I have finally done it ya'll. After months of knowing I at least needed to have a shopping list when I went to the store that ventured beyond milk, cereal, ice-cream, bananas, apples & bread - the true essentials in life - I started menu planning a couple weeks ago. I didn't participate in the meme because I didn't have time to write up a post on it. Do you know the time that can go into finding recipes, writing up a shopping list & then rewriting that list by department of the store so you aren't wandering back and forth for 2 hours. Well, that was such a success that I've decided to take it up a notch and cook several meals in one day, freezing most for us to eat over the next couple weeks.
With the menu planning I always knew I had something to cook, even if I didn't feel like cooking that night. Because of this I went to the store less often, when I did go I knew exactly what I needed (either my menu shopping or get more perishables like milk & fruit), and I didn't order out as often - I was at 2 times a week folks. I allowed myself the occasional mac 'n cheese night & left days for leftovers, with it just being me & the kids I really only need to cook half or 1/3 the meals I normally would have to plan for.
So far I've found the following to be helpful:
1. A pot of coffee, creamer & sugar on hand: If you're like me & don't enjoy cooking you'll need all the motivation and energy you can get. Plus if you started earlier than I did - and plan to next time - you'll need it!
2. A playlist with music you enjoy: Mine is on the computer, I have a mix of slow & upbeat songs & really like the combo. Next time I do this I want to have my mp3 player situated so the kids don't have to listen to my blaring music if they don't want to. Also, choose your music carefully. If there's a song that you love but it could bring you to a tearful breakdown, you may not want to hear it while chopping onions, measuring ingredients or reading a recipe. But if you don't mind the teary therapy, like myself, let it play.
3.
Double Triple check your shopping list against your recipes before heading to the store. I started pulling ingredients out for my first meal only to find I didn't have all I needed. Take note if you have to go to a specialty store for a specific item & if there's something you aren't familiar with take a look on the internet & see if you can find a substitution in case you can't find it. Like quick warm tapioca can be replaced with cornstarch - a more common item you'll use again. This time around I have 4 recipes that are missing at least one fairly important {at least looking} ingredient. One of the meals I completed was missing lemon juice but it wasn't much so I decided it wasn't important - I could be wrong.
4. If you can, get the kids out of the house. Mine have done pretty well so far but I'd have rather had them occupied outside of the house & more importantly the kitchen. Lunch was kept simple - as it usually is - and I used that time to wash pots, measuring cups, spoons, knives, etc.
5. Pull out all of the ingredients for each meal so it's all at your fingertips as you go through your recipe. Also, taping the recipe to a cabinet/wall/window - anywhere eye level helps. That way you don't get the paper dirty, lose it or catch it on fire - I did NOT do the last one but ya never know. If you're cooking from a cookbook of course you can't tape that to the wall but having one of those little prop stands would be helpful.
6. Use & abuse your crockpot! That can be your meal for the night of massive meal making or you can use it to make stews, soups, chili, etc. to freeze later. If you cook it on a 4 hour setting you could get 2 or 3 meals to freeze throughout the day while you are cooking other meals. More bang for your time & most crockpot meals are low prep and simple ingredients.
And now I'm off to the commissary to get the forgotten ingredients and finish my massive day of meal making. I'd rather have been cooking this whole time but lesson learned for next time. Have a great day & stay tuned for Part 2!
