You are such a good, clear cut teacher. There's not a lot of useless chatter or dead space in your videos. I love that you don't show off in front of the camera or try to say funny things. So, keep up the good work and thanks for your easy to understand tips.
I came back to tell you that’s year later and I’m still using this. You’ve turned me into a meal planner! Edit: make that 2 years! Thanks so much, Dawn!
I've been watching your videos and have found a ton of great info in them! I'm not a single 20 something dude that want's to prove some point by being a "minimalist." I'm a 40 something year old single parent and my time is already spread out to the max. Tips like this save me time, which translates into more time that I get to spend with my daughter. Keep up the good work!
And I’m a 21 years old woman who wants to have good habits, especially with her 21 years old kid (who cooks and does it very well, but isn’t that good at not wasting food). 😆😁
Meal planning completely changed our lives! When people hear how we meal plan, they’re kind of astonished, but then they’ll try and now they’re hooked too! It’s saved us thousands- not even exaggerating! It’s save time and energy and makes like a little less stressful! I used to be the kind of person that kept a STOCKPILE of food - in the fridge, pantry and freezer- seeing food go to waste made me sick! Cutting down on the inventory (whole house inventory too) has made a WORLD OF DIFFERENCE!
Single mom of 2 here and I’m struggling with home, work, school, kids, housework, you name it. I found you from someone else’s video who commented about your channel! I’m glad God put you in my path. Thank you so much for all of your tips! I aspire to be as balanced as you are. Now I am going to binge and put it all into practice! Thank you!!
You. Are. A. Life. Saver!!!!! I almost started crying while watching this because meal planning and grocery shopping has seriously been THE hardest thing for me!!! I always wonder why the heck it has to be so dang hard when I do it every single week?? It should be easy by now! This is exactly what I need in my life right now! Thank you so much!!!!!
Your mind shift "inventory I have to manage!" LOVE IT and it has been my motivation this year. It is a great mindset to determine "What is a manageable amount for me/us?" Thank you!
I also organize my list in order of how our store is laid out. I tend to pick 7 meals for the week, and buy enough to double the recipes so it ends up being two weeks worth of meals. Then I spend time preparing the meals into gallon ziplock bags and freezing them. I can put one in the fridge the night before to thaw and put it in the crock pot in the morning. 🙌🏻 as a homeschooling mama of 6 this saves me so much time and energy during the week.
I've been using this as I weekly grocery shop and I realized quickly that I was buying way too much inventory! My pantry was so full the kids couldn't see the forest through the trees. Now I buy only what we need for the week (I do add to our storage located in our basement but only buy non perishable items and get the same things we use often). Instead of our kiddos having 8 options for breakfast, they now have 2 options. It's made mealtime so much easier in the morning and our grocery bill has decreased weekly as well. Such a great idea. Love your videos!!
Here I was feeling guilty that we don't seem to have that much variety! You have given me permission to keep it simple by using the tried and true recipes that work and everybody loves.
we gravitate towards the same foods, band dont have nuch variety. then when we eat out because we are craving variety, we get the same things at the same restaraunts haha. wow!
Im confused that anyone would put this a thumbs down This is so thought out and precise and worked through... Its genius and fool proof... Who disliked this??? So confused
I have officially been using this idea for one month. I can honestly say it has changed so much about the way I grocery shop and meal plan. I used to take forever in the store and go down every aisle half guessing at what we need which meant I was buying too much and food was going to waste. This plan has stopped me from having multiples of things because my pantry is cleared and so is the fridge. I can easily see what is needed and what is not needed. It takes me about 15 minutes to plan the menu and see & highlight what we need and an hour (or less) to grocery shop.
I just discovered you and this has been so helpful to me as a mom with ADHD. It's great to have something like this that I can use to make things easier on myself.
If you keep an inventory of foods you freeze, include your intention for that item in a way that is meaningful for you: Ground Beef: 1lb. Meatloaf Chick. breasts 1/2 lb: burritos Chicken cutlets 5 ea.: Chicken Parm
I use a dry erase marker to write the date on my containers of leftovers so I know when it was made. It helps me to make sure leftovers are eaten within 4 days.
@@stefanielynn84 I have my leftovers list on the door with the date written beside it. Definitely helpful. Especially when I’m hungry and I don’t remember what in there.
Yes! Love your mindset of “managing inventory”. We eat a lot of leftovers, double batches to freeze and rotate 20 or so meals as well. I also inventory my pantry, fridge and freezer every few weeks to see what I can use up.
Thank you for this video and all the work you do for us! When I first started to tackle this grocery/meal planning I was overwhelmed. But soon realized that I'm preparing too many crazy (but fun) meals that only my husband and I eat and then need to make something else for kids. So i started with all my recipes, came down to 11 that the whole family likes, plus about 5 quick, mostly kid friendly meals that I can use when time is running out or when I have that time to make something that is more labor intensive for me and husband. Making the shopping list from there is helpful. But I think this will really help make shopping and cooking much simpler!
This system has been a life saver for us!!! I used to spend a lot of time every week prepping my meal plan and grocery list. I used to have my recipes scattered and often forgot about family favorites. This has organized it all in one spot and cut it down to about 10 minutes every week to prep. We have about twice as many recipes as Dawn but we also have kids that are homeschooled and the hubby works from home so the whole family is here for 3 meals a day. Thanks Dawn so much for sharing this method with all of us!!!
Helpful video. Love the whiteboard. The food wastage was the one thing that was bothering me almost on a daily basis. Also the meal plan system you have is fantastic. So much energy and brainpower it takes to keep trying to decide what to eat and looking for recipes all the time which is my least favourite thing to do. Thankyou!!
