I am currently on a work trip this week so I have some sweet friends guest posting! Clara and I had the opportunity to meet back in February at an Alabama Blogger Meet-up and I really enjoyed getting to know her! She is super sweet and a lot of fun! She is here to talk to y’all about meal planning today, and I know we could all use some advice in that area, myself included! Take the time to get to know Clara and see what she has to say about making your life easier by having a meal plan!
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Hi there! I’m Clara and you can usually find me over at Walking in the Light.
Just a little about me – I’m a twenty something newly wed (we hit our one year mark yesterday!!) living in Alabama. I am a stay at home wife, aunt to nine precious kiddos, love cooking, crafting and am FULL of energy!
Thanks a million to my sweet friend Heather for letting me come share how I make my life simpler with meal planning.
This topic is one that has been discussed between my friends and me on numerous occasions. I started planning out our meals and lunches months ago, and it has made life so much simpler (and less stressful). At first, I was trying to scramble around at night or after work to make packed lunches and dinner, and that got old very quickly.
Meal planning sounds tedious, but I assure you, it makes all the difference during the week. At first, preparing my list took about an hour yet I’ve since figured out the swing of things and am much better at preparing.
My grocery shopping day is every other Sunday – I get enough food for 2 weeks! I can’t stand the grocery store so planning meals out in advance allows me to not have to make “quick” trips during the week or fight with myself on what to cook.
For lunchtime we used to spend loads of money eating out, but we now pack our lunches. On Sunday, right after grocery shopping, I make us both meals for the week typically leaving one open day for leftovers (or two depending on my meal plans). I go ahead and makes all our sandwiches, snacks and pack it all in Tupperware.
***A good tip, place a damp paper towel over the bread or whatnot to help not dry out.***
***A good tip, place a damp paper towel over the bread or whatnot to help not dry out.***
My suggestions:
Gather all your recipes for the two weeks (or just a week if 2 is too much)
Write down all ingredients needed (check your pantry and see what you already have to use)
If you have ingredients that spoil, plan those meals earlier on in the week
Enjoy your free time (cause now you have TONS of it)
Check out this awesome meal planning on a budget called food on the table. Its a great way to help get that plan, list and budget going.
Meal planning is easy and a great idea! If you put the time in up front, it will pay off in the long run and make your week easier.
Thanks again Heather for letting me come share my meal planning with you!
Those are great tips Clara! I’m definitely going to check out the budget planning website, that will be super helpful.
Newest follower here! I found you through the blog hop 🙂 You have a super cute blog, I can’t wait to read more!
-Melanie @meandmr.com
Hello, your blog is wonderful and very interesting. Kisses from Spain.
http://redecoratelg.blogspot.com.es/
Thanks so much for the tips, Clara! I am SO BAD at meal planning. I really like to eat fresh meat every night, so I haven’t found a way around going to the grocery store every couple of days, but I might use that template so I don’t spend too much money on impulse buys when I go haha.