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Hey there, amazing midlife ladies! We know life in your 40s and beyond is a whirlwind of responsibilities, goals, and adventures. And let’s not forget about mealtime – it’s the fuel for all that fabulousness! I know, I know…people have a hard time meal planning for a week! Why on earth would I want to plan out a month at a time? I’ll tell you why….because monthly meal planning makes life easier! Whether you are looking to save money, save time or eat more healthfully…monthly meal planning can be an important tool in achieving your goals.
Weekly meal planning is a cause for dinner time craziness! Why do we think we need to start over every week with a clean slate and plan out 5-7 meals….every week! There is an easier way!
Let’s dive into the world of monthly meal planning, a game-changer that will make your life easier and healthier. No more last-minute dinner stress or compromising on nutrition. Are you ready to embrace the art of planning and savoring every bite? Let’s dig in!
Why Would I Create a Monthly Meal Plan?
- I have to meal plan less often! I only have to dig in once a month…sure there are small changes along the way…but the major planning is done! And since I save my meal plans it’s even easier to keep the recipes my family likes and ditch the ones they don’t!
- I can see the big picture when it comes to shopping the grocery store sales. I’m a big fan of shopping the loss leaders at the grocery store…it’s easy to buy in bulk or stock up on items that I know I’ll be using when I plan for the month!
- I can shop less often and save money…I do a bigger shopping trip once a month and try to get most of the non-perishables that I will need. Then I just have to fill in with fresh fruits and veggies, perishables, and weekly loss leaders when I go out weekly. (This also makes it easier for me to keep track of the budget! Less trips to the store mean less temptation to spend! Using a price book helps too!)
- I have more variety in our meals. Without a plan it is too easy to repeat ideas several times a month (for me…that repeat meal tends to be spaghetti!)
- I save time and effort. By knowing what to cook and when, I avoid last-minute grocery store runs and reduce the time I spend cooking. A monthly meal plan allows me to prepare meals in advance, store leftovers and create new dishes from existing ingredients.
- I make healthier food choices. By planning meals in advance, you have more control over the ingredients and portion sizes, making it easier to avoid processed foods, reduce your intake of fats and sugars, and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables.
How Do I Monthly Meal Plan?
- Consider the number of meals you need to plan, the times of day you will be eating, and any dietary restrictions or preferences.
- Compile a list of meals and recipes that you enjoy and that fit within your dietary requirements.
- Print off a calendar…or use my templates. (sign up below for my newsletter to get access to my printables page!)
- Plan a dinner theme for each day of the week. Doing this makes me have to think less and it makes sure I have enough variety to keep my family happy. Use a calendar or meal planning template to plan your meals for the month. Assign meals to specific days of the week, keeping in mind your schedule and availability. Try to include a variety of proteins, vegetables, and grains.
- Mark off any days you know you will not be making dinner at home…as well as any evenings you know you will be short on time!
- Fill in what you can with your family’s favorites.
- If you still have days to fill then it’s time to hit your cookbooks, Pinterest, or Google.
- Keep in mind time constraints you may have on certain days of the week…I usually write down any sports practices or other activities on my calendar. This way I can keep in mind which evenings I may need to pull out a freezer meal to put in the crockpot instead of something that requires me to be in the kitchen right before dinner.
- Once you have planned your meals, create a grocery list of the ingredients you need. Be sure to check your pantry and freezer for any items you already have.
- Shop for your groceries in advance, and prep ingredients or meals as much as possible. Thrive Market is one of my favorite places for shopping online for top quality groceries.
Make Monthly Meal Planning Easy!
- Make a list of No Brainer Meal Ideas that your family loves! This makes planning so much easier!
- Keep your meal plans…this makes it easier to create new monthly meal plans. You can easily see what you made, which makes it easier to think about what your family liked and may give you some ideas you had forgotten about.
Make Monthly Meal Planning Flexible!
- Life happens! Plans change! I rarely follow my monthly meal plan exactly…but it helps me a lot to have it laid out.
- I look at my monthly plan each week when I make my weekly plan. Weekly planning goes quickly since I already have my ideas laid out.
Meal planning is an excellent way to save time, money, and promote healthier eating habits. By creating a monthly meal plan, you can reduce food waste, avoid impulse purchases, and enjoy stress-free mealtimes.
Make it Happen!
- Do you want to get all of my meal planning printables? Sign up here and organize meal time at your home!
2 comments on “Get Rid of Your Meal Time Stress: Monthly Meal Planning”
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Hi, I am dreadful at planning our meals do I shall give this a try. Thanks for sharing, Chloe #TwinklyTuesday
Try it! You might be pleasantly surprised at the results…it takes some work up front but it’s so nice to not have to think about it after that!