Wednesday

WFMW-Greatest Tips Edition: Meal Planning

Welcome to the Greatest Tips/Hits Edition!

My best tip involves cooking (which is ironic since cooking is not my spiritual gift).

But I believe in cooking miracles. Or at least divine kitchen insight. 

I dug thru my archives, looking for that life-changing tip and I found a post from just a few weeks ago where I asked for a Kitchen Aid  (help planning family meals). I received so much valuable information in the comments that I have to share the greatest tip that has changed my stove top life! 

Tip: When you go to the grocery store, take a grocery list of every ingredient you need for the weekly menu you have planned before you enter said store

There are many ways to accomplish this. Those of you who have been gifted with The Cooking Gene can create your own fabulous menus from scratch and many of you organized ladies are already doing this! But for people like me, just the word menu gives me a rash.

So, I signed up for a menu helper. I know there are many great menu planning ideas available. I chose this one because I can choose from a list of grocery stores in my area:

E-mealz: For $1.25 per week, I download a grocery list from the local store of  my choice. The grocery list corresponds with the type of menu I've chosen. I love this because the menu planning is based on the current sale ads at my local store. So, I'm preparing healthy meals at the best price.

I cannot tell you how efficient my meal shopping and preparation has gone the last couple of weeks! Plus I've cut my grocery bill by a third! (If you're interested in trying it out, you can click the button to the right. I am not a part of their affiliate program. I just really love this system!)

I'm also feeling very fancy because I've prepared meals like Cranberry Chicken with Apple and Cranberry Salad and Veggie burgers with homemade, yummy low-fat onion rings on the side!

I'm excited about this! Well, as excited as a non-cook can be. The (!) is for dramatic effect. But for the first time in eons, I haven't wandered up and down the grocery aisles, only to get home and discover that I'm missing 4 out of the 5 ingredients I need for dinner. 

You can be an efficient meal shopper and planner without a program. It's a goal of mine! I'm keeping track of our family's favorite meals and saving the grocery lists for when I get my act together and don't need someone to do it for me. 

Until then, my family would like to pause in a moment of silence for home cooking.

Amen.
 
{Thank you for joining me for WFMW! I'm so glad you're here. You can read the guidelines here. You will find they are exactly like Shannon's from Rocks in My Dryer. I'm excellent at copying and pasting. Some changes may occur in the future, but for now, the host is the only difference in this carnival.}

Have a Works-For-Me Wednesday tip you'd like to share?  I'd love for you to join us!  Please note that the links will close at 8 pm CST Wednesday night, in order to keep away the spammers!

Was your link deleted? Click here.

Links have now been closed. Please join us again next week!

