February 27, 2015

Here's the Deal

Here's the deal.  The last time I posted my meal plan was the last time
a proper month-at-a-time meal plan was made by moi.
So there it is.  I said it.  The secret's out.

 It was a robust plan.
I shopped for it all and stuck (mostly) to making up those meals.
But, there was too. much. food.  Not a bad thing when it comes 
to stocking the freezer with ready-made meals.  Not a bad thing at all.
But, not such a great thing when you are trying to see if meal planning cuts food costs.
I know it does.  But, when too much food gets made, it can't really be properly measured.

So, what's a girl to do?  Start from scratch, that's what.
 Begin a new month with a new plan.  Six months later.

How does a meal plan get made around here?
First, I jot down numbers for all the days of the month on paper and
pencil in anything that will affect my meal planning beside its corresponding number.
Then, I brain storm and jot down meals that my family likes.  I slot them in.
My goal is to incorporate meatless, egg, and fish based meals into each week.
The remaining meals are comprised of recipes featuring either chicken or beef.

That's it.  Simple, but effective.


It should also be mentioned that this plan is not set in stone.
I prefer to look at a week's worth of meals when I make up my grocery list
and decide at that time what to prepare and when.  It's flexible.
It provides me with the little bit of leeway I like to allow for sanity's sake.

March 1-7

Tanya's Chicken Soup
Farmer's Breakfast with steamed veggies and toast
Salmon Loaf with roasted veggies
Roasted Root Vegetable Soup
Skillet Dinner
Shipwreck with steamed veggies
Pam's Chili with cornbread

March 8-14

Leftover Chili
Out for Emma's Birthday
Chicken Pot Pie with Caesar salad
Autumn Chowder
Cheesy Lentil Bake
Spaghetti Sauce served in half Spaghetti Squash boats

March 15-21

African Dish
Thai Chicken Soup
Something with Fish
Something with Eggs
Tex Mex Chicken Soup
Emma's Birthday Party (menu not yet set)


March 22-28

BBQ Meatballs with Hashbrowns and steamed veggies
Refried Beans with rice and veggie platter
Tandoori Chicken with broccoli
Green Pea Soup
Macaroni and Cheese with salad
Hamburger Soup

March 29-31

Vegetable Soup
Something with Fish
Something with Eggs

As was mentioned the last time I put up my month long meal plan,
breakfast and lunch foods are not scheduled in.
However, a rotation of meal ideas is kept tucked away in my head.
My goal is to keep my budget in check for the month.  Let's see how this goes.

How about you?  Are you in the swing of things
with meal planning these days?  Do you even want to be?
Any tips or suggestions to share?  I'm all ears.

Happy Weekend Y'all!
With Love, Camille

9 comments:

Stephanie said...

This is such a wonderful idea, Camille! I usually write down a two week menu plan, but I like the idea of a month long one. Thanks for sharing, sweet friend.

Happy weekend! Hugs!

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

I have been better this year at meal planning. Right now we have two nights where we eat out becuz of our schedule. Sometimes I am home one of those nights and eat something here. The other night we have Subway for dinner becuz of Bible study at 6:30 and it works for us. I try to find items that are on sale for meals now and for later. Even better when there are coupons to match. Have a good weekend, my friend!

Cinnamon said...

The cat is out of the bag eh? haha~ You make me smile Camille.

Menu planning is a great idea. I try to do it every week, that way everyone knows that they are to make and I know what needs to be purchased.

I also enjoy spending one week a year eating only off the food on hand. You know, digging deep down in the freezer and looking way back in the pantry :-)

I love reading what others are making as it gets me out of my normal rut of cooking.

~Cinnamon

Camille said...

Dear Stephanie ~ Thank you for your sweet encouragement my friend. Hugs to you! :)

Dear Becky ~ Yippee for meal planning! Isn't it wonderful knowing what's for dinner? Hugs. :)

Dear Cinnamon ~ I like seeing what other homemakers are making for dinner as well. It does help in the ideas department. I like your dig deep for a week idea, too. Hugs. :)

With Love,
Camille

Esther said...

Yum!! Definitely borrowing some of these recipes!! Thanks for the inspiration!! :-)

Lisa said...

I always love your ideas and the fun things you come up with! Meal planning is one area I'm really trying to stay consistent with, but have slacked off lately. Thanks for the motivation to get up and try it again. And your recipes look so yummy and well rounded---I love that!! Wishing you a wonderful week! xoxo

Camille said...

Dear Esther ~ I hope your family likes whatever you should choose to make from my list. Hugs to you all! XO

Dear Lisa ~ You are a sweet encouragement my friend. Meal planning is a blessing when I get around to making myself do it. Hugs to you all! XO

With love,
Camille

Pam said...

I love reading your menu plan. It is inspiring to me. Our life is such funny up and down and back and forth in this season, with Steve still in Colorado some, and Luke coming and going that it makes it hard to make a menu plan; but I do think that time will shift and the season will change soon, and I love to read menus and weekly menu plans. All of your meals look yummy. Oh… thanks for linking my chili; You make me feel good.
Blessings,
Pam

Camille said...

Dear Pam ~ I am planning to make your chili this weekend. It sounds wonderful! I hear you on the stages of life...crazy how quickly they change on us. Hugs to you! Camille