Meal Panning Part Three: The Meals

Meal planning can be a real challenge sometimes, especially in a large active family with so many different schedules, health and nutritional needs.

Our meal plans often reflect our cultural regional and family traditions.  I am a seasonal cook and that comes from our families farm background, in  preparing food  from the garden to table.

Keep It Balanced    Keep It Interesting   Keep It Pretty

• I start with an overview of the pantry, refrigerator and freezer, what is available. 

• I keep a running inventory of my freezer, so that things are not overlooked in the great "freezer cave"  and discovered after freezer burn has set in and the product is lost.  

• I keep a well stocked pantry, and when I use an item from the pantry it goes on the shopping list so that it is replaced on the next shopping trip. We live in the country so running to the local super market is not always an option.

• Next consider the seasonal options that may be available in your area, they will be the best buy.

• When planing the meals always consider if you will have or want to have left overs. When I make casseroles sometimes I will make two and put one in the freezer.  We will take the leftovers from a meal and make up meals and put them in the freezer, then they are ready to go on those busy days or when someone wants a home cooked meal at work the next day.

• We all have family favorites and plan what your family will eat and I always liked to introduce a new and different meal at least once a week.

• When my kids (7 of them) were home I planned my menus for one month at a time.  Now that it is just my husband and me with company at least once or twice a week, I plan for one week at a time.

• I like to begin the plan with the vegetarian, fish, poultry, or meat, add two vegetable sides, a bread and a dessert. 

• When my menu's are complete, I then pull out all the recipes. From the recipes I check the items that will go on the shopping list and we are ready for the market.  Stick to your list and you will be surprised how much money you will save. 

In planning the meal I like to remember my three K's

Keep It Balanced-Keep It Interesting-Keep It Pretty

If you would like Menu Suggestions please enjoy my Index
Whats For Dinner Next Week (The Menu)

As of January 2020,there are 520 Weeks of Meal Plans to browse
for ideas and great recipes

I have really enjoyed sharing these Meal Planning Tips with you and hope it helps you in some way.  I welcome your discussion and comments.  Have fun with your meal plans and let me know What's For Dinner at Your House.  Hope you will come back to see me real soon!

Peace and Joy

Miz Helen

Meal Planning Part One: Health and Nutrition

Meal Planning Part Two: The Budget