Since Don and I have been married I have tried on and off to plan menus and shop ahead for the items. At times I have been successful, at other times I have failed miserably. I adore reading recipes, poring over cookbooks, and watching the Food Network. Yet, when it comes to taking action and making the food I read about come to life, I am not nearly as passionate or diligent.
By far, one of the areas where Don and I spend the most money is eating out. Eating out is often a social outlet for us. We enjoy being with people and since it seems more people get together at restaurants rather than in the home we join the ranks. Other times we do it out of laziness or sheer necessity. Whatever the reason, it can really cut into a budget. When we decide to tighten up and cut back our spending, it is usually in this area and we are amazed how quickly we can add money back into our checking account by planning ahead.
As a stay at home wife and mother, I feel like I should strive to be better in the area of planning meals. Apparently, I am not alone. I came across Laurie's blog at I'm an Organizing Junkie who has decided to share her menus with others. Not only does she plan a weekly menu, she encourages others to plan and includes a cast of many other women's weekly meal plans within her blog.
While I reserve the right to make changes as necessary, here's my first attempt:
Monday, October 1st-Don will be on his own because I am having dinner with friends.
Tuesday, October 2nd-Slow cooker French Dip sandwiches, green salad, sweet potato fries
Wednesday, October 3rd-Out before church
Thursday, October 4th-Gnudi , Caesar salad, garlic bread
Friday, October 5th-Leftovers
Friday, October 5th-Leftovers
What's for dinner at your place???
10 comments:
Welcome to the weekly menu junkies. I love reading what other people are eating.
We have cut back on our eating out because I have about 60 pounds that need to come off and it is so much easier to control what i eat when at home. One thing that has realy helped me is to plan some really easy quick meals. Something that is so easy to make that it makes eating out seem like to much work. You know, getting all the kids loaded in the car, waiting for a seat, loading back into the car, etc. My quick meals are usually brekfast for dinner, soup, or sandwhiches. I try to always have ingredients on hand for this for those times I just can't bear to make a big meal. Also, i taught dh to use the george foreman Grill and he fills in making burgers and grilled chicken.
Welcome to menu planning! I am amazed at how much money we have saved doing this. We were spending quite a bit on eating out and now we spend about $30-$40 a week on groceries instead of spending that on fast food AND groceries that were NOT getting eaten!
What's for dinner at my house, ummmmm no clue (isn't that sad?) and because I dread finding things that suit Petunia Picky-pants (Emily), her father Even More Picky-pants and lil sis Eatsa Lotsa! I have failed Mom of the year so many times in my head because of this very issue! I am glad to see my lack of ambition is a shared quality in mommaland.
I am about to embark on your challenge - I am in, girl!
Hmmm, what is for dinner tonight?
heather
Great looking menu, everything looks yummy!!!
Happy MPM!
Sandra
Welcome to MPM! Have a great week!
Sherry
Gnudi looks delicious - gotta love Giada. She's a gem!
H
Most weeks I do plan ahead and shop accordingly, but I do have those unexpected last-minute-don't-feel-like-cooking, I'm-too-tired meal ideas set aside. (just for nights like tonight!)
Good luck with your planning! :D
I'm so glad you did a MPM!! You menu looks good. I'm going to try that Gnudi. I must admit it sounds weird and the picture looks weird but the ingredients sound delicious! :)
I didn't do my MPM this week because last week was so crazy that we only actually ate one of the meals. So, this week is a repeat.
I finally have your blogs saved once again to favorites!!!! Long story, but they were lost when my laptop exploded!!! So great to be checking in again!!! I have a lot of catching up to do with you my friend!!! And, so glad to se your menu planning notes. I am going to be STUDYING it. Let's just say it is one course I am failing in right now!!!! Miss you! Me
I do my best to plan ahead. Days I know we will be out all day, I try to plan crock-pot meals and put them in the crock-ot the night before so all I have to do is take it out of the fridge and turn it on. Days we are home, I can plan a more labor intensive dinner. I have found that if I plan ahead, we are less likely to eat out. If I try to go day-to-day, I can always come up with an excuse not to cook!
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