Do you plan meals?

J&K10910 · November 2010

Or do you just look in the fridge and throw things together? I'm a planner, and I like to have a week's worth of meals planned before I head to the store. I hate the grocery store and I'd rather go once for an hour or two than stop there for 15 minutes every day to pick up what I need for dinner.

I also love to plan things that utilize the leftovers of other meals. Anyone else? Is there a method to your meal planning? What's a typical week look like to you? Do you find you rotate a lot of the same meals? Do you have a "go-to" meal or two that you use when you can't think of anything else? Could I possibly have any more questions about a really mundane topic? Do you like cheese?

Nebb · November 2010

I dont, but we eat the same things over and over. I plan some things in so far as "do I have enough for lunch tomorrow, ya ok then". We eat a lot of pork loin chops and a lot of chicken breast, always with a veg and a starch (which I rarely eat). Im pretty easy. tops are chicken salads (chicken sauted with mustard, bbq sauce and garlic), pork loin with this sweet salsa on top, pork loin in mushroom soup sauce, ummmm thats all ive cooked over and over again for the past 2 months. hah.

J&K10910 · November 2010

Nebb, can you share your pork loin with sweet salsa recipe?

kd.joseph · November 2010

My DH does most of the cooking, but I do the shopping and I must say we dont plan. And I like to grocery shop as weird as that sounds.

I also love to plan things that utilize the leftovers of other meals. Anyone else? No, sometimes we do a fend for yourself, eat the leftover nights. Is there a method to your meal planning?Nope What's a typical week look like to you?Chicken, or salmon and a vegetable. Do you find you rotate a lot of the same meals?Yes we do. Do you have a "go-to" meal or two that you use when you can't think of anything else?Yes we make Jamaican chicken stew a lot, its quick. Could I possibly have any more questions about a really mundane topic? Nope Do you like cheese?Love it.

ETA: I'm glad box kitty is back, and I want to kiss his little pink nose.

J&K10910 · November 2010

I should answer all my questions.

My method is grill FI to make him tell me what he wants (and NO FI, WHATEVER I WANT TO MAKE IS NOT AN OPTION!), then I go through recipes or my head (I actually have a recipe list where I list all the meals I've made that we want to make again, otherwise I really do make the same things over and over) to come up with a few more. Make my lists, and then I choose from the list each day what I feel like making (or what meat I have not frozen. I definitely have a go-to. But we started Weight Watchers about a month ago, so we're trying a bunch of their recipes, and they're REALLY good. So we're enjoying some variety.

Steph0871 · November 2010

We certainly try to! With the wedding, then Thanksgiving though, we haven't done well the last few weeks. I love when we do have a week planned out though. It's so much easier to not worry about what to make for dinner. We usually plan about 4 meals for a week, and count on leftovers for the rest.

I do notice that we rotate through at least a couple of the same meals often. There's usually at least one pasta dish and at least one meal with baked chicken

I love cheese.

J&K10910 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_plan-meals?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:38fc6fd4-e01e-4043-ab46-5bffab3fbd98Post:7ea2f4df-5c2f-4543-a93a-e970c4dfb0c5">Re: Do you plan meals?</a>:
[QUOTE]My DH does most of the cooking, but I do the shopping and I must say we dont plan. And I like to grocery shop as weird as that sounds. I also love to plan things that utilize the leftovers of other meals. Anyone else? No, sometimes we do a fend for yourself, eat the leftover nights. Is there a method to your meal planning? Nope What's a typical week look like to you? Chicken, or salmon and a vegetable. Do you find you rotate a lot of the same meals? Yes we do. Do you have a "go-to" meal or two that you use when you can't think of anything else? Yes we make Jamaican chicken stew a lot, its quick. Could I possibly have any more questions about a really mundane topic? Nope Do you like cheese? Love it. ETA: I'm glad box kitty is back, and I want to kiss his little pink nose.
Posted by kd.joseph[/QUOTE]

1. Will you come grocery shop for me today? I need to go, I hate going, it's Black Friday,a nd I don't feel well.
2. When the fridge needs cleaning out, I definitely say "it's leftovers night, good luck!"
3. Mmmmm, salmon. Got any good recipes?
4. Jamaican chicken stew recipe, now please.
5. Box kitty's nose changes colors depending on how warm she is. I can always tell when she's nice and toasty because it's bright, bright pink. But other times it's almost white. It's fun.

