Meal Planning Saves My Sanity

Most days I feel like I am barely keeping up.  I rarely feel "on top" of anything anymore.  I have come up with a few different tricks to help me keep my sanity.  One of these tricks is meal planning.

My husband and I get paid on a bi-weekly basis, so I do 2 week meal plans for our suppers.  Every time we get paid, I sit down and plan our meals for 2 weeks and write out our grocery list.  Here is what I do:

1.)  Check flyers for sales.  I learned in the last few months that grocery stores run sale cycles.  I learned this from Whitney on her blog, Come Home For Comfort .  I highly recommend checking out her blog if you are looking for advice on how to do meal plans and stay on budget.

2.)  I write out my schedule.  I note which days I am working, so that I can plan for leftovers for Miss. E's lunch.  I also note any plans that we may have, so that I know not to plan meals on those nights.

3.)  I write out meals in my daily planner.  I try to vary things as much as I can.  We eat a fairly restricted diet due to allergies.  I try to get creative, but we often have repeat meals in the 2 week period.

It is nice to come home and not have to think about what I am going to make for dinner.  I just check the planner and start making dinner.  I can also be flexible during those 2 weeks and swap meals if need be.  My husband also finds it helpful, as he knows what to start for supper if he makes it home before Miss. E and I.

I am going to give you an example of my 2 week meal plan.  Please note that I often just write "veggies" with each meal.  I like to use frozen vegetables for convenience.  Our favourites are frozen peas or California mix (broccoli, cauliflower and carrots).

Tuesday:  Chicken Breasts, Noodles, Veggies
Wednesday:  Salmon, Sweet Potatoes, Veggies
Thursday:  Turkey Meatballs and Spaghetti
Friday:  Roast Beef, Potatoes, Onions and Carrots
Saturday:  Beef Buns and Au Jus
Sunday:  Shrimp Stir Fry
Monday:  Chicken, Potatoes, Veggies
Tuesday:  Salmon, Rice, Veggies
Wednesday:  Turkey Bean Soup and Biscuits (Freeze leftover soup.)
Thursday:  Chicken, Butternut Squash, Veggies
Friday:  Having Supper at the Town Christmas Event
Saturday:  Salmon, Rice, Veggies
Sunday: Roast Chicken and Vegetables
Monday:  Leftover Turkey Bean Soup