How To Master Menu Planning and Grocery Shopping, Part 2

Posted on 09.17.08 in Family Menu Plans Productivity and there are

Welcome to the Part 2! If you missed Part 1, click here.

(There is one step that I omitted from Part 1. Here it is and then I’ll get on with Part 2...)
3b. Staple Items
While I only make 3 full meals per week, I try to make some staple items that freeze well and can quickly make a meal. Frozen meatballs, quesadillas and sausage biscuits are some of the items I like to keep on hand. I’ll post those recipes at the end of this post.

On To Part 2...

Now, these next few steps are a bit....um....what’s the word? Hmm…

Anal.

You might laugh at me or roll your eyes, but I works for me, so I’m sticking with it.

4. Aisles and Amounts
I keep my grocery list on my computer and my phone. I create my main list on my computer and if I think it items I need while I’m out and about I add them on my phone. The program I use syncs them so that I always know what I need.

The program is called Splashshopper. They have Mac and PC versions as well as versions for all types of PDA’s and smartphones. They also have a desktop only version, so if you don’t have a smartphone, you can still use the program to manage your grocery list.

Over the past few months I’ve added the aisle and cost for each item on my grocery list. Yes, that sounds really anal, but it’s also really worth it. I no longer backtrack 425 times because I didn’t list the items in the right order or because I don’t remember what aisle X is on.

And I now know EXACTLY how much I’m going to spend BEFORE I go to the store. This makes it so much easier to stick to our budget.

5. Sort the Coupons
I’m honestly not a big coupon clipper. Our newspaper doesn’t offer coupons I use and I haven’t delved into online sources for coupons. If you have any tips or site suggestions, please share in the comments.

I do always have a stack, though, that I sort through before I go to the store. I make sure to put them in the order so that I can easily find them at the store to make sure that the coupon item is, in fact, saving me money. (Sometimes an item with a $1 off is still more expensive than the brand I usually buy...)

6. How I Make Grocery Shopping Fun
This last tip is the glue that holds it all together. It makes everything else worth the effort.

I’ve never enjoyed going to the grocery store and based the amount of traffic I still get on this post I write a couple years ago, a lot of people feel the same way.

Now, however, going grocery shopping is the highlight of my week. I love it.

You see, I used to take all 3 of my children shopping. That was insane. A couple of times I went by myself, but it took even longer because I overanalyzed nutrition labels and prices per ounce.

The solution I’ve found is to make Saturday morning grocery trips a very special time with my youngest daughter (4). She’s always liked to go to the store with me and, frankly, she’s really helpful and fun to be around.

We go on Saturday mornings when it’s pretty empty. I let her get her own cart and we just take our time. Sometimes we work like a well oiled machine and get everything we need in time to get home to watch cartoons.

Other times, she’ll want to look at all the different kinds of sushi or stare at the fish in the seafood display. I let her pick out our produce (with a little guidance) and decide which items go in which cart. Sometimes we’ll get a donut just for fun (and if you know me, you know that’s a big treat for her...).

Both she and I look forward to our time together every week. And knowing that she’s excited about it inspires me to stay organized so that I always have my meals selected and list ready to go.

In Conclusion
This method has worked incredibly well for me for the past few months. I hope some of the ideas help you as well.

If you have any ideas or tips, please share them in the comments!

Staple Items Recipes

Sausage Cheese Muffins
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Ingredients:

1 pound sausage
2 cups Bisquick
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup milk

Directions:

1. Brown sausage, drain and crumble.
2. Mix sausage, Bisquick, cheese and milk.
3. Scoop tbsp sized scoops onto baking sheet.
4. Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes or until brown.

