I also love the chaos of my life and unexpected turns and adventures - but sometimes it can be a little much and normal would be a nice change. But I think I have to give up on that. It is one of the biggest issues with trying to meal plan and have it go off successfully.
The other problem I used to have is grocery shopping - I tend to know the majority of the stuff that is in my home (my brain is just like that) but sometimes I just forget what I have ran out of. I have tried many different ways of keeping lists and they all usually end up sucking until recently. I was in the states and found white board paper that is tacky and sticks to any surface. I figured it would be good for Cadence to use so I picked some up. I ended up putting some up in the pantry and hung a container from the dollar store for white board markers - voila a huge grocery list for everyone to see and/or add to! It works relatively well - I just snap a picture as I am putting my shoes one and off we go. I am working on a inventory system for the food in the house and deep freeze to cut down on wasting food. (I have one up already for my spice cabinet which is fantastic).
![]() |
The original plan! |
All this looks really good for getting organized right? Right!? except the farming meal planning is still an issue. So I usually do this as I'm shopping as I tend to get inspired (or see what's on sale.. same thing right?) and as I'm there I try to plan. Here is my text to the husband from this weeks grocery trip - I had a plan!
Croque madam, Bangers and mash (which turned into Toad in the Hole), Burritos with pulled beef, leftover, butter chicken and chana masala and the random day.
Well thanks to a microwave not working, husband with a sore tooth and other random things this week - this is how it has worked so far:
Sunday - croque madam for me and smoothie for Justin
Monday - Toad in the Hole
Tuesday - Sushi (take out because husband couldn't eat so I got a treat)
Wednesday - Toasted tuna salad sandwiches
Thursday - Grilled cheese and tomato soup.
So two out of five isn't great. I think the plan for tonight is the butter chicken and chana masala (it was suppose to be Thursday but we had a frozen chicken issues...) To be honest though - this is an exceptional good week for "following the plan! I have to figure out a way to be able to plan but not plan if that makes sense - but alas this has always been my struggle with meal planning! I think it is a necessary evil as it prevents the I have NO idea what to cook syndrome that leads to eating out or being lazy so I will have to find a way to tough it out!