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Original poster

Calling all you meal planners out there....

34 replies

calebsmummy · 14/03/2006 19:24

.....it's time I got organised and actually started one!

So, is it a huge hassle, or really easy?

Any top tips you can throw my way?

Does it save money, cos my shopping bill seems to be getting higher and higher!!?

I have 3ds's. The 12 yr old has a cooked lunch at school, but he says it's not that much. He is as skinny as a rake, so I don't mind cooking for him again whne he gets home. DS2 (aged 3) doesn't eat (slight exaggeration there, but won't eat the 'proper' meals I cook) so I won't include him. DS3 eats pretty much anything, but he is 15 months so not the spicy stuff. DH works away quite a lot, so on the days he is away, I don't want to be cooking a huge meal for DS1 and I, when DS has eaten at school and I'm not fussed.

Is it gonna be a complete nightmare for me?

OP posts:
Original poster
calebsmummy · 14/03/2006 19:26

Actually just had a thought. We are moving in 3 weeks and will then get a chest freezer for the garage, so cooking big meals when DH is away won't be a problem, I'll just bung em in the freezer Grin

OP posts:
Yorkiegirl · 14/03/2006 19:40

I freeze anything which doesn't get eaten. I buy those foil takeaway cartons from the supermarket as they are perfect for leftovers, especially if there is only one adult eating.
I have a 4 week planner if you're interested.

Yorkiegirl · 14/03/2006 19:41

and yes, it saves me heaps of money!

Hulababy · 14/03/2006 19:45

I meal plan but only do it week by week. I do my shopping online on a Tuesday/Wednesday. I decide what we are going to eat for the following week (I don't plan weekends) and only order those food items, plus other essentials/basics.

If cooking casseroles, shepherd's pies, bolognaise, etc I will generally make double portions. I then freeze half for use withint he next month.

I just got a spare freezer to keep in the garage, so getting chance to bulk buy more.

It does save me money. Not loads because we only do it weekly, five days a week.

I have to do variations most days. DH and DD (nearly 4yo) eat meat but I don't. So often I make a veggie option too.

welshboris · 14/03/2006 19:55

Does someone mind giving me a rundown of this weeks plan?

DDs 18 months and eats anything I give her, but Im fed up of pasta, casseroles or "something" and veg

MerlinsBeard · 14/03/2006 20:18

Marslady sent me a lovely meal planner but i don't do it like that (sorry marsy Blush) its easier for me if i just write down 6 evening meals (we eat at DPs parents on a friday night) and pick and choose from them. I still feel like i have been spontaneous when in reality i haven;t.

It does save me money and we are eating so much better now that i actually cook. I have managed to get J to eat some of the things i have cooked even if its only been a bite. discovered he likes bolognaise but is terrified of pasta (!!???!!!), like ur D, O will eat whatever is plonked in front of him.

If u don't mind cooking seperate things for C more often than not then its fine and you would prob have to plan for him as well.

MerlinsBeard · 14/03/2006 20:19

oh, on the freezing front. If theres some left then i will freeze in individual portions (for the days DP is gigging) or i will double up when i shop (weekly - online) and make double every so often, i have to admit tho its not very often!!

MerlinsBeard · 14/03/2006 20:22

(sorry, seem to have taken over this thread)

Welshboris, this week we are having shepherds pie, cowboy hotpot(recipe from here not yet tried!), spicy veg and bean stew, posh pasta,sausage roast and curry (either homemade or shop bought i have the stuff in for both)

On the day we have the spicy veg and bean stew the boys will have fish fingers, on the pasta day they are having beans on toast. I always plan a quick meal because we always have a rush day where it tea time as soonm as we get in

welshboris · 14/03/2006 20:42

Thanks mom

Original poster
calebsmummy · 14/03/2006 20:59

Yes please Yorkiegirl, sounds good.

I think when we move I will do double portions as it will make for some easy meals sometimes, thus making my life even more organised! I do freeze small portions for DS3 already.

So Yorkiegirl, do you do a big shop once a month?

OP posts:
Yorkiegirl · 14/03/2006 21:01

email me anna (at) theheads (dot) net and I'll send you a copy
I do a bulk shop every five or six weeks, usually online so I don't have to lug the heavy stuff. Then each week I go for fresh stuff.

Yorkiegirl · 14/03/2006 21:01

cowboy hotpot/casserole is yummy! I made it again last week and DH loves it. My girls like it too!

MerlinsBeard · 14/03/2006 21:03

is it you that i stole the recipe from then??!!

Can't believe i have to put sweetcorn in something Wink

Original poster
calebsmummy · 14/03/2006 21:04

Hi Mom!! Grin

Didn't realise you did it!

Just sick of spending a fortune on stuff in the supermarket we don't really need.

Am tempted to shop online, used to in London, but sad as it may seem, I quite like my weekly trip to the supermarket. Would definately be cheaper online though.

OP posts:
Yorkiegirl · 14/03/2006 21:05

I don't put sweetcorn in it MOM!

Original poster
calebsmummy · 14/03/2006 21:07

Don't really mind doing separate stuff for C, sort of just accept thats the way it is at the moment really. He does pick at stuff of ours sometimes like the bread etc if he likes it so am just hoping one day he will join in and eat it all. D and O are just soooo good aren't they Grin

Grin at the scared of pasta!! C is scared of pretty much anything!! At least J tries stuff!

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Original poster
calebsmummy · 14/03/2006 21:08

Gonna go e-mail you now Yorkiegirl (does it include daily Yorkies Grin)

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MerlinsBeard · 14/03/2006 21:10

no sweetcorn??? oooh fab i can chuck it away Grin

Yup CM i do it kind of. Mars' menu planner was lovely but she eats differently to me. I am a very fussy eater (hmm wonder where J gets that from!) cowboy casserole is adventurous for this house lol!

busybusybee · 14/03/2006 21:10

Yorkie - Im still intrigued by your monthly meal planner. I asked if you would mind sending it to me before, you were kind enough to send me a link to your fab cards website instead!

Nice cards but no good for meals :o

Yorkiegirl · 14/03/2006 21:11

oops
email me again and I will definitely send it this time!

busybusybee · 14/03/2006 21:14

Wow a response in 48 seconds - impressive :o

Original poster
calebsmummy · 14/03/2006 21:18

Right done a vague plan for this week as I am shopping tomorrow, but will need to do at 4 weeker normally I think or we will end up eating the same stuff all of the time.

Can't remember who was asking for ideas, but this week we will have Veggie Curry (cos I have veggies that need using). Toad and Roasted Veggies in The Hole, Spicy Pork and Rice (not one for DS3 but he doesn't mind the same thing twice in a week Grin), gotta miss out the weekend as we are partying Grin well, my nephew is 2 so we are away for the weekend, Lasagne, and Jacket Potatoes. And I AM going to stick to it!!! Will be interested to see if my shopping bill is lower tomorrow.

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Original poster
calebsmummy · 14/03/2006 21:20

Mom, I am amazed you are even thinking about what you are cooking after the week you've had!!!

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MerlinsBeard · 14/03/2006 21:22

i have to cook for J, hes the only eating at mo! poorl little fella had toast for tea last night and beans and toast tonight Blush

MerlinsBeard · 14/03/2006 21:24

shopping online is the only way i can stick to my list. i do like the odd supermarket shop but not with a buggy and a willful toddler loL!!

It m,eans that i have to plan the week b4 so really i suppose i do 2 weeks in one (tried 4 weeks but kept changing my mind Grin) ie i book the shopping to arrive on a tuesday, tuesday/wed i book for the next weeks delivery slot