Wait, what's for dinner?

Granted, my life isn't super hectic right now but I have found a way to stay on top of one of the most important parts of life....dinner. In our family food is no joking matter. For example, when I was a little sprout I went to the doctors for routine booster shots and my Nana bought me a snow cone maker for taking them like a champ. Our family rewards with food, always appreciates a good meal, and never misses a feeding! Being married I started to get a little overwhelmed with the excitement of being able to try tons of amazing recipes from Pinterest and my cookbook library. Meal planning is what saved me from drowning in the land of slow cooker meals and cauliflower pizza crusts. 

Once a week I pick 2 or 3 new recipes from my collection, anymore than that I find too overwhelming and I end up buying ingredients that I'll never use again. The rest of the week I make recipes I either know by heart or can create from what I already have in the pantry. After I go shopping I sit down and create the menu for the week. The new recipes I disperse throughout the week and intertwine the easier recipes between them; one day is usually designated leftover day because let's face it, no one wants to cook all the time. I'm lucky because the previous owners made a chalkboard door in our kitchen that is also magnetic so I can put the recipes up to be seen for the entire week, however meal planning doesn't need to be that visually fancy. Putting the meals in a planner, on a piece of paper, or creating your own menu board are all great options. 

 The biggest tip I have for meal planning is to keep your pantry stocked! Keeping a healthy amount of spices, broths, herbs, can goods, and all of those base flavors allows you to make all kinds of recipes with ease. Another thing I do is buy frozen veggies. They have the same nutrients as fresh and are cheaper, which is great since being on budget is key. Of course having a big stock of fresh fruits and veggies is important as well. Lastly, I buy in bulk. Once or twice a month I go crazy at the store and basically buy it out! I hate having to go to the store all the time for one or two things. 

I hope these meal planning tips add a little peace to your life and you find them just as helpful as I have. Love ya'll! 

Maddie