Meal planning - my downfall

MrsTinks

I don't have the luxury of meal planning in my family - work and life simply doesn't allow it so my solution for now is to do small shops instead of big ones and throwing too much away :eek:
Normally that would be the wrong way round, but I know what we are like and we have great intentions and a meal plan - then we get stuck at work, one has to rush home to pick up the DD but carry on working and thus dinner plans have to be changed.
I dream of being able to meal plan! (or rather of having the time to stick to it!) - the message I guess is to find what works for you. I DO try to bulk cook so that there are options in the freezer for us all if need be, and I have cut back on junk - we do have some dingding meals in the freezer because I need a fall back that isn't takeaway lol

What matters is small steps and finding out what works for you

This week my plan is a cupboard challenge! I need to list everything in my cupboards and then work my way through them - both saving money and clearing room for Christmas goodies hehehe

helcat26

Good luck to you this is a positive change.
My advice is
1. do some bulk big cooks then portion out and freeze- eg. basic Bolognese can then be defrosted to eat as is, or made into chilli, or as the basis for a lasagne. A chicken stew can be the basis for a pie (chilled pastry) or curry.
2. spend a couple of hours at a set time of week making up a lot of different cooked meals. I do this for my elderly father and find that I can cook 4 portions chicken stew, pork casserole, beef stew etc quite efficiently with 2 large stockpot size pans on the go with little effort. As you are not 89 then you could bulk cook more exciting things like Thai curry! Will be Ok fresh cooked in fridge 3 days or freeze.
3. Shop based on meals you intend to cook, make a list detailing for each recipe. This is easier when you are planning a big cooking session.
4. Sandwiches freeze really well, make them rather than buying, wraps are easy and more interesting.
5. Buy a hand blender and make some veg soups for your lunch


Have a go get into the planning bulk cook sessions and the shopping to make then. It gets easier with practice.

amaranthus

Thank you, everyone. I'm going to sit down with my notepad tomorrow.

(or more accurately, for me, a spreadsheet)

Slowly57

What works for us is having veg/food prep done - that way it all gets used up!
Tupperware boxes with chopped carrot and swede, broccolli trimmed, broken up and ready to go; same with cauliflower. Some ready-shredded cabbage. Some scrubbed spuds.
You can do the same for salad - or make a big Tupperware box of soup.
Those part-cooked bread rolls that only take 10 mins to cook are good (and cheap in supermarkets) - and have a reasonably long cupboard life.
Grate some cheese (keeps well in a box - or portion up and freeze.)
Hard boil a couple of eggs - these are OK for a few days in the fridge - with the shell left on.

Basically - most prepped stuff in the supermarket you can do at home.

And if you're left with veggie/cheese/tomato bits - steam/nuke the veg and then make a big frittatta - that will keep in the fridge too - or a potato omelette - either one cut in wedges - use up any salad with it - crisps in a bowl on the side + a bit of dip - sorted!

PenniesMake£s

There are some fantastic videos on you tube that explain in detail how to spend a couple of hours in the kitchen at the weekend that allow you to eat healthily and easily all week. Just search "meal prep for the week" on YouTube.

Golightly72

Lots of good advice on the meal planning, I just wanted to ask, you mentioned a work restaurant? Do they do main meals, and is it subsidised?

When I lived alone I used to eat my main meal for lunch, in the subsidised staff canteen, and then just have a light dinner when I got home (sandwich/scrambled egg/beans on toast etc.). Depending on the price of the canteen meals, just for one, it can be quite cost effective, you don't need to buy too much extra food to have at home.

amaranthus

Hi, Golightly72. Yes, and kind of yes (10% discount on normal prices), but I wouldn't say it's healthy/varied fare. Home food would definitely be more cost effective (so why haven't I been doing it? exactly!)