Menu Planning in Three Easy Steps
Ranked #2,391 in Home & Garden, #29,150 overall
A Guide to Saving Your Money & Your Sanity!
I've done it many times. We return home from Lego Club and it's 4:30. The kids are hungry and my sweet, famished hubby is due home in an hour. I have no idea what I'm making for dinner.
It took me a while (I'm a slow learner) but I finally figured out that by planning my meals, I save money and I help preserve the modicum of sanity I still have. Many people have asked me how I do it, so here are the steps involved in planning a menu and creating a master shopping list. (Actually, the second part has been done for you!) Please post questions, if you have them.
It took me a while (I'm a slow learner) but I finally figured out that by planning my meals, I save money and I help preserve the modicum of sanity I still have. Many people have asked me how I do it, so here are the steps involved in planning a menu and creating a master shopping list. (Actually, the second part has been done for you!) Please post questions, if you have them.
Step 1: List Your Family's Favorite Meals
Make a list of meals your family likes for breakfast, lunch, & dinner. Write as many as you can think of. (If you want some ideas, I have included a list of our favorites.) Primarily, you want to focus on your dinner meals. Now is a good time to include a recipe or two that you have been wanting to try. You could even have a weekly "New Food Night!" Or, you may just want to stick to your tried-and-true favorites. My mother made the same meals week after week. Monday was "Fried Chicken Day" Tuesday was "Ravioli Day" Wednesday was "Taco Day" and so on. You can make your menu the way YOU like it. Also, if you have some really busy days, that would be the time to plan a freezer meal (like lasagna) or a "Fend for Yourself" night. Step 2: Plan Two (or Four) Weeks of Meals
I plan a two-week menu for my family, because my husband gets paid every two weeks, but it's just as easy to plan for four weeks. So, every two weeks, each of my 6 family members (myself included) chooses two meals from my list of twenty-six. That way each is assured of having two meals that they really want during that time. (That's 12 planned meals and 2 "fend for yourself" nights) Then, I go through my recipes, and make my shopping list for the ingredients that we need. I add to that breakfast foods, lunches and snacks. Following this guide is a Blank Menu Planner that I found at OrgJunkie.com. In addition, I have included links to a Homeschool Planner AND Menu Planner in One and a Menu Planner with To Do List from TheHomeschoolMom.com.
Step 3: Gather Recipes & Create Your Shopping List
Gather your recipes from cookbooks, online or your recipe cards, or if you can remember the ingredients because you have made them so often, go ahead and review those recipes mentally.I was tired of making a list every time I went shopping, and I always forgot something, so I created a master shopping list. It had everything needed for our meals, in addition to household items we regularly purchased. It was handy as I planned my menu, because I could just check off the items we needed without having to write it all out every time. I have included a Master Shopping List if you want to use it. If you do not want to use a master list, you can create a list from the meals you just chose for your menu.
Examples of Our Favorite Meals
Beyond this list of meals are free menu planners and shopping list printables!
You will notice a lack of seafood. Most of my family does not like fish, so I hardly ever make it.
Breakfasts
Lunches
Snacks
Dinners
Poultry Dinners
Beef Dinners
Meatless Meals
Breakfasts
- Oatmeal with Raisins and Fried Ham
- French Toast with nitrate-free bacon and Orange slices
- Cold Cereal and Bacon
- Breakfast Burritos (eggs, salsa, cheese, bacon or sausage in a tortilla.
- Breakfast sandwiches - Wholegrain English muffin, egg, ham and cheese.
- Bagel and Cream Cheese with Fresh Fruit
- Wholegrain Pancakes, turkey sausage and Fresh Fruit
- Breakfast Smoothie, made with soy and whey protein powder and fresh or frozen fruit.
Lunches
- Left-Overs from Dinner
- Whole Wheat Pita Bread Pizzas (pepperoni or Hawaiian)
- Turkey Wraps with lettuce and tomato
- Soup & Quesadillas or Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Hot Dogs and Fruit Salad
- Club or Hero Sandwiches and carrot sticks
- Turkey Kielbasa, Tater Tots and Fruit
- Egg Salad or Tuna Pita Pockets and apple slices
- Hot Dogs and orange wedges
- Main-Course Salad with protein, like Cobb or chef salad.