Maybe others have said this already, but I've noticed that the idea of variety in meals in so much more important to adults than to children. Children usually prefer predictability, because it's comforting. So, a meal rotation might feel like it's going to be disappointing, it's often a happier situation. Added benefit! :)
Dawn, this has been a real big blessing to me. I have been using this method for 3 or 4 weeks. I am so thankful to have found your youtube channel. I consider you my friend! Love you!
WOW! This is EXACTLY what I have been trying to figure out for my family (me, sister and mom) because we're just walking around the grocery store looking at sales and spending all of our time seeing if things go together for meals or figuring out how to use something up. THANK YOU!
Yes! If you are struggling it’s because you have too much to manage! That is why I have spent the last 2 years decluttering and simplifying! This video is great and my method is very similar but I do it all on my phone... I use the google keep app and have a checklist of meals and a checklist of grocery items listed in the order I would find them walking through the store. I keep the items checked off and as I make a list each week uncheck only the things we need and then check them off again as I go through the store. To double check I am staying on budget I will write my list out on a piece of paper with the prices next to it and add it up
To use apps is a good idea to those who are single. Otherwise you want to involve everyone and get them into doing things and creating the same habits you're proposing. And visuals like the ones showed here are great to start a conversation in the kitchen or talk about shopping. I believe it helps to spend less time on our phones too.
I love the 1-page sheet! I find for us that the dry-erase can get accidentally swiped off by one of the Littles; wet-erase markers on the whiteboard are a good switch. Recently I've begun snapping pics of the fridge, freezer & pantry for reference before a shopping trip, or before putting together a delivery order.
Hello! I'm a pastor's wife and home schooling mom of 3 girls. I've been watching your videos for about 2 months now. At first, I was skeptical, but now, as I've been working through each room of my home and seeing the benefits, I am 100% on board! When you said that the things in our homes are like inventory we then have to manage, the "light bulb" went on for me. I can't even tell you how many bags and boxes of items have been either passed on to someone who could use it, or to Goodwill over the last 1 1/2 months. Some even just went to the trash! Specifically, having my food organized and meal planning has made such a difference. Our grocery bill is cut in almost half. I have been using the top grocery portion of your meal planning sheet on Excel. I plan my meals in my planner, which is just my preference. My husband has come to see the benefits and we have not had the same meal twice (except for pizza on Thursdays) in just over 1 month. When I get to the end of my recipes, I'll just cycle back through and that is such a huge weight off my mind!!! I just wanted to take some time to thank you for your videos and let you know how much they are appreciated. I also appreciate the videos you do with your sister. I appreciate the encouragement and the scripture based topics discussed. I look forward to seeing your videos whenever they come out! May the Lord Jesus richly bless you all!
Meal planning video! Yay!!! Xoxox❤️🎃 This is by far the best meal planning video I've found as with every other video you've made. You talk about things that nobody else talks about in their videos. For example, how to recycle the food you make extra of and don't have a use for yet. Nobody talks about that stuff. You're simple and to the point and make it easy for others to follow your advice. This is why i love your videos!
I used this sheet method when my kids were younger. I had 2 sheets....one for groceries at our Aldi's, and one for household and personal that I couldn't get at Aldi. I slid them both into a plastic sheet protector with a piece of cardboard in between...to make it 2 aided and sturdier. Then I could use a dry erase to mark what was needed and wipe it off as I put it in the cart. It's amazing how often we buy the same things in rotation. It worked great!
Dawn, I love your channel and I know I'm being productive when I watch your videos. I can't say that about most of RUclips. I'm glad you mentioned managing inventory. As a stay at home mom, my husband has always describes my job as manager of our house, and having less inventory, makes life easier.
You are such a Godsend and answer to prayer. I relate to you so much everything that you say and it is so amazing how you simplify everything. It is just so smart and I wish I would have discovered you years ago. Meal planning is my biggest Struggle and now I understand why. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. You Are the most relatable person on RUclips. My favorite thing you say is " I think we could be friends." That is so endearing. Keep teaching it truly is a blessing. I watch all your videos over and over.
Not only did I start using this for meal planning, but you also inspired me to automate a monthly project at work! Every month, I “recreate the wheel” by thinking through what I did the previous month. Now I’ve just written it down on a spreadsheet. I even created templates for the monthly emails I send. Thanks for the inspiration. Really appreciate you!
I stumbled on your simplified laundry system video a few weeks ago when I was looking for laundry room ideas. It was a game changer! I'm working on decluttering and your ideas are so straightforward, and easy to implement. I love that you're ACTUALLY simplifying things. Like rethinking cooking and shopping instead of emptying all the boxes of snacks, rice, and cereal into plastic containers to make your pantry prettier. I'd rather have less in the cupboard than spend an extra 30+ minutes every week emptying one container into another. My ultimate goal is to have 1 perpetually empty kitchen drawer....not sure that will ever happen in my tiny kitchen, but it's a good carrot to chase. Thank you!
I have lived in Minnesota and in Florida. For the fact that you can leave food items in their packaging, I prefer Minnesota. However, Florida is where Tupperware came about because of its cockroaches; so while plastic is a necessity, at least Tupperware made it colorful and somewhat fun. I'm still in the south and the bugs are different here, but the plastic is still necessary.
Never has a meal planning method made more sense! Husband and I are excited to try it. We eat what we eat because we like it, why would we want to change that up and make it more difficult by trying something new every evening. We don't have the time or energy for that. Having a printed shopping list is going to encourage us immensely to look through our existing food and use it up. I can't believe how simple but genius this is!
Just wanted to tell you this system is a game changer in our house! I put it into practice 4 weeks ago and I LOVE IT! My husband works at home with our 3 year old so now that I list “left-over/lunch” our left overs have almost disappeared because he knows what to use up! Brilliant!
