End 08 Great October Challenge
We are halfway through the End 08 Great challenge. Only 3 months left until 2009! So far we have challenged everyone (including ourselves) to Conquer the Clutter, spend some extra Face Time with the Kids, and Fix Our Finances.
The focus of the October challenge is Fall Into Cooking. We will be focusing on ways we can organize our kitchens and meal planning, find courage to try new recipes, streamline meal prep and kitchen work, and encouraging each other with tips on cooking for a crowd.
I am firm believer that the best place to start when it comes to cooking and other kinds of kitchen work is at the very beginning. For me, that beginning includes using a master menu plan, a monthly and weekly menu plan, and a master grocery list.
When I first decided to rule my kitchen instead of letting it rule me, I knew I had to spend some time preparing. I sat down and created a master menu plan. (You can see a copy of our family’s master menu plan here.) Over the course of a few days, and with some input from my family, I was able to write down all of the meals that make it into a semi-regular rotation. I included everything: breakfasts, lunches, lunch sides, snacks, dinners, dinner sides, and desserts.
After that was done, I created a master grocery list. I tried to make sure that my master list included all of the ingredients needed to make any of the meals on our master menu plan. (You can see a copy of my master grocery list here. You can also find a copy of a blank master grocery list here.)
Now every month I reap the rewards of all that hard work. Since I try to only grocery shop once a month (with the exception of milk and fresh produce), I go through my master menu plan and circle everything that we will eat for the month. I also indicate how many times we will have each item so that I know how much to buy of any specific ingredient. (Here is a blank monthly menu plan you could use to record your plans.) After I decide on meals for the month, I simply fill in my master grocery list. Between those two sets of pages, I know that my kitchen will be organized for another month.
If you shop weekly, a master menu plan is still a very valuable tool, especially for those times when you can’t decide what to make. Looking over a list of meals that you know are a hit with your family is great inspiration. Plus, you can use the same system that I use on a smaller scale. Pick your selections for the week, copy onto a weekly menu plan, and fill in your grocery list.
If you’ve ever thought about putting together a master menu plan or grocery list, we challenge you to do it this week. Then, post about your progress on your blog or here in the comment section so we can all be encouraged and inspired by your efforts.
AUTHOR | Kate Miller
Kate, one of the original 3 Moms, is a happy wife and stay-at-home, homeschooling mother of 4 children, ages 9, 4, 3, and 1 1/2. She and her family have spent the past few years purposefully living a simple and frugal life. Along the way, she has learned many frugal and financially-wise tips to help her family save and intelligently spend money while still enjoying an immensely full and wonderful life. You can read more about Kate on her personal blog, A Simple Walk.
I love this concept!! The only thing I don’t already do here is to record the price that you are used to paying … I like that!
The End 08 Great has been such a great series!!
I’ve shied away from a master menu plan because I like to try lots of new recipes, but… sometimes I forget about our favorites! Maybe I’ll give it a try this month. Thanks for the challenge!
Love master plan menus. Mine is a work in progress stil because my plan worksheet includes the recipe (for anything that involves one), the place it’s located, for instance which cookbook or website it came from, and the main ingredients. That way I have one place with all the information I need to do a menu. It takes some initial work but it’s so much easier and way more cost effective.
This is a great challenge! And the post has a lot of very useful suggestions. I have ignored cooking and was just starting to move toward spending more time on it. This challenge is very timely!
Thank you.
My husband found a software package that allows you to enter recipes, build weekly/monthly/yearly menus, and generates shopping lists sorted by store and aisle. Here is the website: http://www.mountain-software.com/homecook.htm?source=google+meal+planning. Has anyone ever used software similar to this or can recommend any?
I love master menu plans! I have one but it just needs to be updated! So I am going to work on doing that this week.
This challenge comes at a great time as I finally am getting myself back in the kitchen on a regular basis!