Works for Me Wednesday Participants
1. "Cents"able Momma (Keep Track of Your Donations)
2. KILLER KITCHEN TIPS - Kelly the Kitchen Kop
3. Amy ~ The Salty Momma (XYZ)
4. Kim @ Forever Wherever (Meal Planning)
5. RealLifeSarah (save your marriage $ money!)
6. Home School Dad (WFMW)
7. Bake at 350 (Perfect RED Icing)
8. Living With Lindsay (Finding Treasures)
9. The Diaper Diaries (GREAT SEX!!)
10. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (Look What You DID!!)
11. Rina (The Most Important Lesson I\'ve Learned)
12. Homemaker Barbi (Reader Fave DIYs)
13. warillever (preschool resources)
14. It Feels Like Chaos (updated privilege chart)
15. Betty Beguiles (Submissiveness)
16. Smockity Frocks (Teaching Long Division)
17. Lisa@ Elbows(Incredible Shrinking Soap)
18. Kate @ Which Proverbs 14:1 Woman? (Post-It Task Wall)
19. Tonggu Momma (Biblical Behavior Chart)
20. Muthering Heights - Home Made Laundry Detergent
21. Willow Tree - FRESH Laundry
22. BecomingMe-Healthy Transparency
23. Tasha @ Hectic Calm (Money Saving Scrapbooking Tip!)
24. Phoebe @ CENTS TO GET DEBT FREE (Easy Compost)
25. Kristie (This Side...)
26. Mother Hen (wholesome moisturizer)
27. Mulberry Spot (Starting seeds indoors)
28. Holly@Homebody(Baked Grilled Cheese)
29. Musings of Housewife (love and marriage)
30. Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates (Instant Oatmeal Mix)
31. the BLAH BLAH BLAHger (customizing curtains)
32. The Happy Housewife ~ Needs vs Wants
33. Amy @ Finer Things (brown bag burritos)
34. Upstatemomof3
35. mombrud (Science booklet giveaway)
36. charlotte@mama2tlc (remove crayon from wall)
37. Elizabeth (Organizing for Creatives)
38. Kirsty @ Momedy: Painless spring cleaning with kids!
39. Innkeper Seely (shipping cookies)
40. Here\'s The Diehl (helping a grieving family)
41. Colored With Memories (save $ & time on meals)
42. Happy to be at Home (scheduling w/ lots of kids)
43. Weird, Unsocialized HS\'ers (Laundry Tips)
44. Heather @ Just Doing My Best (sick children)
45. Jean Stockdale (Perfect Kitchen Helper)
46. A Simple Walk (grocery store cashiers)
47. Cooking During Stolen Moments (pizza stuffed meatloaf)
48. Frugal Girls! {Easy Homemade Maple Syrup}
49. Julia @ Hooked on Houses
50. Carol ~ How to keep your eyeliner from smearing
51. MemeGRL (writing in cookbooks)
52. CHEESESLAVE (Top 15 Tips for Healthy Eating - Yes, MORE BUTTER!)
53. 6 O\'Clock Stitch (Design Your Own Creative Space)
54. Martia (Bath Time)
55. Gennaro - A Perfect Picnic
56. Mom of Faith (Little Black Book)
57. Chief Family Officer (Keeping razors sharp in shower)
58. Susan @ Practicing Thrift (savings and debt tickers)
59. Donielle @ Raising Peanuts (Breastfeeding Tips)
60. Tara @ Feels like home (make a toddler pillow)
61. ElizabethG (Entertaining Simplified)
62. All That Naz - Diluted Juice w/give-away
63. Joni (Time Management Sheet)
64. Many Little Blessings (Inexpensive Homemade Compost Bin)
65. TopHat (Cleaning House the Nerdy Way)
66. Janet (Cleaning Wonder Tool
67. Mari (stainless steel cleaner)
68. Megan(make your own laundry stuff)
69. Organic and Thrifty ( Microwave Free Living Tips)
70. Beth @ The Natural Mommy (MYO Baby Doll Diapers)
71. Donna @ Way More Homemade (Kitchen Tips - Knife Organization)
72. What\'s Cooking (EASY homemade noodles)
73. $5 Dinners (How to Use Split Breast Chicken)
74. Amy @ MOMSTOOLBOX (Bible reading/ Journaling)
75. Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship (dishes saver)
76. Jennifer@The Apple Grove (cracked heel help)
