Hi Everyone
I hope you're having a lazy Sunday!
Are you like me and tend to throw lots of unused food away. Maybe you bulk buy and then end up with lots of vegetables that have gone bad or out of date meat etc...?? I know these days we can freeze lots of things but some things just get left at the back of the fridge and ultimately end up in the bin or you find some potatoes at the bottom of your veg rack that have gone soft and are no longer any good.
Not only is this wasteful when you think about all the starving in the world but it is very costly, especially with the price of food these days!
Well i decided a while ago to make a change and try to only buy the ingredients for meals i was going to cook. By planning your meals you will not only save money but you can ultimately start a more healthy lifestyle. How many times have you come home to think "Oh no, we have nothing for dinner, let's get a takeaway"???
So how does it work??
Well i do mine on a weekly basis. Anything longer than that and you are getting into food waste territory, in my opinion.
Sit down one evening and think about the meals you want to eat for the next seven days and write them down. I'd make a list of ALL the meals you eat and keep this as a reference that you can refer back too.
Click on the image below to print this weekly planner.
Next you need to make a shopping list.
First make a note of all the basics you need like Milk, Bread and toilet rolls etc....... These are things that you will use on frequent basis.
Then look at each meal and thinks what ingredients you will need for each meal.
You may decide to work on a rotation basis which would mean that every few weeks you revert back to week 1 and therefore you would use the same shopping list with maybe just a few amendments.
Click to print out your shopping list.
It's a good idea to also make a board for things that run out and maybe pin this on the fridge. For instance, if you know that by the time you shop again you'll have run out of cereal then write it down, that way you're not making extra trips to the shops during the week.
Don't forget, if you put down Shepherds pie for Thursday and don't fancy it then don't have it! Just swap it for something else that week. It's meant to be flexible. Also as a little tip, if you have the time, make double the amount and freeze half, that way in a few weeks when you have it again all you have to do is defrost.
Here are some great sites for meal ideas!
In my opinion Meal Planning is a good budget tool, a healthy eating plan and a time saver all rolled into one!
Have fun!!!
Cath xxx
Great idea Cath! Think I will print that off and have a go.... I find problem not knowing what to have to eat - so at least if you have planned meals you know what you can have - and yes, can swap if dont fancy that one night.... thanks! Off to check out the links..........
Posted by: katie squirrel | September 28, 2008 at 11:16 AM