Ok, so I really tried. I started the month with a plan but I didn't really follow through with it. I think a month's of recipes are just too much for me. I did really good the first 2 weeks following the plan, then I just kinda fell off the wagon. We had pizza one night, McDonald's another, ate at my Mom's one night. Then I guess I was distracted enough to just completely ignore my menu plan clearly posted on the fridge.
It's still up there and as I am trying to decide what's for dinner I glance up there and select one of the recipes that I haven't cooked yet. I'm not really in the mood most nights for what I listed as my dinner for that evening. So I pick and choose from whatever is left on the calendar.
I also went shopping on Sunday for snacks, fruits, and breakfast and lunch type items. I spent a bit over $100.00, so I spent more for the month than I wanted to if you add that in, and you have to add that in. My new plan:
- shop the store ads and plan my menu based on what's on sale
- 2 weeks at a time of dinner recipes
I really did enjoy having a menu plan. It alleviated a lot of stress in my life and I can tell that the stress is on the rise again. I hate cooking and this little experiment has taught me that having a plan will really help me to get things done, not just wish I had things done. The hard part is actually doing it. So I'm going to take stock of what I still have on hand and the recipes I have yet to cook. I'm going to try and plan again for the first 2 weeks of February.
Wish me luck!
5 Comments:
A month is a long time. I don't seem to be able to wrap my mind around a menu for longer than two weeks, so that's how long I go, too. I don't usually assign certain dishes to certain days; I just pick from what's left. The plan still helps—I always have something to make for dinner.
I go grocery shopping every 2 weeks and make one small stop in between to restock fruits and veggies. It helps me stay in budget, because I can buy family size packages of meat and then divide up without eating my entire budget. Don't beat yourself up. Budgets are guidelines. You went over buying food, not purses and shoes. :-)
I have a hard time planning for more than a week or two. I usually do ok for a week. Sorry it didn't work out for you. It sounded awesome! I was really impressed by all the preping you did.
Have you ever thought of finding someone to do a meal swap with you? I've got a girfriend that does it with 2 or 3 other gals (maybe once a week or every other, I can't remember)
You make several batches of the SAME dinner main course and then you come together to divvy up! In ONE day you could get several dishes to use for the week or freeze for a non-inspired day!
I would think it would simplify shopping as well...now that I'm talking about it, I think I just may hit some of my friends up!!! ;)
I saw the "Mission Fail" and thought you'd given up! I'm so glad to see that you just re-vamped it! I do 1-2 weeks at a time as I have time. Just having things on hand to put something tasty and healthy quickly has been wonderful.
I still sometimes fall back into bad planning (as in not planning) and I miss it. Glad to hear that you're finding a system that works for you. :)
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