Do you realize that everything hinges on knowing what is for dinner?
What is the difference between getting some housework done and living in a pit dug out by spatially challenged warthogs?
Between being able to have a good homeschooling day and feeling like you are in charge of a bunch of illiterate savages who figure out the speed of passing trains with knotted ropes and their fingers?
Between starting a creative project of any kind, working on it, and finishing it, versus feeling like all you do is go in and out of the grocery store?
Knowing that dinner is under control.
Why is this?
Because, and I realize this might be news to you, so hang on — dinner happens every day.
Now, one reason I started writing about my menu system is that I often read elsewhere about people's meal ideas, and they always amount to something like, “Make your menus, shop, and cook.”
It did seem like something was left out…
On the other hand, I was somewhat daunted by the amazing proliferation of really wonderful blogs, magazines, and books with barges full of recipes.
Yet, recipes are not really the issue, since the chances are slim that you have the ingredients on hand to make something truly different and exciting, and how can you either rely solely on “things you have on hand” or shop effectively for more variety without knowing which recipe you will make on which day?
And that's where I come in. Go over to the sidebar where it says “Happy Home: Food Organization” and read all about it.
In a nutshell, I'm telling you that it's not enough to say, Monday we'll have spaghetti, Tuesday we'll have rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, Wednesday we'll eat out, Thursday we'll have pasta, Friday we'll have leftovers, Saturday I get the day off cooking, and Sunday my mother will rescue me.
This is pretty much the “menu plan” I read in a major newspaper, purporting to finally, once and for all, straighten out your life!
Yet she's hardly cooking at all, spending a lot on prepared food, and leaving herself open to an emergency trip to the store or restaurant with that deceptive “leftovers” entry.
Another lady tells you to simply come up with a bunch of menus without regard to the day of the week. I look with envy on her, as I contemplate a different schedule every day. I also wonder if it's too much cooking, since with my detailed plan I can schedule making chicken and rice one day and using the leftovers in a casserole a few days later. Now that's “leftovers”!
For my way of life, I have to take into account that on Monday the Chief needs to get out the door by 6:45 for a meeting, but on Wednesday and Thursday Bridget and I won't be home between 4 and 8!
Monday's dinner was easy: chili, homemade coleslaw, and squash biscuits using that little dab. Here I show you how to make the biscuits. You can use any little bit of yams, squash, or potatoes you might have!
{Pour out some of your handy baking mix (you will find the recipe here) — no need to measure once you know what about 2 cups looks like. This will be enough for the four of us — use 4 cups for 8 people, etc…. The sooner you learn to make certain basics without measuring, the quicker dinner will be on the table and the less of a pain it will be!}
I note that Wednesdays in the morning I have time to bake, but Fridays, not at all. I detest cooking on Saturdays, but have time on Sunday to get a roast going. I might as well really plan, if I'm going to plan. I think some people do all this unconsciously, and good for them!
But if you are like me, a little scattered, a little undisciplined, a little clueless, good at cooking but not at doing things when you ought to, you need a detailed menu for each day; so you might as well bow down to your inevitable fate and have fun making menus. It really is fun, once you accept the whole process, because finally you will be able to actually give those tasty recipes a try, as well as take advantage of your sturdy dependables when the day calls for it.
More importantly, you will finally be freed up to turn your attention to other things.
Sara says
And I thought I was going to have to throw away the acorn squash leftovers that no one loved! There'll be biscuits tonight…and I don't know what else. lol.
Charlotte (Matilda) says
Can we talk hand blenders? My sweet hubby bought me a big name, fancy cordless one for Christmas that just died a slow painful death (outside of the warranty period, of course). Do you have any recommendations?
scmom (Barbara) says
My sisters-in-law ask me all the time — "how do you have time to make menus?" I say, "how do you have time to do anything if you don't?" I know what's for dinner every night and I have the food in the house because I planned my menu. I can't imagine any other way.We have much in common Miss Leila.
Mama Kitty says
Leila,When I was about 12 or so my dad rounded up me and my two sisters (11 and 10), and told us we Were Not Leaving the Room until we had come up with 30 menu ideas and written them down, to be a Christmas gift for my mom. My mom worked full time at the time and did not love her kitchen.30+ years later my mom, who loathes cooking and all it entails, still has some of those cards. My sister and I got a huge laugh out of reading them this summer. We can identify each other's handwriting, and determined that sis put a dessert on each and every card she wrote, thus ensuring (she thought at the time)dessert for all those meals.
Freckled Hen says
Your photos are stunning, especially the cabbage. It looks much better than the green cabbage I simply cut and boiled for dinner. You have helped me with the menu planning…now I must pay more attention to the great recipes you share. Thank you for the nice comment you left welcoming my husband home. You are so very nice!
