WOW!
It’s been over four months – which is about how old baby boy #2 is right now – and I’m still having a hard time finding breaks in the day to do all the things I was doing before he was born…I guess this is what it’s like with two kids……not complaining, though!
…so here’s a quick post about one of the things that I do to keep healthy food on the table when there is seemingly little time to plan and prepare…
Every Sunday over breakfast we plan out our family meals for the week, and I make a grocery list of all the things I will need to buy to make them (shopping happens on Mondays at our house) – after you do this a few times to get the hang of it, the process can take as little as 5 minutes to complete. Things can get pretty monotonous, though – so I’ve come to rely on my recipe books for new ideas…
Over five years ago I started collecting recipes (out of magazines, from friends, etc.). All kinds. Main dishes, healthy snacks, cookies, kid friendly, sides…I bought a three ring binder, some sheet protectors, and printer paper. All you have to do to have all your favorite dishes at your fingertips is slip a sheet of paper into each sheet protector and put as many recipes as you can on each side…organize at will. Voilà!
I have to admit, though…mine is in desperate need of cleaning up – lately, I’ve just been shoving new recipes in it without thought (organization is necessary to keep this type of recipe book a time-saver as opposed to a time-waster)……
An added bonus?
You kill two birds with one stone.
Planning meals out like this not only helps you eat healthier, it actually saves you money (by not eating out, ordering in, or buying unnecessary food at the store)…anything to help shed the baby weight and save for the college fund at the same time, right?!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
I love this idea, Theresa. I started a notebook years ago that sounds very similar to yours and it has evolved quite nicely. I agree that planning is essential to getting healthy foods prepared in an inexpensive manner!
ReplyDeletePlanning meals for a whole week does work in cutting costs. It was proven just a few weeks ago when my daughter stayed four days. She planned the meals, made the list and went grocery shopping. I found I had less spoilage in the refrigerator, too.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Welcome back. I've missed you.
ReplyDeleteHey Theresa - you are on my reading list and I just saw this update. I brought my own recipe book with us to Belgium (I covered the front in cut outs of old calendar artwork and modpodged the front of it) You're growing family looks adorable. I hope you are well (I have fun keeping up with you on fb =) Nilam
ReplyDelete