The most common question I get is how do I prepare a menu? I am funny. I like some things to be the same over and over but meals are not one of them. I have some strange rules in my head about repeating meals, meats, and cuise types. Because of all my rules and sometimes moods I like to be flexible and have options in my menu planning so I usually only have a few recipes in mind to make for the week and don’t neccessarily assign them a day. 

In this post from awhile back I also talked about meal planning and gave some more ideas and suggestions on how to plan. I don’t plan for breakfast and lunch. I just keep our favorite basics on hand. Things like bread, sandwich meats, peanut butter, jelly, oatmeal, cereal, and eggs. I sually make these yummy waffles once or twice a week for breakfast and I use leftovers for my lunch too. Today I will walk you through exactly how I would meal plan this week for my family’s dinner.

1. I look to my calander to see my week in review. This helps me decide what nights we will be eating at out, and what nights are busier than others. This snap shot helps me later decide when I can make a fancy meal because I have more time and when I need to make an eaiser meal. I find this helps me make wise choices as to what meals I choose to make later.  
2. I think about the veggies and fruits I have in my fridge, meats on hand in the freezer, and try to think if there is something I could make around the on hand items.

             Example: I have corn on the cob, potatoes, green peppers, hamburger patties, hamburger, a loaf of french bread, salad fixins, ground italian turkey, a roast,  watermelon, oranges, apples, banannas

    3. Then I look at The List’s to see what is on sale this week. I will generally do this on Wednesdays as that is the day most stores start their sale. I will look for produce items, meats, and other things I know my family enjoys.

     4. Once i’ve done my research, I start to make a list of meal options for the week. This week we will have;

• Hamburgers and Corn on the cob
• A roast cooked in the crockpot with potatoes and a salad
• Spaghetti with marinara and browned Turkey, a salad and the bread
• Stuffed green peppers with watermelon slices
• Hot roast beef sandwiches (using the leftovers)
• A left over night
• An eat out night  

I hope this little snapshot into my meal planning is helpful. If you have a great idea or would like to share how you plan your family’s meals feel free to leave a comment.

*** Don’t forget this is the final week to enter for the $100 Restaurant.com gift card give away. Send in your recipes with a picture to be entered to theobsessiveshopper@live.com. There is NO limit! All recipes enterd will be featured in future blog post but only one will win!***

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