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Archive for February, 2011

Meal planning brings visions of my mother in the kitchen of our country home preparing supper for a group of girls that were soon to get off the old yellow bus. Those girls, after a hard day at school, would bring their appetites as big as Texas.  Add their farmer father to the equation my mother had to have been prepared ahead of time with what to feed the clan.

We didn’t have the “fish house” down the road, or the Golden Arches of McDonalds to take the family, so what she put before us was what we ate.  There was no room for finicky eaters at her table either.

With the price of groceries today, it pays to plan meals in order to keep the cost down.  I am an avid people watcher when I have time and rarely the grocery store affords me the luxury of time.  However standing in line at the check-out; I watched the family ahead of me as they unloaded their basket.  There were no staple items, like meat, flour and meal or potatoes that could be meal starters.  Instead there were several bags of various kinds of chips, several bags and packages of cookies, processed lunch meat, several loaves of bread, frozen pizza, frozen dinners, etc. etc.  You get the picture.  There were no can goods, fresh vegetables or fruit.  I’ve not always been a stickler on nutrition however, I have watched the biggest loser long enough to know somethin’ gotta give!

So what can I offer you for meal planning suggestions? I am one of those who doesn’t mind going to the grocery store.  For all those who are searching the web for ideas of good nutritious meals to plan for your family and you find this blog  you will find duplications of others suggestions; therefore it may be a sign that what we say is good and worth your effort.

1. Know what your family likes.  It isn’t fair for you never to have a choice of your favorite meal.  Plan it in your week.  Each member of the family should be able to look forward to the night his /her favorite meal is served.
2. Make a menu.  On Saturday or Friday evening during family time, write down some thoughts for meals.  Planning ahead helps you know what foods you will need to accomplish those meals.  Don’t forget dessert and fruit for a snack.
3. Remember Crock Pot meals on occasion.  It makes for a smoother afternoon when everyone is tired from their day, and ready to eat without a lot of fanfare.  Also there are plenty of ideas for quick meals on the internet.  Take a minute before going to the grocery store, and Google quick meals, or crock pot meals.  You may be surprised at what you can find that cost pennies to serve and will be nutritious as well.
4. One of my daughters is a note taker.  Sticky notes align her refrigerator, counter and purse.  When she goes grocery shopping for her little family she has a plan, a workable plan for their busy lives.  She doesn’t do this one, but I thought of her nonetheless when I thought of notes.  Take 3×5 cards and make a list of meats/entrees.  Another card for vegetables, another for sides of another kind, such as grains.  Pick and choose from the cards that can serve as reminders. Keeping these items on hand, one can pick and choose a meal at a moment’s notice.
5. Make a menu and put it on the refrigerator, or family bulletin board.  No one will have to guess what’s for dinner!
6. When I say meal planning, I think most of the evening meal.  As the other meals are usually taken care of with cereal, oatmeal, or cheese toast.  Then for lunch I consider school lunches are taken care of as well as a sandwich will usually suffice for the noon meal.
7. Trying a new recipe each night is not necessary, even though you may enjoy trying something new on the family.  Make it easy on yourself by using the above suggestions about service their favorite meal now and then; making it a special time for that one whose favorite is being served.
8. Don’t stress over cooking too much.  Now and then I would serve a smorgasbord of the week’s left overs.  The great invention of the Microwave helps us to have hot meals from left-overs in a matter of minutes.  No mess, no stress.
9. I realize this list is in no particular order, so with that said, let’s go back to making lists and going grocery shopping.  If at all possible leave the children with the man of the house so you can take your time and think through what you have planned ahead to cook.
10. When I was a single mom with teen-agers (my husband was a long distance truck driver) there was nothing I could not think of doing with Hamburger.  I invented hamburger helper – my children would say.  They may have tired of hamburger, but for my last note – keep this versatile meat on hand.  From burgers, goulash, meatloaf, tacos, Salisbury steak, casseroles with rice, casseroles with cheese, casseroles with noodles, etc. etc.  You get the picture; it is a must in meal planning.

I do have an appreciation for working mothers who want their families to eat nutritious meals.  However, the conscientious   mothers will take time to plan, plan, plan, and then work their plan.