Meal Planning Tips

I tell anyone who ever asks me how to lose weight, eat healthier and/or save money that meal planning is the absolute best thing you can do. Going to the grocery store without a plan is the worst thing you can do for your health and your wallet. Taking an hour or two  just one day a week to take inventory of what you already have and then writing down a solid plan of what you will cook each night is totally worth the money you will save and the amount of junk you will stop buying.

                Every Monday morning I head over to Starbucks with E, Kindle, pencil and meal planning template (google meal planning templates, there are literally thousands) in hand. I get a cup of tea and sit down to write my meal plan and grocery list for the week. I get inspiration from cookbooks, magazines, the internet and what E and my husband have actually told me they enjoyed. Sometimes it’s easiest to set days of the week to certain themes that way you aren’t eating chicken five days in a row. Here are some theme examples:

Monday	Mexican	Monday	Crockpot	Monday	Chicken
Tuesday	Italian	Tuesday	Leftovers	Tuesday	Beef
Wednesday	American	Wednesday	Grill	Wednesday	Vegetarian
Thursday	Indian	Thursday	Braise	Thursday	Chicken
Friday	Spanish	Friday	Stir Fry	Friday	Soup/Sandwich
Saturday	Take Out	Saturday	Take Out	Saturday	Take Out
Sunday	Asian	Sunday	Roast	Sunday	Pizza

                As you write down what you plan to make each day be sure to think about the amounts of each ingredient you will need and try to estimate totals. If you think you will have a hard time with that then try using cookbooks or magazines to help with exact amounts. I absolutely love my kindle fire! I get magazines and cookbooks all in color all in one spot; it is definitely my go to for meal planning.

I often divide my grocery list into sections of the grocery store to make it easier when I am there, rather than realizing half way through the store you forgot something over in produce. This is how I separate my shopping list:

Produce

Meat

Dairy/Eggs

Pantry

Freezer

Household Items

                Now go to the store and stick to your list! This may take some time and self-control but you can do it. At the end of each week ask your family which meals they liked best and keep the recipe with shopping list in a note book or on an index card that way you can rotate your family’s favorite into each week’s menu without a thought. Here is a sample meal plan from the Mazza House:

Days of the Week:	Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
Breakfast	English muffin w/ jam and fruit	Bagel thin w/ cream cheese	Whole wheat pancakes w/strawberries	English muffin w/ jam and yogurt	Yogurt w/ fruit	Bagel thin w/ cream cheese	Breakfast Take Out
Lunch	Sunday Family BBQ Tradition	J – Take out at work T & E – Sandwiches, Soups, Yogurt, Fruit, English Muffins etc.	J – Take out at work T & E – Sandwiches, Soups, Yogurt, Fruit, English Muffins etc.	J – Take out at work T & E – Sandwiches, Soups, Yogurt, Fruit, English Muffins etc.	J – Take out at work T & E – Sandwiches, Soups, Yogurt, Fruit, English Muffins etc.	J – Take out at work T & E – Sandwiches, Soups, Yogurt, Fruit, English Muffins etc.	Leftovers from week
Dinner	Lemon and Rosemary Roast Chicken with Brussel sprouts and roasted potatoes	Whole wheat pancakes, bacon, strawberries	Crock pot soup with BLT and avocado sandwiches	Sloppy Joes with steamed broccoli	Falafel pitas with salad	Veggie Stir fry with brown rice	Take out

 
P.s. You probably already know this but, never go to the grocery store hungry! Ever! Promise?