To share my domestic goddessness with you all - finally!

[MercedesDeMonteChristo]

Today I have created a spreadsheet on Google with links to recipes that I use and I have now successfully meal planned for 4 months after 15 years of attempting and failing.

For years I've had a fussy husband (he has got over it) and less fussy but still fussy children (they are less fussy these days). Finally, I have about 30 recipes/meals that work for us all and my meal planning is largely working. I've hated cooking for so long and the last few months I feel like I have rediscovered it. I've categorised them too and it feels amazing.

Before anyone asks 'where is DH in all this cooking' - he does cook at least once a week if not twice and usually curry so enough for two days plus freezer.

Which brings me to my next smug moment ... I finally have stuff in the freezer, leftover rice, curry etc so occasionally it is everything out from the freezer and free for all.

Yes I am feeling smug and I want to tell everyone. And yes, I realise this is pretty sad.

Obviously this is less AIBU than just wanting to share my joy.

I want a copy of the spreadsheet!

Hahaha.... I am so sadly excited. Meal times have become a pleasure again.

Absolutely not sad at all!
That is brilliant, I bloody love it.

Such a good idea!

I woke up this morning with a feeling that my laptop might have died and I will have lost all my bookmarks - hence my Google sheet.

4 months of meal plan???? No way!!! That is amazing.
Sell the spreadsheet! You'll be rich before christmas.

I meant I have effectively been meal planning for 4 months (what lots here seem to have been doing for years) without it all going tits up.

I have planned until the end of November now though - I shared my achievement with the kids and I have to say they don’t share the enthusiasm.

I want a copy also I'm very impressed

Show!! I need more ideas. Have about 20. Pleeeeeaase.

Sell the spreadsheet!

I am very jealous! I’ve managed a month of meal planning before I gave up and ordered Chinese 😂

You should sell your plans!

I have also emerged as a butterfly. Walking to school everyday and family meals most nights. I feel this Spreadsheet is my next step. Well done indeed OP. Parenting high five to you Spreadsheet Goddess.

How many types of meals are on your spreadsheets? Presumably not 40. I'd like to do this as I'm sick of thinking about what to eat.

Fantastically well done!

Unless you share the spreadsheet, it didn’t happen

@AMCoffeePMWine

Unless you share the spreadsheet, it didn’t happen

I have a note of 42 meals that at least 3 out of 4 of us will eat. Most of the meals are 4 out of 4 and the odd ones are easy to adapt. ie I can't eat fish so if we make a tuna pasta bake I keep my pasta separate.

We rotate the meals about and have try out new ones occasionally.

My aim is to get to 50 meals.

Share OP!!

I am in desperate need of your spreadsheet @MercedesDeMonteChristo . Pretty please!!

Brilliant ! I do a menu each week so if they don't like what's on the menu they need to make sure they tell me in good time so they have a good tea on the table otherwise it's freezer thrown in haha

Well done, @MercedesDeMonteChristo. You should revel in your domestic goddessness.

This is such an alien concept to me . . . ! Is the aim of meal planning to budget? Or calorie control? Or both? Or, it depends on what you want to get out of it?

What happens if one might you fancy a takeaway? Or you can't get hold of whatever ingredients you need? Or (outside lockdown) you go out for an impromptu meal with friends . . . ?

I'm very impressed by the level of organisation, by the way! It's just something I've never done and now I'm thinking "should I . . . ?"

I’m not too rigid. So I might switch days around and if we fancy takeaway I just push one of the easier ones out. So frozen leftovers or freezer food or pasta days as long as I haven’t had to defrost anything.

Congratulations @MercedesDeMonteChristo!

It's probably best not to freeze leftover rice. There is a high risk of food poisoning from Bacillus cereus when you reheat rice. Freezing doesn't kill the bacteria. It's better to cook exactly the amount you need fresh every time.

Enjoy your month of meals!