This week {across all challenges} it's all about sharing what you've accomplished this month!
If you have a blog {or other way to share a URL}, you can share through the link manager below. If you do not, you can comment on this post to share.
Showing posts with label meal planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meal planning. Show all posts
1.28.2013
January 2013 Challenge {Meal Planning: Week 4}
This week {across all challenges} it's all about sharing what you've accomplished this month!
If you have a blog {or other way to share a URL}, you can share through the link manager below. If you do not, you can comment on this post to share.
1.21.2013
January 2013 Challenge {Meal Planning: Week 3}
Back in August 2011 I shared how I organize my recipes in binders. I've since changed things a bit. Check it out.
I print a lot of recipes. I used to subscribe to a lot of recipe magazines. I still subscribe to the Betty Crocker and Pillsbury magazines. I wanted one place to keep everything, so I consolidated.
I have two binders - one for entrees, one for everything else. The entree categories I have in one binder are: beef, breakfast, fish, one dish meals & stews, pasta, pizza, poultry, sandwiches, & soup. The categories I have in the other binder are: appetizers & snacks, beverages, bread, desserts, & side dishes.
I used to keep the small recipe cards in a photo album. This works great, but I just wanted to consolidate, so I moved everything into the binders.
I purchased Martha Stewart Home Office 4 pocket sheet protectors from Staples. They come in a 10-pack for $3.99. They have a little flap over the top where the cards slip in, so they don't fall out. I love it. My only complaint is that they won't hold my 4" x 6" cards, so I ended up taping those cards to sheet protected pages within the binder.
Printed recipes are simply hole punched and placed in the binders.
Recipes from magazines or too big to fit in the card sheet protector go on colored paper in sheet protectors.
Recipe binders aren't for everyone. They take a lot of work to put together, but I've noticed that at least for me {personally} they're the easiest recipe system to maintain and use.
For more recipe binder ideas, check out these posts from other bloggers...
Your challenge today is to organize your recipes! You choose the way that works for you... Binder? Photo album? Pinterest? Recipe box? Files? Please share what method you use to organize your recipes.
1.14.2013
January 2013 Challenge {Meal Planning: Week 2}
I think meal planning can be challenging. Without any resources to streamline the process, it can be a headache - resorting to the same recipes over and over every week {making meals boring}. The internet is an amazing resource for meal planning. Today I'm going to share my favorite resources. {All of the resources mentioned in this post I have personally used and I have had positive experiences with.}
eMeals
eMeals is a sponsor here at The Nest Effect. {I do choose my sponsors carefully and only accept partnership with those that I am able to try out myself to ensure it's a good fit.} I have a one year membership to eMeals {which I received as compensation for being part of their blogging network}. We're looking to cut food costs in 2013 so we can start tackling our student loan debt. A meal plan definitely helps accomplish this. While I've been meal planning for years, eMeals automatically chooses meals for me that match with the weekly sales at my grocery store - saving me money each week. I was able to select that our family size is just two, so the meal sizes are smaller {less waste}. We're using the classic meal style right now - but I may later switch to the low fat plan. The recipes are quick and simple to make - which is a must for me with my busy schedule. Even Chris has no problem whipping up dinner with the simplicity of each recipe. Save 15% on an eMeals subscription with coupon code newyear.
I love Pinterest for so many reasons - one is meal planning. I have boards set up for meals. I print the recipes I find on Pinterest after trying them - if we like it - then delete the recipe off my board. I like this process because it allows me to find new recipes to try and see them visually, rather than bookmarking and going through them all to find something I want.
Recipe Blogs & Websites
Recipe Apps
- Allrecipes {Android, Apple, Kindle, Windows}
- Betty Crocker Cookbook {Android, Apple}
- Big Oven {Android, Apple, Kindle}
- Cocktail Flow {Android, Apple, Kindle, Windows}
- Cookbook by Slow Sense {Windows}
- Epicurious {Android, Apple, Kindle, Windows}
- Everyday Food {Windows}
- Jamie Oliver {Android, Apple, Kindle}
- Pepperplate {Android, Apple, Kindle, Windows}
- What's For Dinner? {Android, Apple, Kindle}
- Betty Crocker Recipes {print}
- Cooking Light {print, Android, Apple, Kindle}
- Every Day with Rachael Ray {print, Android, Kindle}
- Food Network Magazine {print, Android, Apple, Kindle}
- Taste of Home {print, Android, Apple, Kindle}
- Microsoft Office {search "food" or "meal plan"}
- Grocery & Meal Planning Set {my editable/fillable set in my Etsy store}
- Meal Planning Resources {things I've pinned on Pinterest}
- Meal Planners {from Money Saving Mom}
1.07.2013
January 2013 Challenge {Meal Planning: Week 1}
Making dinner was always a struggle us. I don't like cooking. I'm not very good at it and always seem to find a way to mess it up. Then there was the issue as to who was making dinner each night - and what we were going to have. Most of the time, we'd end up just going out. Lots of wasted money there.
