Keep it Simple When Planning Family Meals
We have been on the go – not that we have ever not been on the go. We are down to one family car in a car of four drivers and that requires a LOT of going.
For years, I would sit down on Saturday or Sunday and map out the menu for the upcoming week. There were times when I would get very optimistic and plan out a whole month. The month menus hit snags when I forgot to get certain items from the store. The week menu hit snags when I got caught up in work and forgot to start a meal.
EVERYTHING hit a snag when we started this new “Go Schedule.” It is tough to follow a menu when you are not even in the house.
I came up with a template for meals – one that would make use of all the food groups, the leftovers, and the convenience food (like cereal or bagels).
There are several options for each of the main entrees in the pantry or in the freezer. Breaking down the entrees into this template means that we have no main course more than twice a week (except for leftovers). Any leftovers not utilized by Saturday night gets sorted into individual portions and frozen for future conveniences needs.
There are still days when it life gets in the way or the going keeps going and the menu is ignored, but those days are fewer than ever before.
Keep meals on the table for your family even during chaotic times by keeping it simple
Keep it simple – it is not just a great idea for life but it turns out it was the perfect solution for getting my family fed.
What meal time tricks do you use? Share your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to link to your own meal time struggles or ideas.
