Meal Planning Tips and Tricks

This month we are bringing back our Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials theme. Specifically this month we are talking about Meal Planning (you'll notice on Tuesdays - starting next week - we will walk you through the steps of a meal plan). Let me start by saying that meal planning is not for everyone. Sometimes having to follow a special schedule is more stressful than anything else and that's okay. And even if you do like following a scheduled life happens. We all know that best-laid plans get ruined sometimes and that's okay. In fact, that is tip number one.

Tip #1: Build a schedule that fits you. What this means is you can not predict everything when it comes to dinner. Something will come up, it always does. And that's okay, never let a meal schedule keep you from being spontaneous. Your schedule is not set in stone.

Tip #2: Plan for your family. You know your family's needs, wants, and schedule; plan around that. It's okay if one child likes something the other doesn't, plan for it. You know your family. With covid, a lot of these tips will be easy to follow but when your family starts having activities out of the home, this tip will become much more important. If a child that hates hamburgers has something that will have him or her skipping a meal (because of timing or just eating at a different home), that is the perfect time for the rest of the family to have hamburgers.

Tip #3: think of how to store food. This may not be a great tip but it is one to think about. Food Saver machines are a good investment if you are going to buy a lot of meat, or if you plan on freezing stuff for later, or cooking meals ahead of time. Also, storage containers (I recommend glass) is a great investment.

Tip #4: Use what you have to first. This tip seems obvious but it isn't always. If you buy fresh produce, fresh bread, anything that can go bad, rotten, or simply be not as good the longer you have it, should be first on your meal plan. You want to get those things out of the way or cooked first. The last thing you want is to have to throw something because it went bad before your meal plan said to make the dish that needed it.

Tip #5: Know your limit. This one will sound odd, but it is a very good starting point. Everyone usually has two or more stores they know of that they can shop at. Most people get the weekly flyers or see the ads on TV or online. The best thing you can do is know your local stores, and which you don't mind going to. I stick with two sometimes three places and that's it, because I know I do not want to travel to more stores than that. And this is a good thing to know. You can find almost anything on sale, but you may have to go to ten different stores to get all those sales. Some of us can't do that or just don't want to and that's okay.

Tip #6: Shop the sales. Once you know which stores you will go to, look at their flyers. You can also do this the other way around if you prefer and simply pick where you want to shop based on who has the best sales. Either way, get the flyers, check online if you have to; and plan around the specials.

Tip #7: Use the internet to help. Once you have an idea of what you want. You know what meals you are going to make and you're ready to shop, go to the store's website. I use the Loblaws website. And they have a great website. Along with giving you the total cost of an item, they break down the cost. So you will see a cost per 100 g, or 100 ml, or something like that. And that can really come in handy when you are trying to save money.

Tip #8: Buy what you eat. This one sounds stupid and obvious but it is good to live by. If they have a buy one get one sale, buy two. If it is a good price buy more. If you know your family is going to need it or use it, buy in bulk.

Tip #9: Don't be afraid of leftovers. In fact, personally, I put two blank days in a 14-day plan for leftovers. And I do this for all three meals in a day. But again, you know your family. Will they eat leftovers? If yes then one day a week for leftovers may be a good idea.

Tip #10: Have fun. This is supposed to make life easier. And if it doesn't then don't do it. Meal planning should be fun and something that will make your life easier, not harder.