Snacks
- Whole Grain Crackers, Salami and Cheese with Sliced Apples
- Whole Wheat Pita Chips and Hummus with Canned Pineapple
- Graham Crackers with Cream Cheese & Jam
- Tortilla Chips and Salsa
- Whole-Grain Cheese-Its, Carrots or Snap Peas and Ranch Dressing
- Almonds and apple sauce or grapes
Dinners
Poultry Dinners
- Lemon-Basil Chicken with Angel Hair Pasta and Sauteed Veggies
- BBQ Chicken (or fish!) with Potato Salad & Green Beans
- Chinese Chicken Salad and pot stickers.
- Orange Chicken, Rice & Broccoli
- Fried Chicken with Steak Fries (frozen) and Steamed Broccoli
- Shredded Chicken (or fish) Tacos with the works
- Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce and Salad
- Chicken (and Shrimp) Jambalaya with Rice (Veggies are in the Jambalaya)
- Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli
- Turkey Kielbasa in Red Beans and Rice with Cucumber & Tomato vinaigrette
- Turkey Breast Roast with Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans
- Grilled Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches, Soup and Canned Fruit
Beef Dinners
- French Dip Sandwiches au Jus & Cucumber Vinaigrette
- Lasagna (frozen) and Green Salad
- Hamburgers with Whole Wheat Buns and Fresh Fruit Salad
- Beef Stir Fry with Green Beans and Rice
- Round Roast with Red Creamer Potatoes & Spinach Salad
- Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Cucumber Vinaigrette
- Meat Loaf with Steamed Broccoli and Rice
- London Broil and Baked Potatoes with Sautéed Zucchini & Yellow Squash
- Beef and Bean Burritos in whole grain tortillas with the works!
- Chili Dogs (or dogs & beans) & Salad
- Beef Stroganoff, noodles and steamed broccoli
Meatless Meals
- Vegetarian Chili, topped with cheese and onions (The veggies are in the chili) Served with Whole Grain Crackers or Rice
- Build-Your-Own Potato with the works (Anything goes here!)
- Eggplant Parmesan and Garlic Bread
Free Meal Planning Pages
Free Printable Resources
These free meal planning pages make planning a menu super easy!
- Weekly Meal Planner Page - Including Side Dishes
- This has fields for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Side Dishes. From Vertex42.com
- Two-Week Meal Planner Page - Including Snacks
- Fields for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinners and Snacks for two weeks. From Vertex42.com
- Monthly Dinner Planning Page, Plus Veggies & Sides
- A monthly dinner planning page, including vegetables and side dishes. From Vertex42.com
- Simple Weekly Menu Planning Page & Shopping List
- Simple weekly menu planning page with space for a shopping list. From OrgJunkie.com
- Menu & Homeschool Planner Pages
- Perfect for homeschooling, this homeschool planner and menu planner in one is from TheHomeschoolMom.com
- Menu Planner & To Do List
- A combination menu planner and to-do list in one. Another great menu planning page from TheHomeschoolMom.com.
- FREE WEEKLY MEAL PLANS & RECIPES! (Including shopping lists!)
- I'm really excited about this one! Amy Locurto's site features amazing, FREE weekly dinner menus, with FREE recipes and shopping lists! From LivingLocurto.com
Grocery Shopping Lists
Free Printable Resources
Free master shopping lists, already done for you. Phew!
- Master Grocery List (PDF)
- This list has every item your household might need! Plus, a few blank lines for those random items that you might need. From KeepAndShare.com
- Glueten-Free Shopping List (PDF)
- Includes pantry elements, specific to a glueten-free diet, plus room to write additional items. Another free printable from KeepAndShare.com
- Lactose-Free Shopping List (PDF)
- Includes pantry elements, specific to a lactose-free diet, plus room to write additional items. Another free printable from KeepAndShare.com
- Blank Grocery List Template (PDF)
- One more from OrgJunkie.com. You can fill this blank grocery list template in with the items you need.
