NZquilter

My desire and energy to cook has totally gone out the window with my new pregnancy morning sickness and exhaustion! I was trying Weight Watchers before I got pregnant and now I feel like I am in a rut of what to cook for the family. My DH has not complained, and a huge kudos to him! I'm so tired of cooking the same chicken salads, taco salads, nacho chili every single day. Would menu planning each week help? Does anyone menu plan nowadays? We are on a tight grocery budget of course, and I know that menu planning will cost more for the first week or two as I stock up on the basics. I just want to give my hard working husband (he's working 12 hr days!) something nice at the end of each day, kind of like a thank you to him.

Any ideas on healthy, cheap menu options? (I'm no longer on WW so I no longer have access to their recipes. Bummer! Wish I thought of this a few months ago!)

Boston1954

Yes, it would definitely help. I know because when I lived alone I did it for several years, and it is wonderful knowing what the next meal is and sometimes it was already partially done. Go for it.

Stitchnripper

I used to do it, mainly because of budget issues, and then later because I worked and had to feed the kids and didn't want to rely on fast food. I don't do it as much now, because we are retired and I pass by a grocery store 3 times a week on the way home from the gym. Plus, my Instant Pots have rejuvenated my meals! Mr. Stitchnripper very happy with the output.

Tartan

Try some of Bonnie Hunter’s recipes under her recipe tab on her Quiltville site.
Look for a sale on hamburger to do some of our staples....meatloaf with baked potatoes, easy cabbage rolls, shepard’s pie, meatballs done in the oven and then into jarred spaghetti sauce, lasagna, chili, hamburgers on a nice bun.....

Murphy224

Check out Skinnytaste.com. She has a plethora of recipes many of which are one pot meals and also lots of menu planning. All the recipes include the WW points as well. She also divides into which vessel you want to use....skillet, crockpot, pressure cooker, sheet pan. Maybe you can get some ideas from her. I have her new cookbook, One and Done and just love it.
Here is a link:
https://www.skinnytaste.com/

GingerK

Thank goodness DH does not mind leftovers. But I do try to 'disguise' them. I often make a double batch of something and then freeze the excess in single serve containers. Baked chicken can become fajitas or chicken salad. An economy pack of ground beef, pre-browned and frozen in 1 lb. containers can be turned into meat sauce for pasta, taco, or chili. Even mashed potatoes can be frozen. Just thaw, press into a baking pan, dot with butter and bake until the top is a little crunchy.

But I understand not wanting to even think about cooking in your present state. Goodness knows I was there many many moons ago!!

cashs_mom

When I was on a really right budget, menu planning was the only way I got by without over spending. It was difficult at first but it got easier and kept me on track.

Jane Quilter

I go to the grocery story and buy what is on sale, then I choose a menu to match what I have for hubby and myself. Only exception is preparing for our weekly family dinner.....think Blue Bloods TV show..... Cooking and Serving 12 people requires a specific planned menu, and trip to grocery store and help from my 7 year old grand daughter. She and I pull it off every week! So, yes, menu planning still exists in my world.

mim

twice a year we "move" from coast to coast. We have to "eat down" both the freezer and fridge. Menu planning is the only way to go. Especially when DH loves to go wild in the grocery and buy everything he thinks we NEED. He's worse than a three year old.

Menu planning makes my life easier week to week so I can keep a lid on his "gimmies". It also helps both of us gradually lose that extra 10 pounds.

Mim

farmquilter

WOW, what a great site for healthy meals, thank you so much for giving the link.
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