No REAL strategy. EVERY Tuesday is Pizza/game night though. I like to try NEW stuff so I try to do that at least once a month (used to be week) … and we do Beans at least every other week because they are soo good for you, cheap and convert into an entirely new meal easily.

I’ve seen your blog listed on the links list of many other blogs and finally decided to come and visit.

I am TERRIBLE at meal planning and I am still at the stage where I am thinking about dinner usually while eating lunch. I do have run to the store very often. I am not sure if I am ready to be organized, though you do make a great case for it! I am a really unorganized person, but sometimes it just works for me. We’ll see…

I do however, love to cook. I have a little blog I post my recipes on so if you want to get some ideas from there, you are more than welcome.

It is http://www.hotgarlic.blogspot.com.

Thanks!

Usually, I go grocery shopping on Saturday mornings, so I’ll plan out my meals either Friday or right before I go to the store. I look at my calendar for the week and determine what nights I am busy (or my boyfriend is busy). If I know I have my book club on Wednesday, I won’t plan on making a big meal. I’ll try to do something quick and easy (like frozen pizza or sub sandwiches).

Then, I go through my stack of “recipes to try.” These recipes are ones I’ve pulled out of magazines or newspapers or have been given by a friend. I try to make one new recipe a week (just to keep things lively). If I’ve made the recipe and I like it, I’ll photocopy it and put it in my 3-ring binder full of other recipes that I like. If the recipe is no good, it goes in the trash! Bad food is not worth it!

After I’ve marked down the “quick and easy nights” and the “new recipe” night, I’ll fill out the rest of the week with complimentary meals. I try to make different types of food/cuisines. I don’t want to end up eating pasta and chicken every night. If we’re having a heavy meal one night, I’ll try to make the next night vegetarian or a lighter meal.

I try to make dinner Sunday through Friday, leaving Saturday for eating out and one day a week for leftovers. I also like to keep some basics on hand (i.e. canned tomatoes, beans, rice, shrimp, chicken, pasta, artichoke hearts) that can be thrown together last minute.

Whew. Okay, I’ve typed my little heart out here. Sorry for the long post, but I found the other posts helpful. Maybe someone will find mine useful.

motherhood&potatoes…good luck! glad you found the site!