As we are getting my household organized again after DragonCon we have been eating out a lot. It happens on occasion. So next week, I will back to my amazingly affordable meal plans. This week I figured I would share some of my meal planning tips and tricks to help you stay organized.
I get the Sunday Paper and use the digital coupons from Kroger. When I make my grocery list I write on the back what coupons I have to use. I also make sure to check the closeout (Manager’s Special) sections of the store. You can find meats, breads, spices. I also try to pay attention to what is on sale even if I don’t need it that week. Especially for items we use often or tend to be expensive like cheese and bacon. Kroger will have their brand of bacon on sale periodically for $2.99 and I will buy a bunch and freeze.
I buy my meat for the next week. When I go grocery shopping on Monday I am getting produce, sides, spices, and the meat for the following week. This definitely helps with meal planning since I have a set list when I go to the store. Except Fresh Market. I only go there maybe once a month and stock up on Ground Chuck and Chicken Breasts. ($2.99lb on Tuesdays)
Unless there is a good sale, I tend to buy most of my produce at Trader Joe’s. Their produce is done per item not weight so I always try to get the biggest vegetables I can to make it worth it.
If you know that you will need shredded chicken during the week, you can cook it whenever it is convenient for you and warm up when you need it. Same goes for veggies. You can pre chop most veggies to use another day. If you have an abundance, you can always freeze them. Just a reminder frozen veggies seem to only turn out well when cooked. I don’t recommend defrosting to eat raw.
Another good thing to do is every time you go to the store, buy a spice. If you are not low on anything you use, buy something new. This way you have a well stocked spice cabinet to make all kinds of dishes.
And the last thing to add to your meal planning tips and tricks that’s super easy, is pick about 20 recipes you and your family enjoy and rotate them out adding a new dish here and there. It will make your life easier if you are not constantly trying to come up with new things to eat. The first few weeks will be the hardest as you learn your groove.
Hope this helps you on your meal planning adventure!!
