I'm typically someone who falls somewhere in between being really planned out and just winging it. So traditional meal planning, where you pick your meals, then make your grocery list, isn't quite for me. Cooking is often a creative outlet for me, so that method tends to stifle my creativity. :)
However, if I don't plan at all, I end up with haphazard meals and most importantly, wasting food, which I hate.
So, here's what has really been working for me...
I take inventory of what all I have on hand. Usually after I grocery shop. (Side note, I always have certain basics I get when I grocery shop like yogurt, eggs, meats, produce, and whatever staples I'm out of, but then all the extras are based off of what sounds good and sales.) So after I look through what I have and make a list (esp of anything perishable, which is what I TRY to mostly buy) I begin to create dinners, trying to start with what needs used in the next few days.
This is what I came up with out of the list above (I had just soaked and simmered beans, which is why they were heavily on the list)...
I mostly just plan dinners, because breakfast and lunches are pretty standard and they aren't something I put a ton of effort into.
So then I can go through my list, check off what we're using and see what I'll still need to incorporate. It's not a perfect system, but something I've been enjoying. And I find great satisfaction in using up the majority of our food before I shop again. Plus, if I'm using up perishables first (mainly produce), then the majority of our meals are just protein and vegetables, which I feel like nourish our bodies the best.
8 comments:
I like this! I'm not a list person, but I do enjoy being creative with what I have on hand and what needs to be used. Although I've never been a 'meal planner', it sure is nice to know what I'm making more than an hour before dinner :)
yum, your meals look great. i love the "all out of" list from www.knockknock.com! Something about just checking stuff off makes it easier.
I'm totally a meal planner. I plan 7 meals at a time. So sometimes it goes into a week and sometimes it goes for 1.5 weeks before it's time to shop again. I write each meal for a day if the week but never stick to the actual day as some days I just don't feel in the mood for that food;). I've do t this for so long I can't imagine any other way....but I think if I were to try something different I'd want to try your way. Very interesting!!!
Hmm, interesting post Em! Never thought of planning meals with a list of what I have on-hand and need to use up, but good idea!
Hmm, interesting post Em! Never thought of planning meals with a list of what I have on-hand and need to use up, but good idea!
this is very interesting! fun to have a sneak peak into your planning methods. looks like a nice system!
I like your style....and I want to eat that lemony chickpea salad again!!!
I like this...and your handwriting ;)
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