Meal Planning Framework
Hi there, and happy Tuesday friends! Today I am going to share an amazing resource with you, the meal planning framework. Oh, sweet baby Jesus, there is so much going on around here these days. With home school, working from home and all of the fun passion projects I have going on, it has been a challenge to squeeze it all into my already full schedule.
But, can I tell you something?! I kind of love how life is flowing lately…
I have been tirelessly dreaming, creating and course correcting our daily lives. So much so, that it almost feels like I am coming to terms with a lot of different variables. Dare I say that I am on the road to acceptance for the crazy rollercoaster ride of 2020?
I know, I know… you are probably thinking but, we only have a few months left?! Yes, it’s true, we do! But, I am scared to say that we are rolling into some kind of new normal, one that 2020 has been used to prep us for. But, that’s a conversation for another time.
This year has put my need for a consistent routine to the test, and I have finally learned to roll with the punches. A bonus to this acceptance is that I have freed up my energy to discover new avenues in my personal life and business.
What are your thoughts as we approach the last few months of 2020 – good riddance – yes/no? Has the rollercoaster started to feel freeing – like you don’t have to get on, if you choose not to? Or, are you headed for the next loop?
Well, that was a mini life update in a nutshell! Let’s get into the framework I have been using to plan our meals, one that I recently rediscovered and that I know you will love!
Meal Planning
So, I came across a goldmine when I was digging through some boxes in my basement a few weeks ago. One that I want to share with you because I know it will absolutely solve your weekly dinner dilemmas. This gem was on the verge of never being found, tucked away in an old backpack within a box filled with a ton of miscellaneous stuff. Kind of like a big “junk drawer” box…
So, I am incredibly thankful that I was able to find this! I have been using it weekly to plan our meals, and maybe you will too!
I knew pretty early on that I had to get a handle on meal planning. Not only for budgetary purposes but also because heading into the grocery store without a plan, is way worse than heading in hungry! Am I right?!
I always end up with a mix of things you could never pair together to make a meal or running through the aisles grabbing whatever looks good but, may not be the healthiest…
This meal planning framework will help you create a carefully curated batch of go to recipes, you know, the ones your family absolutely loves!
Are you ready to spend less time meal planning, and more time soaking up those precious moments with your family? Then this framework is for you!
Step One | Choose Your Favorite Cuisine
If your family is anything like mine, you have a limited list of favorite cuisines that the whole family can agree on. For us, the top five are – Asian, Italian, American, Mexican, and Barbeque. Check out the list below and write down what your top five are.
Step Two | Special Dietary Restrictions
Okay, you have your top five! Now, let’s see if you or your family has any dietary restrictions that will impact your meal plan. For our family, we need to stay nut free and we limit dairy and gluten. We also try to have 1 or 2 meatless dinners a week, and to eat as many fresh foods as possible.
If this sounds like you too, your shopping list may be heavily influenced by what produce is in season at the moment where you live. Tip – Buying produce that is in season will help keep that produce budget more manageable. And, you are more likely to purchase local which means fresher, less contaminated goodness in your cart.
Step Three | Find Your Cooking Style
Now, I already mentioned we have quite a full schedule here as a family of four. Between homeschool, WFH, play dates, social groups and activities; we have a lot to juggle on a daily basis. I know I am not alone and that may be one of the reasons you have found yourself here…
So, for me I love to have quick + easy recipes with mostly staple ingredients. Don’t get me wrong, some times I like to get fancy and plan a big meal. You know those slow + simple days centered around one big meal, like Sunday dinner?
Even though most of us hold those slow + simple days near and dear to our hearts, let’s be real… They seem to be few + far between. At least for us anyway…. Maybe that will be one of the things I try to incorporate more into 2021. Oh no, a new year’s proclamation this early?! Ugh…
My go to cooking style is throwing a protein and a bunch of veges on a sheet pan with a tasty marinade. Pair it with a grain and you are good to go! Bonus is the quick and easy clean up, and I love how the flavors meld together on a sheet pan, delicious!
Step Four | Recipe Research
The fourth step to this framework could take the most amount of time to work through. But, don’t worry… it will be well worth the investment. That is unless you already have a perfectly sectioned Pinterest board just ripe for the picking!
If not, no worries. Now is as good of a time as any to dig out those recipe books, or call your Great Aunt Rita for that melt in your mouth brisket recipe you’ve been meaning to get a hold of. You can also use this framework to start compiling your very own family recipe book…remember those?
Bonus Gift Idea: Have a child ready to leave the nest? Sending them off with their very own family recipe book is a great, sentimental gift!
So, in step four you will want to pick at least 5 recipes for each of your previously selected favorite cuisines. If you are going digital, I highly suggest using Pinterest. You will definitely want to print out each recipe if creating your own recipe book
Need some tips on how to improve your eating habits?! Then this post is for you!
Step Five | Ingredients List
Now that you’ve chosen your recipes it’s time to write out the ingredients for each one. Typically, I open a word doc and copy paste the ingredients list for each recipe by cuisine type. Make sure to save this word doc in a separate folder on your desktop titled “Meal Planning Framework”.
Cataloguing the recipes by cuisine will make it easy to refer back to when you are planning out your weekly menu. Trust me, there is nothing more gratifying then reaching for a list of already done recipes when you are going to sit down to write out your shopping list.
STEP SIX | The Monthly Shopper
If you are someone who likes to limit your food shopping trips – I don’t blame you – this extra step will be an absolute game changer for your grocery store game! Head on back over to that Meal Planning Framework folder on your desktop one more time… now, what is one thing you can do with your ingredients list to simplify your shopping trip even more?
Organize your ingredients list by department in the grocery store…MIND BLOWN! Here’s a glimpse into the categories I use – Meat, Canned Goods, Pantry Items, Frozens, Refrigerated Items, Pasta, Snacks, etc.
Here’s how I did it –
1. Create an excel spreadsheet
2. Column One – Grocery Item (Separated by Store Dept/Aisle – Ex. Meats/Canned Goods)
3. Column Two – Quantity Needed (Based on Ingredients List)
Sometimes I can be easily persuaded by a sale so, I like to indicate the amount I need for each item with varying size options. For instance, 28 oz can crushed tomatoes or 10 count tortillas. Its one way I make sure not to overbuy on items that may be too tempting to pass up.
Meal Plan in Six Simple Steps
Well, there you have it! A super simple meal planning framework to follow, that is sure to cut down your time spent at the grocery store, and needlessly scrolling social for inspiration. I have only used this framework for dinners but, now that we are spending more time at home I will definitely beading breakfast and lunch to the mix too!
What meal is the most difficult for you to plan ahead?
Until next time,
