Meal Planning - Staying Organized and Using Cozi

How do you plan for your weekly meals? I've learned that planning ahead and making a weekly (pre-kids I did bi-weekly) menu is the easiest way for me to stay organized. Since we are a small family, we often have leftovers from the meals I make. I take advantage of those on the days of the week I know will be our busiest. I don't like spending my weekend doing chores and braving the crowds at the grocery store. Instead, I'd rather be spending time with my family - in or out of the kitchen. Now that it is getting warmer, I'm loving playing out back.

I try really hard to get the next week's menu ready on Thursday or Friday, and then shop for the groceries. Throughout the week, I update my shopping list with any of our regular staples (things like milk, eggs, juice - the kind of stuff you buy every week) that we've run out of. For this, I have found a new tool that I love - Cozi. After I've done my meal planning for the next week, I add all the ingredients from the recipes I've selected that we don't already have. Typically, this consists mainly of produce. I have separate lists - one for groceries, one for wholesale (Costco), one for Target, and one called "Weekly Menu."

In addition to keeping me organized, Cozi helps me spend less money. It sends a text message with my shopping list(s) to my cell phone and I stick to the list. Sticking to the list helps me spend less money two ways: 1.) rather than buying impulsively, I am buying only what I need. 2.) I'm not forgetting items and spending time and gas on multiple trips to the store for the items I "forgot." The bonus it that I have more time and less stress because I am organized.

How do I find meal inspiration? I like to bookmark recipes of interest that I find on online under favorites, or by using a social bookmarking site called del.ico.us. When it comes time to plan my meals, I already have a gold mine of recipes that look interesting to me. Other ideas include: checking out cookbooks from the library, looking through my own books, planning some of my old favorites, or being inventive with ingredients that are of interest to me. Sometimes seeing a recipe will give me an idea of something else I'd like to make or reminds me of an ingredient I've been wanting to try out. There is lots of inspiration out there.

For fun, I often like to pick one dessert recipe to make each week. It's nice to have a little something special after dinner, particularly after a long day. And it also serves as an activity that my son and I enjoy working on together.

Here's to staying organized in the kitchen! I invite you to share your tips and meal plans with me. Happy cooking!

• Monday - Beef Stroganoff, Roasted Asparagus
• Tuesday - Leftovers
• Wednesday - Zucchini and Potato Frittata
• Thursday - Caribbean Grilled Chicken with Pineapple Salsa, Coconut Jasmine Rice
• Friday - Leftovers
• Saturday - Black Bean Taco Salad with Blue Corn Chips

This week's dessert recipe: Orange Chocolate Chunk Brownies

This post was added to My Joyful Haven Meal Plan Blog Roll.

3/13/09 this post was added to Frugal Friday.