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Post by tc on Mar 8, 2021 1:15:16 GMT
We have tried really hard to last 6 or 7 years to eat at home. But still by June I had kitchen fatigue during covid. Especially meal planning. I sat down one Sunday with my favorite menu sources and came up with an 8 week rotating schedule with about 8 alternates to sub ad desired. I tried to plan it so some things could be bought in larger quantities during that week and therefore save some money during grocery shopping.
My structure is Mondays - pizza variation Tuesdays - chicken dish Wednesdays - Chinese or Mexican Thursdays - ground beef Fridays - Italian/pasta Saturdays - crock pot or casserole Sundays- roast, ham, steaks, or meatless
My other criteria were that weekday meals have a prep time of less than 15 minutes and everyone in the house liked the recipe.
I sit down with my 8 week plan on Sundays with my planner and my grocery list and plan accordingly. Then I usually order groceries. I keep a list of staples we run out of during the week on Alexa and add those too. The only times I've been going in person is if I cant get a spot soon enough that works with our schedule that week and we are out of more than a few things.
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Post by Miss Lerins Momma on Mar 8, 2021 4:06:16 GMT
I loosely plan a weekly dinner menu.
Sometimes we switch up the meals for what nights, depending on schedules and what we feel like. I try to meal plan on Sundays before I grocery shop for the week.
This week we are having... Monday-meatloaf Tuesday-crockpot crack chicken Wed-leftovers Thurs-teriyaki pork tenderloin, veggies, rice Fri-date night Sat-we will be at a birthday party Sunday-homemade veggie soup/sandwiches
I always try to plan a leftover meal sometime throughout the week. We had been letting the girls choose and cook dinner one night a week, but our busy with sports season has just started, so I’ll put that on the back burner for a little bit.
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paget
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,039
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Mar 8, 2021 5:29:36 GMT
Yes. If I don’t, I feel like food is wasted. I just went shopping tonight and now that it’s just Dh and I, I typically make 4 meals a week and then other nights are leftovers (Dh loves leftovers!) or go out/take out, or scrounge up something else around the house.
This week it’s: Pot roast, mashed potatoes w/ gravy and carrots blacked salmon Caesar salad Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread Paninis and fries
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muggins
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,861
Jul 30, 2017 3:38:57 GMT
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Post by muggins on Mar 8, 2021 8:29:54 GMT
Here in Tokyo I meal plan for a few days at a time. We do a Costco run every month, but the fresh produce doesn’t last long. I have a few very small supermarkets within a 10 minute walking radius which all sell different products, so I often shop for a few ingredients a couple of times a week. Most Japanese either have their groceries delivered, or they shop daily. I have to carry my groceries home so I can only buy as much as I can fit in my bags. Also, produce is sold in much smaller quantities here, ex 3 onions or 4 small potatoes in a pack, 2 sticks of celery, 3 apples, etc. Milk is sold in litres so we’re always popping to the conbini for more milk!
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Post by gar on Mar 8, 2021 9:20:58 GMT
myshelly, what do you do for veg and fruit when you shop so infrequently? (You might have mentioned it in a later post, so sorry if I missed it) But if you shop rarely, what happens for veg and fresh fruits etc...so many things like strawberries, peaches, spinach etc aren't really that good after more than a few days in the fridge or we eat them in the first few days.
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schizo319
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Posts: 3,030
Jun 28, 2014 0:26:58 GMT
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Post by schizo319 on Mar 8, 2021 12:33:19 GMT
I do - off and on. I'm in an "off" period right now (because DH has had some tummy issues and I never know what he's going to feel like he can eat - upper GI scheduled for tomorrow so we can try to get to the bottom of the issue).
