In my quest to prepare I have decided start over. Like I have never done this before. Like I am a "newbie" and starting right now, today. So this is what I want to discuss. How do you tell others how to start in an economy like we are living in presently if you did not do it?
To start, you need to write out your menus. You can do it on your computer or by hand. Whatever is good for you. First off, what is the main dish for your biggest meal daily? Some people eat lunch for their main meal, especially after being retired. What I did was to write out 14 main supper dishes for us. Remember to choose 14 dishes that your family really likes to eat! Not something you want them to eat because it is good for them. Not for this project. My family is my husband and I. He is a particular eater and will not eat many foods that I love and are cheap. So this is a problem I have to work around.
My 14 Main Dish Meals:
- Chicken Thighs With Hot Wing Sauce
- Pork Country Ribs
- Roast Turkey Breast
- Chili
- Tuna Melts
- Oven Fried Chicken
- Pork Chops
- Beef Stew
- Turkey Salad
- Baked Fish Fillets
- Beef Pot Roast
- Chicken & Dumplings
- Pasta Dish (Lasagna, Spaghetti, Ravioli, etc.)
- Ground Beef or Steak Dish (hamburger, meat loaf, meatballs, casserole, stir-fries)
That is the first thing to do. Then you will add the side dishes. Like so,
Side Dishes:
- Carrots
- Winter Squash
- Beets
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Mixed Vegetables
- Creamed Corn
- Green Beans
- Baked Beans
- Asparagus
- Cabbage
- Spinach
- Kale
- Potato Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- Coleslaw
- Mushrooms & Onions
- Tossed Salad
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
My side dishes are a mixture of foods that either we both eat, he won't eat (many!), and what I don't eat due to eating only low carbs. If my husband changes over to low carbs that'll be great and I will modify my lists. For the time though, this is how I am doing it. You must plan your meals based on your families likes and dislikes. Just because one person doesn't like something, that is no reason not to prepare it. I do and I have always done so.
Next week I will post on how to make the ingredients list. You want to have enough food on hand to prepare your meals. Then when you shop you will be only buying more for the future. That way you can pick up foods and supplies that are on sale. There are a lot of other blogs about doing this from the object of saving money. I am doing it for the object of saving time by going shopping less and always having really great meals. It's nice to have a choice of what's for supper!
Copyright © 2010 Kathleen G. Lupole
Updated 2019
Updated 2019
8 comments:
Planning ahead makes meal time so much easier! So do I do it? Almost never! Keep talking. I need all the help I cann get! ;-)
I am in total agreement on being motivated by saving time. I do weekly food planning, but mainly because I want to make better use of my time than spend it running out to the store. I still go to the store every week, primarily because I like to get fresh produce and milk.
When it's planned, life just seems that much easier. I'm headed to Sam's Club now to buy some bulk items, then when I get home I'm going to type up my list of main and side dishes. I just love your list of side dishes, all my favorites.
I used to plan our meals. I find it difficult these days because between my 2 boys and their activities, we are only home as a family 3-4 nights a week, and sometimes we have driven thru a drive-thru because we can't wait until that late. I do cook the 3 or 4 nights we're home though.
OOOOOOOHHHHHHHH! If you've been over to Red's Community this evening, you would know what I'm ohing about. LOL! I was telling them how I got so upset at the dr's office today after weighing the doc gave me an appetite suppressant. LOL! Anyway, I'm so disgusted with my weight I have got to do something. I'm as wide as I am tall! 5'3 1/4" and only a few pounds from 200. NOT GOOD! I wish I could say it snuck up on me but I cannot. I saw it coming but kept saying "not me!" Anyway, your food sounds great! If you can think up some recipes that would be good for a "light diet" I would appreciate it. I have cooked food like Fried pork chops, fried potatoes and gravy with a salad, and chicken and dumplings, and spaghetti for so long, I can't think of anything "healthy" to cook. Warning, I don't like spending a lot of time in the kitchen. I don't like to cook anymore than I have to. LOL!
God Bless~
This is a good idea to plan out the main dish and then the side dish. It sounds like this saves time and money.
Wow, Katlupe, the pictures are making me hungry! I know a lot of us are trying to eat a healthier diet. You have some good suggestions.
Thank you for all the comments on this post! When I put up pictures of food it seems I get more traffic!!!! LOL
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