Meal Planning + Grocery Haul!

Hey my beautiful friends!

I had such a wonderful response on my YouTube Channel over my more Family/Lifestyle/Mommy CLEAN WITH ME video that I really want to start doing more "home" related content! Which is why we are here today! I had gotten several requests to do a Meal Planning video! So lets get started!

I like to start my meal planning on Wednesdays, my local grocery store puts out its internet sales ad every Wednesday and sales ads are SO IMPORTANT when trying to save a buck on you grocery bill.

Here is my step by step "game plan" for my meal planning....

1. Check the sales ads, make a note of items on sale that would be great to incorporate into dinners.... ex. family packs of meat, condiments on sale like pasta sauce, cheeses etc.
2. Check you fridge, pantry & household supplies for "staple" items that need to be replenished....aka milk, bread, sugar, ketchup, garbage bags, toilet paper. Items your home needs to function but not necessarily required for you nightly dinners.
3. Check your fridge/pantry for items that need to be used up! Left over chicken breasts or maybe some produce that will spoil soon.
4. Compile a list of items you want to purchase from the sales ad & items that need to be used from your home.
5. Once you have your list browse sites like pinterest, cook books & magazines to find recipes that will use the items you want/need to use. Keep in mind to try to pick meals that have overlapping ingredients. That way you only purchase and ingredient once but use it twice. Example- fajitas & stir fry...both use items like onions, peppers, snow peas, red pepper flakes. By making one purchase and splitting it between two meal you save a bit of money. This doesn't always work when buying produce by the lb. except when it is on sale but you understand the idea!
6. When making your weekly list make sure to use items up earlier in the week that will spoil faster, especially produce items. If you have a recipe that calls for alot of fresh produce like a stir fry it might be best to do it on the first day not the seventh!
7. Make your grocery list as you choose your recipes. Most of us have a good idea of what our grocery stores layout is. Sort your list by area. I always place my produce at the beginning of my list, frozen foods in the middle and dairy at the end because that is the way my grocery store is laid out. Keeps your from having to back track for a missed item! 

Don't forget to keep a couple premade prepared items on hand. A frozen lasagna or fixings for a easy spaghetti dinner will keep you from having to run for takeout when time gets tight! It happens to me all the time, getting distracted with the kids homework and realizing I should have had dinner started 45 minutes ago, not enough time to get it ready....improvise and save it for tomorrow. Make something else you have easily on hand!

Here is my recipe list/links for the week!

Friday- Brinner
Saturday- Pork Chops, Hot Bacon Spinache Salad
Sunday- Whole Roast Chicken, Roasted Root Veggies
Monday- Chicken Tikka Masala
Tuesday- Asiago Chicken Penne w/Sundried Tomato
Wednesday- Chicken in Lemon Cream Sauce over Orzo + Zucchini
Thursday-  Pork Chops + Apple Onion Sauce w/leftover grain/veg

Here is a link to my Weekly Meal Plan PINTEREST Board so you can check out all the recipes for yourself!