After being religious about menu planning for quite some time I recently took a break. It was fun. I didn’t resort to takeaway. We still ate very well. But it wasn’t until I decided I wanted to empty out freezer that I realized what menu planning does.
So about 1.5 weeks ago I went through the fridge and freezer and made a list of everything it contained, taking special notice of anything that would expire when we’re away (leaving for a 10 night cruise on Saturday). I then went through and made out a menu plan for the 2 weeks before we left. I mainly do dinners but I had a few breakfast and lunch ideas so I put them on some days.
Menu plan done! Now the revelation. Firstly, it was so much easier just checking the fridge (where the menu plan lives) to see what was for dinner each day. I didn’t have to think – brilliant. Secondly, we are eating a better variety of meals. I hadn’t realized we were eating the same dinners week in week out. Thirdly, as hoped we made a good dent in the fridge & freezer. And forth, we saved a bunch on groceries by eating the food we’d already paid for :-). So am I converting back to regular menu planning. If you’ve never done it before give it a go. There are plenty of free printables on the internet but all you need is pen and paper (and maybe gloves for diving into your freezer 🙂 ).
Well timed post Libby…I needed a kick to go see exactly what is in my freezer and as you say, eat what we have already paid for!
Have fun on your cruise – you guys are almost professional holiday makers 🙂
I enjoy menu planning but I’ve lapsed the past couple months. I need to inventory my freezer & get back to planning