Sunday, May 17, 2009

Meal planing=Complete frustration!


So I don't know about you, but thinking of what to make my family everyday, for every meal is driving me crazy! I enjoy cooking. I enjoy making my family wholesome, healthy, delicious foods. I even enjoy going to the grocery store (most of the time), but making the menu plan is anything but a pleasant experience for me. I don't know if it is because I am not creative enough, but my mind just goes completely blank and I end up spending hours and coming up with a pretty pathetic list.

What is a girl to do? I've got to do something. I dread it so much, that I finally just stopped doing it. Which my friends was not a good choice, since it has made my groc bill increase and the health value of my families food decrease...that's bad. I have to get back to the plan! How to do it without poking out my own eyes? That is the question.

One idea that T and I have been tossing around is a menu swap. Several of us could just email each other some of our favorite recipes and that would add a few more ideas for what to make. The thing is, it has to be more intentional than that. The problem lies not only in the ideas for what to make, but also in the compiling/finding of recipes and in the shopping list. (You have to write down what you want to make, find the recipe, make your shopping list, and then go shopping. No Thanks.)

I think that there needs to be a recipe swap, but also a database of some sort. A way of organizing your favorite meals with the menu for the week or month, and keeping the recipes and shopping list together. This sounds easy. In fact, I almost feel silly saying all of this, but do any of you do it? If so, please give me you secret!

Also, want to be a part of our menu swap? We should make one of those FB clubs...hmmm...I'll have to figure that out...unless you know how to do it. Then you can share with me that secret as well. :)

Ooh, what shall we name this club?

8 comments:

Ryan said...

I'm in. I'll email you my menu ideas right now...and then you can make me some lunch woman.

word verification: baster

Kim said...

i'm in!! it's a terrible cycle isn't it! i don't know when the last time that i made a plan/list was.

Anonymous said...

my suggestion would be talk to Cindy Hannah or Christine Lawton I am pretty sure those two have done meal planning of some sort.

Tara said...

You already know that I am in on this fantastic idea. I would like to appoint myself as the co-founder. Or the vice president. Or even secretary...like Bonnie.
I hope lots of people join that have Candida and are lactose intolerant! That would be great for me. :) Hm...maybe I should post this on my blog so that we can get even more "members"!

Jess said...

Ryan-

Kim- Yeah! I am so glad you are joining! Now to figure out exactly what it is you are joining...

Anon- Good idea...find someone with experience. Always a good plan.

T- perfect! Co-founder shall be your/my title. (Although if we had a bonnie, we might be able to change the world...know what I mean? She is amazing! Jones thinks she owns his grandma's church) Now all we have to do is figure out what it is we are founding. Shall we do FB? Blogging? Maybe I should just call you sometime?

Ashli said...

I love the idea Jessica and I would love to join. I vote for a FB club considering I don't have a blog, but whatever is easiest.

By the way, Bonnie doesn't own the church? :)

Ariah said...

Is it too late to get in on the sharing? I could use some help in this area for sure.

Jess said...

Nope, not too late at all!

OK, so this week I am going to get Ryan to show me how to do a FB group or club or whatever it is and get this started. That way we can all share our recipes and ask for ideas...I can't wait!