Menu Planning | Momzoo

I didn’t do a menu for this last paycheck. Life was busy and I never had time to do a big grocery shopping, only a short trip for some fresh items, so I have been mostly flying by the seat of my pants and cooking out of our food storage. Usually I have the menu for the next two weeks posted on the fridge and my kids are able to check it, but since I never made one, well they are out of luck! My 9 year old isn’t happy with this arrangement at all. So a few days ago she decided to take matters into her own hands, she sat down with my recipe book and made a list of dinners. Somethings she put down because she knew she liked them, others just sounded interesting, like “Red Beans and Rice” (what 9 year old asks for beans and rice for dinner?). I have made a few dinner off of her list, and she is so excited when I do that, otherwise I have used her list to help me think up other meals that I have the items for on hand. I thought it was sweet of her to do, and when I am done with her list it will be tucked away for safe keeping.

How do you menu plan? Do you let your kids help with the planning?

5 thoughts on “Menu Planning”

My kids love beans and rice, or poor mans dinner! 🙂 I like to menu plan but haven’t found a new routine since #3 came, so I just make what works for that day, not my favorite way to play but the precious is worth it! 🙂

This list made me laugh hard. I liked the comment she made about beans after she created the list.

Momzoo on April 22, 2011 at 11:06 am said:

Yeah, I had a hard time not laughing too, but she was so serious I held it back.

My kids love and ask for beans and rice. But not one ever did anything like this. How sweet.

Menu planning has changed my life for the better, and I can’t believe I waited so many yrs to start! I always plan a minimum of 2 weeks out, but prefer to do 4-6, with a running grocery list so I remember what I need to buy and when. Of course planning that many weeks at a time can be challenging, but I like to be able to spread out our favorites so they’re not too repetitive. I usually ask each of the kids for a few of their ideas to add in, and include a couple of brand new recipes.

I love that your “helper” included beans on so many of the meals! NO ONE in my family will eat beans! It’s such a tragedy!

Kirsten on April 22, 2011 at 10:05 am said:

My kids love beans and rice, or poor mans dinner! 🙂 I like to menu plan but haven’t found a new routine since #3 came, so I just make what works for that day, not my favorite way to play but the precious is worth it! 🙂
dadzoo on April 22, 2011 at 11:04 am said:

This list made me laugh hard. I liked the comment she made about beans after she created the list.
- Momzoo on April 22, 2011 at 11:06 am said:
  
  Yeah, I had a hard time not laughing too, but she was so serious I held it back.
Ginger on April 23, 2011 at 10:51 am said:

My kids love and ask for beans and rice. But not one ever did anything like this. How sweet.
Casey on April 23, 2011 at 8:09 pm said:

Menu planning has changed my life for the better, and I can’t believe I waited so many yrs to start! I always plan a minimum of 2 weeks out, but prefer to do 4-6, with a running grocery list so I remember what I need to buy and when. Of course planning that many weeks at a time can be challenging, but I like to be able to spread out our favorites so they’re not too repetitive. I usually ask each of the kids for a few of their ideas to add in, and include a couple of brand new recipes.

I love that your “helper” included beans on so many of the meals! NO ONE in my family will eat beans! It’s such a tragedy!