Menu Planning Resources
From Amazon.com
Home Management Binder Lens
Great resource! This lens includes: Control Journal, Home Organizer, Home Binder, Home Management Binder, Control Journal Printables. If you want to manage your home life better, this is the way to do it!
Do you plan a menu for your family?
Share your ideas here! Or ask questions...
-
-
themeaparty
May 7, 2012 @ 11:30 am | delete
- I used to be a fantastic meal planner as well and have lately slacked big time. It's so much better to be prepared. Maybe I'll do a meal planning post since you're inspiring me!
-
-
-
themeaparty
May 7, 2012 @ 11:30 am | delete
- I used to be a fantastic meal planner as well and have lately slacked big time. It's so much better to be prepared. Maybe I'll do a meal planning post since you're inspiring me!
-
-
-
jadehorseshoe
Dec 27, 2011 @ 2:10 am | delete
- EXCELLENT Lens!
-
-
-
jgelien Sep 30, 2011 @ 1:40 am | delete
- You have really good menu ideas and I like the idea of using menu planning charts. Wish I'd done that when I was raising my kids. My meals always happened but they were often haphazard last minute creations.
-
-
-
RobininColorado
Sep 30, 2011 @ 9:21 am | delete
- Well thank you! That happens here too...
-
-
-
RobininColorado
May 24, 2011 @ 1:30 am | delete
- Thanks Bolillie! Your lens on Standard Essay Format was the clearest explanation I have seen yet!
-
-
-
bolillie
May 16, 2011 @ 8:16 pm | delete
- Your lens provides for a very organized way to plan menus. Thanks for the info.
-
-
-
RobininColorado
Mar 2, 2011 @ 10:53 pm | delete
- Thank you for the encouragement!
-
-
-
paperfacets Mar 2, 2011 @ 8:52 pm | delete
- Welcome to Squidoo. Your lens deserves an Angel Blessing too. Hope to see more of your writings.
-
-
-
- I did this religiously when I was working. My shopping list was even arranged with the items in order of the isle locations so as I almost ran through the store, (lol I hated grocery shopping) nothing was forgotten. Good tips.
-
-
-
Jimmie
Oct 12, 2010 @ 10:10 pm | delete
- Fantastic lens -- well laid out, nice graphics, easy step by step directions. I do menu planning for at least three days ahead. It is really wonderful to have a plan.
-
-
-
Evelyn_Saenz
Aug 4, 2010 @ 12:51 pm | delete
- What a helpful page whether you are homeschooling or conventional schooling. Thank you for sharing with us.
-
-
-
Pukeko
Jul 29, 2010 @ 10:20 pm | delete
- Wonderful ideas! Thanks for featuring my facebook page.
-
-
-
eclecticeducation
Jul 28, 2010 @ 11:54 pm | delete
- Great lens! This is helpful for any mother, especially homeschoolers. Time does seem to get away from us. lol!!! Thank you so much for including me in your FaceBook links. That was really sweet of you! :)
-
Great Homeschool Pages on Facebook
- The Homeschool Club
Learn how to make your own web pages about your favorite homeschooling stories and resources. We're all gathered in the Facebook group.- Eclectic Education
Written by a Christian homeschool mother, prolific writer, Zazzle Designer, Giant Squid 100, Rocket Mom, Squidoo Greeter and retired Squid Angel. Creating works for Ehow (as Lynn W), Bukisa, and Xomba. Designing products for Zazzle (as lynnhsmomof2).- Homeschool Fun for Tweens and Teens
Homeschool Fun for Tweens and Teens is a place to share resources for homeschooling tweens and teens age 10+. On Squidoo: RocketMom, member of the Giant Squid 100 Club and a retired Squidoo Angel.- Stone Soup Homeschool Network
Directing homeschool families to the best sites on the web. The homeschool community is worldwide, and you are an integral part of it! Sone Soup Homeschool Network on the Web!
P.S. What is The Homeschool Club?
Follow @homeschoolclub on Twitter
For the latest ideas and articles from fellow homeschoolers
by RobininColorado
I am a veteran homeschooler and an avid fan of geocaching, sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking, family health & fitness, literature and old movies.... more »
- 3 featured lenses
- Winner of 5 trophies!
- Top lens » Menu Planning in Three Easy Steps
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
