I was recently ask about how I approach menu planning, and thought I’d share a little bit with my readers on the subject. My menu planning techniques have changed significantly since I started my blog, before I started creating new recipes, we typically were in a cooking rut.
A few weeks into my blog, I noticed my menu planning was going to need a major overhaul! I found that it was much easier for me to plan menu’s a month at a time being sure they coincide with grocery trips and paydays.
Keeping these things in mind, I decided to do a spreadsheet with a menu plan for the month, then next to my spreadsheet I have ideas of meals that I may want to add to the menu plan for the following month.
I also take each week and write it down on a magnetic dry erase board that is on our fridge. That way I can remember what we are having and so can my hubby! Here is a sample of my spreadsheet below.
This works in particular for my family right now since my son is not old enough to help with menu planning. I always try something new with him and then if he refuses I go back and give him the meat I know he will eat. I do not stress if he does not like what I fix. I feel like dinner time should be fun not a hassle!
Stay tuned for Thursday’s post on my 5 tips to Menu Planning!
Need more recipe ideas? Check out the Recipe Index by Mommy Hates Cooking.
Comments & Reviews
Using the Excel Spreadsheet is a great idea! I have heard of other women using a spreadsheet to keep recipes organized, but I have yet to try it. Yours looks nice and organized, so I will have to try it!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing. As a relatively-new Mom to our almost 15 monther, menu planning has become a necessity in our house. I love your blog and love your posts like this, the recipe posts, and the posts about being a Mom to your son too. Thank you!
Thank you for stopping by!! You sound just like me, my son will be 21 months soon. I’d love to hear your ideas too if you’ve found good snacks that work for your toddler too!
Wow.. that looks awesome. I have to admit that menu planning is not somewhere that I shine. So I really appreciate when someone is so good about it.