | delete
- 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.
http://www.dinnerplanner.com
Still, a nice lens
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PaulaFarris Jul 5, 2007 @ 11:33 am | delete
- Congrats on LOTD! Good information here. And I really like the layout. Your lens is very well designed. Good work!
Paula Farris
http://www.squidoo.com/CampingWithoutCrampingYourStyle
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debsgreatfinds
Jul 5, 2007 @ 11:33 am | delete
- just wanted to say the menu planner is great
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Deb
Jul 5, 2007 @ 11:31 am | delete
- Great lens and info rated you 5***** check out my lens thanks
DEb
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Janusz
Jul 5, 2007 @ 11:03 am | delete
- Thoroughly deserved!!! well done Susan.
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Rystique
Jul 5, 2007 @ 10:58 am | delete
- Inpirational. Maybe if I get more organized, I will have more time to put into developing my lens.
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BowWowBeds
Jul 5, 2007 @ 10:57 am | delete
- 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
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Christopher_Scott
Jul 5, 2007 @ 10:53 am | delete
- Great lens girl. Seems like a great way to eat better and more healthy.
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rms
Jul 5, 2007 @ 10:23 am | delete
- Congrats on LOtD! Well deserved. 5 stars!
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Garuda_The_Rider
Jul 5, 2007 @ 4:14 am | delete
- gr8 lens.. very useful for mom.. :-)
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Jul 5, 2007 @ 3:19 am | delete
- Congratulations, you've done a great job here, excellent information! 5 stars! Visit my lens about Top 10 Vacation Spots.
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Waterwalker_Publishing
Jul 5, 2007 @ 3:16 am | delete
- Hi Susan, Great lens :-)
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JonitasKalimpo
Jul 5, 2007 @ 12:18 am | delete
- Great lens this one!! congratulations susan, you made a very excellent job. Left you the 5stars
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estories
Jul 5, 2007 @ 12:14 am | delete
- What a great resource for families! Original idea!
I focus my attention on my squidoo,website and blog towards preschoolers. Drop by Children's Personalized E Stories for some links to personalization tips for preschool treats!
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Kmre68
Jul 5, 2007 @ 12:05 am | delete
- My mother-in-law always plans her meals. Me on the other hand not so much, but some good tips. Thansk.
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gpower2llc
Jun 30, 2007 @ 7:56 pm | delete
- Thank you surfsusan. I have a family of six, so this information will be very helpful indeed!
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Janusz
Jun 29, 2007 @ 2:47 pm | delete
- Great Lens Susan.. 5 Star performance
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CliveAnderson
Jun 26, 2007 @ 4:08 pm | delete
- 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
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surfsusan
Jun 26, 2007 @ 2:07 pm | delete
- Hi HCD I did write this lens for you and all of us, who is not that organized ;-) will visit your lens.
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HCD Jun 26, 2007 @ 2:01 pm | delete
- Hi surfsusan-
I loved this lens. It was as if you wrote it for me!
I gave you 5 stars.
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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 an... more »
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