Menu Planning Part 1

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 Hegub.