Menu/ Meal Planing

I hate dinner time.
Okay, so I don't like to use the word hate. SOOO I'll try again.
I hate dislike dinnertime making dinner.

I grew up rarely having very processed foods. My mom always cooked for us every night. Sure we had an occasional "frozen dinner," but it was very rare-- and usually a special treat. Maybe Im just not used to the taste of them now, but I think many frozen already prepared dinners are disgusting, and I try to provide my family with a more 'fresh' approach. However, its hard. We stay busy all day playing and doing projects, and before I know it.. dinner time is an hour away. I always scramble to think, "What's for dinner?" I feel like I can never think of anything.. I feel like we never have any food.. and then I just get stressed.

I finally had to figure out some kind of solution to cheer my dinner time blues. I love the idea of cooking for my family every evening, and I LOVE having all of us sitting down to eat. (Mom if your reading this I guess I should say thanks for that!) So I came up with a 'menu' solution.

I used things we already had laying around the house! Clothespins, scrapbook paper, hot glue, and a bulletin board! It has clothespins for every day of the week, and a pocket to hold our favorite menu items. On Sundays I decide what we are going to eat, and make a list for those ingredients. I think since I am a very visual person, this helps a lot! I no longer have to think "what are we having for dinner?" I just glance at our menu and start cooking!! Plus I am saving tons on groceries!

I'd love to know your ideas, or ways you manage to get dinner on the table every night?! Especially with a baby! Anything that can help dinnertime go smoother in our house is worth a try!


** I am getting ready to open an esty shop to sell some family/ kid friendly creations! This is something I was considering putting up! If you are interested in one, they will sell for $15usd. It will include everything shown, with laminated pockets, and blank white heavy duty card stock to write meal ideas down! amylyn930@bellsouth.net if you are interested.