Meal planning is an activity that can bring a number of benefits. Whether you are cooking for one, for two or for your entire family, taking the time to sit down and plan future meals will not only save you time, effort and money but will also improve your eating habits.
A few of the benefits of meal planning are:
• You Eat Healthier – you prepare the meals so you know exactly what you’re putting in your body.
• You Shop More Efficiently – you have a plan and you have a budget, so less impulse buys.
• You Save More Money – When you are dining out less and shopping for groceries more efficiently, you will naturally get to save money. The average family saves $60 a week by cooking at home!
• You Will Enjoy Variety – Plan your menu so you are always enjoying or trying something new.
• You Will Save Time – Like Rachel Ray says “cut once, use twice”. You do your prep work and cooking all at once. I would rather spend one day cooking and clean once, than to clean the kitchen every night when I get home.
A great source that I always refer to tips and recipes is Once A Month Mom (even though I am not a mom). They publish several meal planning menu’s each month, with everything from gluten free, vegan, baby/toddler and even a Whole Foods menu! And in addition they have a blog series on how to start your own meal planning routine, complete with downloadable spreadsheets, grocery list and labels!
I usually use a spreadsheet and just plan out what im making for the month, I try to keep a variety (I don’t want to eat chicken all month) and then I use tools from OAMM to help prepare a grocery list.
Here are a few staples I always have on make (click link for recipe):
• Granola
• Chicken Noodle Soup (Brasco Broth + Whole Wheat Egg Noodles)
And while we are talking about meal planning, does everyone have a copy of the 5 Tier Food Plan? This healthy food guide is a life saver and really puts things into perspective. If you don’t have a copy – grab yours here.
Ending the Trend – Zakia