Regular meals on our winter/spring rotation include:
Turkey Kielbasa, cabbage and mashed potatoes Spaghetti Grilled cheese and tomato soup Stir fry Potato soup Chicken and rice casserole
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Post by myshelly on Mar 8, 2021 15:29:34 GMT
myshelly, what do you do for veg and fruit when you shop so infrequently? (You might have mentioned it in a later post, so sorry if I missed it) But if you shop rarely, what happens for veg and fresh fruits etc...so many things like strawberries, peaches, spinach etc aren't really that good after more than a few days in the fridge or we eat them in the first few days. We eat the stuff that goes bad quickly first. Things like apples, potatoes, onions last longer. Sometimes I can request unripe food with my order (like requesting hard avocados and green bananas), so that they’ll be good later. Then I use frozen and canned instead of fresh. We don’t eat meat or drink milk, so I don’t worry about those.
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,409
Jun 27, 2014 12:39:18 GMT
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Post by amom23 on Mar 8, 2021 15:36:31 GMT
I'm not very good about a serious meal plan, but do think ahead several days at a time. We have meals that we like that are in our rotation so I tend to keep ingredients on hand for those meals. I also stock up on certain staples when I'm at Costco. I really only need to grocery shop once a week or maybe 2.
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Post by myshelly on Mar 8, 2021 15:45:11 GMT
But what about fresh produce? You can’t make sure that’s always in your pantry, it doesn’t last that long. Now that I've thought about it, what does planning all my meals have to do with shopping at all? myshelly you also have to go to the store (whether you pick up or shop in) for produce. I'll bet I go to the store less than you do. I'm not getting why you think meal planning is dependent on a shopping schedule. And I don’t understand how they could possibly not be related. If I want to go 2 weeks between grocery shops, I sit down, think of everything we’re going to eat for the next 2 weeks, then buy all of that. If you don’t plan before you buy, how can you know when you’ll have to go shopping again? Planning and scheduling go together in many aspects of life and this is one of them.
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Post by ~summer~ on Mar 8, 2021 16:43:42 GMT
The main thing that wouldn’t stay fresh for me is salad and fruit in the summer. We eat green salad with our dinner every night, and sometimes for lunch. I feel it only really lasts in the fridge 4-5 days max. Also I have this weird thing where I like to cook meat the same day I buy it. And especially fish - that has to be cooked the same day. We also try to eat a lot of vegetarian meals.
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Post by femalebusiness on Mar 8, 2021 16:47:11 GMT
Now that I've thought about it, what does planning all my meals have to do with shopping at all? myshelly you also have to go to the store (whether you pick up or shop in) for produce. I'll bet I go to the store less than you do. I'm not getting why you think meal planning is dependent on a shopping schedule. And I don’t understand how they could possibly not be related. If I want to go 2 weeks between grocery shops, I sit down, think of everything we’re going to eat for the next 2 weeks, then buy all of that. If you don’t plan before you buy, how can you know when you’ll have to go shopping again? Planning and scheduling go together in many aspects of life and this is one of them. I guess I am just way more organized than you are. You also seem like a very rigid individual that doesn't easily wing it or go with the flow so I guess I see why you can't imagine not meal planning. You also seem to need to have the last word so I will let you have it.
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Post by myshelly on Mar 8, 2021 16:50:25 GMT
And I don’t understand how they could possibly not be related. If I want to go 2 weeks between grocery shops, I sit down, think of everything we’re going to eat for the next 2 weeks, then buy all of that. If you don’t plan before you buy, how can you know when you’ll have to go shopping again? Planning and scheduling go together in many aspects of life and this is one of them. I guess I am just way more organized than you are. You also seem like a very rigid individual that doesn't easily wing it or go with the flow so I guess I see why you can't imagine not meal planning. You also seem to need to have the last word so I will let you have it. I don’t get why you have to be snarky in response when we’re just asking each other questions and having a conversation.
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SabrinaP
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Busy Teacher Pea
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Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Mar 8, 2021 17:16:24 GMT
Lately I have been planning week to week. I actually like doing a whole month at a time, but this school year has been way harder than normal and week to week is all I can do lately!
