Here’s what I take into consideration when I make our monthly meal plan.
- We’re a family of 5. Hubs and I eat smaller adult portions, Bookworm {10} eats a smaller portion than Hubs and I. Then there’s Master {6} and Lady Bug {3}. When you combine their portions, it’s about a portion size for Hubs or I.
- When I make our monthly meal plans, I plan out the main meal. Sides consist of a fruit or veggie, and possibly a grain, and is purely based on what I have in my fridge and pantry. Breakfasts are usually oatmeal, cereal or yogurt with granola. I do this since Hubs is out the door at 6:30 and the boys catch the bus at 6:50. It may seem limited and boring, but keeping breakfast choices simple makes it much easier on our hectic morning routine.
- Lunches are packed each day and are either sandwiches, salads or leftovers as the main course. It’s served with a fruit/veg, yogurt, a drink and a “treat” {gummies, chips, etc}.
- I try to shop from what I have on hand in the freezer or pantry first. After that, I buy items that we need for the week and combine with coupons when possible.
- During the summers, I freeze and can what I am able to grow and get cheap from you-pick farms and farmer’s markets. It enables me to keep what we eat fresh and local, but also limit our preservative intake.
- I cook a lot from scratch. It helps limit spending money on convience foods.
- I try to plan one meal of leftovers throughout the week. It helps us clean out what’s in the fridge so we have less food going to waste. I also try to have one quick meal, or crockpot meal a week because Bookworm has piano lessons {he has an hour at home before we have to leave again}.
This month, since everyone will be home at the end of the month due to the holidays, I’ve planned a lot of bigger meals that usually give us a lot of leftovers.
BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Taco Ring
Pizza x2
Chicken Fajitas
Chili
Sausage Campanelle
Cheddar Broccoli Soup
Peach BBQ Chicken with Rice
Peach Salsa Chicken with Beans
Thai Coconut Vegetable Curry
Salisbury Steak & Mashed Potatoes
Beef & Broccoli Stirfry
Shepherd’s Pie
Pepperoni Pasta Bake
Pancakes x2
Ham & Scalloped Potatoes
Butternut Squash Soup
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Shells
Ham & Asparagus Penne
Baked Rigatoni & Salad
Ham & Bean Soup
Chicken Parm
Leftovers
Leave a Reply