We finally started meal planning on a weekly basis and agreed that Chris would cook every night since he works from home and I'm on clean up duty. I'd rather clean up than cook, so this deal has worked out well.
Why meal planning? It saves time and money each week. We menu plan - together - before we go grocery shopping for the week. We also go grocery shopping together. While shopping, we come up with new meal ideas for another week and stock up on anything that is on sale and doesn't go bad quickly. We do not plan out breakfast or lunch. I have an English muffin for breakfast everyday and usually take left overs or a salad for lunch. But if you make breakfast and lunch for your family everyday, this may be a good option for you.
Tip #1 - Choose a specific day to meal plan each week and add it to your calendar. You'll be more consistent at meal planning because it becomes part of your weekly routine.
Tip #2 - Meal plan before grocery shopping for the week. Add ingredients needed to your grocery list so you have everything you need for the week. You won't have to run back to the store to pick up dinner anymore!
This is the grocery list I use. It makes shopping easy since everything is categorized for me already. This document {in a different font and in color} is fully customizable with your own categories and available for purchase in my Etsy store.
Tip #3 - Keep a list of your family's favorite meals handy. This makes meal planning a breeze. I have some of our favorites in my home & life binder, under the meal planning category, along with the ingredients needed for that recipe. While I'm planning, I can choose a meal and quickly view what I need to make the meal, without having to go through my recipes to find the info. I also have a list of dinner ideas that simply lists meal choices. The images below are examples of what mine look like. These documents {in a different font, but same colors} are available in the grocery & meal planning set in my Etsy store.
Tip #5 - Choose a system that works well for you. You can plan online with something like Google Calendar or on paper. We plan on paper and post it in the kitchen. This way, we're always able to quickly look at the weekly menu and see what we need to take out of the freezer, if needed.
This is the page I use to write down our weekly meals. {Download}
Ultimately, meal planning is a necessity for us because it saves us time. I suggest trying it to see if it works out for you and your family.
Your challenge today is to try out some of these tips, if you think they'll work for you. Save the printables that go along with meal planning. =]
12.28.2012
Lose Weight/Get Healthy – #gethealthy {Sponsored by eMeals}
Next week we begin a new year. With every new year comes resolutions. There are generally 3 major areas most of us choose to focus on each year - losing weight/getting healthy, becoming organized, and/or saving money. I admit, I jump on that wagon each year, too. I didn't last long in 2012 - it was a rough year all around. I'm choosing a different approach this year, which you will hear all about over the next month.
eMeals has teamed up with me again for 2013, and has tips that go along with those 3 general goal areas. Today we focus on losing weight/getting healthy.
With so many people wanting to lose weight and eat healthy this new year, we should know what our calorie intake needs to be based on age and activity level. Check out the chart below to become knowledgeable about your family's calorie needs.
{Please know that eMeals and I are not promoting that children need to lose weight and count calories by any means with this chart. The point of this post is also being healthy. Part of being healthy is ensuring you're eating enough calories each day as well. This is something that is important for growing children.}
How do you actually lose weight? Cutting 500 calories from your daily calorie intake will help you achieve their goal. Sounds easy, right? Okay, maybe not. The graphic below is true though - it takes a plan in order to achieve this. I, personally, have tried counting my calories several times in the past. It's too much work for me. I honestly do better with cutting calories when I'm not counting them and using a meal plan. This helps me because I know ahead of time what I'm eating. I can make the changes prior to cooking to make meals low-fat or sugar-free.
To lose weight, a simple chart for tracking your daily calorie count goal vs actual intake will help you stick to a plan. You have to have some kind of accountability - and if recording this info does it for you, then go for it.
