Menu Planning : How to plan accordingly

I think menu planning can be some what torture. I only do it 2xs a month, and you know we have to eat- SO WHY is it so frustrating and dreadful ?? 

But, here's what I have learned! That when I do sit down and take the time to write down my meals, than it becomes a NO BRAINER and my life has just gotten a lot easier. 

Well, I truly do feel blessed that I can go grocery shopping and tomorrow the day has come again for me to do buy fresh produce and veggies. So, I want to give you some tips and encouragement to overcome these feelings of ugh ! 

FIRST GO GRAB A PEN !!!!

Step 1-

 If you are NEW to menu planning, know that all this is going to help you feel more organized and SAVE MONEY ! 

When, you have exactly what you will be eating on the calendar or  written out, and it could be beans and tortillas or breakfast night this GIVES you freedom to not stress about it ! 

And who doesn't like to save money! I for one love to save money. Why buy tofu to let it sit there in the fridge. Buy ingredients that you will know you will use. Anytime I have thrown food away think about how much it was - .50 cent for that bell pepper sure doesn't seem like a lot, but over the week it sure does add up !  So plan accordingly!

Step 2-

 Check your freezer and pantry. Start by looking to see if there is meat that needs to be eaten or food in the pantry that you use up. Ground beef with spaghetti noodles would make a great dinner- and say you are just missing tspagetti sauce. Well write it on your list. 

Step 3-

Now start writing the days that you will be eating. So you can be very specific and write down each day that you need to eat or you can just write out the number of days.

For example - I like to meal plan for 2 weeks, I could write my meals like this 

Thursday : Spaghetti 

Friday : Egg sandwiches 

Saturday : Eat out

Sunday : Grilled chicken 

Or simply write out 

1-Spaghetti

2-Egg sandwiches 

3-Eat out 

The 2nd option is less strict and gives you more freedom to say I am eating out today on vs the scheduled day example Saturday. 

Step 4- 

Now LOOK at your ads and see what foods are on sale and a great deal! And write it down ! 

So if you see chicken on sale then look for some meals that would incorporate CHICKEN and stock up. I like to pay around 1.69 per pound for my chicken.

Step 5-

 Add some meatless meals !!

Yes, not all your meals have to include meat and you can still be full and happy ! 

I try to add 1-2 meals that are meatless a week which not only cuts back on cost, but allows me to use FRESH veggies ! 

These are 4 simple and quick ways you can implement TODAY !! 

If you are still stuck as to making your meal planning schedule try writing down what your family ate. And then if it was a healthy meal make sure to place it in your rotation. 

Hope this helps! 

I would love to hear, do you meal plan ? How often do you go to the grocery store ?