Menu Planning

From time to time when I am in a cooking mood I have a session in the kitchen and cook various meals which I then chill and portion up in containers which I put in the reezer.
As I put a pile into the freezer I make a note I then go through the diary and allocate a meal for a date, ensuring there isn’t duplication in any week.



It takes me about 20 minutes to sit and plan the diary but it is time well spent.
At the beginning of each week I go into the garage where the chest freezer is and take out the meals for the week, which I put in my other freezer in the kitchen.
The time it saves is amazing!
Instead of pondering over what we are having for any mealtime I just refer to the iary!
I had a shopping delivery today and I had planned to have a cooking session.
Next time I shop I wont need to spend as much.
When I worked full time I was on a monthly salary.
The first week was a good week but by the time we reached a the fifth week in a long month my money managing let me down and I would find myself scrounging from mum's freezer.
Now we have our money paid every 3 months so I am really sitting down and working out some systems. By using my menu planning it does help me manage our budget and certainly illiminates any food waste.
I must admit I am worn out after such a session, especially following a hectic weekend, but when it is all done I can concentrate on other chores!

I really ought to be as organised as you Mrs N - the slight problem is Mr C who hates planning what he wants to eat more than about 3 days in advance as apparently his tastes change during the week! Luckily he's starting to get used to just eating what he's given, whilst he does half the cooking tough (whilst both of us work) it seems I do have to give him a bit of a say in what we're having.

Mrs C

the slight problem is Mr C who hates planning what he wants to eat more than about 3 days in advance as apparently his tastes change during the week!

Oh I fully understand hun!
This information is only for moi! lol!
I just get the meal out during the afternoon to thaw.
If he is going through one of his picky periods I give him a choice of 3 or 4 and cook in the microwave.
I then alter my diary...

This sounds really good. I shall try it - with Mr JG who is keen to plan menus.

http://mrsnesbittsplace.blogspot.com/search/label/Menu%20planning

If you click on the link above it shows you how I organise this, there are photos there too!

I am sure that menu planning helps to save money when shopping. Equally I will still buy bargains & work round them. I like to cook several dishes at once & freeze some as it means I get time to do other things, it saves using the oven etc several times when once will do.

Oh yes Polgora I am all in favour of bargains & I too love a dood rummage. All helps towards the bigger picture doesn't it!

My bigger picture means that some weeks we get all home cooked meals with me doing nothing except potatoes as all the rest is pre cooked in the freezer. I get time with the dolls houses or time to read exclusivly. Sometimes a bit of fun play with the flute. There are always bargains if you look. Got a huge bit of pork reduced today, enough to do OH & me 6 meals. :cheers: OOh we really need a couple of cooking smiles.