Finding our Food Rhythm

I have used meal planning to save money and make life easier for a long time. However, I usually end up getting lazy and when it comes time to plan for the week I sit down with a sheet of paper and my mind goes blank. There are simply too many choices and so something that should have made life easier was suddenly overwhelming.

I was recently introduced to the concept of having a Food Rhythm from Simplicity Parenting and it makes meal planning a snap. It isn't really something new. In fact I'm pretty sure it is an old concept that my grandparents and great grandparents employed. I think my mom used it to some extent but I am trying to avoid thoughts of pork chops and noodle roni right now. Eating the same foods on a weekly basis may seem limiting in some respects- but you really are only limited by your own creativity. The other bonus is how it creates meal rituals for your family. Kids thrive on knowing what to expect. My daughter likes to know that she will have chicken on Monday and burgers on Saturday. It is comforting to her to know what it going on with our meals. I can definitely see how it will simplify our lives at what can certainly be the most stressful time of day.

So here is our food rhythm for now...we will see how it goes

Sunday- DIY Pizzas. I want to get the kids more involved with cooking and pizza is a no brainer with lots of possibilities. Although it isn't Paleo, we were usually eating non-paleo on weekends anyway.

Monday- Chicken

Tuesday- Taco Tuesday (Mexican)

Wednesday- Rice (white)

Thursday- Soup/Stew

Friday- Wild Card

Saturday- Fun Burgers

So now when I sit down to plan my week I no longer drawing a blank. Instead, it is like I am already half way done.

SIMPLE!

Menu Planning Madness

someone get me a straight jacket...I have caught the menu planning bug and now my goal is to menu plan meals for the entire month of December. Yup! I have lost my mind. I have been doing weekly plans for a few weeks and I am starting to see how much it actually helps me with food shopping and with organizing my week. So far all I have done is create a template for the month of December. I filled in the holidays and holiday gatherings and have many days to fill.

SOOOOOOO

I am asking you about your favorite dinner recipes. Will you, pretty please, send them to me to use in my meal planning? I will be sure to give you props. I am looking for your go to dinners that are a hit every time, simple to make and of course TASTY and healthy too!