Plan Your Weekly Meals - Stress Free

For many of us the weekly food shop is a dreaded chore, pottering around the supermarket aisles trying to find something to cook that evening – never mind the rest of the week. Sometimes it’s more trouble than it’s worth which only lures us into the delicious temptation of a naughty takeaway.

Not any more. By spending a hour at the beginning/end of the week to plan your meals you can save yourself so much time, stress and money.

I like to plan my meals on a Monday afternoon – the day I do my weekly food shop. That way I know exactly what plans I have that week that may affect my dinner arrangements such as a dinner date with the partner or Sunday lunch at the parents.

Firstly I use my ‘Food Bank’ insert which I use as a ‘go to’ printable of favourite meals that we have on a regular basis. I look at what we have had recently and add anything to my meal plan which appeals to me for that week. The ‘Food Bank’ insert also includes the ingredients needed to make a specific meal so that I can add these directly to my grocery list as I go.

I’m always on the look out for a new recipe so each month I search on the internet for any ideas that sound appetizing and add these to my meal plan and grocery list. If it’s a winner then it goes on to the food bank insert for the future!

Once the meal plan is prepped for the week, I add any extras to the shopping list such as toiletries, pet food and washing powder and then I’m ready to shop!

Depending on how you like to cook, you can use your meal plan to prepare meals in advance by batch cooking or simply chopping your vegetables to save you time later in the week.

Using a shopping list is massively helpful – now I only buy food that I need meaning that I no longer wander aimlessly around the supermarket with a vague idea of what to buy for the week. Food is no longer wasted and I feel organised knowing that dinner is arranged for the week which is why I definitely recommend that you try and put a bit of time aside each week to plan your meals. Try to get into the habit of incorporating it into your weekly planning session so that you don’t forget!

I’ve included a 2-page FREE printable to help you get started. This includes a food bank log and meal plan, both available in A4/Letter, A5 & Personal. You need to be a member of PaperScribblesCo to download but don’t worry it’s free to register!