Monday, November 21, 2011

Thankful day 21: Menu Planning {How To}

Yesterday I talked about how I'm thankful for Google, and that I use it to menu plan.
Today, I'm thankful for the knowledge my mama taught me to be able to plan a menu.
*smiles*
Thanks mama!


Not everyone knows how, and many of my friends have been in awe of how I plan out my meals for 2 weeks in advance.
With a grocery list.
Do I forget things at the store?
Abso-freaking-lutely.
Does it drive me up the wall.
You have no idea.

So how do I go about planning my menu?
Simple, I hunt down recipes like a mad woman, and I put them on the list.
Then I look at the recipes and build my shopping list directly from what I've added on my menu!
Now, next week, I will re-add the dishes we didn't eat this week.
Because I know I already have the stuff for it, so I don't have to buy anything to make it.
Unless I forgot something.
*grumbles*

I print out my menu plan, and I put it on the front cover of my binder of recipes for easy reference.
I have all my recipes in sleeve protectors, because I am not a clean cook!
And I'll put all the recipes that I've got on this weeks plan at the front, so I can find them quicker.
I'm awesome {read: lazy} like that.

So, I'm going to give you my menu plan for this week.
Many of these recipes I've got on my Pinterest Dinner board, so if it's not linked, please check there.
I use a Pinterest board to help keep track of the meals I want to try.
I love Pinterest.

November 20th through December 5th
20th Jamaican Jerk Burgers with Apple Slaw & Oven Fries
21st Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Quinoa
22nd Chicken and Butternut Squash Pasta
23rd Small Group? Autumn sausage casserole
24th Thanksgiving Dinner at Bruce & Karen’s Cranberry sauce, misc other things
25th Black Friday Pizza Burgers and oven fries
26th Church Turkey with taters, green beans, cran sauce, stuffing
27th Leftovers
28th Broccoli & Cheddar soup {Panera Style} with turkey; bread for dipping
29th Black Bean Burgers with veggies
30th House Church Boca Burgers and oven fries
1st Spinach and Ricotta stuffed shells with salad and bread
2nd Sour Cream noodle bake with veggies
3rd Church Creamy chipotle turkey tortellini with veggies
4th  Cheesey Veggie Chowder
5th Turkey burgers with herb sauce and veggies

I've linked up today with Org. Junkie! Where you can find hundreds of other menu plans and recipes!
She also has an extensive list of recipe sites and resources!

1 comment:

Miss Angie said...

You may have to teach me how to actually do this... haha I suck at planning!