This helped me a whole lot. The last few weeks I've spent less on groceries. I also scheduled an eat out day for the week and I've actually forgotten about it because it's so easy to make a great quick meal at home that my kids love. I have shared this system with my friends it's great.
OMgoodness!!! 😮😮 This has been the BEST and easiest way to meal plan I have EVER seen!! Our fridge stays empty and clean b/c there aren’t left overs. And we had so much food in the pantry that I literally haven’t had to buy groceries in 3 weeks!! I LOVE YOU!! 🤣🤣
Woah. I have been so stubborn about the way I meal plan, even though I knew it wasn’t quite working. You are the first person I’ve ever come across that I like your way better than mine. This is amazing.
Love how you talk about everything coming into the house is inventory we have to manage... so true! About 3-4 years ago I came up with my own system which is very similar to yours. I wrote the categories in order of how the grocery store is laid out and put every item we buy in alphabetical order under each section. I even have an area at the top for Returns, Appts., Cash, Gas, other stores, and Bills to Pay because I tend to do a whirlwind day of everything at once as my stores are a half hour away (saves gas and works with my crazy work schedule!) I made a bunch of copies of my list and keep one one the fridge so all we have to do is circle what we need for the week. I really need to up my game and do the meal planning part like you have, too. That's awesome!
Such great suggestions! I love hearing how others manage dinner time. The absolute best thing I have done was to implement menu planning in 2014 and I have stuck to it since. We use Google calendar and Google Keep (note taking/list making app). I have a separate calendar for the menu that is shared with my husband so he never has to ask me what it is for dinner. I use the Google keep app to keep lists for the different stores I shop at and those too are shared with the husband and he always knows to check the lists when he is out and we can both pick up groceries. I usually plan 2-6 weeks of meals ahead of time to take the thinking out of it and we have almost zero food waste. I also keep a link to any recipes I use from online in the calendar menu for easy access. So easy!
I tried this method for about a year and then we moved and I kind of lost track of it... I’m so glad I’m rewatching this. It such an effective and uncomplicated method. I love it! Thank you
All my life I have had a magnet shopping list, and told the household if we run out of something put it on the list, secondly, I plan meals before I go and get what those meals need and cook them up that particular week. Some leftovers do go to waste but very minimal because I usually cook just enough for everyone to have a nice serving. (I do NOT like leftovers, like not as I will not eat them but because I know what happens, you wind up throwing away food $$$) Yours is similar. Sucks to throw out food, growing up in my house, that didnt happen very often, course we had to eat very cheap meals to feed the whole family. Kudos to you for helping folks out.
I, too, am a mom of four and I meal plan for the month in a very similar way. What I don't do very well is shop my pantry and freezer before I meal plan. Lightbulb moment when you said you need to keep inventory of all your food. I will definitely be adding a "Use Up" column to my weekly menu :)
You said it best! That everything that comes into the home, you have to manage & it's "inventory". You've worded it precisely...you have just helped me understand the madness lol.
oh my goodness.. what you were saying about every single thing in the house being 'inventory I have to manage' has really resonated with me! Love your videos
I've heard you say in multiple videos that everything that is in your house you have to manage. I really like the way you say that and changed my thinking of things. I said it to my husband last week and he laughed at me like I was joking but I was completely serious lol. He hadn't thought of it like that either.
This is genius! It couldn’t of came at a better time. I am very overwhelmed 😢 I work 12 hour shifts and am absolutely exhausted when I get home and do not wanna cook especially when I have no idea what to make ! I will definitely be giving this a try !
Thank You! I appreciate that you are real and authentic. I do think we could be friends. 2018 was my year to realize I had too much stuff and was trying my best to make changes... but now watching lots of your video's my closet is now more manageable, laundry system more efficient, kitchen is getting less cluttered and it is starting to be more fun to cook. THANK YOU for sharing your experiences!!!
We're doing this now and it's working perfectly. We always had trouble with a calendar planner because sometimes we couldn't do what was planned for that day. This way we just picked from the planned meals and we know what's in the house. We cross off items as we use them, and when I go to highlight the next meal plan sheet I already know what I have in the house. We did pantry, produce, dairy, freezer, protein, non food, and breads as categories. I like the breakfast column too because the kids pick a couple of things for the week and there's no arguments or wasted food. I'll likely switch out less desirable meals here and there, but it was so easy to shop this way. Got exactly what we needed. Perfect meal plan idea. Between this video, and the one on kids wardrobe, you've made our lives easier. Thank you!
This video has now changed my life. Legit!! I have come up with a rotating two week plan and using your sheet I only bought groceries once in the two weeks. I don’t know why I could never give myself permission to just make meals that I get really good at cooking /are silly easy. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I have been trying to find a way around meal planning and meal prep for ages now, and while all the videos out there are helpful and look really nice, they also make me feel overwhelmed. There's so much to buy, prepare, so much to think of and it all makes me feel like I'd rather order china takeout, because this will just take too much time and effort and I can't do it. Your video, on the other hand, makes me feel like this is something that could be done very easily, and it could also be something that I surprisingly might even find enjoyable :) When you said you rotate 30 meals, my first thought was "wow, that must be boring" as we are used to the videos showing us variety and too many options. But then I realized I am actually rotating like 10 meals, including the takeout options :D What I am trying to say here, is THANK YOU for this, thank you for making your videos, I have found a LOT of helpful advice and I will try this system too.
