As a working woman, wife, and mom of four, I’m about to share my secret weapon for success (in everything I do). Are you ready for this? Drumroll, please … Organization!
Yup, you read that right. I would be a frazzled mess without my laid out schedules, notes, and lists. When it comes to mealtime, for example, if I didn’t have a detailed menu filled with each day’s breakfasts, lunches, and dinners then I would resort to more takeout and other not-so-healthy alternatives.
While I’ve always been an advocate for getting organized in the kitchen, in today’s world where the coronavirus outbreak has many restaurants shut down and people stuck cooking at home, meticulous organization is more important now than ever. To help you get better organized and make nourishing menus for your family, I’ve created a digital planner for you. Check it out below!
But First, Some Benefits Of Menu Planning
Saves Time – Ironically, a menu takes time to prepare. I know. But, in the long run, it saves you a lot of time. No more rummaging through your pantry for 30 minutes, trying to figure out what you’re going to make. Plus, no more last-minute trips to the grocery store for last-minute ingredients because, hey, most of us are stuck at home and can’t get out much anyway!
Lowers Stress – Have you ever watched the clock strike 6:00 pm and questioned: “What the heck will I make for dinner?” Yeah, we’ve all been there. Having a pre-planned menu eliminates that stress. Let me tell you, I’ve had too many nights like this recently and plan to avoid them at all costs!
Saves Money – When you go grocery shopping with a clear idea of what recipes you’ll be making, and a detailed list of what you need, you wind up buying a lot less. No more random purchases of things you might use because they seem like a good idea at the moment.
Less Waste – I hate wasting food! When I carefully craft menus in advance, I only buy what I need and I plan for leftovers. For instance, if I’m making succulent grilled chicken thighs and roasted potatoes, the next night I might plan a chicken stir-fry and potato pancakes.
Try New Things – Do you have a handful of go-to meals that you cycle through each week? Scrambled eggs for breakfast three days in a row? Grilled chicken on a bed of greens yet again? Well, carving out 30 minutes or so to make a menu tends to get people more creative and versatile with meals. We finally crack open the cookbooks sitting on our shelves and try new things!