I have blogged before about losing weight and while everything I've written in the past still holds true, things have changed for me. My goal this year is not to lose weight. My goal is to be healthy - to be conscious of what I'm putting inside of my body each time I eat.
I have a one year membership to eMeals {which I received as compensation for being part of their blogging network}. We're looking to cut food costs in 2013 so we can start tackling our student loan debt. A meal plan definitely helps accomplish this. While I've been meal planning for years, eMeals automatically chooses meals for me that match with the weekly sales at my grocery store - saving me money each week. I was able to select that our family size is just two, so the meal sizes are smaller {less waste}. We're using the classic meal style right now - but I may later switch to the low fat plan. The recipes are quick and simple to make - which is a must for me with my busy schedule. Even Chris has no problem whipping up dinner with the simplicity of each recipe. =]
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by eMeals. Graphics in this post have been provided by eMeals.
eMeals is a meal planning service that creates budget friendly menus for you, based on your family's needs - this includes eating style, family size, and favorite grocery store. Each week, your meal plan is emailed to you, complete with simple and creative family-friendly recipes. Each entree includes a suggested side dish as well. Along with your meal plan, you receive a detailed grocery list, organized by section and coordinated with the weekly sales at selected stores.
eMeals is also recommended by Dave Ramsey.
Save 15% on an eMeals subscription with coupon code newyear.
eMeals has teamed up with me again for 2013, and has tips that go along with those 3 general goal areas. Today we focus on losing weight/getting healthy.
With so many people wanting to lose weight and eat healthy this new year, we should know what our calorie intake needs to be based on age and activity level. Check out the chart below to become knowledgeable about your family's calorie needs.
{Please know that eMeals and I are not promoting that children need to lose weight and count calories by any means with this chart. The point of this post is also being healthy. Part of being healthy is ensuring you're eating enough calories each day as well. This is something that is important for growing children.}
How do you actually lose weight? Cutting 500 calories from your daily calorie intake will help you achieve their goal. Sounds easy, right? Okay, maybe not. The graphic below is true though - it takes a plan in order to achieve this. I, personally, have tried counting my calories several times in the past. It's too much work for me. I honestly do better with cutting calories when I'm not counting them and using a meal plan. This helps me because I know ahead of time what I'm eating. I can make the changes prior to cooking to make meals low-fat or sugar-free.
To lose weight, a simple chart for tracking your daily calorie count goal vs actual intake will help you stick to a plan. You have to have some kind of accountability - and if recording this info does it for you, then go for it.
I have a one year membership to eMeals {which I received as compensation for being part of their blogging network}. We're looking to cut food costs in 2013 so we can start tackling our student loan debt. A meal plan definitely helps accomplish this. While I've been meal planning for years, eMeals automatically chooses meals for me that match with the weekly sales at my grocery store - saving me money each week. I was able to select that our family size is just two, so the meal sizes are smaller {less waste}. We're using the classic meal style right now - but I may later switch to the low fat plan. The recipes are quick and simple to make - which is a must for me with my busy schedule. Even Chris has no problem whipping up dinner with the simplicity of each recipe. =]
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by eMeals. Graphics in this post have been provided by eMeals.
eMeals is a meal planning service that creates budget friendly menus for you, based on your family's needs - this includes eating style, family size, and favorite grocery store. Each week, your meal plan is emailed to you, complete with simple and creative family-friendly recipes. Each entree includes a suggested side dish as well. Along with your meal plan, you receive a detailed grocery list, organized by section and coordinated with the weekly sales at selected stores.
eMeals is also recommended by Dave Ramsey.
Save 15% on an eMeals subscription with coupon code newyear.
9.20.2011
In Case You Missed It... Free Printable: Weekly Dinner Menu Plan
Mixed in with my home management binder series last week was a new free printable. Download the weekly dinner menu plan here.
9.15.2011
Home Management Binder: Grocery & Menu Planning and Health & Fitness Categories
Recap: On Monday I posted about setting my home management binder up. On Tuesday I showed you my first two categories: calendar and cleaning & organizing. And on Wednesday I showed you the next two categories: finances and shopping. Today I'm showing you the grocery & menu planning and health & fitness categories.