77. sarah (getting rid of diaper rash)
78. Jessica (Confident Etsy Seller)
79. Lisa@BlessedwithGrace(Ped Egg)
80. Joyful Johnsons (Storage and Ribbon)
81. Raising Olives (Creating Family Memories
82. EveryChaper (Iphone applications & free stuff)
83. Lisa@BlessedwithGrace(Perfect jeans)
84. Tonya(family vacations and giving back)
85. Mrs. U- tea!!
86. Sharinskishe (sifter or whisk)
87. Denise @ Full Nest (sock solution)
88. Homeschool Classroom (Make a School Yearbook/Portfolio)
89. Keeping the Castle - the dishwasher
90. Broke Girl (How Women Respond to Stress)
91. Daiquiri (get kids to eat)
92. Pickles In My Shoe (Get Well Soon)
93. Amy (Storing Onions)
94. Strawberries Are Gluten Free
95. The Extreme Housewife (Homemaking Cheat Sheet)
96. Creative2xmom (getting out the door with two little ones)
97. Green Baby Guide (Secondhand Toys)
98. Amy @ Living Locurto (Meal Plan & printable grocery list)
99. NerdMom (How to have kids do laundry)
100. Michelle (meal / shopping spreadsheet)
101. Making Money Keeping Money (Coupon Organization)
102. Grasping for Objectivity in my Subjective Life
103. NerdFamily Food (Make the Most of Your Oven)
104. NerdFamily Things (Cookie Scoops)
105. Milehimama (Roundup of the best)
106. Cure for Blogger-BUTT! :)
107. Anne @ Confessions and Scrap (Moody Housework)
108. Kristin -The Goat (Vitamin E for burns)
109. momof3girls (candle tips)
110. Margot (Cleanin the kitchen)
111. Carol @SheLives (cut flowers tip)
112. se7en (organizing itsy bitsy toys)
113. FoodRenegade (batch cooking nourishing foods)
114. What is it NOW (Kitchen Organization)
115. Moms by Heart (The Essential 100 Challenge)
116. momsfrugal (learning \'after school\')
117. JanMary (travelling with kids)
118. Christi @ The Journey
119. lynn@queenofthecastlerecipes (great crockpot dinner)
120. Leanne - Paper Doll House with Update
121. steadymom (toss your parenting books)
122. Heidi @ Blue Eyed Blessings (my top 5 favorites)
123. Not So Perfect(Magic TV Cleaner)
124. Krisi @ Mom & Dad to R Kids - Digital Scrapbooking
125. Robin Rane\' All Things Heart & Home
126. Mary Ann (master grocery list)
127. Bonnie (Protecting Table from Crafts)
128. TuTu\'s Bliss (Shy Child)
129. Tracey @ Girls to Grow (Don\'t Sit Down)
130. Organizing kids toys
131. BusyMom (water)
132. Simply Sweet Home (giveaway)
133. Simply Sweet Home (thrift store)
134. The Prepared Family (pantry snack)
135. *Michelle* (re-linking to my eczema relief)
136. Occupation: Mommy (No-Spill Juice Boxes)
137. Penny Raine
138. Trixie @ Farmhomelife (Budget Saver Meal)
139. Girls in White Dresses (read classics to your kids)
140. Julie @ Organizement inspiration file)
141. Jenny 867-5309 (3 great tips)
142. flexible dreams (breakfast tip and giveaway)
143. Robin ~ PENSIEVE (40th Bday/Milestone Gift Ideas!
144. whimsygirl (reduce trash bill)
145. Nikki (date night at home)
146. Kate\'s Kitchen: Making "new" Crayons
147. Lynne@ Our Happy Home (Shopping List for Kids)
148. Aunt LoLo (Keeping a Marriage Together)
149. Lynette3boys (gift cards)
150. Parenting the Tiniest of Miracles (Zero Diaper Brand Loyalty)
151. Jolanthe (Use Your Cell Phone as a Home Phone)
152. Shannon (small steps to nourishing food)
153. Alicia (Traveling with Kids)
154. MC (Encouragment)
155. Fairion - playdates
156. Crazy Submarine Lady (Easy Way to Support Military Families)
157. Sonshine(stain removal)
158. Erin (Lego Storage)
159. LANA- Dos for Blogging
160. Mom24@4evermom (Dr. Suess videos)
161. Adventures in Teething (hidden indoor clothesline)