I realize this is an older video but seeing your shopping/meal list laid out, it's exactly what was floating around in my mind but I couldn't visualize it. Thank you! I hate writing out a list from scratch each time when it's the same thiings, and I always forget at least one staple
Love your thought on inventory. I’ve really changed how I manage my house this past year and it’s helped cut down on stress. I shop once a week and have a budget and it’s made life so much easier bc I have some guidelines instead of getting overwhelmed by all the options.
I loved that too. I think it will shower me with guilt (in a positive way) everytime I bring more rubbish into my home and realise it's now inventory for me to manage.
The amount of time we spend planning, cooking, cleaning, STRESSING over food is ridiculous. This is such a great idea! I’ve gotten so overwhelmed in the past month that so much has went to waste and we’ve ate too many corn dogs lol! About to declutter kitchen and start writing down ideas for simple meals that we love. I’m excited!
Really like this system. I made a Dutch version of it, combined with a few Greek recipes (as my husband is Greek). Just started it but the first time already saved a lot of time on making a list! Surprising how many times we buy the same things anyway all the time.
I don’t know who you think you are, but I’m telling you right now that I live by myself. However, my girlfriend has been coming over more frequently now, and this system is amazing. Thank you 🙏
Dawn, you are amazing! I'm binge watching your videos and learning so many great ideas from you. I LOVE that you keep a list of standard items, grouped by aisle, and your tried-and-true, go-to meals on your grocery list. Brilliant. And sugested having a separate ingredient list for each of those meals, those of us who need it :) I write out intended meals and a few snack ideas for each week. I'm just cooking for myself, usually, so I plan 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners for each week, to alternate between, every other day. I make enough for 3 days of each, and then on Fridays use up any leftovers, to clear out the fridge. If I make a standard recipe intended for 4 people, that will serve 1 person for 3+ days. I shop on Friday, and then on Sat. try to cook the Sat - Mon - Weds breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and store these in the fridge (usually leaving them in their pots, pans, or covered casserole dishes stashed in the fridge.) Then on Sunday, I make the Sun - Tues - Thurs breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That's a lot of cooking on Saturday and Sunday, so I try to have "no cook"/"no prep" meals as often as possible for breakfast and lunch, such as breakfasts of cereal w/banana, followed either by bagels and cream cheese Sat - M - W. On Sun - T - Th, it's cereal & fruit, plus toast with peanut butter. For lunch, it's usually two types of sandwiches, fruit, veg, and chips to alternate between. That way, I only have to cook a dinner on Sat. and another on Sun., to have 6 dinners through til Thurs. Then on Friday, I either have leftovers, or a frozen pizza :) Finally, to make meals faster, - I look for 4-ingredient recipes. Half the week, it's usually baked chicken thighs, with some sort of 4-ingredient sauce poured over. I alternate that with a fish, beef, pork, or vegetarian dinner, of few ingredients. - I avoid recipes that require cutting up the food in advance, to save time. I'd rather serve myself a whole, single serving of meat, plus an easy starch, veg and/or salad. I can then cut the meat at the table, instead of spending time dicing it before or after cooking. It's faster to bake whole pieces of chicken, and then pour a homemade stir-fry sauce over it for the last 30 minutes in the oven, than to dice up everything before stir-frying it. Making a stir-fry takes me forever, because of all the prep work. Thank you again!
Oh wow! I've been planning, cooking and grocery shopping like this for about a year now, and I always assumed I was a loser for not being able to do it the "normal" way. Thanks so much for this video, I now know I'm not a freak! LOL
This is the number one thing that I needed help with. I'm disabled and can't cook like I used to. I struggle with cheap healthy meals I can manage to cook
So although this video was on meal planning, when you prefaced the topic with the talk on inventory, and household inventory, for me it just clicked! YES!!!. It made total sense to me, and then I started watching your other videos, and honestly the last week has been a huge shift to reduce our household inventory so I can manage better. We have 4 kids, crazy life. And this is just making sense. Thanks Dawn!!! This helped me soooo much!!
I put a sheet of paper on the fridge divided in half vertically. Left side divided into four sections. Produce, meat, frozen, dairy.. Right side top section nonfood one-fourth size. Rest of the column everything else. (Takes longer to describe than to draw.) I write items in as I use them up. On another smaller piece of paper the days of the week, three lines per day. I write six meals. I don't cook on Monday my husband travels for work and he goes to his Mom's on the way home for dinner. Works great! If I don't cook a meal on the assigned day I just save it for the next week. Kathy B.
Got my list all tipped up in my computer, but only print out once and have it laminated. Its a fantastic system also to separate each store in your colone. Great Job.
This video is the reason women should run the world.....no more waste, no more hunger, no more homelessness.....no one can plan out things efficiently and effectively like women can! Especially moms! And by the way, I love your energy and enthusiasm.....you are so cute!
I had done this and was to the point where I was going to use our pantry to store appliances and table cloths etc instead of in bins in the basement. Our upright freezer was almost empty and I could manage what was in the fridge freezer. We have a rotating menu like yours (Monday-meatloaf, Indian or meatless, Tuesday-Taco Tuesday, Wednesday Italian, Thursday-Leftovers, Friday-Fish, Saturday- a longer prep meal, Sunday-Open). Each night could shift either way or off a few days depending on how many baseball games my kids had that week or how late I worked. BUT...the pandemic hit and supplies got low. We anticipated shortages so as the country began talking shutting down, we stocked up. So much so that my husband bought a NEW freezer. And then with no takeout and cooking ALL THE TIME, we ended up using our CSA to the fullest, ordered bushels of tomatoes and went overboard picking apples and took in any produce the neighbors offered and (get this) PLUGGED IN OUR OLD FREEZER! So we have (2) upright freezers and a one on our fridge. Now you are probably thinking we are crazy but with all the food prep I've done, using our same meal planning nights, and the Instant Pot, ANY meal from start to finish is done is about 20 minutes on any given night. We literally go grocery shopping once a month to Costco and it isn't a huge $900 bill. I also make meals ahead so one my family loves is chicken and dumplings, in the IP, done in 20 minutes, start to finish, including making the stock. Veggies cut up, bagged and in the freezer, chicken, either frozen breasts or already cooked, homemade dumplings made and frozen. Pizza bagels (all homemade), cookie dough (homemade)...I could go on and on. And the greatest part is that my kids can cook most of these items and they are "junk" free.