Steph0871 · November 2010

Ditto, KD! I want salmon and Jamaican stew recipes, please.

kd.joseph · November 2010

1. Will you come grocery shop for me today? I need to go, I hate going, it's Black Friday,a nd I don't feel well. I would but I dont think I would make it on time.
2. When the fridge needs cleaning out, I definitely say "it's leftovers night, good luck!" This is a great night because if he doesnt cook I dont have to do dishes.
3. Mmmmm, salmon. Got any good recipes? No, he just rubs it down with Fishermans Wharf seasoning from Urban Accents. But he does have a good Spiced Salmon Recipe, I'll have to get it when I get home.
4. Jamaican chicken stew recipe, now please. See above, as soon as I get home I'll get it for both of you. It's so easy.
5. Box kitty's nose changes colors depending on how warm she is. I can always tell when she's nice and toasty because it's bright, bright pink. But other times it's almost white. It's fun. She is beautiful. I have to get DH to upload a pic of my Pookey and show you how much they look alike.

anna.oskar · November 2010

I plan dinners while I shop mostly.

I hit up the fresh fruits and veggies and depending on what i find available at a good price, i then purchase around the bargain buys. So by the time i leave the store, I have a pretty good idea of what we'll have for dinner each day.

Nebb · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_plan-meals?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:38fc6fd4-e01e-4043-ab46-5bffab3fbd98Post:e8898dad-e138-45d5-951d-ffbd2a6fb434">Re: Do you plan meals?</a>:
[QUOTE]Nebb, can you share your pork loin with sweet salsa recipe?
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

Not REALLY, because I dont know how the salsa is made. My mom and aunt spent a day last summer canning it and ive spent the last year eating it. I only have about 1/3rd of a jar left :(

Steph0871 · November 2010

J&K! You have 12,000 posts.

Thanks KD! H would love that stew

J&K10910 · November 2010

Thanks, kd! I'll look forward to the recipes

And I can't wait to see your kitty!

Anna, if I did that, I'd come home with an entire paycheck worth of the grocery store. I need lists, or I wander aimlessly for hours and throw things I don't need in the cart, and then forget the things I do need. But I'm impressed that you can do it!

Weird, Steph! I didn't even notice. Well...not anymore

And Nebb, that is very sad. Homemade salsa is one of the best things ever in the world.

raynes · November 2010

I sit down for a bit on Sunday's and plan out my lunches, snacks and our dinner. Lunches and snacks are easy, because it's the same thing all week.

For dinner I look through the starred posts in my blog reader and flip through some cookbooks/magazines. We usually have breakfast for dinner at least one night that I go to the gym and usually 1 or 2 other things that I've made before.

I ask H if there are any meals he'd like to have that week, and this time of year his answer is usually "soup!".

As I'm making my meal plans I add to my grocery list (that's nicely divided by store section), so that by the time I'm done the plan I'm done my list too. It's very systematic.

anna.oskar · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_plan-meals?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:38fc6fd4-e01e-4043-ab46-5bffab3fbd98Post:df26e8cf-5642-42d5-8c76-87c5470f0c5c">Re: Do you plan meals?</a>:
[QUOTE]Anna, if I did that, I'd come home with an entire paycheck worth of the grocery store. I need lists, or I wander aimlessly for hours and throw things I don't need in the cart, and then forget the things I do need.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

It's not hard as long as you stick to the outer ring

kd.joseph · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_plan-meals?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:38fc6fd4-e01e-4043-ab46-5bffab3fbd98Post:df26e8cf-5642-42d5-8c76-87c5470f0c5c">Re: Do you plan meals?</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks, kd! I'll look forward to the recipes :) And I can't wait to see your kitty!
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

I have to see if I have any pictures of him in the camera. Most of him are in film form. He's been gone for 2 years now, and I still miss him.

