I'm not much of a meal planner. In fact this is how I figure out what I'm going to make for dinner seven times out of ten:
David: What are we going to have for dinner?
Me: I don't know, what you do want?
David: Hmm...how about ______ ?
Me: Ok, do you want to go to the store to pick up the ingredients or do you want me to?
I'm sure you are asking yourself exactly how you might implement such a well thought out method your own household. In all seriousness though, it really has become a hindrance in my attempts to run my household more smoothly. There are only two nights a week I don't have to worry (well, let's be honest, I'm obviously not worrying) about what we are eating: Wednesday because it's breakfast burrito day and Sunday because that's pizza night.
Every once in a while, I find something on sale at the grocery store and attempt to plan a meal around it. I've found that this not only makes planning easier, it also helps reduce our monthly grocery budget which, despite being an insane coupon user, is still not where I would like it to be. Now if I could only do that all the time...or have someone else do it for me.
Well, apparently I can. I recently came across a website called Food on the Table that does just that. Once you register, you can select the grocery stores that you frequently shop, then choose your food preferences and dietary restrictions.
Then, Food on the Table will suggest meal options based on items that
are on sale at your selected grocery stores! Here's an example of a few of the recipes suggested for me this week:
Once you choose the recipes you want to make, Food on the Table will create a shopping list for you! You have the option to add any additional items to your grocery list that you may need, then can print it out or send it to your phone along with the recipes. It's that simple: recipe planning made easy!
Join now through one of the links in this post for a free lifetime subscription to Food on the Table (and a lifetime of easy meal planning, happy husbands, and extra money in the bank).
This post contains affiliate links. They do not affect the content of this blog as all opinions are 100% my own.
Join now through one of the links in this post for a free lifetime subscription to Food on the Table (and a lifetime of easy meal planning, happy husbands, and extra money in the bank).
This post contains affiliate links. They do not affect the content of this blog as all opinions are 100% my own.
I got this at the beginning of the year (when it was free also) and love the idea, but haven't utilized it fully. I shop at a military commissary right now, and that's not one of their listed stores. However, my hubs is out and I can't shop there any more (later this year), I do plan to use this a lot! I did find a few recipes on there that were simple and good.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll check this out. We'll be 17 years married this summer and the conversation you just described is very very familiar to me. I don't mind cooking but planning...sigh...I sadly fall short. I can't use this in Ireland but it might give me a bit of a framework. BTW I would like to make a contribution to your pro-life walk, you may have heard we are on the coal-face at the moment in Ireland, there's a huge pro-abortion heave going on.
ReplyDeleteJen x
Oh my gosh Mandi, you might have just saved my sanity/life. Thank you so much for reviewing this and for the promo!! I'm so excited to use it and feel the stress melt away. I'm with you, I never seem to have what I need for dinner, even though I try to grocery shop every week. I seriously could cry from joy right now. We're entering into a really busy phase and I was just fretting about meal planning and grocery shopping. Thank you thank you thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI know, that the exact same thing I thought when I saw this! You're welcome. I loved Food on the Table and would have shared it even if I didn't have an affiliate link. It's just so useful, especially for us newer, inexperienced wives!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to try all the recipes I've found! So glad to hear that you've had experience with them so far!
ReplyDeleteCan you check (if it's easy for you to do) if Trader Joe's is on there? I want to join, but didn't want to go through the sign up process if TJ's isn't there. They don't have sales really, so I'm not sure if they would be.
ReplyDeleteStacy, I did look and no Trader Joe's. I'm not sure if they will add it in the future, but they might. They do have other "natural' food stores - Whole Foods and Sprouts among them. If you think you might use it in the future, you might want to sign up now though because think the free membership for life only lasts until the end of April.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great since we will be adding a little one to our family!
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! Thanks for sharing the link. I was still able to sign up for free using it, even though it is May now. I won't be able to use it until after our babies are born since I'm on bed rest right now, but I'm looking forward to trying!
ReplyDeleteI also want to say that I love your blog! You've inspired me to re-examine how I work my faith into my daily life, especially as I become a mother. Keep up the good work!
Glad it still worked for you! And thanks for the kind words. I hear bed rest can be challenging, I'll be praying that you find plenty of things to keep you busy while you're in bed!
ReplyDeleteDang, can you still get a free membership? Or just the regular free thing?
ReplyDeleteYes, Paige, as far as I know the free membership is still available! Let me know if you have any problems!
ReplyDelete