How to Plan a Menu

Last week our assistant pastor's wife asked me to speak to a group of our church ladies on how to plan a menu. It was definitely something new for me as I have never done any sort of public speaking regarding my menu planning. I am including my notes from this as a post to hopefully be a help to you as you write your menus.

Menu Ideas for Busy Moms

(or anyone else who needs some help planning their menus)

Planning a menu can be a big time and money saver. It can also help you eat healthier and not be as stressed. Writing out a menu can seem a bit daunting to someone who has never done it. To plan a menu, you’ll need your calendar and a menu/shopping list notepad, notebook, computer, and/or dry erase board (basically a place or places to write down your ideas and final menu plan).

Some steps to follow:

1. 1. Choose a time frame that works for you (I’d suggest 1-2 weeks when you’re just starting out)
• 1 week
• 2 week
• 3 week
• Monthly
2. Consider a format
• By Cuisine type - Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Comfort, etc.
• By Meal type - Brinner a.k.a. breakfast for dinner, Soup/Sandwich, pizza night, new recipe night, etc.
• Rotating – your menu repeats every 4 weeks
3. Start making a list of meal options but consider the following,
1. what fruits and veggies are in season
2. family favorites
3. what items are on sale (most stores have a cycle of sorts for sales, certain items go on sale every so many weeks)
4. what things you have on hand
5. there will be days where you really don’t want to eat what’s on the menu so be flexible, switch it with a different item on the menu
6. any meals from previous menus that you didn’t make
4. Compare your calendar with your meal ideas and write out your menu. Remember, your meals don’t need to be anything fancy but they do need to work for your family.
5. Now that you’ve got your menu completed, write your shopping lists accordingly. 

Sample Monthly (August) Menu

My Format is Italian, Soup/Sandwich, Salad, Tex-Mex, “Comfort”, Leftovers, or Night Out

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
30 Tex-Mex – Tacos and black beans with rice	31 Salad – Grilled Chicken Salad Bar and fresh fruit	1 NIGHT OUT	2 Sandwich – Ham and cheese wraps with fruit salad and chips	3 “Comfort” – Stuffed Crust Pizza, salad and chips	4 “Italian” – Italian Chicken Soup	5 LEFTOVERS
6  Italian – bowties w/creamy pesto and chicken, carrots, beans, French bread	7 Sandwich – Sloppy Joes, potato wedges, and fruit salad	8 Salad – Taco Salad with tortilla bowls	9 Tex-Mex – Chimichangas w/all the fixings	10   DATE NIGHT	11 “Comfort” – Red Beans & Rice	12 LEFTOVERS
13 “Comfort” – Crockpot Italian Chicken, side salad, and rolls	14 Salad – Grilled Chicken Salad Bar and fresh fruit	15  LEFTOVERS	16 Tex-Mex – Tacos and black beans with rice	17 Sandwich – Subs, carrots and fruit salad	18 FAMILY REUNION	19 Italian – Spaghetti, side salad, mixed veggies, and rolls
20 CALENDAR MEETING	21 “Comfort” – Steak, sweet/regular potato fries, sautéed veggies, and side salad	22 - Shared Dinner – Pork Tenderloin, mixed veggies, salad, and  French bread (Skipped Taco Salad)	23 Tex-Mex – Fajitas and side salad	24 “Italian” – Homemade Pizzas	25 BCM ACTIVITY	26 Sandwich – Pulled Pork and slaw, relish tray, and side salad
27 Tex-Mex – Cowboy Skillet	28 Comfort – Chicken Pot Pie and salad	29 Soup – Chicken Enchilada Soup	30 BIRTHDAY PARTY	31 WEDDING	1 Salad – Simple Italian Pasta Salad	2 "Italian" - Calzones and a side salad

Here is a downloadable 1 page outline from my "talk".