Creating A Meal Plan For The New Year
Creating a meal plan for the new year is a great way to accomplish many goals. These can include, better organization, healthier eating choices and saving money! There are many great ways to craft a meal plan or an eating plan for your family. Here are some great tips to get you started:
- Buy whole foods that are in season
- Buy in bulk if it is a shelf stable ingredient or has a long enough shelf life
- Scatter in some meals that can be cooked in the crock pot or the instant pot
- Plan to make an extra couple of servings if your family like leftovers for lunch
Getting Started – Making A Meal Plan
First of all, there are so many easy ways to make a healthy meal plan. Many companies and/or websites sell ready-to-go meal plans with recipes and shopping lists included. Just select, print, shop and you are off! I prefer to make a meal plan with some of my family’s favorite recipes and I prefer a two-week rotation so that if I don’t use the full amount of something, I know I will be circling back to it soon.This means that within a two week period the main part of my dish is repeated or repeated with a spin. Do what works best for you and what your family likes!
Tips For A Better Meal Plan
In addition to using up ingredients, I would also take into consideration the following:
- If there is a certain night of the week you run tight on time and need a simpler meal, put a less complicated (less time consuming) recipe there.
- Feel free to add in a “make-your-own” night whether this be pizzas or sandwiches
- Don’t forget that you can do a “food bar” night as well…this is great for tacos, pasta or loaded baked potatoes
Healthy Reminders – Making A Meal Plan
In conclusion, don’t make things too complicated!
- Therefore, soups, stews and chili work great in the crock pot
- Observe meatless-Monday and serve a rice and bean dish instead
- Most of all, remember food is fuel…although you want it to be enjoyable, you don’t need to go overboard pleasing everyone!
