Menu Planning in my House

I use the term planning loosely! Some weeks it is just a wing and a prayer but I do try to have some idea of what will be on our tables that week. I try to sit down on the weekend and make a list of possibilities. The ideas are usually culled from any magazines I may have been reading, any blog posts that look appetizing or sometimes we crave the comfort of an old favorite. Roast Chicken tends to be a weekly staple but I do try to mix up the sides. I do have a rather large cookbook collection and there are some books I read like novels. Sometimes just seeing the spine of a book leads me to a recipe I may have forgotten. I have lists of recipes I would like to try and my computer is rather full of bookmarked pages too. We are so lucky that so many people are willing to take time and put forth effort to share their recipes with us. What did we do before the internet? One place I tend to avoid for actual recipes is Pinterest. The inspiration offered is always stellar but sometimes the recipes are just not so good. There are some food blogs that I absolutely adore and I have a few good websites I love too. All will be revealed.

Back to actual planning. It is not a revolutionary process by any stretch but my list of possibilities is then added to by my husband and son. My daughter has no interest in food whatsoever and would live happily on Ramen and pasta. College will be a breeze for her but I digress. I usually end up with a list of at least ten dinner options which I will then take with me to the store. Depending on what looks good or what is reasonably priced, that will make up the shopping cart. I usually come home with enough for at least 8 different dinners. I figure I either have a head start on the next week or the freezer will get some filler!

There are so many options for online meal planning too and a quick google search of the term menu planning template will bring up a range of options as varied as the food you can put on there.

I would like to say that I am not tethered completely to the menu items being on the day listed. I believe flexibility is key to a happy home. Some days that beef enchilada is just not what any of is want. I am always open to change but knowing I have a pretty good idea of the food that is available to me makes it easier to breathe come time for dinner preparation! Image and Menu planner from Home Life Weekly