162. Stephanie @ The Coupon Game (Music Memorization)
163. Counting Sprinkles (Coupon Binder)
164. Everything Moms (How to keep your clothes from shrinking)
165. Bailey\'s Leaf (Vinegar as Weed Killer)
166. Houstonmom (no mayo coleslaw)
167. Vanessa @ Simple Bliss(recipe organization book)
168. Lady Why (Great Garage Sale Strategies!)
169. Laryssa @Heaven In The Home (The Secret To A Clean Kitchen)
170. Buffie (Scarf & Glove Organization)
171. Elisa (free drinks on the road)
172. calina (boosting your child\'s self esteeem)
173. Lori @ (garbage bowl)
174. Jennifer @ Getting Ahead (keep kids quiet)
175. Paula @ Organizing Tips (Closets in 5 Steps)
176. The Stitcherbee (travel crayon container)
177. Karen (homemade soups from leftovers)
178. Mom0f3girls (candle tips)
179. Regina (MANAGING MY PAPER PILE!)
180. songbirdtiff- Home made furniture polish)
181. Allyson @ A Heart For Home (10 Small Things that Make My Everyday Life Easier)
182. Indiana Shannon - stock up on cheap meat
183. TrentTribe (Cheap Cooking)
184. Sheila ~ To Love, Honor and Vacuum (turn up the heat in your marriage!)
185. Elaine in Northern Ireland - free meals!!
186. Dominee Huisvrouw (Cleaning Schedule)
187. Tips & Treasures (Make Money Online!)
188. Molly Green (frugal & healthy snack idea)
189. Clean&Classic (copying a great idea!)
190. Julie From Inmates (Weight Loss Tip)
191. Lorie @ Be Different Act Normal (Filing System)
192. Alice@Supratentorial(PhotoMosaics)
193. Camian Academy (Water)
194. Lynn (getting rid of skunk smell)
195. Christy @ Mercy Every Morning (Get your kids to love spinach!)
196. Heather of the EO (monitoring MY computer time)
197. RecoveringNoah (Dinosaur Math Ideas)
198. The Cozy Country Home (Shopping list & coupon tips)
199. Babychaser (Repurposed)
200. Stacey @ Mom Must Write (my kitchen prep day)
201. Becky (wheat/meat)
202. melissa * 320 sycamore (tidy totes)
203. Olivia
204. FamilyMakesCents (Entertainment Book)
205. Christine (pits and laundry)
206. Val at Team Hill
207. Rookie Mom 101 (Giveaway - Invitations)
208. Val at Team Hill (when band aids won\'t stick)
209. Blossoming Skillet
210. The Masked Mommy (easy counter space fix)
211. kc jayhawk (floating on back)
212. Mommin It Up (Once a Month Cooking)
213. Janel(instant oatmeal for less)
214. Rocks In My Dryer (postcards)
215. Nicole (Fiesta Chicken)
216. Rebekah @Mundane Musings (Inexpensive Couch Covers)
217. missy@missysthrifty (buying clearance meat)
218. Michelle @ Saving Some Green (Toaster Oven!)
219. missy@missysthrifty (buying clearanced meat)
220. Muses of Megret (saving money with warranties)
221. Taylor at Household Management 101 (set goals for your family)
222. Nichole (kids crafts & Free Chocolate)
223. Menu Planning (Thoughts by Kim)
224. Phyllis@Aimless Conversation (Shopping with coupons)
225. Jennifer @ Lirazel (meal planning)
226. Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet (Cleaner Floors!)
227. Amy
228. Havingfunathome (homemade traveling toy)
229. Katie (Developing Fine Motor Skills with Toddlers)
230. Houstonmom (too many cleaning bottles!)
231. Annie - Hip Organic Mama: The Healthy Stocked Pantry & Kitchen Tips
232. ilovemy5kids (Easy {feeds a lot} Springtime Recipe)
233. Ginger (Being a Born Again American WFM!)
234. Bree @ Living a Fulfilling Life at Home
235. Colleen - Mommy Always Wins (back up blog template)
236. Sharon (saving on groceries)
237. Bring on the Lloyds...(Installing New Fonts)
238. Meredith (use what you have)
239. Jeni (keep track of medicine)