I've been enjoying your channel and I love your suggestions! I love that you made the point that everything that comes into the home needs to be "managed", so we must weigh our need of that item carefully, including groceries. Hope the meal planning printable is up soon and can't wait for your FAQ video tomorrow!
I found this video because I was looking for weight loss meal planning, but holy cow, your system is so easy and amazing and I have been stressing myself out doing weekly menus, checking Pinterest, polling the family, trying to make each week new. I've already made up my sheet and selected a bunch of rotating meals. I can't thank you enough for sharing!
Uuuugh this is SOOOO GOOD!!!! I just graduated culinary school and know how each detail is so important in being successful in a commercial kitchen! You’ve done the exact same thing for a home kitchen! I can do this in a commercial kitchen but you have put this into the perfect system for us ❤ I will utilize so many of your tips! Just a little note 😊 I’m mostly “retired” but did school during the pandemic to stay busy and really learn to cook:)
This video has been so helpful. I'm gonna stick with a limited amount of recipes. I already wrote out everything I need when I grocery shop. I believe grocery shopping is going to be more peaceful because I am now going to stick to things I like and not let the store advertising get to me!! Plus that board on the fridge has been VERY helpful too! Thanks for your kindness!
I love the sheet idea! I started ONLY buying specifically for meals I wanted to make for the week (and one or two freezer meals just in case I was like ugh, I'm too tired) mostly because I just moved and am feeling the financial strain of moving. After I started shopping this way the past few weeks, I was thinking OK, so aside from maybe a few frozen pot pies, chicken soup and canned stew to have just in case there's a huge snow storm or I get sick and don't want to shop...I am never going back to having a "fully stocked pantry" just because it's what I was used to!
Really good! I started making a list of what we buy and it got soooo long. I think it was because I was putting down EVERYTHING. Having the list of what we buy almost every time like half and half and salad greens, avocados, etc would really help. We have a huge stock of meat in our freezer and I have been eating from the pantry since May, but we still have enough canned tomatoes for at least 2 more years (I am not exaggerating). We have always stocked up, but now it is just the two of us and we really need to knock it off! We do put meat that needs to be eaten in the top shelf of the freezer and I do rotate my canned goods. I just recently started writing down things we need to use up on our whiteboard. I usually only cook 3 meals a week. My husband cooks on the weekends.
One of my favorites! I had to learn a similar system years ago after much trial & error. This video should be given to anyone just starting out to help save money & time. 🥰 this is great!
Meal planning is something I am pretty faithful to, but is such a pain point for me because of the time it takes. I’d literally rather do anything else than meal plan. I am going to put this into practice. Something along these lines is what I had in mind, but it looks like you really but the flesh on it and brought it to life. Thank you!!
I do the same thing and then I plan to have my left overs night the day before I go food shopping so that my family can help clean out the fridge and no food goes to waste. I then take advantage of the emptied out fridge to do my inventory for my next meal planning day. It's actually one of my tips on my meal planning video. I'm so glad that more people take advantage of left overs, that means less waste.
Thank you for sharing this video! I’ve been using this for several weeks now. It takes a little discipline to grab that marker but works so well to plan meals AHEAD of time!
Been inspired by your videos today, though I have a good handle on organizing always looking for new ideas. Was inspired to organize my spices by making blends that I sue all the time such as Taco, Montreal Steak, Italian spice and my own chicken gravy base. My grocery/meal system is quite similar, the only thing I do different is I have a specific shelf for uncooked meats and another for leftovers. Everyone knows to grab from the leftovers for lunches, if that does not clear them out then around night 3 I do not cook, we all pick a left over and finish them. This also makes it easy to morph leftovers such as marinara from spaghetti into pizza bread or roast beef into beef nachos.
I like the idea of foods we buy all the time on a list and highlighting what ran out. I also have a pad on my fridge with a pen. When I use the last of something I write it on the pad. Its the meals I always struggle with planning. I have tons of recipes be we never use them. My hubby always calls on the way home and says he is picking something up on the way. He doesn’t even want to wait a half hour for me to cook. Plus lots of quick and easy recipes don’t include prep time as part of the time to prepare. I have been thinking about making meals ahead that I can heat up or just pull out of the fridge.
I have just found your channel. I couldn't possibly love this video and this system enough! I have watched your wardrobe videos and laundry videos so far also and let me tell you, you are speaking my language! Thank you for sharing all of these wonderful tips.
started meal planning in 1995 of so. When the children were young and educated at home. A note book did the trick back then. I shopped every two weeks. We made an outing out of it had lunch and so forth. I would just write M. T. W. etc on the side and write my prayer, chore, exercise and on the next page my meal plan for two weeks. I really stuck to it. Now we live in the city and it's so easy to eat fast and lazy. I'm finding it harder to stick to my meal plan. Thanks for sharing this
I use a checklist in the Notes app on my iPhone to keep inventory and grocery list. I check/check based on if I have it, and indent it if it’s something to buy (i might have it but need extra, or not have it but don’t need it this week). Then I can just scan down the indented items for what I need. Also makes it easy to update when I run out of something I can just whip out my phone, and before I do a big shop I do a quick inventory check. Right now I have the checklist grouped by category but I’m trying to rearrange it by aisle so it’s more efficient. Some things I buy from a different store too so I’ve been trying to figure out how to factor that in - your system does make that a bit easier!
