It seems to me that when I talk to people about meal planning, most everyone says something like “Well, it sounds like a good idea but I just don’t have the time to meal plan.” Have we heard this before? Yes, when that same someone says “I don’t have the time to exercise, read more, spend more time with family or on my hobbies.” In our busy, often hectic lives these days, time doesn’t find us. We have to find it. Really, we have to make it.
As with anything, and especially something new, setting aside time, or even scheduling time to start is key. I challenge you this week to schedule a time to plan your meals. For me, that usually means about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday night. Yes, I am a creature of habit but for me, my habits have paid off. Do I do it right every time? Certainly not. This week is a good example. November snuck up on me and I hadn’t turned the calendar page soon enough to realize I forgot to plan my meal until Monday rolled around and we were out of milk and other esssentials and I needed to make a trip to the grocery store. Thank goodness for my meal planning binder that helped me figure out a plan and figure it out quick.
As the holidays approach our time will become filled with extra activities and traditions. Take a few minutes (ok, maybe about fifteen) and plan out your meals for the next week or two. You may not realize right away the time you save but I promise it’s there in the time saved from wandering the store aisles looking for inspiration to starting a meal that’s a little more complicated than you need on a busy night. Let me know how things go and how you do by posting your comments below (go ahead, I know you can do it!)
Happy cooking!
This “meal planning binder” sounds great. I noticed it mentioned in one of your Workshop descriptions. Any chance you could go into a bit more detail about what it entails?
I most frequently get stuck when I start meal planning because there are just so many options and I keep forgetting about the foods we eat all the time. I’m getting better but your binder idea sounds like it may really help with that.
Hi Kim,
I’m working on trying to figure out a way to get the binder to those who do not live locally. But for now, my suggestion is to just start a list of those recipes your family likes so that you can easily refer to them when making your meal plans. I have a “special” form in the binder just for this. If you don’t have a special binder you can keep the list taped up inside your pantry door or a cabinet where you might have your cookbooks. HTH!