How do you plan a home menu for a week? ... It's really just basic meal planning!

"Mom, what's for dinner?" Are you tired of having to keep coming up with ideas to cook every single day? Do you hate discovering you are missing particular ingredients for the recipe you have chosen? Are your kids or partner going to have a meltdown because they are HANGRY and therefore in need of some nourishment? How can we alleviate this and plan a home menu for a week?

I have discovered that if I just take some time to meal plan for the upcoming week, it saves the hassle of trying to think on my feet. In addition, this allows my family to eat healthier more often since we are not reaching for the fastest, easiest option. Here is my quick start guide to efficient weekly meal planning.

First ask yourself, what do you already have?

Start with an audit of what is in your freezer and pantry. I usually base my meals off of the protein and then add side dishes afterward that complement. Which ingredients do you need to use before they expire? What do you already have that you want to use this week?

What recipes will work with what ingredients you already have?

Gather ❤️ favorites.

Periodically take a brainstorm session to gather recipes. If you are looking in a cookbook - mark the pages you like. If you are exploring recipes online, copy and save the URLs into a drive document for quick access. This helps be able to check when you're away from your kitchen. It also makes it easy to find the recipe when you are about to cook it.

Organize your interesting recipes for easy reference. I keep a folder in my drive for ‘Recipes.’ Within that folder, I have different documents for different cooking methods (air fryer, instant pot, etc). That way I can search by what cooking method I am wanting to use for that day.

Here's how to Plan a Home Menu for a Week.

How I like to plan a menu for the week is by keeping a written note on the fridge. After the initial audit is complete, you can write your week's menu out on a weekly planner paper. Alternatively, you could choose to type it out in a note file on your phone or in Google Drive. Do whatever works for you. Sometimes I also take a cell phone picture of the written plan. Then I have it with me when I think about planning how I will attack the ‘making dinner task.’

Start by noting any holidays, birthdays, planned events, or days you want to go out to eat.

Those days either need something specific for the occasion, quick, or nothing if you are planning to dine out.

Next, write what the meal will be for each day.

I usually only focus my planning on Dinner. The other daily meals are either quick or prepared in advance for a couple days at a time. For example, I often make 3-4 days worth of salads for lunch, or breakfast scramble for a few days' breakfast.

When you write out each meal, note what protein will be used. Plan out the 1-2 days prior when you need to defrost that protein if applicable.

Include the names of recipes and where to find them for your reference. Include page numbers or words like Instant Pot so you know where it is in your Google doc. Above all, be realistic and give yourself some buffer days. When you know you will likely cook enough food for leftovers, plan some leftover meals into your weekly menu. In other words, if you know cooking 7 days straight is going to exhaust you - plan some quick and easy meals into the plan too. In my home, we always plan a frozen pizza night once a week (cooked in the oven) because everyone loves it - and I get a break!

Write your grocery list to fit this week’s meal plan.

Deducting the ingredients you already had to begin with, write your grocery list. Review each recipe you are planning to cook and add items you need to buy to your grocery list.

In conclusion, plan ahead and you won't have to think about it when the day comes. That is how to plan a home menu for a week...

Now go forth and plan!

Do some grocery shopping, and get busy cooking! All done meal planning and ready for a little yoga practice? Here are 6 Grounding Poses to help you practice Self Love.

New to yoga and need some guidance getting started? Read "Starting a Home Yoga Practice."