240. Alison (Homemade Laundry Detergent)
241. justanotherdayinparadise (morning sickness )
242. Wani (multitasking vegis)
243. Katie @ Making This Home (afford living in Europe)
244. Jerri @ Jerri\'s Journey (Totebags)
245. Blessings Overflowing (Kids\' Craft Box)
246. Michelle (Scheduling help)
247. emily (mailing packages)
248. Miche @ Coordinated Chaos(Potty Training Potty that DOESNT work)
249. Kaycee (Man Vs. Food)
250. Dawn @ Baby Addiction (Gift Wrap for Kids)
251. His Girl (Remarriage)
252. Maren - Thrift Store Jeans
253. nottryingforaboy (Mastercook)
254. Katie @ Listmaker\'s Life (Recipe Organization)
255. Tracie @ livethelifeyoudream (Travel Celebration)
256. Laurie @ Rocks in the Dryer: "How to Survive the Recession"
257. Jessica @ Who Left The Light On? (Weekly Cleaning)
258. MrsScotsman (Keeping Track of activites on Vacation)
259. Condo Blues (Handkerchiefs)
260. Jamie @ Mrs Sour Britches
261. Amanda (jewelry organizer)
262. Sarah (handy kid\'s snacks)
263. Linda C (Loosen Jar LIds)
264. Kim (Prewritten Posts)
265. Beth (Laundry Room Savings)
266. Homefront Mom - making dill pickles sweet
267. Cassie (DIY art)
268. Kirstin (Garage sale tips)
269. Earn Money Every Friday with YouData
270. Kerry
271. Joanna @ Grace In The Home (Dinner History)
272. Raise Them Up (Call Home!)
273. Maria D. (Jewelry Organization)
274. Kristen (homemade granola bars)
275. Carrie J (Dish Pans Save The Day)
276. Local Nourishment
277. Sarah(frame perpetual calendar)
278. Linda\'s Lunacy(Favorite Foods)
279. Katchmo: De-gassing Beans
280. Lynne (How to Clean Anything)
281. CommoncentsMom ( Common Cents Shopping Giveaway)
282. Eight At Our Table (bread crumb subsitute)
283. Amber @ Classic Housewife (Sweet Tea recipe & tips)
284. Sassafrassery (Hotel amenity products))
285. Kaye (Organizing Toys)
286. kristen@PajamaMama (gift bag storage)
287. Julie Stiles Mills -5 minute onions in a flash (freeze)
288. Kara (Super-Frugal!)
289. Holly/Domestic Dork (save $$$/health with a frappuccino alternative)
290. Kari (kids tip when dining out)
291. Kolfinnas Korner (nightcap)
292. BooksnBoys(coupon organization)
293. pennypinchinmomma(keeping littles busy during school)
294. Elena @ My Domestic Church
295. Jolanthe (Use Your Cell Phone as a Home Phone)
296. Rachel (managing my money)
297. Hotomom (Don\'t Lose Your Camera)
298. Courtney (laundry tip)
299. Lauren (relationship/baking tips)
300. Sharon (diet journal)
301. HomemadeMom (multi-tasking during bathtime)
302. ANimator\'sWife (Recession Meals)
303. $750 Budget (How we Got $30 of coffee/mug for $3!)
304. mary (shoes on the right feet)
305. Carolina Mama (Pray It Friday)
306. BossSanders (Organization)
307. Kristine (Spend less eating out)
308. Sarah @ Prayerful Driven Life
309. Tracey - Microwave Popcorn
310. Jennifer (The End of Nagging)
311. Elizabeth
312. ChickyMama (Kids\' clean-up tray)
313. Stacey (Best Bug Repellent Ever)
314. Elaine Briggs(Great is His Faithfulness)
315. Rona (Smart Port for Personal Electronics
316. Farrah @ Wife & Mom of 3 (Blogenergizer)
317. Free 2 Be Frugal (gift closet)
318. saverchic(consolidating errands)
319. Jacquelyn @ Because I Said So! (solution to messy kids\' rooms!)
320. Saving Money Ideas (ING savings account)
321. Wendy
322. Wendy (Scripture memory for kids)
323. Beulah (Freezing Cookie Dough)
324. Runningamuck (Give Yourself a Break Dinner Tradition)
325. Mozi Esme (X kid crafts)
326. Ashlee (Infant Travel)
327. Joyfully Seeking (chemical free dryer balls)