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Post by slicksister on Mar 8, 2021 17:21:57 GMT
This is an interesting question to me right now. My sister stayed with us for 3 months and we had more fights/arguments over food/grocery shopping/cooking than anything else. We are COMPLETE opposites as to how we cook and shop. I HAVE to have a recipe to cook and I don't deviate or substitute (for the most part). I make a shopping list from the menu and buy those things. I do have staples in my pantry of course and there are a few things for meals that I have on hand all the time. My sister, on the other hand, just browses the store and picks up stuff she likes. If they don't have something she needs she'll get something else. She has no real plan and kept insisting that I could substitute this or that for whatever and just refused to understand that I can't cook that way. How do you know how something is supposed to taste if you don't follow the recipe? I don't really understand "foods that go together" and how the different spices combine to make things taste a certain way. We finally just gave up shopping together. LOL So, yes, I meal plan.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Mar 8, 2021 17:25:01 GMT
Before shopping for the week I go through Pinterest or my cookbooks and decide what I want to make the following week, and which items I need to buy. I change my mind too often to have a set menu but want to have recipes to choose from. I don’t have my list with me right now but off the top of my head, some of the items this week are:
Chili lime chicken with Spanish cauli rice and salad
Taco pasta casserole
Air fried chicken tenders with fries and green beans
Firecracker ground turkey with rice
WW crockpot chicken and gravy
Meatball soup
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Post by fredfreddy44 on Mar 8, 2021 17:30:07 GMT
Yes we meal plan dinners only. Five a week. Leftovers, whatever, or take out for the other two. I plan and cook 3, dh does 2.
I do the shopping. I'll have my zerogrocery delivery on Tuesday and buy everything else at the Farmer's Market and Nob Hill on Wednesday.
This week is: Scampi Creamy mushroom herb pasta, artichokes Baked Tofu w/ Mushrooms Garlic Brownsugar Chicken, Rice, Salad Spicy Soba Noodle Stirfry
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
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Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Mar 8, 2021 18:36:11 GMT
Now that I've thought about it, what does planning all my meals have to do with shopping at all? myshelly you also have to go to the store (whether you pick up or shop in) for produce. I'll bet I go to the store less than you do. I'm not getting why you think meal planning is dependent on a shopping schedule. And I don’t understand how they could possibly not be related. If I want to go 2 weeks between grocery shops, I sit down, think of everything we’re going to eat for the next 2 weeks, then buy all of that. If you don’t plan before you buy, how can you know when you’ll have to go shopping again? Planning and scheduling go together in many aspects of life and this is one of them. Although I usually plan, sometimes I just go to the grocery store, stock up on ingredients I know I can use in something, and then wing it for the week. I'm a really good cook, and can figure out a meal based on whatever is in the pantry/fridge. No plan required. Hand me a bunch of random ingredients at 5:00, and I'll make you a meal. ETA For example, I combined a can of chick peas, some chopped tomato, lots of garlic, and rosemary to make an unplanned sauce for spaghetti last week. It was great. The week before, I used up some peppers, scallions, parsley, garlic and black beans to make delicious black beans on rice. Just took what was in my fridge and made something up.
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Jili
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SLPea
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Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Mar 8, 2021 18:43:38 GMT
I do meal plan, and between that and shopping, it's time consuming but really worth it. I can definitely wing it if I have to, but after a long day at work, I just want to get to it and not have to think much. I have a grocery list that is divided into categories (produce, refrigerated, pantry, frozen, household, miscellaneous). At the bottom of the sheet is my weekly meal plan. I can use this like a worksheet. I go through my cookbooks, Pinterest, etc. to decide what I feel like making that week, write it on the meal plan, and then list the ingredients I need on the shopping list. When it's time to shop, I cut the grocery list away from the meal plan, put it in my purse, and go.
We're trying to eat healthier so I have to think about it all a bit more than when I would make just what sounded appealing!