All of these documents are available for purchase through my etsy store. Some are available for free on my blog. To access the documents, click on the link found under the corresponding picture.As a promotion for this week since I'm doing home management binder posts, you can save 10% on everything in the store with coupon code HMB0911. This coupon code will expire on Sunday, September 18 @ midnight (MT).
This full page recipe document is one of my faves and I actually use them in my recipe binder rather than my home management binder. My mom sometimes emails me recipes from her collection and I don't like writing them on small recipe cards. With this document I just type everything in and print it out. It's easier to read and nicer to look at.
I keep my blank categorized grocery lists in the front pocket of the grocery & menu planning section. Having a categorized list makes shopping easier and faster at the store.
This is the menu planning page I use most often. I keep it in my magnetic fridge filer in the kitchen so I always know what's for dinner this week. I'm able to sit down and write it out and make the grocery list on the side. And because of the way that I am, I like to rewrite everything onto the single page grocery list that I take to the store with me. I only write down the ingredients needed for dinner on this list and menu plan.
And for those weeks that I don't feel like making a bunch of full blown meals (like this week), I use this simple menu page to plan dinner. You can download this new printable for free here.
Our favorite meals is an incredible document that was the idea of one of my customers (thanks Ann Marie). She asked for a document that she could write down her family's favorite meals and their ingredients so that when she's planning her menu plan each week, she can quickly look at which ingredients she needs to add to her grocery list. No more searching through a million recipes just to find that one for the potato, broccoli, and sausage skillet (that we have monthly) and the ingredients I need to make it. Grocery list making is so much easier now. The version shown below has 10 boxes for recipes with 5 rows in each (for 5 ingredients). There is another version that comes in the grocery & meal planning set that has only 4 columns on the page, but allows you to include up to 16 ingredients.
Dinner ideas makes menu planning easier too. Here I can list all of the meals we could have for dinner, even those that I don't need to use the favorite meals document for because it's obvious what ingredients I need (like for BLT sandwiches). I just started this list, so it's not very long yet, but it was helpful for planning dinner this week when I didn't feel like doing it. Also available in the grocery & meal planning set are documents for breakfast and lunch ideas.
A big part of smart grocery shopping is being conscious of what items you already have in stock at home. Before I started taking inventory of everything I have stocked up, I was buying way too much. For example, I have enough hand soap to last me for 5 years I think. Same goes for toothpaste...too bad it expires within 3 years though. I admit, I go a little nuts when I find deals with coupons that are under a dollar. And the toothpaste -- all free. I have finally learned to stop buying it, even if it's free, since I don't have the room for it anymore. With the inventory documents (also available in this set are refrigerator, freezer, spices, pantry, and household product) I simply make a slash in the box for what I have and an "x" when I've used it or put it out to be used. All of the slashes are unopened items that I have stocked up. I keep a list of the things I may want to stock up on if the sale is right in Google Docs because I can access it from my smartphone while I'm shopping. [The pantry inventory is available as part of the grocery & meal planning set (all editable) OR part of the inventories set (all editable).]
I don't have kids yet, but this medication tracker is perfect for anyone with kids so you know when they last took their medication. That way mom and dad don't accidentally double dose the kid from miscommunication (I've seen it happen when I worked at the preschool). If it's documented, then everyone knows when the next dose is due.
Because I just made this doctor visit log (a dentist visit log is also included in this set), I haven't been able to fill it out myself yet. No doctor visits in the future as of yet either. The dentist visit log will be something I'll be filling out soon though since I'm due for a cleaning in a couple months!
I fell off the exercise wagon after the wedding and became lazy. I'm disappointed because I was doing so well and feeling really good...and then I crashed into depression about the job thing...and blah blah blah. No excuses. I need to get back in the game. And when I do, this exercise log will be my best friend for motivation.
I printed this nutrition facts explanation from Nothing Is Impossible.
And I printed some other weight loss and fitness information from Downtownn.
I also have a bunch of Biggest Loser meal swapping ideas printed off that I got from when I was subscribed to The Biggest Loser Club, but due to copyright stuff, I can't show y'all a picture.
I'll be back tomorrow with the last two categories in my binder: home & family and birthdays, holidays, & gifts.
All of these documents are available for purchase through my etsy store. Some are available for free on my blog. To access the documents, click on the link found under the corresponding picture.As a promotion for this week since I'm doing home
management binder posts, you can save 10% on everything in the store
with coupon code HMB0911. This coupon code will expire on Sunday, September 18 @ midnight (MT).
