Granted, I am pretty tied to a recipe, unlike some former roommates I know...ahem...Cheerfully Chaotic Kitchen...ahem...
But still, I love to cook. And for the first three years of our marriage I would drag out my cookbooks every Saturday morning and try to create a weekly menu, so that I could go shopping that afternoon.
AND IT STRESSED ME OUT.
What should I make? Did I make that two weeks ago? Is this too much chicken? I don't know what to make...
STRESS.
But about 9 months ago I had a major revelation. I don't have to create WEEKLY menus, I can create MONTHLY menus!
And this has changed my world.
Now I sit down towards the end of the month, draw a calendar on notebook paper. (Yes,it would be easier/faster to do this on the computer eventually, but somehow it's comforting to get out my ruler and pencil!) Then I go glance at my chicken recipes and plug one in for each week. I do the same with beef, pork, seafood and vegetarian. (On Sundays we have leftovers and Friday night is pizza night.) Then I'M DONE. I'M DONE FOR THE WHOLE MONTH!!!
The original plan was to create three of these and then just rotate them, substituting seasonal dishes where necessary, but I haven't done this as much as I thought I would. Now instead of stress, I love menu planning!!
And to make life EVEN EASIER, I created a spreadsheet of all of my favorite dishes. Yes- I'm a spreadsheet junkie. Love them! It lists- the dish name
- type of meal (beef, chicken, pork, seafood, vegetarian...)
- how long it takes to prepare
- where to find the recipe- including page number and/or magazine issue number.
It's a beautiful thing. I keep it inside my cabinet cover and it has also made life MUCH EASIER.
****AND on a different note, let me tell you how sweet it was to plan August's menu. I planned meals that are easy to double and freeze for the first two weeks so that we'll be ready when our little man comes!!! It was amazing to think that I will be a Mom before the month is over! 17 days!!****
****AND on a different note, let me tell you how sweet it was to plan August's menu. I planned meals that are easy to double and freeze for the first two weeks so that we'll be ready when our little man comes!!! It was amazing to think that I will be a Mom before the month is over! 17 days!!****
14 comments:
You have been given a gift because this makes me stressed. I really need you to come to my house! Please come to my house...I wish I could get a handle on this monster...But my taste change and so do my recipes. ;)
So when may I come over for dinner?
I wish I had all the same recipe books as you 'cause I'd print out both of those lists from you, haha! ;)
I am so impressed! I wish I could be this organized.
Oh, and we have Friday Night Pizza Night too! :)
. I do the same thing except every 2 weeks b/c of sale items. You spend a lot less $ this way too.
I still think I want you to send me the list! Add if you don't mind, you can just add to the list every other recipe you made while we were there!! :):) Can't wait till next week!!
Great idea to think ahead on the freezer meals! Keep things easy and low stress for your babymoon!
Now that's organization! Wow! I just randomly think about a weekly menu on Sunday...and most of the time it changes...either we are craving something else or I'm too tired and don't want to cook.
You just reminded me about how I need to organize my cooking books myself...hhmmmmmm
I love how organized you are. My husband usually writes the recipes he makes up on the backs of old envelopes or receipts, and then we can never find them again! We could definitely use a meal planning overhaul:)
Oh my gosh, I am a failure in life!!! I wish I did this sort of stuff, but it would make me crazy to try! Oh, to start from scratch again and organize my life and meals!!
I love and plan to steal this! ;)
Haha I agree with Sew! I was looking at that thinking, holy crap that's a lot of planning. :) I'm much more of a weekly menu planner because our schedule changes regularly. DH is a spreadsheet guy too, and it is one of the many reasons why we compliment each other. haha
I got to the last part though about freezer meals, and I felt my stomach jump up into my throat with excitement for you!!! If I lived near you, I would bring you a meal. I love doing that for people. :)
Great ideas. I started doing monthly menu plans, but got off the last couple months and I'm not sure about the next month with probable morning sickness looming. I really like the list of recipes and where they are from. It would be awesome if you'd share the freezer recipes.
I agree about the freezer recipes, because things I put in the freezer end up in the trash...I just can't seem to heat it up and have it turn out or be appetizing. ;)
Post a Comment