Meal Planning

Up until about a month ago, my grocery shopping/meal planning consisted of going to the grocery store once a week, grabbing the "usual" and then day after day trying to think of things to put together for dinner. Well that's all in the past now! I have started planning out my meals a week in advance. It has made my life so much easier, and made dinner time hassle free. Now, I buy the meats/staples in one shopping trip, and then run to the store every few days for fresh produce, etc. Yes, I am going to the store a little more often, but I am saving money by planning ahead and buying only what I need , rather then winging it all the time and wasting. Here is my dinner meal plan for the next week or so:

• Beef taco's with spanish rice and beans
• Fish, rice, and a sweet baby peas
• Burritos made with the leftovers from taco night
• Chicken and rice casserole
• Grilled steaks, baked potatoes, and sauteed green beans
• Spaghetti, french bread, and a side salad
• Soup and Sammie's
• Crock pot beef stew

So now I don't have to ask myself "whats for dinner?" and worry about thawing something, having ingredients, etc. I post my meal plan on the fridge, and while I am making dinner the night before I take out what ever meat for the next day to be defrosted! So much easier!