We all know it’s a good idea to meal plan. It’s just that sitting down to make the plan can sometimes be a battle. Let me refresh your memory on why to start meal planning.
Reasons to start meal planning today.
Here are the top reasons to start meal planning today. Your reasons may look a little different or you may have even more reasons to include meal planning in your life!
Meal plan to save time later.
Meal Planning can save you time when you need it most. If meals are planned, it is less likely to have to make multiple trips to the grocery store throughout the week. There is also less time spent staring in front of the refrigerator wondering what in the world to cook for dinner!
Meal plan to have less stress.
After a long day at work or taking care of the kids, the last thing you want to think about is what to cook for dinner. Having a plan makes you feel more organized and less stressed out.
Meal plan to save money.
No matter where you shop, meal planning can save you money. Sticking to a grocery list that you made from a meal plan can definitely help eliminate some of those impulse buys.
Meal plan to eat healthier or stick to a diet.
I did Weight Watchers years ago and heard a great saying there. Fail to Plan and Plan to Fail. No matter what your goals are, having a plan in place will help you reach them.
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100 Days of Real Food Meal Planner
Now that you know some great reasons, it’s time to get started! I talk a lot about meal planning on here but also need motivation more than I like to admit.
I was so excited to be chosen as a Cookbook Ambassador for Lisa Leake’s new cookbook 100 Days of Real Food Meal Planner. It was just the push I needed to get back to meal planning this year.
I have been following 100 Days of Real Food for several years. It is such an amazing site with an abundance of delicious recipes. I know I can always find something healthy my kids will eat on her site or in one of her cookbooks.
Dry Erase Tools for Meal Planning
If you are just starting out with meal planning, you need this book. It is a workbook that walks you through all the steps of creating a meal plan.
It even comes with a School Lunch Packing Chart! You can let the kids read over this and use a dry erase marker to help plan their lunches.
This book also includes 20 Recipes for One-Dish Dinners. They are all easy recipes and perfect for busy families try to eat healthy.
There are also 52 templates for creating a meal plan every week. Beside each meal plan template is a supermarket template for writing out your grocery list. This is an easy tear-out sheet for you to take shopping with you!
Now on to my favorite part of the book! I love this dry erase menu board to place on the refrigerator. My family loves it too so that they always know what we’re having for dinner without have to ask me.
If you need more meal planning inspiration, be sure to check out my ALDI Meal Plan. I hope to post more meal ideas soon! Feel free to let me know what you’re looking for in a meal plan.