I plan weekly because I really don't have the storage space to plan any further ahead. I plan my own lunch-- I decide what I want to bring, and then I prepare it on Sundays. I eat the same lunch all week. I may make a recipe from Skinnytaste, for example, and divide into 4 or 5 different containers. I usually eat leftovers one day per week for lunch, and we have 'Everyman' (as in 'every man for himself' 1-2 times weekly. Right now it's just dh and me, so we always have leftovers to eat on Everyman nights. In addition to prepping lunches for myself on Sundays, I also bag up fruit or veggie sides for the week. Today, for example, I had a baggie with grapes that I grabbed out of the fridge this morning when I went to get a container of this week's lunch.
On the weekends, we're on our own for breakfast and lunch. Dh is on his own for lunch during the workweek-- he just needs to tell me what to include on the grocery list if he needs anything in particular.
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Post by busy on Mar 8, 2021 18:46:44 GMT
And I don’t understand how they could possibly not be related. If I want to go 2 weeks between grocery shops, I sit down, think of everything we’re going to eat for the next 2 weeks, then buy all of that. If you don’t plan before you buy, how can you know when you’ll have to go shopping again? Planning and scheduling go together in many aspects of life and this is one of them. Although I usually plan, sometimes I just go to the grocery store, stock up on ingredients I know I can use in something, and then wing it for the week. I'm a really good cook, and can figure out a meal based on whatever is in the pantry/fridge. No plan required. Hand me a bunch of random ingredients at 5:00, and I'll make you a meal. I'm entirely capable of cooking this way - and it used to be my default, because meal planning felt too rigid. But I've come to the side of meal planning and have noticed the following benefits (for me, not universal): 1. reduction of decision fatigue. I make decisions all damn day long at work and by the time I'd get to the end of a day, even small decisions like what to cook, would sometimes feel overwhelming (and that too often led to going out, which costs more, is less healthy, and means at least some of the fresh food that I bought for the week is likely to go to waste). This is where meal planning benefits me the most. 2. I spend less on groceries overall, because everything I buy has an identified purpose. I *love* food and it's very easy for me to browse the produce section and buy more than my family of three could possibly eat, just because so many things look good. 3. Less food waste. I keep a well-stocked pantry, but when I'd shop without meal planning, I would see, say, really nice shrimp at the seafood counter and decide I wanted to make a shrimp Thai curry. But because it was spur of the moment, I wasn't positive if I had lemongrass or coconut milk or galangal or whatever at home, so I'd grab those to be sure I had everything I needed. And then I'd end up with too many redundant items and some would end up expiring and going to waste.
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Post by Zee on Mar 8, 2021 19:13:25 GMT
I did when I didn't work and had the time to cook every night. It's a great help, especially if you need to stay on budget.
Heavy in the rotation were stir fries using any variety of meats, veggies, and sauces; coconut milk curries with chicken and chick peas and a variety of curry sauces; fried chicken (boneless pieces cut up into nuggets); a variety of Italian pasta dishes; homemade pizza; egg bakes (like a lighter quiche); breakfast for dinner, usually waffles or french toast; something plebeian like Hamburger Helper; bbq chicken with corn and potatoes; chicken enchiladas; and every week there's vegetarian meals as well where I usually had a base of rice or potatoes or pasta and omitted the meat.
We had a nice variety and I have some favorite cookbooks that I liked to go through and bookmark pages of things to try, add the ingredients to my shopping list, and then I'd put the page number and description on my calendar.
My husband sorely misses those days but I'm gone for dinner at least three nights a week now. I probably only cook about twice a week on average.
ETA i don't know how i forgot tacos, baked potato bar, chili, potato soup, steak sandwiches, etc.
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Deleted
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Oct 7, 2024 7:28:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2021 19:17:18 GMT
Nah, like most things in life I prefer to just wing it!
