I am struggling with meal planning and being organised with food at the moment. This is because I go shopping as little as possible and, when I do go, I never quite know what I will find!
I am also not sure from one day to the next whether I am cooking just for me or for Mr S and his mum. Sometimes I also make something for number 1 daughter as she hasn’t been that well lately (not the dreaded covid-19, thank goodness!). I just deliver it and don’t hang about.
Is anyone else finding meal planning a bit odd and monotonous? What kind of food are you eating, and are you finding it easy or hard to get what you want?
Anyway, I thought I would have a bash at being organised again this week and try to meal plan for all eventualities!
There is no doubt that meal planning saves money. It also saves on time, which usually I really appreciate. However, at the moment I have more time than usual, so this isn’t so important.
Because I am eating a low carb diet, if not strictly keto, meal planning also helps me with this.
Being organised: this week’s meal plan
Saturday
Cooking four meals tonight, so making spaghetti Bolognese with some mince from the freezer. I don’t have any courgettes to make courgetti though, so I will just have some steamed broccoli with mine.
I will also make some of my favourite keto garlic bread. This is delicious, and I have mozzarella and parmesan. I don’t have much cream cheese, however, so may need to improvise slightly. Will see what happens!
Sunday
We have some chicken legs in the freezer, so I think I will keep it simple today and roast them, with kale, carrots and roast potatoes (I won’t have the potatoes).
There is a recipe for a keto crumble in my Quick Keto Meals in 30 Minutes or Less*
Monday
Just me tonight. I have some halloumi that needs eating, so will fry that up and eat it with coleslaw and chopped avocado. A nice, easy and healthy dinner.
Tuesday
As I bought a pack of three peppers in my recent online shop, but will only use one in the Bolognese on Saturday, I think I will make a chicken breast and roasted pepper type affair with some olives and garlic.
There are some chicken breasts in the freezer. Mr S and his mum can have theirs with some rice and veg, but I will just have the veg.
Wednesday
I need to get to the farm shop for some bits, so will have eggs to make a nice bacon and cheese omelette tonight. I will see what veg needs eating with this or maybe make a carrot salad.
I am loathed to buy any salad leaves, as we have this in the greenhouse and they might be ready to start eating soon, fingers crossed. If so, it will be a green salad with grated carrot and tomato.
Thursday
I have paused my Simply Cook deliveries, as I had too many sitting in the cupboard not being eaten. Although they were all delicious, many of them couldn’t easily be made low carb.
I do, however, have one for lamb keema matar. They sell their own lamb mince in the farm shop, so I will try to get some this week and make this.
The only other ingredients needed are tinned tomatoes and peas, both of which we have. I will see if I can pick up a couple of naan breads for Mr and S and his mum to eat with this, but I will just have some steamed broccoli.
If you fancy trying Simply Cook for a bit of inspiration and a free introductory box, you can click here and use my referral code. This means I also get a free box :).
Friday
Again, I will make use of the chicken breasts in the freezer, and make a creamy chicken, bacon and mushroom casserole. This is super easy, consisting of fried chicken breast, bacon and mushrooms, cream and parmesan.
We still have some of last year’s chard in the garden so I will eat some of that with this. It’s going to seed now and the next lot needs to go in.
There! I feel much better for being organised with my meal planning. Won’t it be great to be able to go to the shops whenever you want and be confident finding what you need? Still, things could be worse, so I need to stop moaning.
What are you eating this week and are you being organised when it comes to food?
I am linking up with Katy Kicker in this week’s meal planning post. Click on the badge to see what others are eating and how they are being organised with meal plans.
Chrissie says
Like a lot of people, my food shopping is very different now and certainly more expensive. I have not been out since 20th March when we collected my son with health problems and high risk, he is still with us and will be be for a while to keep him safe. I try to get my shopping online but have had to send husband a few times for a couple of things,he wears a mask and gloves and if I could hose him down on his return or shut him in the shed, I would .On the whole we are very lucky, every day I also make a fresh salad and either sandwich or soup for my husband to take to other son who has aspergers and isn’t handling all this at all well, we do his shopping too, mainly ready meals and snacks so I like to do him something fresh as well each day, we do his laundry and bring his rubbish to ours too. Our meals still are quite healthy as we don’t have any problems getting fresh produce and mainly eat vegetarian. Challenging and thought provoking times, stay well, Chrissie.
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
That sounds tough for all of you. Sounds like you are doing very well despite it all though- stay safe x
Chrissie says
It’s really not that bad,we consider ourselves very lucky x
Linda says
I can down with shingles last week, which is probably a reaction to my husband’s recent death and the strain of the last few months. So I’ve been taking it easy and eating canned soup, beans on toast, plenty of fruit and ordering takeaway using a food delivery voucher I received for Mother’s Day.
Cooking for one is going to be an adjustment and I’m going easy on myself.
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Linda, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. How very sad. Try to take care of yourself x
Paula @ Mummy Vs Work says
Sounds like a delicious week of meals, I have noticed the cost increase on the shopping, we are not buying more than before if not less however the cost has increased and the offers have dropped off!
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Very true. Managed to get a Morrison’s slot today so slightly cheaper I think
Julia says
Definitely monotonous! I have about 21 days worth of meals that I rotate each month – the favourites filling the gaps,. Last year I tried a winter plan and a summer plan but the latter didn’t go down so well so it’s back to the winter one.
Second son & I are fine with having the same things once or twice over the course of a month, but husband and eldest son prefer more variety – which was generally getting takeaways until the lockdown started so they are feeling particularly miserable.
Next month 3rd son returns from uni and he will only like about 7 of the meals in the plan. In the past we’ve adapted it to suit him as he’s only ever been home for a few weeks at a time, but he finishes this time so will be home for good! I’m actually more worried about that than everything else, as like others I’ve noticed a 25% increase in food spending since lockdown, without factoring in the ready meals I’ll need to get for him!
Hey ho! It is what it is, and we will adapt!
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
If he is that fussy, time to sort his own food…
Katy Stevens says
I’m using Hello Fresh atm to avoid some of the monotony otherwise it’s just the same 10-15 dishes in rotation here atm!
Kim says
It is hard to meal plan when we’re shopping less.
I hope your daughter feels better soon. It’s such a nice thing to cook for everyone.
What great sounding meals. x
Sarah - Mud, cakes and wine says
A lovely week of meals and the keto garlic bread sounds amazing. I am the same with meal planning normally I would have lots of ideas but they are not coming at the moment,
karen says
We got bored about two weeks ago so I have been trying to make it more interesting now, as it’s a long haul this lockdown. That haloumi reminds me that I need to get some, haven’t had any for ages.
Eloise says
I know exactly what you mean. I’ve also become a bit obsessed with conserving food when we get close to running out of specific things. Normally I wouldn’t think twice about using e.g. the last onion, because I could pop out the next day to get more, but now I’m having to think ahead whether I’ll need it later in the week.
This situation has changed the way I shop, the way we eat and is costing quite a lot more.