Meal Plans

When it is supper time, do you find yourself asking, "Now what will I make?"  I have this problem most of the time.  I try to plan.  I even have a binder with weeks of meal plans, but most of the time I come to the hour before the meal and I am perplexed.  Sometimes, I stand with the fridge or pantry open, just staring at the food, like some idea will reach out and hit me.  One a good day, I will have an ingredient that will spur on an idea for a meal, and I make it.  Other days, I think and think and think, sometimes running out of time to even make anything. 

Now that we are eating whole real food, it takes even more effort because most things take more time to cook.  You can't just reach in the freezer, and get out an already made pizza and pop it into the oven.  I'm reading two books to help with my problem.  One is called Food Matters by Mark Bittman.  The other is, Food Matters Cookbook .  Both are interesting and have many great recipes.  The Food Matters book even has meal plans, which I love!  When I have a plan to go by, my stress is relieved.  I just look at the handy dandy list of what I will make and begin.  So far, we tried the blueberry smoothie, eggs, and toast breakfast.  That was yummy.  Then yesterday, I also made the Better Boston baked beans, although I tried them in the crockpot and didn't cook them long enough.  Then, we reheated them for lunch and my husband was saying, "What is that smell?  I know that smell?  You may never want to make these ever again.  I know that smell, Lima Beans!  I hate lima beans."  Well, I even added raw sugar, but noone really ate more than a few spoon fulls.  Sometimes, one recipe may not work, but I will try again.  In fact, as I write it is 4:15, and everyone is getting hungry for supper.  What will I make?  I'll go stare into the fridge and see as soon as I'm done:)

Another great place to find meal plans are www.100daysofrealfood.com and Whole Eats & Whole Treats

There are ways to plan ahead and have easy whole food ready when you need it.  The Food Matters book gives some suggestions.  Now and then, I get it right and have brown rice made ahead that I can make into another meal, or I make extra mashed potatoes to make into potato buns, or I cut up extra veggies or salad to serve at another meal.  Those are good days!  Today,

So I hope today you know what you are making at the next meal.  If not, check out some of these ideas!  Maybe I will too!