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51 comments:

Lindsay @ Makely said...

I'm gonna need to check out your e-Mealz link. We definitely need to do something like that. I'm so tired of the 5 meals we make and rotate...yes, boring but easy.

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Excellent tip---I too often forget to put everything down on my grocery list, but when I do it this way, it works out great. Too funny, I was refreshing like crazy wanting to link in the top ten---I started at 9:30 ET...to a 30 second potty break and wound up 23 oh well. I hope my tip will be OK, it is a bit deep.

Holly said...

Menu planning is my downfall. I'll check this out...thanks!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a neat program. I am going to see if they run specials for the commissary, that would be great!
Toni

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing that resource - sounds like it makes it so easy! I don't enjoy coming up with a menu and then making the grocery list. And I have not been good about planning my meals according to what's on sale. Good for you!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the good tip. You are doing a great job with this "legendary" carnival! Thanks for hosting this so we can all play along.

Anonymous said...

Interesting idea. I find that picnics are a great way to set up a new meal with the whole family involved.

Falling Around said...

I signed up for e-Mealz last week! This was the first week I've actually used it. Made grocery shopping and meal planning a breeze! Love it.

Colored With Memories said...

i love e-meals too!

Donna @ Way More Homemade said...

Never heard of e-Mealz before. I just almost refuse to menu plan because I just never know what I'll be in the mood to make or eat. But maybe if I had a plan, that decision wouldn't be so hard. :)

Amy@ MomsToolbox said...

Hmmm. Fun, new recipes... saving money... and stuff I can actually cook and enjoy.. all made easy?? Sign me up!

Anonymous said...

Okay, okay! I surrender!

You can come do all the cooking at my house, too.

[sigh] The things I do for my friends...

se7en said...

This sounds so organized that it's mind blowing!!! We have a weekly idea of what we are eating it give us something to aim for in the end of the day dash! But actual meal planning is well advanced down the organizational chain of life!

Unknown said...

This is actually looking like it could change my life!
Thanks!

momof3girls said...

Thanks for hosting the WFMW carnival blog. How fun & helpful! This is my first time to participate & I hope I did everything correctly.

Misty said...

that's so cool!

Jenny86753oh9 said...

The other day you mentioned on Twitter what you were making for dinner and I almost asked you if you were using E-mealz. We've been doing it for about 3 weeks now and I. love. it! It makes my life so much easier at dinner time!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Great ideas for meal planning.
sandy toe

Tim, Allyson, and kids said...

Great link, I need to look into that.
Okay, I should know better than to type quickly while nursing and not proofread. Would you please remove #179 where I left the second l off of the word Small. Thanks!

Sheila said...

Isn't it awesome how the internet and computers can organize us? They think we stay at home moms know nothing about technology except how to turn on the TV, but I think many of us are more wired than most people in the workplace!

Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!

Anonymous said...

I definetly recommend this too. I am not so creative when it comes to cooking so this took the "what will I give them today" out of it. I also like that there's a lowcarb option as well as a store preference. It's worth the money because you do save money and you have almost no waste.

Mommy Saves ALOT!!! said...

Great POST...I totally agree, having a detailed list before going to the store is VERY helpful!

everydayMOM said...

Thanks for the EZ Meals link! That's a great resource.

My tip for meal planning is this: I brainstormed 30 meals that my family loves/ will eat. I broke them into categories, like Italian, Mexican, soup, crockpot, etc. to help me come up with ideas. I print out the list each week and keep it on my fridge. Then, I circle the seven dinners I plan to make the following week.

I also keep a pre-made shopping list on my fridge with all of the items that I buy on a regular basis. Then, I just go through and highlight the ones I need according to my meal plan.

I keep meaning to put these lists up on my blog so people can download them. For now, they are available in the planner that I sell online: http://everydaymomlife.blogspot.com.

I'm going to get involved in your WFMW one of these days, but just wanted to post this tip!

Amy said...

I say this over at another blog and wanted to play along. Mine is not on dinners but on my little one. Hope you have a wonderful day. Great idea.

Katie said...

Hi Everyone! My post is on some simple and inexpensive ways I help my two and half year old work on developing fine motor skills. Have a great day!

Annie said...

I goofed and linked the first time to my home page so I redid it, you can delete line 201 and sorry for the confusion, now I get it. Love this idea and so many inspiring posts! Thanks

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

Doesn't that sound like the most basic thing? "Make a list of every ingredient you need..." Yet its my achille's heel EVERY WEEK!

