How far in advan. to you plan

[Lisahere]

So, usually I am super busy at dinner time, and tired. I am thinking about dinner for tonight and told myself "lisa, if you plan before it's time for dinner, you are so much happier!" rrrrrrr-
I'm just thinking out loud.
How far ahead do plan dinner menus.
I think I end up cooking better food if I know what I'll be making

[pocahontas]

I plan for one week only. Every Sunday I plan out the following week and shop accordingly.

[that1redhead]

usually I am thinking about it starting about 5:00 PM. However, I get tough on myself sometimes and will make a menu for the week, go grocery shopping on Sunday. I love it when I am that organized. It really helps so I don't end up eating out.

[afuentes]

I plan 2-4 days in advance. That is also the times I go to the store - every 2 to 4 days.

[peanutte]

When I grocery shop on the weekends, I buy enough different meat, fish and poultry that I know I will have something for dinners all week. I don't necessarily need to know what will be cooked when--though usually I end up cooking the stuff according to "sell by" date and freezing some things immediately to be used later in the week.

Once I have my dinner proteins in place I think about what vegetables I will want to eat and look at what's on sale. I usually buy 3 bags of pre-washed Italian-mix salad (the kind that had lettuces and raddichio) or 2 big bags of romaine hearts (way cheaper).

As far as breakfasts and lunches, I am on my own for those so I make sure I have a variety of eggs, cheese, other proteins and salad fixins around.

I put in my daily food on ******, one day in advance.

[SmileySue]

Originally Posted by pocahontas

I plan for one week only. Every Sunday I plan out the following week and shop accordingly.

This is what I do too. It really helps me stay focused and on track. Of course, you have to allow for unexpected events (like the mandatory meeting that your child forgot to tell you about or the traffic jam that made you 2 hours late getting home from work), so I always have emergency foods available too for those situations.

[kerbear879]

I usually just throw my meal plan together sometime in the morning and dinner usually revolves around how many calories and carbs I have left for the day...but I am going to try cooking actual meals more often in which case I will probably plan a day or two in advance. I always end up going to the store at least 2 times a week anyways.

[Tuscanytrace]

Originally Posted by Lisahere

So, usually I am super busy at dinner time, and tired. I am thinking about dinner for tonight and told myself "lisa, if you plan before it's time for dinner, you are so much happier!" rrrrrrr-
I'm just thinking out loud.
How far ahead do plan dinner menus.
I think I end up cooking better food if I know what I'll be making

At least 2 days out, because lately I've been going to the grocery near my kids' ballet school and snagging the Manager Markdowns in the meat department. Yesterday I got 3 packs of brats for 2/5 of cost (60% off); a ham marked down by half (smoked, no sugar syrup added) and 3 large packs of organic, free-range chicken legs! We had the brats yesterday, and the ham will be for today and tomorrow (it's big). The chicken will be for Friday night and Saturday lunch. We'll be gone Sunday, so I'll have to find something for Monday.

[yvonne326]

I plan during my weekend shopping spree. But when it actually comes to dinners, usually a day or two in advance.

[peanutte]

because lately I've been going to the grocery near my kids' ballet school and snagging the Manager Markdowns in the meat department.

This is the best way to get more for your money! I am so silly...I never even knew about it until I happened to see a little section of the meat department one day--off to the side-- with all kinds of stuff mixed in together. Now I check there first.

[Charski]

Usually a couple days ahead, subject to change based on whim and what I find at the store!

[junkfoodmonkey]

I plan a week ahead, usually on Friday and then shop on Saturday. I try to be flexible in case there's something I can't get that day in the shop, or of course if something is on special offer. Then Sunday morning I actually do preparation ahead of time. Chop veggies, hard boil some eggs, make a quiche, whatever.

[SashimiMark]

I usually have a pretty light meal for dinner. Some fage with bacon, or an apple with some cheese, or a pumpkin shake. But twice a week I cook a meal for the entire house. Those are usually planned a few days in advance, and rarely take more than 30 minutes to make. Like Linda Sue's cauliflower bisque, or spinach lasagna, or italian casserole.

[Jannybunny]

I mostly only plan right before a meal. If I'm going to a restaurant, I will look at the menu ahead of time (if possible, on line or elsewhere) if I'm unfamiliar with it so I plan then but for meals at home...I kind of wing it

I guess I'm no help

[sinderstorm]

I plan a week in advance- usually Sat or Sunday and do my shopping accordingly. My work schedule sets me up for failure if I don't, especially the days I work 12 hour shifts. So I plan my meals/leftovers with those shifts in mind.

[kitcub]

I plan nearly obsessively :blush:

On Sunday, I shop for the week and do some cooking.

This is what I cooked/planned this past sunday:

I made a sausage, spinach and white cheddar frittata - then cut it into wedges that I could pop into the micro each morning for breakfast on the run

I made a clam dip to eat with pork rinds or celery sticks throughout the week

I cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts with seasoning and sliced them and vacuum-packed individual portions for salads for lunches - I always keep salad fixings in the fridge at work

I stuffed some celery sticks with cream cheese to take to work for snacks

I made some italian vegetable beef soup to have on hand for the nights I come home and don't feel like cooking - I may vacuum pack some of this to have in the freezer as boil-in-bags before the week is over

I keep assorted meats in the freezer/fridge and an assortment of fresh veggies in the crisper

Actually, now that I think about it, I use my vacuum sealer a lot! Good lowcarb tool to have. I've made hotwings and vacuum packed those to have on hand, too. So easy to heat stuff up for a quick meal.

Hope my obessive nature has helped!

[Bonnie]

I buy the same things every week so I always have certain things on hand. Every morning I enter my daily menu in ******. I rarely change anything once I have entered it, but if I do, I change it the next morning when I'm planning that day's menu.

[Lisahere]

Originally Posted by kitcub

I plan nearly obsessively :blush:

OK then, now i feel like a real looser. You're amazing

Originally Posted by Bonnie

I buy the same things every week so I always have certain things on hand. .

I find myself doing the same thing

[MissBeth]

A couple years ago (pre-LowCarb) I started planning meals a week at a time (b/c of time and finances), but wasn't very disciplined at it. Then when I started LC January '08, I knew that advanced planning was the only way I'd make it on this WOE. So once a week I write out lunches & suppers on my kitchen calendar for the week.

Prepping lunch the night before instead of scrambling before work, and then coming home knowing what was for dinner, has been one of the best improvements of my life.

My ideal (budget-wise) is to go to the grocery store(s) on payday weekends only, but I often have to stop and pick up another couple dozen eggs or a veggie inbetween.

[Simille]

Kitcub--you are my she-ro! I am with the club that usually buys the same thing every week, but that is getting old. I may jump on the vacuum sealer bandwagon--I work weird hours, and it would be very helpful to have some stuff ready to go on those crazy days when I can't cook supper.

[ljguitar]

Hi Lisa...
The fridge is stocked and the freezer full - so maybe at breakfast and at least by lunch most days supper is ''scheduled''.

And I have changed it at the drop of a hint from my loving wife that she wanted something different...

[Lisahere]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi Lisa...
The fridge is stocked and the freezer full - so maybe at breakfast and at least by lunch most days supper is ''scheduled''.

And I have changed it at the drop of a hint from my loving wife that she wanted something different...

So, should we assume you do the cooking. My hubby is layed off,so he has been doing most of the cooking, gotta love that, but who knew that he could cook? Wow I'm loving it
Hellow- blackened samon? whatttttttt