On Monday, I typically share my menu for the week. So, what’s for dinner this week? Guess what? I have no idea.
C’mon Flamingo! You know the importance of menu planning. You know how to do simple menu planning. Why are you committing menu plan treason?
It is with intention I have not developed “the plan” yet. There are different ways to menu plan. I think I have done them all. I do stand behind the traditional way of planning, however there are other ways that you can go about it.
For almost 2 years, I planned after I shopped. I would go to my pantry and freezer. I would develop meals out of what was already on hand. The only rule was I could not run to the store for an ingredient. That defeats the whole purpose.
To aid me in my planning, I became best friends with Allrecipes. I heart Allrecipes. {mwwaah}. Obviously, you can type in a recipe name and search for it. However, you can also type in ingredients you have or do not have. It will search for recipes for you with those criterias. yippee skippee. I have tried many other recipe databases. By far, Allrecipes has my heart. I especially like that there are starred ratings with each recipe. I stick with the 4 starred or above.
My freezers are annoying full. Since, I want to get back on track with my grocery spending, I am attempting to not do full scale grocery shopping the rest of the month. I will still buy milk and fresh produce each week. I will also pick up incredible store deals or a few ingredients to make it work. So, hopefully we can stick with $50 a week for the rest of the month.
Now you know what I will be doing this afternoon. Digging through my freezer. Searching Allrecipes. Getting my creative juices flowing.
You can menu plan like this too. There is not just one perfect way. Find what works for you. Just do something.
The only thing that doesn’t count? Dialing the local “pizza guy”. Unless that is a planned plan of course.
Have you ever menu planned this way? Better yet, do you know what is for dinner tonight?
*of note. I am not affiliated with Allrecipes in any way. So there is no compensation for this is “shout out”. It’s just out of pure {love}.
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I LOVE allrecipes!
ReplyDeleteno. I have no idea what is for dinner....... {but no hubs for dinner tonight, so easy-peasy}
better check the freezer.
No, I don't know what's for dinner tonight. But that usually depends on what's for lunch. :p I do what you are doing this week for the majority of my "menu planning" or as my dh would call it, LACK of menu planning... but really, as long as the budget is maintained and bellies are full, I am satisfied. :)
ReplyDeleteWe menu plan... but also deviate away from said plan.
ReplyDeleteI tend to run out of stuff pretty quick though- there is always one little thing I need at the store! {canned tomatoes!}