Meal Planning for Beginners

When I first got married, I could count on my one hand how many things I knew how to cook, and almost all those things were Thai. This made meal planning incredibly simple at first. It wasn't too long before I realized that I loved to cook! I loved taking recipes I found and putting my own twist to it. Before long I had quite a number of things I could make, and started writing down what I was going to make each week before I wrote out my shopping list. When I got pregnant that all went out the window. We ate whatever I thought I could stomach, or whatever I had a hankering for (yes, hankering, it's a good southern word!).  It wasn't until a few months ago that I really got back into the whole meal planning thing.  I thought I would share some meal plan ideas.

Meal planning not only helps relieve stress, but also can help with staying healthy and eating on a budget. If you meal plan, you are less likely to open that box of hamburger helper, or grab a hamburger from a fast food place. Let me know of cool ways you meal plan!

Since this is for beginners, I am only showing a week's worth. Honestly, that is all I ever do. Shopping is done once a week at our house, and I find that a one week meal plan works for our family. 

Theme Meal Plans

Here is an example of how themed meals work. I love this method, because you know what recipes to choose from each week, and it's easier to keep track of what ingredients you need. It doesn't have to be these themes, it is completely up to you and how your family works.  I am, though, including links to some of my favorite recipes. 

Meatless Monday: Now for us this doesn't work, since KJ is a big fan of meat, but this would make a great salad day. Mondays we go grocery shopping, so for us are it's normally a 'what can I make with the groceries I have left' day. 

Taco Tuesday: Yes, yes, Taco Tuesday counts, but just because it's called Taco Tuesday, doesn't mean you have to have tacos every time. Look at this link, to see some of my favorite 'taco' recipes!

Crock-pot Wednesday: I am aware that this is a bit of an unusual Wednesday theme, but since my husband is the youth pastor of our church, we like to get to to Wednesday services a bit early to set up. Having a meal that's ready to serve when he comes home from work, makes it nice! One of my favorite recipes is chicken breast + your favorite bbq sauce. I put some seasonings we like, and serve it with toast and a veggie.  Here is a list of a great crock-pot meals. 

Pasta Thursday: My hubby loves pasta, and when I say love, I mean LOVE, especially if involves cheese. This is far from healthy, but once a week I make pasta, or perhaps something a little less healthy, but something my husband loves (I still try to include a veggie). Thursdays are the ideal day, because my piano lessons for Thursday are bi monthly, so I have more time in the evening to do something special for supper. 

Pizza Friday: This is the night that my husband go out for a date night, but pizza is a popular Friday night meal! if you would like to get your kids to get in on the fun, here is a recipe from my blog for tomato sauce, that you can spread on pizza dough and get your kids to add cheese and your favorite toppings!

Sandwich Saturday: Easy meal, and you can use leftover veggies from taco Tuesday to add to your sandwich!

We eat out on Sunday as well. This can be replaced with a crock pot meal to be ready when you get home from church. 

Budget Friendly Meal Plan

Another way to meal plan is to use the same ingredients multiple times. This saves money, but it might take a bit more time to plan out. I'll give you the recipes I am using this week, for an example.

Monday: grilled chicken and corn. As I stated before, this is our shopping day. We had chicken and frozen corn, so that's what we ate!

Tuesday: Thai stir fry, and Spring Rolls: Made with cabbage and chicken. Ground pork is normally used but my store was all out! 

Wednesday: Crock-pot Red beans and rice Use the leftover rice from Thai night. 

Thursday: Use the remainder sausage from the Red Beans and Rice, and the cabbage from the spring rolls to make sauteed  cabbage and sausage. 

Friday: Date night! 

Saturday: BBQ Chicken and veggies. 

I don't write plans on a cute chalkboard sign, or dry erase board. It doesn't have to be fancy (although it can be. Let your creative juices flow!), but it can help save money and the stressful question of 'What in the world am I going to make tonight!'