Planning really does set you up for a better chance of success. Taking the time each week and month to plan what we are eating:
- saves me time over the week and month
- saves me money as I shop more effectively
- saves me stress as I don’t have the last minute what will I cook for dinner dramas
- saves me from eating less than optimal options for my meals
- allows me to enjoy meal time more easily with my family
If you are after my step by step process for menu planning see here – Family Menu Planning FAQ and Monthly Menu Plan
If you are after my step by step process for weekly prep see here – My weekly food prep process.
Weekly prep ideas
This was weekly prep from last weekend (I write my posts in advance!). Over the weekend I aim to cook meals that will have left over potential for the kids and my lunches.
Fried rice and pumpkin soup – the younger three are happy to take a thermos to school with hot food for lunch. To see the thermos we use check out this post.
A very sugar laden chocolate brownie (birthday week request from our fourth child) and a super processed sugar free coconut rough.
A mix of carbs for my lunches – basmati rice, roasted sweet potato and pre-cut broccolini.
Cut up veggies sticks and almond and chilli dukkah.
Our weekly menu plans for May
And this is our plans week by week with shopping lists included created in the PWK menu planning app:
Day | Week Commencing 2nd May 2016 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mon |  | Chicken, cashew and ginger stir fry |
| Tue |  | Slow cooker beef stroganoff (gluten free) |
| Wed |  | Sausages, veg and crispy mashed potato mounds |
| Thu |  | Zucchini and Spaghetti Bolognese |
| Fri | Left overs | |
| Sat |  | Sang choy bow |
| Sun |  | Home made hamburgers and salad |
| Shopping List | Weekly menu plan shopping list 160502 | |
Day | Week Commencing 9th May |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mon | Weekly menu plan shopping list 160509 | |
Day | Week Commencing 16th May |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mon |   | Moroccan minted beef Cauliflower rice |
| Tue | | Zucchini and Spaghetti Bolognese |
| Wed | | Sausages, veg and crispy mashed potato mounds |
| Thu |  | Mexibake |
| Fri |  | Pan Fried Fish and Salad |
| Sat | | Sang choy bow |
| Sun |  | Slow cooker shredded beef and rocket salad Sweet potato gratin |
| Shopping List | Weekly menu plan shopping list 160516 | |
Day | Week Commencing 23rd 2016 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mon | | Chicken, cashew and ginger stir fry |
| Tue |   | Slow cooker chicken satay (gluten free) Green veggies |
| Wed | | Sausages, veg and crispy mashed potato mounds |
| Thu |   | Fried rice Pumpkin soup |
| Fri |  | Dukkah crusted salmon with crunchy potatoes and garlic spinach |
| Sat | | Sang choy bow |
| Sun |   | Roast chicken and vegetables |
| Shopping List | Weekly menu plan shopping list 160523 | |
If you are looking for further recipe inspiration, check out my complete list of Family Friendly Recipes.
Are you a planner when it comes to food?