Managing Meal Planning As A Family

Gone are the days that I just stop somewhere for dinner with my husband after work. Now we have young kids who like to eat around 5:30 and my husband’s ever-changing work schedule. So we NEEDED some serious planning that added some structure and predictability to our lives. And meal planning saves money-BONUS! 🙂

Initially I did this by myself but then I would catch my husband saying things like “she decides what I eat” and our daughter seemed to be uninterested in meal time. So I decided it was time for a shake-up!

It’s been 2 years now that I have been doing it this way and it works great for us!

The basic principle-PLANNING!

• Have a day that you sit down to review grocery ads, digital coupons and make note of the things that need to be eaten in the house.
• Have a meal planning document listing your usual “go-to recipes” so you always have some inspiration. (more on this below) 
• Match up the items on sale etc.. (from bullet 1) with the meal planning document.
• In a notebook have one side listing the days of the week (whichever day your week starts with) along with the ingredients you need to make it happen.
• Go shopping in your pantry, fridge and freezer before leaving for the store.
• When you get home post the weekly menu somewhere that everyone can see it so they know what to expect. I also find it helpful to have an area to list leftovers so that things don’t get lost in the fridge abyss.

Helpful tip: Some people like having certain days of the week dedicated to specific types of food. I found this to be a bit too restricting in the spirit on saving money since certain items need to be eaten first (soon to expire, thawed etc..). So how about instead we commit to a THOUGHTFULLY THRIFTY day? We have one of these a week and it rotates from week to week. But it reminds me to make really budget friendly meal at least one day.

 

So you might be wondering how this is actually a family affair.

Get your kids involved in the weekly ad process. Go through the ad together, have them identify items (helping with name recognition) and discuss the cost of items. Explain what the purpose of ads and coupons are and why we use them. Then ask them to pick out items that look appealing to them.

The first time I did this I really expected them to just hunt down cookies, cereal etc.. But surprisingly they really enjoyed picking out fruits and veggies.  Then when we go to the store they can pick the items out, check them off the list and recognize them when we make meals.

So about the meal planning document. Here is the one we use. It doesn’t encompass every meal we make but includes ones that are easy enough for a weeknight but can be dressed up. Meal Planning Document

This is the part I get my husband involved in. I will hand him the laminated meal planning document and ask him what he would like to eat this week. He will usually pick out 1-3 things and then I fill in the rest.

After all the planning is done I write it up on our chalkboards and head to the store!

So go out there, get organized, save some money and have fun!

Classic Mac In A Flash, With A Twist!

Who doesn’t love a classic? Better yet a simple version of a classic! I have several Mac n’ Cheese recipes I adore but nothing is better for a weeknight than this simple recipe. Seriously. The base recipe is great and you can doctor it up however you desire. My husband and I are obsessed with everything buffalo and blue cheese. So Buffalo Chicken Mac n’ Cheese it is!!

My version was adapted from: http://www.andiemitchell.com/buffalo-chicken-macaroni-and-blue-cheese/

I changed a few things to accommodate my love affair with cheese and my aversion to poached chicken. I really think grilled chicken is better here. Even if you grill it inside the buffalo sauce soaks into the seasoned chicken breast to add so much flavor!

The original recipe also tries to make it healthy. But let’s be honest if we want to eat Mac n’ Cheese and especially Buffalo Chicken Mac n’ Cheese we probably want it slathered in cheddar, blue cheese and buffalo sauce. No diet version for me. But if you have more self-control than I do, more power to you- try the healthier version!

Here’s the super easy breakdown:

Season and grill your chicken breast (I like to cut them in half to make them thin cut). Let it rest, chop it up and add the glorious buffalo sauce. Seriously just douse it in it. I’m not even going to give you an estimated amount because I have no judgement about how much of that bottle you use. 😉

Meanwhile back in cheese land- grate up at least 2 cups of cheddar cheese. I say at least because I usually grate around 3 and the family sneaks as I go so whatever is left gets added. And the best step I learned from that recipe is.. drumroll… Mix the milk (whole milk around here) with cornstarch and whisk till blended then add the butter and melt over med-low heat. Then you wait.. But seriously this has to be the easiest version of making a white sauce I have ever seen. Keep stirring the sauce till it becomes a nice creamy consistency.

Note: I have tried doing this with flour and it comes out lumpy. So it really does need to be cornstarch. 

Season that delightful smooth sauce with your usually repertoire. Around here it’s seasoned salt, garlic powder and pepper. Once mixed and to your liking add that mountain of cheese and stir over med-low heat.

Add your noodles of choice. I laugh every time at the original recipe because it says 8 oz of noodles (even though a box comes with at least 12 usually). But seriously it tends to only fit 8 oz if you want a nice creamy ratio.

And there you have it- the kids version (sans buffalo sauce/blue cheese) and the adult heavenly marriage of Buffalo Chicken Mac n’ Cheese!

Here’s your grocery list:

• 2 chicken breasts or 4 thin ones
• Buffalo sauce
• Noodles of choice (but only use 8 oz)
• 2 cups Cheddar cheese (my preference is Tillamook medium cheddar)
• Blue cheese
• Spices of choice
• Cornstarch
• Whole milk
• Butter

I hope you enjoy this splendid weeknight meal! Happy Creating.. and Eating!

PS-Sorry there aren’t prettier pictures with greens mixed in for effect. I was too busy eating. 😉