Turkey Breakfast Sausage
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Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix together the ground turkey, ginger, salt, sage, cayenne pepper, and black pepper until well blended.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, and coat with nonstick cooking spray. Form the turkey sausage into patties, and fry until browned on both sides, and no longer pink in the center. This should take about 15 minutes

Pizza Quesadillas
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Ingredients:

10 fajita size tortillas
5 tablespoons pizza sauce
15 slices pepperoni, diced
8 ounces mozarrella cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. Set out 5 tortillas
2. Place about 1 tablespoon of sauce on each tortilla
3. Layer diced pepperoni on top of sauce
4. Top with cheese
5. Cover with another tortilla
6. Heat in pan until cheese is melted

Turkey Meatballs
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Ingredients:

1 Large Egg
1/3 Cup Milk
1 Small Onion, Finely chopped
2/3 Cup Bread Crumbs, Plain
1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese, Grated
1/2 Cup Flat Leaf Parsley, Chopped
1 Pound Turkey, Ground

Directions:

1. In large bowl whisk together egg, milk, 1 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper with fork.
2. Stir in onion, breadcrumbs, cheese and parsley.
3. Add turkey and mix until combined.
4. Form into 1 1/2 inch balls.
5. Place in baking dish and bake for 15-20 min.

The Comments:

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Ohhh awesome post. I’m “special needs” in this life category. I especially like the recipes. In fact, I plan to make them this weekend.

Aww, I love that you make it a special outing with your daughter!  I like going alone because it seems like whenever I bring hubby, we end up with more junk food and things not on my list.  But it is nice to have him haul all of the bags inside.

Over the summer I began listing items according to where they are in the store, and it’s made things SO much easier.  I don’t know why I didn’t do it sooner! 

One of my favorite meals is Santa Fe Soup.  Here’s the basic recipe:
1 lb. lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 can each of pinto, kidney, and black beans, as well as 1 can of corn
1-2 packages of ranch dressing mix
1-2 packages of taco seasoning (doubling the amount just gives it a little extra zing)
1 can of rotel tomatoes

After you cook the beef, just toss all the ingredients in the crock pot and cook on high for 3-4 hours.  It’s soooo yummy!  We like to have ours with Fritos (for dipping), and I will often top it with cheddar cheese and sour cream.  It’s also an easy recipe to double, so you can make a bigger batch.

YES! Keep the recipes coming!

This is great, Kat. I need a lot of help in this area.

Here’s a quick easy, and yummy recipe for you all…

Southwest Chicken

In crock pot layer:
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 lbs chicken
1 jar salsa

cook on high 4-5 hours, or low 8 hours.

then add one package of shredded cheese

serve in tortillas, or over rice. Enjoy!

I’m slowing getting into my meal planning groove. I’ve gotten better over the last few years but occasionally slack and it shows - I end the week so stressed out that we HAVE to eat out because I can’t function even to make sandwiches, or my husband declares he can’t eat pasta three nights in a row - Thanks for the tips and the recipes!
My favorite easy meal is Black Bean soup and quesadillas. Yum!
Black Bean Soup from Real Simple

1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cups fresh salsa
2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 16-ounce can refried black beans
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)

Heat the oil in a saucepan or large pot over medium heat. Add the salsa and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Add the refried beans, black beans, and broth and bring to a simmer. Cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Ladle into bowls. Top with some of the remaining salsa and the sour cream and cilantro (if using).

Yield: Makes 4 servings

NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 151(0% from fat); FAT 3g (sat 2g); CHOLESTEROL 6mg; CALCIUM 97mg; CARBOHYDRATE 28g; SODIUM 830mg; PROTEIN 9mg; FIBER 10g; IRON 3mg

what great recipes ... i think I love u guys!

okay, okay. I think I’m finally going to bite the bullet and get “on the ball” and get my meals planned.

I, too, love, love, love shopping early on Saturday mornings. it is THE best time to shop. Unfortunately, my hubby works on Saturdays so I don’t usually get to the store on that day.

I think I’ll try that sausage biscuit recipe. sounds easy and yummy and very portable. I don’t buy bisquick, but maybe I’ll try some out for that recipe. do you use turkey sausage?

ps. we love Pizzadillas! did you say that you make those up and then freeze them? ingenious idea! would save me SO much time at lunchtimes!

pps. love your blog!

WOW! As if the tips weren’t great, the recipes were the icing on the cake!  Thanks for this...i am definitely going to try the Sausage Cheese Muffins soon...my hubby will be thrilled! And it looks super easy, too.  Always a plus.

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