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maryannscraps
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Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Mar 8, 2021 19:27:17 GMT
Although I usually plan, sometimes I just go to the grocery store, stock up on ingredients I know I can use in something, and then wing it for the week. I'm a really good cook, and can figure out a meal based on whatever is in the pantry/fridge. No plan required. Hand me a bunch of random ingredients at 5:00, and I'll make you a meal. I'm entirely capable of cooking this way - and it used to be my default, because meal planning felt too rigid. But I've come to the side of meal planning and have noticed the following benefits (for me, not universal): 1. reduction of decision fatigue. I make decisions all damn day long at work and by the time I'd get to the end of a day, even small decisions like what to cook, would sometimes feel overwhelming (and that too often led to going out, which costs more, is less healthy, and means at least some of the fresh food that I bought for the week is likely to go to waste). This is where meal planning benefits me the most. 2. I spend less on groceries overall, because everything I buy has an identified purpose. I *love* food and it's very easy for me to browse the produce section and buy more than my family of three could possibly eat, just because so many things look good. 3. Less food waste. I keep a well-stocked pantry, but when I'd shop without meal planning, I would see, say, really nice shrimp at the seafood counter and decide I wanted to make a shrimp Thai curry. But because it was spur of the moment, I wasn't positive if I had lemongrass or coconut milk or galangal or whatever at home, so I'd grab those to be sure I had everything I needed. And then I'd end up with too many redundant items and some would end up expiring and going to waste. I understand. Most of the time I make a plan, but I thought I'd explain how it wasn't a requirement for me to still go shopping and eat yummy dinners. myshelly didn't get how it could be done.
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Post by Merge on Mar 8, 2021 19:37:47 GMT
Although I usually plan, sometimes I just go to the grocery store, stock up on ingredients I know I can use in something, and then wing it for the week. I'm a really good cook, and can figure out a meal based on whatever is in the pantry/fridge. No plan required. Hand me a bunch of random ingredients at 5:00, and I'll make you a meal. I'm entirely capable of cooking this way - and it used to be my default, because meal planning felt too rigid. But I've come to the side of meal planning and have noticed the following benefits (for me, not universal): 1. reduction of decision fatigue. I make decisions all damn day long at work and by the time I'd get to the end of a day, even small decisions like what to cook, would sometimes feel overwhelming (and that too often led to going out, which costs more, is less healthy, and means at least some of the fresh food that I bought for the week is likely to go to waste). This is where meal planning benefits me the most. 2. I spend less on groceries overall, because everything I buy has an identified purpose. I *love* food and it's very easy for me to browse the produce section and buy more than my family of three could possibly eat, just because so many things look good. 3. Less food waste. I keep a well-stocked pantry, but when I'd shop without meal planning, I would see, say, really nice shrimp at the seafood counter and decide I wanted to make a shrimp Thai curry. But because it was spur of the moment, I wasn't positive if I had lemongrass or coconut milk or galangal or whatever at home, so I'd grab those to be sure I had everything I needed. And then I'd end up with too many redundant items and some would end up expiring and going to waste. Word for word. In the summer, I love to go to the farmers’ market and choose a bunch of fresh ingredients and wing it. I like the creative process. I’ll go to Central Market and browse the aisles for stuff that’s new to me, and have fun playing with them. During the school year, I don’t have the time or energy for that. I think about dinner once a week on Saturday morning, when I plan our meals and place my grocery order. After that, I know exactly what is for dinner each night and that it’s something I have time to make. If I didn’t do this, we’d eat out/order in a great deal more. Not good for health or finances. Another benefit of planning is that I can plan meals that make good leftovers for Sunday, Monday, and possibly Tuesday nights, and DH and I have work lunches without thinking about it. Again, much less eating out or ordering in. Door Dash is very easy to get at my current school, so I need something even easier to pop in my bag and go in the morning.
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Post by karinec on Mar 8, 2021 19:40:35 GMT
We do the same every week: I cook on Sunday for Monday and Tuesday, he cooks Wednesday and Thursday, Friday is leftovers or order in, Saturday we wing it, and Sunday he grills. Up this week: Tonight and tomorrow are Pioneer Woman's Chicken and Noodles, Weds and Thurs will be his homemade meat sauce and pasta. Items I regularly cook in the winter are usually soups: Tortellini, Chicken Meatball, Beef Stew, Chicken Tortilla Soup, stuff like that.