All of these documents are available for purchase through my etsy store. Some are available for free on my blog. To access the documents, click on the link found under the corresponding picture.
This full page recipe document is one of my faves and I actually use them in my recipe binder rather than my home management binder. My mom sometimes emails me recipes from her collection and I don't like writing them on small recipe cards. With this document I just type everything in and print it out. It's easier to read and nicer to look at.
 |
| full page recipe :: part of the grocery & meal planning set (all editable) |
I keep my blank categorized grocery lists in the front pocket of the grocery & menu planning section. Having a categorized list makes shopping easier and faster at the store.
 |
| grocery list :: single document (editable) OR part of the grocery & meal planning set (all editable) |
 |
| grocery list & dinner menu plan :: single document (editable) OR part of the grocery & meal planning set (all editable) |
 |
| weekly dinner menu plan |
 |
| our favorite meals :: part of the grocery & meal planning set (all editable) |
 |
| our favorite meals close-up |
Dinner ideas makes menu planning easier too. Here I can list all of the meals we could have for dinner, even those that I don't need to use the favorite meals document for because it's obvious what ingredients I need (like for BLT sandwiches). I just started this list, so it's not very long yet, but it was helpful for planning dinner this week when I didn't feel like doing it. Also available in the grocery & meal planning set are documents for breakfast and lunch ideas.
 |
| dinner ideas :: part of the grocery & meal planning set (all editable) |
 |
| personal product inventory :: part of the grocery & meal planning set (all editable) OR part of the inventories set (all editable) |
 |
| medication tracker :: part of the family & party planning set (all editable) |
 |
| doctor visit log :: part of the family & party planning set (all editable) |
 |
| exercise log :: part of the family & party planning set (all editable) |
 |
| {source} |
 |
| {source} |
I'll be back tomorrow with the last two categories in my binder: home & family and birthdays, holidays, & gifts.
All of these documents are available for purchase through my etsy store. Some are available for free on my blog. To access the documents, click on the link found under the corresponding picture.
8.11.2011
Organizing the Fridge Front
I went to Target last weekend (as I seem to do every weekend) and found the most perfect solution to my fridge front needs...keep reading...
This is what my fridge front looked like as of 10 AM yesterday morning. My lovely grocery list and menu plan was folded in half and stuck in a photo magnet along with the recipes I'm making for the week. The unused whiteboard no longer serves a real purpose...and is broken. It was all just a mottled eye sore.
And then, wala! Now it's all color-coordinated-ish. And organized.
So I made this recipes pocket to hold the recipes I'll be making for the week. The pink pocket is big enough to hold full size printed or magazine pages. And the tan pocket holds my standard 4 x 6 cards.
And this, my friends, is what I got at Target. The Mead Organizher magnetic fridge filer (I think it was $8). *in love* It's perfect to hold my grocery list and menu planner. I didn't want to put the recipes in there because it doesn't open wide enough for me to stick my hand all the way in to retrieve the smaller recipe cards. It has 3 tabs, but I've only filled the first so far with my menu.
And then finally I found this matching Post-It magnetic list pad in my closet and stapled a strip of thick scrapbook paper to the back, making a pen holding loop.
This is what my fridge front looked like as of 10 AM yesterday morning. My lovely grocery list and menu plan was folded in half and stuck in a photo magnet along with the recipes I'm making for the week. The unused whiteboard no longer serves a real purpose...and is broken. It was all just a mottled eye sore.
And then, wala! Now it's all color-coordinated-ish. And organized.
So I made this recipes pocket to hold the recipes I'll be making for the week. The pink pocket is big enough to hold full size printed or magazine pages. And the tan pocket holds my standard 4 x 6 cards.
And this, my friends, is what I got at Target. The Mead Organizher magnetic fridge filer (I think it was $8). *in love* It's perfect to hold my grocery list and menu planner. I didn't want to put the recipes in there because it doesn't open wide enough for me to stick my hand all the way in to retrieve the smaller recipe cards. It has 3 tabs, but I've only filled the first so far with my menu.
And then finally I found this matching Post-It magnetic list pad in my closet and stapled a strip of thick scrapbook paper to the back, making a pen holding loop.
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