I am participating in the
Home Life Simplified Challenge to Simplify my Life. You can also participate by clicking on the link. It’s never too late to start!
I’ve fallen a little behind with being away for Easter and then some good old fashioned procrastination!
Week 14 in the Home Life Simplified Challenge is all about planning. I already use my diary to keep track of everything we are doing, appointments, sporting activities, playdates and social outings! I refer to it a lot. I do have to say that I have a gorgeous diary. It’s just a week to a double page but it has a handmade cover. I have this on my microwave on a recipe book stand open to where we are at.
They are special as they are only sold now and again.
I also have a notebook on the bench where I write down things I want to achieve that day – I don’t use this everyday- just mainly on busy days where I really want to complete certain tasks or have emails or phone calls to make. Makes me a little more accountable!
What I have decided to try again is meal planning. Over the last few months I have been reading more and more on other blogs about it. I tried a couple of times but it really needs to be something I am making a commitment to. Last year I downloaded a simple template which I am going to use to start with. I’m not completely happy with it but will find or create my own which fits better. I only want to concentrate on Dinner and include somewhere to write groceries needed (maybe) and any activities which will affect when we cook dinner. I’ve put a hook in my pantry cupboard and have planned to the end of this week.
I plan next week to try and “shop” from my freezer and pantry as we have lots of stuff in the pantry and some of it really needs to be used. I generally make simple meals that we can all eat. I eat with my children. Not ideal but if I eat with Hayden it keeps him at the table longer and means he sees that I like what I am feeding him. Sometimes he does look at me with that, “What the hell are you feeding me Mum!” look! My husband is most often eating at work or when he gets home – which is late.
So I hope to check back my the end of week 20 and let you all know if I have maintained it, if it made dinner easier, do I think I have a lower shopping bill (which I would love) and if I will continue with it.
I did refer to a few blogs when I was thinking about meal planning.
The Organised Housewife has a great meal plan each week with some great recipes to go with it. Deb at Home Life Simplified has a
great post about it with links to some great printables.
Share and Enjoy
Tagged as:
Challenge,
Goals,
Home Life Simplified,
Meal Planning,
Organising,
Pantry,
Planning,
SYL
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Good luck with meal planning. I have no advice as it’s one thing I’m really terrible at doing. My meal planning often consists of going to the supermarket and being inspired by what I see.
Thanks Kristy, Wish I could cook like you and then I may be more inspired. When you live so far from a decent supermarket – where the f&v are never so great you do have to think about what you buy. I just usually fill the trolley to overflowing and hope I have things to throw together. And if you want to cook anything with ‘different’ ingredients I need to prepare for that when I head to a bigger centre. So I’m hoping this will help me with cooking dinner but also cooking some new exciting things too!
i really love that you sit down and write your goals for each day to help keep yourself accountable… what a great thing to do! Good luck with your meal planning – i have found it such a helpful thing to do, and it really does lower your grocery bill
I am hoping it lowers my grocery bill too Lyndal!
I am going to put the meal planning into place as well and I going to get myself a few clipboards and print some hand outs for them all. Great idea!I also find that eating with the kids makes them eat better – especially my son! I am in Perth (saw you are also in WA) and I recently discovered the Subiaco Markets which are opened on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and am going to get back into going to them for my fruit and vege – so much fresher and cheaper… Good luck finding exciting ideas!
Emma
Hi Emma,
I am in country WA and would love to be able to go to the Subi markets each weekend. Our fruit and vege is ok but there isn’t any variety and it’s hard to make something different. Love to see how you set your meal planning up I’m still trying to make mine work for me better!
Gorgeous day here, hope it’s just as nice in Perth.
Annaleis xx
Great weather here at the moment – my favourite time of year – not too hot but beautiful sunny days, but not too windy… We are heading up to Jurien Bay for 4 days so looking forward to that, then back to school and the school routines next week. I have planned a 2 week meal plan which I intend to implement once I unpack from camping!!! My plan is to spend 6 weeks doing it/sticking to it, keeping meals simple, healthy, nice and what the kids eat – trying to cut down the food bill and wastage, going back to basics, will let you know how I get on…
Emma x
Have fun in Jurien Emma. Always lovely over there this time of year.
~A xx
I love the idea of sitting your diary on a cook book stand. I bought a diary, it got lost somewhere on my sewing desk and it stands almost empty! Out of sight, out of mind for me so I love to read tips to help keep things where I will see them. Good luck with your meal planning, I’ve started it too and I must admit, it is making life simpler
Jo.
Thanks Jo,
I actually went to a bbq and the wife of my husbands friend had her diary on show in the kitchen and you could clearly see that they had netball one day, an appt the next. Was a great overview that everyone can see. I’m just trying to get my Hubby to read it when he is planning things and ad to it!
Meal planning has changed my life Annaleis. I love knowing what’s happening for the week and having everything on hand. I use the Typo meal planner which has a magnet on the back.
I love how you use your recipe holder to hold your diary. Such a cute idea. x
I just cant believe how easy deciding on dinner has been the last two weeks. I look forward to cooking it and have even made time to try something new this week on a day I know I will have heaps of time. Wouldn’t thought I would love it this much!