We've been trying recipes from Half Baked Harvest lately, with mixed success. Our favorites so far have been Better Than Takeout Dan Dan Noodles (this is ah-mazing!), Brown Butter Corn with Feta Orzo & Crispy Prosciutto, and Sticky Sheetpan Gochujang Chicken Meatballs.
Since it's just the two of us eating most of the time, any recipe usually gets us by for two nights.
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Post by hookturnian on Mar 9, 2021 1:33:29 GMT
Now that I've thought about it, what does planning all my meals have to do with shopping at all? myshelly you also have to go to the store (whether you pick up or shop in) for produce. I'll bet I go to the store less than you do. I'm not getting why you think meal planning is dependent on a shopping schedule. And I don’t understand how they could possibly not be related. If I want to go 2 weeks between grocery shops, I sit down, think of everything we’re going to eat for the next 2 weeks, then buy all of that. If you don’t plan before you buy, how can you know when you’ll have to go shopping again? Planning and scheduling go together in many aspects of life and this is one of them. I don't meal plan. I keep a fully stocked pantry and freezer, and cook meals based on what I have on hand. Things go on the list when I open the last or second last pack of it, so I'm never out of anything. If I find a new recipe I want to try, I'll add any new ingredients to the list. I do a big shop once every 4 to 6 weeks. I buy perishables (including milk and bread) once or twice a week. I buy based on what's fresh or looks good at the market or supermarket, or even based on what's on special. I will then build my meals around that. I find it cheap, easy, and fuss-free. I don't have food waste or spoilage. I live in a city with very changeable weather (we're known for it😄) so I like knowing I can have a pot of heartwarming soup for dinner one day and a light salad for dinner the next.
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kate
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Posts: 5,583
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Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Mar 9, 2021 2:29:11 GMT
But I've come to the side of meal planning and have noticed the following benefits (for me, not universal): 1. reduction of decision fatigue. I make decisions all damn day long at work and by the time I'd get to the end of a day, even small decisions like what to cook, would sometimes feel overwhelming (and that too often led to going out, which costs more, is less healthy, and means at least some of the fresh food that I bought for the week is likely to go to waste). This is where meal planning benefits me the most. 2. I spend less on groceries overall, because everything I buy has an identified purpose. I *love* food and it's very easy for me to browse the produce section and buy more than my family of three could possibly eat, just because so many things look good. 3. Less food waste. I keep a well-stocked pantry, but when I'd shop without meal planning, I would see, say, really nice shrimp at the seafood counter and decide I wanted to make a shrimp Thai curry. But because it was spur of the moment, I wasn't positive if I had lemongrass or coconut milk or galangal or whatever at home, so I'd grab those to be sure I had everything I needed. And then I'd end up with too many redundant items and some would end up expiring and going to waste. Same! I order groceries once a week, and we eat the same 7 dinners, week after week, with very little variation. Side bonus: the routine and predictability keep my Aspergers kid happy. We don't have salads on day 6 or 7 of the grocery week. The other veggies do okay. Monday: veggie burgers, rice, green beans Tues: Pesto pasta, broccoli Weds: Veggie hot dogs, spinach patties Thurs: DH makes a veggie crock pot and corn muffins Fri: Tacos or quesadillas Sat: Pasta with tomato sauce, brussels sprouts Sun: order pizza (family meal is brunch - pancakes & fruit if DH cooks, cheddar/egg/biscuit muffin cups if I cook)
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Post by lisae on Mar 9, 2021 12:35:22 GMT
One of the positives of the pandemic is that I finally plan my meals out for a week because I do a grocery order and pickup once a week. I alternate beef, chicken and fish dishes. Neither of us care for vegetarian only meals.
I have a notebook where most of my recipes reside. There's also a Pinterest board I add to and experiment with. If we really like something, I print out the recipe and put it in the book. I flip through that book which is organized by beef, chicken, pork, and seafood for entrees to decide what I'm going to make if things don't just come to me.
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