Over the summer holidays, I take a more relaxed approach to menu planning. I have more time and we don’t have scheduled afternoon activities which makes going with a flow a lot easier.
Solidly into term one now though, all the associated after school activities have recommenced, as well as me being back at work means I have started formally planning our evening meals again. Grabbing suggestions from the kids and then sitting down to collate the plans is definitely time well spent. It is another way that I can avoid decision fatigue, leave more mental energy and time for other things.
Where to start if you have never menu planned before
If you have never menu planned before, I have a very detailed post you might like to read which has copies of my monthly menu planning templates you can download here – Updated free monthly menu planning template and meal list.
But if you just want to dip your toe into the menu planning water try this:
- Grab a piece of paper (or my menu planning app!) and write the days of the week on it.
- Underneath the days of the week, list any work or after school commitments that will affect the timing of your dinner.
- Write a meal under the day of the week that you will be able to cook within the time you have for that day (or someone else can cook!).
- Write down the ingredients you will need to make each meal to create your shopping list.
- Add in any recipe ingredients you will need for baking for school lunches and other additional grocery items.
- Shop and then you are set for the week!
Our family menu plans
These are our plans week by week with shopping lists included created in the PWK menu planning app for the next month:
Day | Week Commencing 22nd Feb 2016 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mon |  | Sausages, veg and crispy mashed potato mounds |
| Tue |  | Sang choy bow |
| Wed |  | Zucchini (and Spaghetti) Bolognese |
| Thu |  | Mexibake |
| Fri | Left overs | |
| Sat |  | Sweet chilli chicken wraps |
| Sun |  | Slow cooker roast beef |
| Shopping List | Weekly menu plan shopping list 22nd Feb | |
Day | Week Commencing 29th Feb 2016 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mon |  | Chicken Wings, Baked Potatoes and Corn |
| Tue |  | Home made hamburgers and salad |
| Wed |   | Slow cooker chicken satay (gluten free) Sautéed baby spinach |
| Thu |   | Shepherd's pie Green veggies |
| Fri | Left overs | |
| Sat |  | Tacos |
| Sun |  | Roast chicken and vegetables |
| Shopping List | Weekly menu plan shopping list 29th Feb | |
Day | Week Commencing 7th Mar 2016 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mon |  | Lamb chops and vegetables |
| Tue |  | Chicken, cashew and ginger stir fry |
| Wed |  | Slow cooker honey sesame chicken (gluten free) |
| Thu |   | Fried rice Pumpkin soup |
| Fri | Left overs | |
| Sat |  | Souvlaki |
| Sun |  | Slow cooker roast lamb |
| Shopping List | Weekly menu plan shopping list 7th March | |
Day | Week Commencing 14th Mar 2016 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mon |  | Dukkah crusted salmon with crunchy potatoes and garlic spinach |
| Tue | | Sang choy bow |
| Wed |   | Slow cooker butter chicken Cauliflower rice |
| Thu |  | Chicken schnitzel and vegetables |
| Fri | Left overs | |
| Sat | | Sweet chilli chicken wraps |
| Sun | | Slow cooker roast beef |
| Shopping List | Weekly menu plan shopping list 14th March | |
PWK Menu Planning App
If you are looking for further recipe inspiration, check out my complete list of Family Friendly Recipes. You might like to also check out the Planning With Kids Menu Planning App.
The kid friendly menu planning app allows you to:
- Create weekly menu plans quickly, choosing as many meals per day as you would like to plan for.
- Generate the shopping list for all the meals selected.
- Modify the shopping list to check off items you already have at home.
- Email the shopping list to yourself and/or others.
The most popular recipes from the blog have been included and more will be added on a regular basis. Each recipe lists the ingredients required, easy to follow instructions and a photo from the blog.
How is your menu planning going?