Leila says
Sara — no throwing away!!! :)Charlotte/Matilda — Mine is a Cuisinart. It does have a cord, which is a pain, but the reviews on the cordless ones were all like, "not powerful enough", bleah.Barbara — yes indeedy.Mama Kitty — I love it! That is fantastic. If you read my article about making menus, you will see that I make sure you ask everyone in your family what they dream of! But writing them out — priceless.Freckled Hen — I think red cabbage is so much prettier — why not?? It costs a bit more, but we are talking about cabbage, here, not filet mignon. I hope you are enjoying your togetherness with your wonderful spouse!
Charlotte (Matilda) says
OK. Mine was a cordless kind and it did have power when it first came out of the box, but then it started acting up by only staying on for 3 seconds at a time. Ever tried to puree a butternut squash soup at 3 second intervals? :(What, would you say, is the biggest pain about a corded one? Storage, mobility, or plug access?
Anonymous says
Leila,Your blog is so inspiring to me. I often feel like I pull up a chair in your kitchen and get the "MOM-sense" I need about alot things. I am a 36 yr old mom to 3 little girls (9,6,&2.5), this is my second year homeschooling and …well, you have taught me alot. Thanks for your honesty, your gritty humor and nuts and bolts instructions (for those of us who don't know how to do it ALL). Keep writing. I so appreciate it!Susie in Spokane, WA
Sara says
Second comment of the day—-I was just kidding about not knowing what else was for dinner. The pork was already defrosting and I would have served the squash on the side. Dh is my garbage disposer. lol.But seriously, I just made THE BEST BISCUITS EVER! The dry half of my recipe is 2c flour, 1T baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 c butter. Then I added the acorn squash (1.5 c?)and mixed it in. I didn't want to sour my brand-new farm-fresh milk so I used the yogurt I made yesterday and added it just like you said. Again: THE BEST BISCUITS EVER! Light, fluffy, amazing, and that little hint of je ne sais quois!
Sue says
"But if you are like me, a little scattered, a little undisciplined, a little clueless, good at cooking but not at doing things when you ought to"OK, how did you know that about me?! I thought I had an allergy to menu making, but you may have convinced me to give it a try. I do have sort of a loose idea, since I order most of our food from a co-op that delivers every Monday, but something more concrete would bring more order and freedom to our afternoons, I admit. Those biscuits will be on the menu for sure!
Anonymous says
You are hilarious! And clever! Thanks for your great example and concrete ideas which inspire us to excel at our wonderful job of homemaker. Linda
Shawna says
Charlotte: I have a Braun plug in food processor and really enjoy using it. I have managed to find a home for it and I store all the extra bits in an ice cream pail. Since making a menu regularly and a fit about counter space I have plenty of space for it when I need it. I pop everything into the dishwasher which also makes me happy.Leila: thank you so much for breaking things up for those of us who IT doesn't just come to easily. What makes perfect sense to some homemakers just doesn't to me, so I'm grateful for the extra steps.
Tracy @Magnolia Cul- says
Amen sister! Preach it! I once was lost but now I'm found.I am a believer in family menus. I Have been a believer for over three years now.But, sisters, my walk has not always been straight and I confess to you now that I have strayed off the path toward the shiny bright lights of chick-fil-a. The siren smell of waffle fries still bekons me, but, with God and my fellow mother sisters' help, I CAN resist. Get behind me waffle fries! You are NOT on the menu until next week when Dad is out of town!
Pippajo says
Where were you when I scratched and clawed my way through developing this system for myself four years ago???This is almost exactly what I do. I have to or it's hopeless! I have often felt like a bit of a loser with my remedial lists and detailed plans (and some of my more organized friends do pick on me a little), but it works and it has revolutionized our lives!You are so right! And I am so trying those biscuits!
Leila says
Charlotte — it would be easier to grab the thing and take it wherever. My kitchen has few outlets, being a 19th century artifact layered over bit by bit with nary a thought to "code".And of course, that also means I have little real storage, so a wall-mounted charger would be helpful. But this is fine, although I did once use it at the stove with the cord sort of draped willy-nilly and melted off some of the coating…the Chief patched it with electrical tape and hopefully we will survive to cook another day.Anonymous/Susie — thanks! I will keep telling you what to do, no fear.Sara– I knew you were kidding — who would dare say she didn't know what was for dinner to ME!!! :)I'm glad you loved your biscuits. I never really went for the add ins until I thought to use my blender. It makes the whole thing lighter…Anonymous/Linda, your comments always brighten my day!Shawna — The food processor is a whole nother discussion. I felt so guilty asking for the stick blender when I already have a blender, food processor, and kitchenaid, but hey. That's how it goes…Tracy, be strong. We will be there for you!Pippajo– So sorry…but think of me as your cheerleader!
Charlotte (Matilda) says
I'm sorry to have side tracked the conversation with my hand blender fascination, but I just wanted to say that for us it was a safety issue. I had a regular blender that I poured hot soup into one day to puree and it leaked out of the bottom and all over the base, my cabinets and the floor. With little ones running around, I decided right then that pouring hot soup into a contraption like that again was dangerous. Since we don't make a lot of mixed drinks and most hand blenders can be used for smoothies (not if you are using ice though), I actually replaced my blender with the hand blender and haven't missed the regular blender at all. It might not work for everybody, but it works for us.
