Save your Sanity and your Money!
Avoid the Daily Dinner Dread with these easySteps!
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I remember the days of the daily dinner dread. UGH! My legs would be aching to just sit down and relax. The work day would have killed my whole body and mind by then. There was no fight left in me. I would be staring at the stove blankly and in the foulest mood. Somehow I couldn’t muster up the energy to make that healthy chicken meal I had planned on my day off.
Too many times I would stoop down and surrender to take out AGAIN. I hated myself for it. I wanted to do better, I was just too tired! Not to mention the constant, “What’s for dinner” questions that radiated through my kitchen. The question could peel the skin off of my ears. I’m telling you.
I finally had enough and decided to force myself to make a plan. It took me many tries but I did it! Now I don’t even think about dinner anymore! Not to mention, I’ve saved a ton of money too! Read more to see how I changed my thinking with very simple tools and saved my pocket too.
- Make a Dinner Menu
I know this seems like a daunting task. It was for me at first. I thought to myself, “How in the world could I come up with a menu when I’m already pressed for time?!” If you read my blog, you’ll notice that I preach simplicity. Keeping things simple will save you so much! I’ll go into that further in a minute. I just want you to prepare yourself to keep things simple. It’s really not as hard as you think.
Also, buy yourself a dry earse board or create a space for the menu in plain view! This completely eliminates the, “What’s for dinner” question! Genius. It also allows the kids to pitch in and help get things started if you’re running late from work. Here are some really cute ones!
I make my menu for 6 weeks in advance. After the 6 weeks, I simply reuse the same menu and just change the dates. We make tweaks here and there for birthdays, holidays or nights out. It generally stays the same for the 6 weeks.
2. Plan for Junk Dinners
Be real with yourself and admit that you’re going to want pizza, french fries, chicken nuggets and hot wings. Instead of lying to yourself, buy this stuff ahead of time and set it aside for one day a week.
Not only will you save money by buying frozen food for one day a week instead of take out, you’ll be able to add some healthy alternatives to it too.
So instead of splurging 3 days a week on pizza because you’re too tired, you can look forward to it that one day a week. Maybe you can throw together a quick salad to have with it, buy frozen turkey burgers instead of beef, get veggie nuggets instead of chicken, bake your french fries instead of fry them..etc.
Allow yourself to have cheat days!
3. Plan Repeat Meals or Themes
This is one of the easiest ways to plan a menu. My family has theme days like; Taco Tuesday, Fat Friday (French Fries, Chicken Nuggets and Wings), Breakfast Mondays and Italian Thursdays.
If you get tired of the same thing every week, use variations. For example, we have quesadillas, nachos, walking tacos and tacos for Taco Tuesday.
4. Plan for Easy Meals
I set aside one day every week for easy meals. Depending on your schedule, you could go for two days or whatever works. I absolutely LOVE my George Foreman Grill for these days. If you don’t already have one of these, I recommend you get it!
Not only does it cook food fast, it’s easy to use. The kids can help you out and start meals so you don’t have to cook! My daughter loves making grilled cheese on ours.
Your easy meals should be just that; easy. We make things like grilled cheese, tuna dip, paninnis or subs.
5. Smoothies Make Everything Better
I have many days where I’m not sure what veggies to make or we have a cheat meal and I don’t know how to get veggies in. Smoothies are perfect for that! We usually add yogurt, frozen fruit, spinach and milk to our Magic Bullet. Voila!
A perfect way to pack in nutrients and no one realizes. Add a dollop of whipped cream and Mmm so good.
6. Take Advantage of Leftovers
Use leftover chicken for chicken salads. Use leftover burgers for meat in spaghetti. Use leftover baked potatoes for potato soup. When you plan out a menu, you can also plan to have leftovers and use it to your advantage. You can even have leftover night when everyone picks a leftover and reheats it.
Easy Peasy!
I hope you got a lot of good tips and use them! Let me know how it goes! It’s not easy working full-time and raising kids. But it can be easier!