I'm 63 never too late to start I Just found u & am binging Luv u & your fam your ideas your laugh n your dynamic with your husband ! My Only Problem is your voice timber & cadence r So soothing, mesmerizing, & calming I need to replay a lot do to "what did she say?" Your doing a great service for a lot of people I'm sure... Thank You signed "An Old Dog"
I have never remembered to like or comment, but I LOVE Your videos!! We moved into a 3 bedroom house with no closets or garage and limited indoor space, so making the minimalist move in a serious way these last few months. Luckily the beach is half a block away so lots of outdoor space ;) But just shared this video into a couple mum groups over here in New Zealand because I LOVe this method, saved me so much time these last few weeks, thank you, Dawn!!
Cool! I do something similar but have my list in my phone. We eat a wfpb diet so having prepped ready to use items like batches of cooked beans, rice, potatoes, etc., is my starting point. Then based on what we feel like we can have potato salad, fried rice, burritos, etc. using those with some additions. My list is a short list of standard items I like to have on hand. I just put a dash next to them when I am looking for what needs replenishing. I like that you decide in advance what you're cooking and post it for everyone to see. I'm not quite there yet. If we accumulate leftovers we have a "smorgasbord" dinner where everything gets pulled out and made ready so everyone can try a little of everything and eat it up. Looking forward to your FAQ vid.
I’ve seen others talk about simplifying their meal plan to a 2-3 week turn around. I love this concept. I just gotta now get on it myself and actually do one🤣
I plan one month at a time, that way I don't have to spend time doing it each week. I plan what I'll need to get in the initial grocery haul and in the follow-up haul (about mid-way through the month - for fresh produce and dairy as needed). I always leave room for leftover nights in my calendar, that way we use up what's already been made. I always start the process by taking inventory of what I have, just like you. I only cook maybe 2-3 times a week. I love meal planning
What a fun, helpful video! Just me & hubby but I love planning lol meal prepping "sides" to keep on hand for busy nights is my best tip! Bbq some chicken and have a fun rice dish in the freezer etc.
I am absolutely flabbergasted at how many of my family members forget that there is fruit and vegetables in the drawers that THEY bought intending to eat. Because it's in the drawer and not on a shelf, they don't 'see' it...But the drawers are clear!!! 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Thank you Minimal Mom! I LOVE this system. I downloaded your spreadsheet, adapted it to my needs, and have just done my first grocery run with it. After putting groceries away, I printed out my list for the next week, and I was able to quickly get a head start on planning meals for that future run. So exciting! I am more of a "fancy" cook (no kids, and my husband and I are big food people), but this system is VERY helpful to me.
I think that in the past I would get hung up on trying to assign certain meals to certain days or weeks, and that just is not practical. It's also nice to have all the info up on the fridge so that hubs can participate. Rather than having it all hidden away in my head or on my laptop.
Thank you Dawn! I’m 66 and still having a problem planning meals for my hubby and I. I usually buy what’s on sale and end up throwing a lot away because it went bad. I hate that. I modified your charts and can’t wait to use it.
I LOVE THIS! I already implemented it and it is so easy! Thank you for sharing this with us! It is a game changer. Just cutting out all the decision making I was making in the grocery store has been such a relief! Also the mental shift- looking at items simply as ingredients for a potential meal versus looking at them as part of a planned meal really makes managing the items throughout the week much more cohesive and less stressful. A little, easy planning goes a LONNNGGG way!! Thanks Dawn!
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
You are such a good, clear cut teacher. There's not a lot of useless chatter or dead space in your videos. I love that you don't show off in front of the camera or try to say funny things. So, keep up the good work and thanks for your easy to understand tips.
Very much agree. Her videos are so practical, enjoyable and done with good quality.
Yes! And she goes right into it - which I LOVE
I came back to tell you that’s year later and I’m still using this. You’ve turned me into a meal planner!
Edit: make that 2 years! Thanks so much, Dawn!
Thank you, it's awesome hearing from another person that this has worked long term. I am going to try this!
So cool!!
I've been watching your videos and have found a ton of great info in them! I'm not a single 20 something dude that want's to prove some point by being a "minimalist." I'm a 40 something year old single parent and my time is already spread out to the max. Tips like this save me time, which translates into more time that I get to spend with my daughter. Keep up the good work!
Wow, thank YOU, I greatly appreciate this!!! :)
What a great compliment, Chad. I'm sure she really appreciated this.
Chad Harvey 👍👍👍
GOOD for you Chad! You sound like a great Dad! Keep it up! 😄
And I’m a 21 years old woman who wants to have good habits, especially with her 21 years old kid (who cooks and does it very well, but isn’t that good at not wasting food). 😆😁
Meal planning completely changed our lives! When people hear how we meal plan, they’re kind of astonished, but then they’ll try and now they’re hooked too! It’s saved us thousands- not even exaggerating! It’s save time and energy and makes like a little less stressful! I used to be the kind of person that kept a STOCKPILE of food - in the fridge, pantry and freezer- seeing food go to waste made me sick! Cutting down on the inventory (whole house inventory too) has made a WORLD OF DIFFERENCE!
Single mom of 2 here and I’m struggling with home, work, school, kids, housework, you name it. I found you from someone else’s video who commented about your channel! I’m glad God put you in my path. Thank you so much for all of your tips! I aspire to be as balanced as you are. Now I am going to binge and put it all into practice! Thank you!!
