Tuesday, June 23, 2009

meal planner...

A couple of months ago, I had finally had it with dinner time.  I was tired of making a meal only to have each and every child turn up his or her nose and proceed to pour a bowl of cold cereal, pop in some toast, or grumble all night because they were hungry.  So I printed up a weekly calendar and let each of the older kids plan a week of meals - the catch was they could only list meals made at home (no eating out) and they had to eat whatever they planned.  It was actually quite successful - plus it made grocery shopping easier - simply because I knew what I was going to be preparing all week long - it wasn't a day-by-day thing. 

It was a complete coincidence that I was given an assignment to create a meal planner for the Making Memories blog.  (or was it?!?)  I put together this fun meal planner binder for the blog, and now we've been putting it to good use here at home! 

meal_planner_cover

There are several sections: menu calendar,

meal_planner_weekly

shopping list,

meal_planner_shopping_big

favorites (one page for each person to list their favorite meals),

meal_planner_faves

coupons, and recipes...

 meal_planner_tabs_coupons

I created the meal calendar and shopping list on the computer so I could just print out a blank sheet for each week.  I'll save the used pages in the binder to use in the future - an easy way to organize shopping lists for each week and have a menu to go along with it.  I'm already loving how organized I feel by using this system!  If you're interested in the calendar/shopping list, you can download my blank templates here just let me know (either by leaving a comment with your e-mail address or e-mailing me) and I'll send them to you - apparently, the link I had set up to download them isn't working right... 

Please check out the Making Memories Blog for more information and links to the supplies I used.

And if you have any fun recipes to share (especially for picky kids), I'd love to hear your ideas! 

Have a happy Tuesday! :o)

16 comments:

  1. really LOVE this idea wendy! i have an extra one of these albums that i was going to turn into a recipe album. but i love the extra sections you've added in. i need to be better about meal planning ... since i think that in turn will help with grocery planning ... and have us less stressed every night trying to come up with a plan at the last minute. lol! really love this ... think i'll work on one this week :)

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  2. thanks for that file! I've been trying to (okay procrastinating about) menu plan but still haven't brought it all together. What a great idea to let them plan a WHOLE week! I think I'll work up to that, for now I try a couple days a week. love your menu planner binder!

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  3. This is so awesome and such a great idea! I think I will try this out! Can I come and check yours out?

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  4. What a fabulous idea. It looks absolutely gorgeous too! We've just started meal planning so I may CASE this!

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  5. I was meal planning weekly before i started working full time, but now i let the kids pick something either the night before or that morning and pick up what i need during my lunch break. One meal my kids both love is what we call Boston Bean Bake super easy and nutritious.

    500g beef mince
    1 onion diced
    1 800gm tin baked beans
    1 420g tin diced tomatoes
    1 cup beef stock
    500gm frozen mix vege (small diced)
    200gm pasta - any kind
    cheese

    Brown mince in big pot, add onion, cook till soft, add all other ingrediants (not cheese) and bring to boil then simmer for 30mins. Dump it all in ovenproof dish top with cheese bake in moderate oven until cheese browns.

    Done

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  6. Ok so this post could have totally been written by me. I am sick of being a personal chef to my family and I am soooo all about this system you have set up. I would love an email with your fabulous documents!!!

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  7. dang, I forgot to add my email addy
    denaandzoe@msn.com

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  8. I love it! Scrappy and organized, my two favorite things!! I would love your templates if you have a chance to send them out. Thanks!
    tboeche@neb.rr.com

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  9. I love this idea! Your binder is great! Could you e-mail me the file
    stamperss@juno.com
    THANKS

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  10. I would love the file! Your book looks super cute & what a great idea to get the whole family involved!

    Thanks again!

    Raimi
    jrkrupp@surewest.net

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  11. Love this! PLEASE send me your templates. I will be forever indebted.

    jmsoko1@msn.com

    Thanks!!!

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  12. Great idea, I never seem to know what food shopping to buy for the rest of the family these days. This file would give everyone the chance to say what they would like when they think of it and then organise meals around their wishes.

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  13. thanks for this great inspiration!! I'll be making one for myself soon!! :)
    could you please send me the files??
    thanks a lot!!

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  14. I would love to have a copy of the files - they are exactly what I'm looking for!

    ks_mommie@yahoo.com

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  15. Do u still have the calendar shopping list??? Sarahn5588@gmail.com if so thanks :)

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  16. Can you e-mail me the files?

    Mandy
    hoagmandy@gmail.com

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