It really took me a while to realize that I needed to write down actual menus when planning meals for the week. For a long time I'd just jot down, “pork chops” and then stand in the produce aisle getting all wound up inside my own head, probably thanks to dear Julia.
Have I shown you a copy of my “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” by the way?
Sad.
Sometimes you just need to write down “broccoli” so that you can move on with your life as lived in the grocery store. Sometimes you are in such a broccoli rut that you need to write down “salad with pear, blue cheese, and pecans” or even “chou fleur blanchi” so that your poor family can move on with their life at the dinner table.
I once read that most American women buy chicken breasts, broccoli, lettuce, and yogurt. And that's it. Granted, that was single women. Does frozen pizza count as variety if you have a family? M-no.
Anyway, on the sidebar you will find Worksheet III on actually making the week's menus, and maybe you will be all like, “I get it already.” But maybe it will help you to see that I really mean “menu” by “menu”.
Must.
Make.
Menus.
I will, however, be flexible on the issue of a week vs. a month. When I had all my family about me, I did a month. It was more cost effective to put in the work (not that it's work! It's fun!). Now a week is fine. Even four days is better than nothing.
By now we have learned about ourselves that we can't look at a package of chicken thighs in the grocery store and somehow know what to do with them and what to serve them with — not while quelling two toddlers and figuring out unit prices of boneless vs. boned, we can't. The grocery store is not where we magically become inspired.
My Worksheet III starts you off with Monday. Of course today is Friday, so you could start with today. Or you could aim to start next week. But just remember, you are not on your own. You have your trusty menu list — use it!
Don't make yourself think up things all the time! Consider them all ready thought up. When summer comes we will add to the list with all the great grilled foods, salads, and cold suppers we will suddenly think of. Ah, summer….
Next, how to make a grocery list the frugal way.
Keri says
I enjoy the photography on your blog. I'm a visual person, so it's very appealing to me. BTW – love the little embroidered roosters in your header. Any chance of a post on them, or at least some more pictures?
Ann Kroeker says
This is such a great reminder punctuated with such gorgeous photographs! I want to hang out in your kitchen and eat whatever you have planned on your menu. Yum!But I was thinking about your comment–to stop making things up every time. Menu planning is making things up–just making them up in advance. So menu planning is quite creative, and not planning a menu in advance is just putting off the same creative effort.Menu planning is time well spent that would keep the household running more smoothly, save money, and probably help my kids get more involved. My 11yo daughter can make a mean pasta carbonara. I'll be blogging about that one of these Fridays….Thanks for participating! I have your search-engine-friendly linkage posted.
Lyn says
It's so true. Once you get a good menu plan down, it does not have to be complicated after that. I think we as women sometimes make it more complicated – I know at least I do! I love the ideas you are sharing and they make so much sense, thank you.
Decadent Housewife says
Your cookbook looks about as bad as mine. Mine was nearly destroyed by a leaking zucchini forgotten on the counter over vacation. 🙂
Jen - Balancing beau says
Must.Make.Menu…love it, and must agree! 🙂
Margo says
I agree!I like to read my cookbooks and I've gotten into the habit of jotting down page numbers/names of recipes I want to try and leaving the little note in the book. So if I'm out of inspiration, I can look at those notes before I start planning. I also write down what we actually ate (sometimes I go off-menu-plan) in a notebook and that serves as inspiration too because sometimes I forget about a really good meal/recipe.
Pippajo says
Ooooh I can't wait for the frugal grocery list lesson, though, I admit, I'm pretty dang good at that, if I say so myself!This is probably the only housewifely thing I am confident about. I like doing it and am good at it! There's nothing else I can say that about, when it comes to my duties!Can't wait to read more!
Sh. Patty says
Haha…it took me forever to figure out what that odd puddle (on what, the floor?) was in one of your photos. I won't tell you what I thought it was because it is not appetizing and has to do with my cat. But I finally realized that it is butter melting in a pan! It ALL makes sense to me now…. 🙂
flowersfortheteacher says
We've got the two volumes out on loan from the library now and boy is my husband already coming up with a delicious Easter menu. Thanks for your beautiful site.