The Plan

My husband is on NutriSystem and my daughter eats approximately 5 things (chicken nuggets, yogurt, peanut butter, pizza and cream cheese) so I can eat anything I want right now so my food plans currently revolve around my eating likes and schedule.

Since I get home at 7:45 every night and my daughter goes to bed at 9, I like to have either quick to prepare meals or something that I have made ahead and can heat up.

I start with my dinner plan for the week. This involves a few steps:

1) Shopping in my kitchen. I like to look through my freezer to see what meats and make-ahead meals I have in there for inspiration. Next I will go through the fridge and cabinets.

2) Check out sales at my grocery store. I try to incorporate meats and/or vegetables that are on sale into my menu to save money.

3) Build a menu for the week. I try to do at least three meals for the week. Anything more and I start to waste food. Something always comes up and the food goes to waste.

4) Grocery store shopping. My list is usually half of what I actually need for my meals since I base me menu on that I already have. The rest is sale items, things I need to finish out recipes and stock up items.

5) If I have time on Sunday, I precook and prep everything I can.

This strategy helps keep me on track for the week. If I know there is a yummy, easy meal waiting for me, I am less likely to stop at Wendy's on my way home... ok, sometimes it is not. But at least I try!