Charlotte (Matilda) says
Oh and Tracy's comment cracked me up!
Kari says
I had a dream about you last night…your whole family and my husband were out doing something productive and I was left to cook dinner for you all while you were out. This mommy of 1 so far has never cooked for that many people and I. had. no. menu!! So I made everyone scrampled eggs, hashbrowns and toast. Nary a veggie or fruit in sight! But all worked out well in the end. I didn't think (until I woke up) to check Your menu plan! :DHave a great day!Kari
patches of me says
You are so right. Life is better when the meal is planned. Then everything else has a way of falling into place. Less stress when "that time of day" starts to roll around. I like your simple, yet complete plan.Good idea on using up the leftover squash in the biscuits. Never thought of that one.
Anne R Triolo says
I love my menu plans. I began doing this when I first got married because I was excited to use my new cookbooks and try out new recipes and plus the grocery store was about 20-25 minutes away, so I really needed to make a trip count. However (start ominous music here) when I was morning sick a couple of months ago I lost the habit/strength/nerve/energy, whatever you want to call it, to keep making them. And I just didn't pick it up again until I got soooo darn sick of walking into the stupid grocery store (now a tempting 2 min away) that I thought I would SCREAM if I didn't do something quick! I have started making menu plans again. I make them over the weekend and prepare a shopping list as I go and then shop on Mondays. I try to take into account things like, guests coming on Tuesday or leftovers from one meal being useful in a subsequent one, but I also write them on a marker board so that I can switch them around if need be. For instance this week I had planned a spiral ham for Monday and it turned out that spiral hams were $3/pound! and so I bought some other more reasonably priced meat, but that meant that pea soup on Tuesday was out, etc. Also, on wednesday when I felt too tired and pregnant to make chinese food I was able to switch with Thursday's menu, breakfast sandwiches, which my dear, sweet husband offered to make for me, as I had already fallen asleep in the easy chair…Anyway, yes, menus are marvelous. My husband commented to me recently that he feels like we have been eating especially well lately (ie, since I got back on track with my menus) and I know that we are spending far less on groceries and really not throwing out leftovers. Wahoo! 😉
Our Lives says
How interesting to read of your post about dinner menu. I have just re-written mine as our life situation is bit different now, basically busier. I used to make monthly menu and life was smooth sailing. The last two years though, I was not so diligent and lo and be hold, I (and my family) suffered the consequence! My monthly menu now makes much more sense and is also much simpler. I use recipes that only call for regular (or normal) ingredients. I will leave the "exotic" recipes to later in my life when there's only hubby and me. The big different I have already seen with the "new" monthly menu is that I will have two nights not having to cook the main meal but just the side dishes! Yes, dinner menu rocks! 🙂
Our Lives says
correction: I meant to say two nights each week (that's roughly 8 nights a month!). Whoohooo!!!! 🙂
Decadent Housewife says
I've been using up squash for years in bread and soup. Great advice as usual.
Rachel says
Menus save my sanity, my time and my money! We eat better, I'm less stressed and enjoy making the menus, clipping the coupons, shopping and cooking 🙂
Stacie, A Firefighte says
I just started making a menu and I am loving it. It saves me from stressed out evenings, trying to feed six children. I am eating out less and I love it! I really liked all your advice!
Stephanie says
I went through the making menus "course" that you have and have been faithfully making menus for 2 weeks at a time for about 2 months now! I absolutely love making menus. You are right, I am able to focus on other things because I know what is for supper. I am not usually scrambling at 5 pm wondering what to make for supper. I am happier and so is my family – plus we are eating so much healthier because I plan veggies and fruits! What a good way to use up the home-canned selections! Thanks again Leila!!!!!
Keri says
"a little scattered, a little undisciplined, a little clueless, good at cooking but not at doing things when you ought to…"Uhhh… yup, that about sums it up here. Maybe I need to read that menu plan post again. Sigh.
Rona's Home Pag says
It's so much easier to make a menu plan these days since I base it on what's on sale.Our teen has been making some delicious meals too since he's making things from scratch.Your biscuits look yummy!
Rebecca says
"But if you are like me, a little scattered, a little undisciplined, a little clueless, good at cooking but not at doing things when you ought to, you need a detailed menu for each day" This made me laugh out loud! Somebody else quoted it as well, but I had to shout my agreement. "That's me!" I just told my husband. I think those of us who are a "little" all those things try to hide it and fail miserably! I learned menu planning a couple of years ago, and it saves me from wandering around the kitchen indecisively until it too late to do anything but have cereal!I realize that I'm a little late on the "comment train" for this entry, but I've only recently discovered you! As an overseas missionary mom of two little girls (3.5 & 14 mos), I am enjoying the much needed laugh and encouragement that you give. I want to pull up a chair and a cup of coffee, send the children outside to play, and pick your brain! I'll settle for "virtual" visits on quiet evenings when the girls are sleeping. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.