You. Are. A. Life. Saver!!!!! I almost started crying while watching this because meal planning and grocery shopping has seriously been THE hardest thing for me!!! I always wonder why the heck it has to be so dang hard when I do it every single week?? It should be easy by now! This is exactly what I need in my life right now! Thank you so much!!!!!
How has it been going for you?
STOP EXAGGERATING AND CRYING LIKE A BABY!!
Don’t be immature!
Crying because of a meal plan 🤣🤣🤣🤣 RIDICULOUS, GROW UP!!!
@@santhiyahmarymuthu4067she is still crying 😭
Your mind shift "inventory I have to manage!" LOVE IT and it has been my motivation this year. It is a great mindset to determine "What is a manageable amount for me/us?" Thank you!
FINALLY someone that is extremely practical AND sensible...and pleasant. Thank you. 😊
I also organize my list in order of how our store is laid out. I tend to pick 7 meals for the week, and buy enough to double the recipes so it ends up being two weeks worth of meals. Then I spend time preparing the meals into gallon ziplock bags and freezing them. I can put one in the fridge the night before to thaw and put it in the crock pot in the morning. 🙌🏻 as a homeschooling mama of 6 this saves me so much time and energy during the week.
Wow, this is an awesome system!!!! :)
Wonderful mashallah
I've been using this as I weekly grocery shop and I realized quickly that I was buying way too much inventory! My pantry was so full the kids couldn't see the forest through the trees. Now I buy only what we need for the week (I do add to our storage located in our basement but only buy non perishable items and get the same things we use often). Instead of our kiddos having 8 options for breakfast, they now have 2 options. It's made mealtime so much easier in the morning and our grocery bill has decreased weekly as well. Such a great idea. Love your videos!!
Here I was feeling guilty that we don't seem to have that much variety! You have given me permission to keep it simple by using the tried and true recipes that work and everybody loves.
we gravitate towards the same foods, band dont have nuch variety. then when we eat out because we are craving variety, we get the same things at the same restaraunts haha. wow!
@@agood1 LOL same. im always afraid ill regret not getting my usual.
Im confused that anyone would put this a thumbs down
This is so thought out and precise and worked through...
Its genius and fool proof...
Who disliked this???
So confused
I have officially been using this idea for one month. I can honestly say it has changed so much about the way I grocery shop and meal plan.
I used to take forever in the store and go down every aisle half guessing at what we need which meant I was buying too much and food was going to waste. This plan has stopped me from having multiples of things because my pantry is cleared and so is the fridge. I can easily see what is needed and what is not needed. It takes me about 15 minutes to plan the menu and see & highlight what we need and an hour (or less) to grocery shop.
I just discovered you and this has been so helpful to me as a mom with ADHD. It's great to have something like this that I can use to make things easier on myself.
I love the meal rotation idea. It is like having a capsule wardrobe, but for your panty/fridge!
Omgosh yessss!!!
YES, such a good way to put it!!!! :)
Ha ha, I love that concept!😂
I think you meant "PANTRY/fridge"
@@anitacraighead7038 LOL.. i think so too..
If you keep an inventory of foods you freeze, include your intention for that item in a way that is meaningful for you:
Ground Beef: 1lb. Meatloaf
Chick. breasts 1/2 lb: burritos
Chicken cutlets 5 ea.: Chicken Parm
I use a dry erase marker to write the date on my containers of leftovers so I know when it was made. It helps me to make sure leftovers are eaten within 4 days.
We do the same thing. I also like the idea of having a leftovers list on the door. Hopefully that will help us use them up.
@@stefanielynn84 I have my leftovers list on the door with the date written beside it. Definitely helpful. Especially when I’m hungry and I don’t remember what in there.
Yes! Love your mindset of “managing inventory”. We eat a lot of leftovers, double batches to freeze and rotate 20 or so meals as well. I also inventory my pantry, fridge and freezer every few weeks to see what I can use up.
Thank you for this video and all the work you do for us! When I first started to tackle this grocery/meal planning I was overwhelmed. But soon realized that I'm preparing too many crazy (but fun) meals that only my husband and I eat and then need to make something else for kids. So i started with all my recipes, came down to 11 that the whole family likes, plus about 5 quick, mostly kid friendly meals that I can use when time is running out or when I have that time to make something that is more labor intensive for me and husband. Making the shopping list from there is helpful. But I think this will really help make shopping and cooking much simpler!
This system has been a life saver for us!!! I used to spend a lot of time every week prepping my meal plan and grocery list. I used to have my recipes scattered and often forgot about family favorites. This has organized it all in one spot and cut it down to about 10 minutes every week to prep. We have about twice as many recipes as Dawn but we also have kids that are homeschooled and the hubby works from home so the whole family is here for 3 meals a day. Thanks Dawn so much for sharing this method with all of us!!!
Helpful video. Love the whiteboard. The food wastage was the one thing that was bothering me almost on a daily basis. Also the meal plan system you have is fantastic. So much energy and brainpower it takes to keep trying to decide what to eat and looking for recipes all the time which is my least favourite thing to do. Thankyou!!
Maybe others have said this already, but I've noticed that the idea of variety in meals in so much more important to adults than to children. Children usually prefer predictability, because it's comforting. So, a meal rotation might feel like it's going to be disappointing, it's often a happier situation. Added benefit! :)
Dawn, this has been a real big blessing to me. I have been using this method for 3 or 4 weeks. I am so thankful to have found your youtube channel.
I consider you my friend! Love you!
WOW! This is EXACTLY what I have been trying to figure out for my family (me, sister and mom) because we're just walking around the grocery store looking at sales and spending all of our time seeing if things go together for meals or figuring out how to use something up. THANK YOU!