The weeks I can get my crap together and head to the store fully prepared are the weeks I stress *SO* much less about making meals!

Great tip!

Jerralea said...

I definitely have the problem that when I go to make something, one ingredient may be missing! E-Mealz sounds like a great resource.

Jackie said...

This is my first time to post a Works for Me Wednesday post. I didn't have one in the archives, but created a new post. I have been enjoying reading your tips and those of other links listed on your site. Thanks!

Kaycee said...

Thanks for hosting this again. I love your menu planning tips. I'm not a natural born cook either, but I've actually grown to like it since I started menu planning. I get excited about trying new recipes when I've already planned for it and have all the ingredients.

Anonymous said...

This is great. Looks like cooking will become a fun experience through this. We busy moms need all the help we can get. Hope you cont. enjoy.
Happy shopping and cooking too!
Ginger

Diane said...

LOL - people who refuse to plan often insist that they don't like being locked into a menu several days ahead ("what if I don't feel like lasagne on Wednesday?").

They don't realize how freeing having a menu plan can be - know for absolute certain sure you not only have the ingredients on hand, but you are practicing frugality while feeding your family healthy meals!

I actually do this for my single-person household through my cookbook software - so very helpful on the nights I'm tempted to stop and pick something up to know there is food in the house to make something delicious.

Anonymous said...

Oh where have I been? Didn't realize this carnival moved - fun to find the new home - looking forward to meeting you all!

Anonymous said...

I signed up for E-Mealz a couple of weeks ago after I heard it on the Dave Ramsey show. I have been menu planning for 6 years and I thought 1.25 per week was a great price for all the time it would save me.

It's been really great so far. Do you do the low fat menu?

Raise Them Up said...

More often than not, "haphazzard cook" is my middle name. Thanks for this suggestion! I'm going to look into it. :)

Anonymous said...

I love this tip! I meal plan but I do all the dirty work myself. I'm going to go check out e-mealz - thanks!

BTW - I didn't write my WFMW tip FOR you.. but I certainly did think of you a time or two while I was. ;)

Courtney@Booksnboys said...

Man, that is the kind of program that I really wish I had thought of first :p

The Frugal Angel-Guided Psychic said...

Great ideas! I'm gonna try to get better at meal planning this Spring :)

Thanks for hosting too!

Jolanthe said...

Sorry - my first link messed up for some reason. :)

Jolanthe

Broke but Happy said...

Thanks, WATF, for hosting. Great tips all around!

All my best,
Broke Girl

Anonymous said...

great ideas! thank you so very much!

Rachel said...

Your tips are great! If you're really into meal planning, you should check out the weekly meal planner at springpad - it's a great way to organize all your recipes and meal plans and I think you'd really like it!

Rachel @ springpad

Elaine Briggs said...

Hi a friend of mine sent me here to have a look, what a great site. Pleanty of info to digest. My Wednesday tip is this. Always keep a bag of cubed hash browns in the freezer. They are great for a quick potato soup or sauteing off as an accompaniment with dinner. Saves on time - you don't have to stand and peel those potatoes...who has time for that!!
Hope this is helpful.

Unknown said...

Electronic menu plans and recipes are a great idea.

Anonymous said...

I am going to have to try out that Ez-Meal planner. :-) Thanks for sharing the tip.

Farrah from Wife and Mom of 3
http://wifeandmomof3.net

Babs said...

Eat before you grocery shop, I really try to do this because a list won't mean a thing :)

T!ff@ny said...

I actually have been doing e-mealz and LOVE it!!! :-) That is awesome that you are "sharing the love". I especially like the part where you don't have to worry about forgetting to put something on your list b/c it is already there for you! This has saved me many times!!!

the 6 o'clock stitch said...

I have a friend who swears by E-mealz! She says it has saved her so much time every week. Guess I should quit procrastinating and sign up myself, huh!

Anonymous said...

I just subscribed! I very hopeful. If this works for me, I will be eternally grateful!

Anonymous said...

Kristen,
I am running one day late. I just posted my Works for Me Wednesday - I mean Thursday! Thanks for hosting.

Anonymous said...
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