As homemakers one of our responsibilities is to make sure our family is well-fed and nourished. Meal planning is an essential part of this process, as it can help you save time, money, and stress. In this blog post, I’ll provide you with some tips, tricks and a comprehensive guide to meal planning as a homemaker, so that you can make the most out of your kitchen and provide healthy, delicious meals for your loved ones.
- Start with a plan
To be great at meal planning, it’s essential to have a plan in place. Consider your family’s preferences, dietary restrictions, and schedule when creating your plan. You can use a spreadsheet or a meal planning app to create your plan. I’ll share with you in the end, my digital meal planning guide that’s available right now in my Etsy Shop!
2. Create a grocery list
Once you’ve created your meal plan, it’s time to make a grocery list. Take inventory of what you already have in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, and only buy what you need for the week. By doing this, you can avoid buying duplicate items or food that will go to waste. Make sure to stick to your grocery list, so you don’t overspend on unnecessary items.
3. Plan for leftovers
Leftovers are a great way to save time and money when meal planning. Consider making larger portions of meals that can be reheated or repurposed for lunch or dinner the next day. You can also freeze leftovers for a later date. This can help you save time on busy nights when you don’t have the energy to cook from scratch.
4. Keep it simple
Meal planning doesn’t have to be complicated. Stick to simple, easy-to-prepare meals that don’t require a lot of ingredients or prep time. This can help you save time and stress, especially on busy weeknights.
5. Batch cook
Batch cooking is a great way to save time and money when meal planning, especially if you have a larger family. Consider cooking large batches of soups, stews, and casseroles that can be frozen for later use. You can also cook grains, such as rice or quinoa, in large batches to use throughout the week.
6. Use a slow cooker or instant pot
I love this tip the most! Slow cookers and instant pots are great tools for busy homemakers. They allow you to prepare meals ahead of time and let them cook throughout the day, so dinner is ready when you are. Slow cookers and instant pots are perfect for soups, stews, roasts and so much more! These gadgets have been life savers for me.
7. Get the family involved
Meal planning doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Get your family involved in the process by asking for their input on meal ideas and letting them help with grocery shopping and meal prep. This can help your family feel more invested in mealtime and can also be a fun bonding activity.
8. Create A Budget
Having a budget already set is very crucial! Sticking to your grocery list and budget will help prevent overspending. It’s so important to stay on track!
Meal planning is so essential and crucial to your time management and sanity. By creating a plan, making a grocery list, planning for leftovers, keeping it simple, batch cooking, using a slow cooker or instant pot, and getting the family involved and sticking with your budget, you can save time, money, and stress while providing healthy, delicious meals for your loved ones. Happy meal planning!
As promised, here is the link to my very own Digital Downloadable Meal Plan, Shopping List and Meal Tracker:
Thank you so much! ❤️
Thank you so much! ❤️