I just wanted to give an example of my menu. I have a dry erase sheet that I use. I just updated my menu this morning. As you can see we are having Stromboli and fries tonight. I try to do a little stocking up when I can. For instance, I will buy as many can good items as I need to complete this menu. Also anything that does not need refrigerated or frozen, (pasta, rice, noodles, etc.).
Some items I make enough that I can freeze some and have another meal out of that item. You will notice some red asterisks on my menu. These are items that I have vacuum sealed and are in the freezer. I did some cooking ahead and vacuum sealed other items also. For example, the taco meat for Taco Casserole, Crunch Wraps and Burrito Bake are all ready to go.
You will also notice blue check marks in some boxes. This tells me I have all the ingredients on hand for those meals. As you can see I have some boxes with checks after some without. I usually make out the menu as a guide. I will just switch meals that I have everything for with ones that I need to pick up items for.
Also in my planning I put items together where I can split a package. For example, I split the package of Italian sausages for the Stromboli, Spinach Roll and French Bread Pizza. So those items will fall fairly close on the menu. You will also notice I have Burgers the night before Meatloaf. As there are only two in my household I can make a couple patties from the ground beef package and still have enough for the next meal.
Remember it is a dry erase board, not set in stone. If I don't feel like cooking a certain item I will move on to another meal that I have on hand. I have about 50 or so meals in my menu rotation. I have been trying some new things lately. And have more new items to still try. I am trying to get out of the menu rut. Of course we have our favorites so they will always be in rotation.
**Don't forget desserts!! Keep simple dessert items on hand, cake mix, brownie mix, cookie ingredients. I try to make a dessert every week. Most times a cake will last all week with just the two of us.
**Corey brown bags his lunches everyday. Although I don't put them on my menu I know every week I will need a loaf of bread, lunch meat, chips and a box of toaster pastries or granola bars. You could however split your calendar days to show a lunch and dinner menu if you need to plan lunches also.
**Check your local ad papers. We eat lots of frozen vegetables. My local grocery has a 10 for $10 special on their brand every couple weeks. I always buy ten. I know what I don't use on this menu will get used next time around.