Oh, I also have a beef stew thats quite different, but it's an all day process we usually make a double batch on the weekends then eat it all week.

kimheartsscott · November 2010

I don't plan meals out at all, I don't really know if Scott does in his head though. (he does all the grocery shopping because I HATE it). I typically don't know what I'm eating for dinner until 5 minutes before I make it.

kimheartsscott · November 2010

Oh, and cheese is delicious.

J&K10910 · November 2010

Raynes, you're my kind of cook and grocery shopper!

Aw, kd, I'm sorry

That makes me sad. I still miss my pets from when I was growing up, but I'm at least to the point when I can look back with fond remembrance, instead of tears. It took me a long time to get past the teary stage though. It's true that pets really do become a member of the family, huh?

Also? I looooove beef stew and I don't mind all day things, especially now that I'm not working. I also love things you can make huge batches of and eat all week and/or freeze for later!

beatlesgirl25 · November 2010

I also plan meals a week ahead, because I'm only willing to go to the store once a week. My method is to open the store flyer, see what meats and produce are on sale, then plan our dinners around that. H and I use breakfast and lunch foods that don't need to be cooked ahead (cereal and sandwiches for me, cottage cheese and frozen dinners for him), so I'll plan 3 main meals with lean meats, grains, and vegetables, then we eat leftovers on the days in between, and get take-out on Saturdays. And still our grocery bill is ridiculous.

I'm super jealous of people who have the means and motivation to cook a different dinner every night. I love cooking in bulk and being set for days, and also I can't afford the alternative!

aleighk1 · November 2010

I used to when FI and I first moved in together, but I've been slacking a lot lately. Hopefully once we get settled into our new apartment next month, I'll start planning again.

kd.joseph · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_plan-meals?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:38fc6fd4-e01e-4043-ab46-5bffab3fbd98Post:02964517-6c58-41e5-8dfc-e30bc38f3347">Re: Do you plan meals?</a>:
[QUOTE]Raynes, you're my kind of cook and grocery shopper! Aw, kd, I'm sorry :( That makes me sad. I still miss my pets from when I was growing up, but I'm at least to the point when I can look back with fond remembrance, instead of tears. It took me a long time to get past the teary stage though. It's true that pets really do become a member of the family, huh? Also? I looooove beef stew and I don't mind all day things, especially now that I'm not working. I also love things you can make huge batches of and eat all week and/or freeze for later!
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

TY, he was my baby.Quite the cuddler, my baby now has to live forever.

Yeah this beef stew is so different, and worth the time. Most of it is the chopping. And most of DH's recipes come from Cooking Light. We try and eat quite healthy.
Getting ready to leave work, and fight the crowds to get home. I'll get those to both of you as soon as I get home. Later!

J&K10910 · November 2010

You rock, kd! Have a safe trip home

LessThanZero · November 2010

We plan in the sense that we'll go shopping and grab a bunch of things we'd need in order to have lunch/dinner options for a week or so. But usually the farthest out we'll plan for the actual meal is one day in advance.

I definitely am a once a week shopper. I couldn't deal with running to the grocery store every day or every other day either.

I LOVE CHEESE!

brookelynpaisley · November 2010

I plan a week at a time. I buy so that I make enough dinner to have leftovers for lunch the next day. I try to get a good price on beef roasts and have a traditional pot roast meal on night, and then use the the leftovers to make beef tacos by adding seasonings. Typical meals for us are baked chicken (with various seasonings and I mix up the sides), turkey stuffed peppers or taco salads, fajitas, crockpot chicken with cream of mushroom soup.

Do you plan meals?

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