So after my last blog post about Real Food, I thought I would follow up with sharing how we plan meals and cook around our house. What I have discovered is that pre-planning is crucial in order to stick to our budget (more on that to come in another post) and our attempt to eating healthy but we are nowhere close to being where I want to be with "real food".
You can buy weekly notepads like these just about anywhere. I got mine at Michaels for $1.00 and I use it every day to remind myself of what I'm cooking! This way I know in the mornings if I need to thaw anything or throw something in the croc-pot. Here is what this week's lineup looks like on paper:
Basically I start with it blank and discuss with Todd things we want to eat for the week or if there is a night one of us will not be available for dinner. I also check the pantry and fridge to see what needs to be eaten or what staple items we can use as side dishes such as rice or green beans. I also sit right by the computer and check my Pinterest board for inspiration or recipes. As I write down what we are having, I also check recipes and add to this market list (thanks to my friend Keara for this gift) what ingredients I need to buy. This entire process usually only takes about thirty minutes to gather the list and decide on a menu.
Now let me give you this week's lineup and recipes. I love love love when other bloggers give me an insight as to how they do things and recipes. I'm an open book and I'm all about sharing!
Monday - Sara, Viola. Todd, Dinner with Blake. (This is rare but even married people need independent guy/girl time with friends)
Tuesday -
Poppyseed Chicken w/ String Green Beans (we buy these frozen in a huge bag)
Wednesday - Potstickers (we buy them frozen), Jasmine Rice & Sautéed Veggies
Thursday - Homemade pizza on the grill & Salad
Friday -
Copycat Chick-fil-a nuggets,
Parmesan Fries and maybe Mac and Cheese because we are crazy like that! FYI, we have never tried the nuggets before so this will be new to us.
Saturday - Sara, maybe out of town. Todd, leftovers. OR we will go out and use a coupon.
Sunday - Anything you can find in the fridge or leftovers from going out to each from lunch!
We also try to save money/eat healthier by eating breakfast at home (Kashi Cereal, Fruit, etc) and packing our own lunches such as sandwiches with market deli meat, veggies straws, fruit, peanuts, cottage cheese, boiled egg, etc.
I just got back from the grocery store this week which by the way since I pre-plan, I'm in and out within thirty minutes. I will say that after reading the Real Food blog, I found myself checking ingredients of boxed pantry items. Other customers probably thought I was nuts because I would pick something up and try to pronounce the ingredients and would fail miserably but it was a good reminder that I don't want that in my body.
One thing I'm trying to do but struggling with is couponing. I've taken a great class through
Southern Savers but lately we have saved more money pre-plannig meals but I know I could do better with coupons. I'll save all that for another post because I'd love to share how we breakdown our budget to afford the items we want and some goals we have.
Now, tell me all your secrets. Have a great week!
