Ok, if I want to win this game, I better have plan. I had one for years, but I think it is too perfect and unrealistic for everyday life. Like for example not eating out, it is hard when something come up and it is no way to cook meal, but going out it is always around $25-$30 minimum for 4 of us. Of course, it is just one example, but almost every other week something comes up, which ruin grand plan
So I will start slow - with most unpleasant task for me cooking. Don't get me wrong, I love to bake and make new interesting dishes. But when it becomes daily task: morning, noon, evening - 365 days a year, it gets old fast.
I did research before and have whole pinterest wall, what to cook, how to cook ahead or cook once a month, it just never worked out right. My husband and my son loooove meat/chicken and need daily, especially my husband he works outside and has have physical job. My son always hungry, but he is 2 and he is growing, so that explains. My daughter and me on other hand not meat lovers, while I will eat time to time or have smaller portions, my daughter will have one bite if at all. Plus on top both kids are allergic. And of course, each of us have preferred dishes, which of course all different. So when I normally sit down, instead a plan I have a headache.
So for the rest of month(18 days, about 2.5 weeks) I have $192.12, which means we spend more than half of our grocery money. Now my plan to cook ahead at least 3 dinners and lunches. Plus I read online about stocking up on essential food items every week using only $5-$10, so in case of emergency(for us simply running out of money) you have everything you need for 2-3 month.
I planning to make separate post with all our meal plans and items for emergency(with updates), so it easy to track and I can see it all it one place.
Need plans... Better plans
January 13th, 2015 at 11:08 pm
January 14th, 2015 at 05:34 am 1421213696
Personally, I am a big fan of the crockpot. Food can be prepped the night before and then put in the crockpot in the morning and left to cook all day. You come home to a prepared meal. I have 2 crockpots and sometimes I will make baked potatoes in one, meat in the other, and then add a vegetable I can make in the microwave or a salad. Very easy to do and it saves so much time and energy doing it that way instead of when you are already worn out and needing to cook.
January 14th, 2015 at 10:49 am 1421232598
If you dislike cooking you need a plan to make the task easier. A meal plan helps the budget as you only buy what you need and you don't waste food. It's flexible as you make adjustments to which day has a quick to make and which day has more time. You buy seasonal foods and seek the sale items at the grocery store that your family will eat. There are certain foods that are best nutritionally for a 2 - 8 y/o that everyone can enjoy. The super foods are eggs, oatmeal, whole grains, blueberries, orange,melon, kiwi, seasonal fruit uses tomato, basil. any Mexican and Chinese theme dishes use black beans. Tofu adds nutrition to soup, stew, salad, stir fry as your secret ingredient. Cabbage is coleslaw, stir fry, cabbage rolls, casserole. Yogurt + blueberries or a squirt of honey & ice makes a smoothy...just some ideas. Make your favourite salad and add the hot cooked meat to DH's plate.
January 14th, 2015 at 12:43 pm 1421239417
January 14th, 2015 at 08:37 pm 1421267835
January 15th, 2015 at 12:52 am 1421283165