I’ve talked in passing about my weekly grocery shopping trip and how I plan meals for the week. Now that I am a part of a CSA, it makes things a bit more complex. Fortunately, my CSA is amazing, and she actually sends us out a list on Friday of what we’ll receive in our boxes on Saturday. This really helps with planning.
Now typically, I do meal planning on Sunday, but for sake of a Friday post, I decided to go ahead and plan next week this morning. Here’s my typical routine.
I make a list of dinners for us to have Monday-Thursday. We typically go out to eat Friday & Saturday nights and unless I plan something fancy to eat Sunday night, which I didn’t this week, we have last week’s leftovers or eat up some staple items. Also, I look at the calendar to see what is planned for the next week because that might alter dinner decisions. Example: girls nights! 🙂
As you can see, I also write down breakfast foods (Hubbs go-to is a bagel), snack options and what I’ll have for lunch (I actually don’t mind eating the same thing everyday for lunch).
In the back of my mind, I know I keep other staples around in case I want to switch things up (canned beans, frozen fruits and veggies, pasta, sauce, pb&j, almond milk for smoothies, frozen turkey meatballs and veggie burgers, etc).
Then, I flip the paper over and write out everything I need to have to make the listed meals come together.
When I say ‘write down everything’, that’s exactly what I mean. Even items I know I already have on hand. Then, I go back and cross off items I already have and items that will be in my CSA share.
I check to see what coupons I have on hand (which usually aren’t many- I’m not much of a couponer, though it interests me).
Then I head to the stores! I’ve mentioned I’m not very loyal to grocery stores. I tend to play the field. With this particular list, I’ll probably pick up my CSA Saturday, then head to 1 ‘fancy’ health store (Healthy Home Market or Fresh Market) and 1 ‘regular’ grocery store (Harris Teeter) to complete my list.
So there you have! My weekly play-by-play!
Is your weekly routine similar?
Allison @ PickyEatingRD says
I am terrrrible at planning out my meals. I am really trying to get better at it. I tend to just buy a bunch of random stuff at the store and make something out of what I have purchased. Sometimes it works, sometimes it is a total flop.
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
My routine is kind of similar — plus we eat the same things week after week so planning doesn’t take too long.
You have such nice handwriting! Mine is such a mess.
Brittany says
I’ve always thought my handwriting wasn’t good or girly at all- thanks!! 🙂
Jenny says
I’m not as detailed as that but I like your concept and may have to give it a shot! I’m working on being prepared but there is always room for improvement especially with a baby due to be here in less than 3 weeks! Thanks for sharing. PS…I can’t wait to try those zucchini chips!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Mine is very similar. I do my meal planning on Sunday mornings. Only difference is I don’t write everything down. If I know I have something I don’t write it. But…you know what?! I like that idea because many times I’ve later realized I didn’t actually have enough of something I thought I had on hand. I might copy you on that. Thanks for the tip!
Have a great weekend!
Shannon says
I LOVE weekly meal planning. Or basically anything involving making lists. My poor husband is more of a fly by the seat of his pants kind of guy though, so sometimes I feel bad tying him down to a schedule. My trick is to do the planning and then spring it on him day by day! Going to try the faux-fried zucchini chips this weekend! Can’t wait.
Aimee says
This is a really great idea, and something I need to be better with. I do try to plan ahead, but I love the idea of having it all written out for the week. 🙂
Kate @ NaturaStride says
Wow, good for you! I don’t plan out the meals exactly, but I definitely always make a list when I head to the grocery store. Otherwise I’ll forget staples (yogurt, milk, fruit) and come home with crazy things like 4 flavors of ice cream instead 🙂
Mona says
I’ve tried planning, but I never got further than 2-3 days. This is such a good idea, I especially like the fact that you write everything down, including items you already have.
I might have to revisit the idea of planning ahead.
Kristin says
I’m like Kelli – I don’t write down stuff I (think I) have, but I often end up making multiple trips to the store as a result. I do find that I eat better and have much less food go bad when I plan my weeks!
Heather says
I am not a list person or organized enough to figure out what I want the next week for food. I go to the store every single day, I buy all the fresh meats and veggies (especially during the summer). If we go to Harry’s on Sunday’s then there are a few things I will pick up, but for the most part it is a day by day thing. Also, if we run out of things we will put it in the grocery store app that we have on our phones and I can make sure to pick that up the next day when I go. I have a feeling that one day when I have kids and less time I will have to become a list person, but for now I like going to the grocery store everyday.
Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray says
Awesome! I do something similar, but I usually go through the store’s ad and use that to help me brainstorm meals based on what is on sale. I’m not much of a couponer either, so that helps me to at least save a little money.
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
I love that you are so organized. I could really benefit from making a list and meal planning because I get stuck for meal ideas a lot.
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
My weekly plan is eerily similar…right down to the shopping at one special store and one regular store! The plan really works for us and helps us to keep our grocery expenses low. 😉
Rachel says
Wow, well done! I wish I could be that organized! I know I would plan out meals in advance and then change my mind that night though. I’m fickle like that 🙂
Sarah for Real says
I need to get back into meal planning. Lately I only have enough energy and brain power to figure up to 2 days at a time which leaves us eating out pretty frequently or going to the store nearly every day.
I’m thinking a pretty new spiral notebook might help 😀
Brittany says
The spiral notebook is KEY.
Jen says
I so admire people like you. I cannot plan ahead because we always want to eat what we’re in the mood for. I usually talk to my huband about it in the morning for what to make at night. This of course leads to a lot of grocery trips. My goal is to be more like you though! 🙂
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
I have a similar routine. We decide what dinners we right.. I list them at the top.. and below, I go into the ingredients needed… and cross off what I’ve already got one hand.
Then – there are other things that we get almost weekly.
I usually divide my list by grocery deparmtnes (produce, health foods, dairy, frozen.. etc) to help keep me organized!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
sounds like you’ve got your routine all figured out! love it
Roz says
Wow!!!! I bow to you for being THAT detailed!!! VERY VERY impressive. I plan a couple of days ahead based on what we have on hand, then pick up the extras as needed. (love that the CSA tells you in advance what you’ll be getting too!) Have a wonderful weekend Brittany!!!
Baking Serendipity says
You are awesomely organized here. I have a bad habit of making whatever with whatever is on hand, and running to the story way too often to stock up on ingredients for whatever random thing I’ve decided to make. I like your technique!
Sarah says
I’m just getting into meal planning. Last week, I did something similar, but I didn’t write down what I already had. I like your organized approach. Do you find it helps you save money?
Autumn @ Good Eats Girl says
I love meal planning! It makes nights so much easier at our house! And how great that your CSA sends you a list of what you will get! That’s awesome!
Maria @ Beautiful Busy Bee says
That’s so convenient how you plan everything in advance! Your handwriting is pretty. 🙂
Nancy says
my friend and I are looking to start an on-line meal planning business and would like to work with someone who has got the ball rolling already and take it to the next level. Are you interested in possibly selling what you have done so far?