Wow, that's awesome!!! I hope it works really well for you!!! :)
Yes! If you are struggling it’s because you have too much to manage! That is why I have spent the last 2 years decluttering and simplifying! This video is great and my method is very similar but I do it all on my phone... I use the google keep app and have a checklist of meals and a checklist of grocery items listed in the order I would find them walking through the store. I keep the items checked off and as I make a list each week uncheck only the things we need and then check them off again as I go through the store. To double check I am staying on budget I will write my list out on a piece of paper with the prices next to it and add it up
LOVE this approach, especially for the techy crowd, THANK YOU for sharing!!!!
Omg LOVE this idea!!! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Heather Joy! I just used the "google app" and is awesome. I'm always going and the app is very convenient for me. Thank you for sharing! :)
What a great idea Heather Joy. I will try this in One Note because I don’t have Google Keep. Thanks for sharing your idea
To use apps is a good idea to those who are single. Otherwise you want to involve everyone and get them into doing things and creating the same habits you're proposing. And visuals like the ones showed here are great to start a conversation in the kitchen or talk about shopping. I believe it helps to spend less time on our phones too.
I love the 1-page sheet! I find for us that the dry-erase can get accidentally swiped off by one of the Littles; wet-erase markers on the whiteboard are a good switch. Recently I've begun snapping pics of the fridge, freezer & pantry for reference before a shopping trip, or before putting together a delivery order.
Hello! I'm a pastor's wife and home schooling mom of 3 girls. I've been watching your videos for about 2 months now. At first, I was skeptical, but now, as I've been working through each room of my home and seeing the benefits, I am 100% on board! When you said that the things in our homes are like inventory we then have to manage, the "light bulb" went on for me. I can't even tell you how many bags and boxes of items have been either passed on to someone who could use it, or to Goodwill over the last 1 1/2 months. Some even just went to the trash! Specifically, having my food organized and meal planning has made such a difference. Our grocery bill is cut in almost half. I have been using the top grocery portion of your meal planning sheet on Excel. I plan my meals in my planner, which is just my preference. My husband has come to see the benefits and we have not had the same meal twice (except for pizza on Thursdays) in just over 1 month. When I get to the end of my recipes, I'll just cycle back through and that is such a huge weight off my mind!!! I just wanted to take some time to thank you for your videos and let you know how much they are appreciated. I also appreciate the videos you do with your sister. I appreciate the encouragement and the scripture based topics discussed. I look forward to seeing your videos whenever they come out! May the Lord Jesus richly bless you all!
Meal planning video! Yay!!! Xoxox❤️🎃
This is by far the best meal planning video I've found as with every other video you've made. You talk about things that nobody else talks about in their videos. For example, how to recycle the food you make extra of and don't have a use for yet. Nobody talks about that stuff. You're simple and to the point and make it easy for others to follow your advice. This is why i love your videos!
Thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU!!!!! :)
I used this sheet method when my kids were younger. I had 2 sheets....one for groceries at our Aldi's, and one for household and personal that I couldn't get at Aldi. I slid them both into a plastic sheet protector with a piece of cardboard in between...to make it 2 aided and sturdier. Then I could use a dry erase to mark what was needed and wipe it off as I put it in the cart. It's amazing how often we buy the same things in rotation. It worked great!
Dawn, I love your channel and I know I'm being productive when I watch your videos. I can't say that about most of RUclips.
I'm glad you mentioned managing inventory. As a stay at home mom, my husband has always describes my job as manager of our house, and having less inventory, makes life easier.
Thank YOU and amen!! :)
You are such a Godsend and answer to prayer. I relate to you so much everything that you say and it is so amazing how you simplify everything. It is just so smart and I wish I would have discovered you years ago. Meal planning is my biggest Struggle and now I understand why. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. You Are the most relatable person on RUclips. My favorite thing you say is " I think we could be friends." That is so endearing. Keep teaching it truly is a blessing. I watch all your videos over and over.
Not only did I start using this for meal planning, but you also inspired me to automate a monthly project at work! Every month, I “recreate the wheel” by thinking through what I did the previous month. Now I’ve just written it down on a spreadsheet. I even created templates for the monthly emails I send. Thanks for the inspiration. Really appreciate you!
I stumbled on your simplified laundry system video a few weeks ago when I was looking for laundry room ideas. It was a game changer! I'm working on decluttering and your ideas are so straightforward, and easy to implement. I love that you're ACTUALLY simplifying things. Like rethinking cooking and shopping instead of emptying all the boxes of snacks, rice, and cereal into plastic containers to make your pantry prettier. I'd rather have less in the cupboard than spend an extra 30+ minutes every week emptying one container into another. My ultimate goal is to have 1 perpetually empty kitchen drawer....not sure that will ever happen in my tiny kitchen, but it's a good carrot to chase. Thank you!
Wahoo, this is SO awesome to hear!!!! And I love your empty drawer goal, you'll totally get there!!!!! :)
I have lived in Minnesota and in Florida. For the fact that you can leave food items in their packaging, I prefer Minnesota. However, Florida is where Tupperware came about because of its cockroaches; so while plastic is a necessity, at least Tupperware made it colorful and somewhat fun. I'm still in the south and the bugs are different here, but the plastic is still necessary.
Never has a meal planning method made more sense! Husband and I are excited to try it. We eat what we eat because we like it, why would we want to change that up and make it more difficult by trying something new every evening. We don't have the time or energy for that.
Having a printed shopping list is going to encourage us immensely to look through our existing food and use it up. I can't believe how simple but genius this is!
Just wanted to tell you this system is a game changer in our house! I put it into practice 4 weeks ago and I LOVE IT! My husband works at home with our 3 year old so now that I list “left-over/lunch” our left overs have almost disappeared because he knows what to use up! Brilliant!
This helped me a whole lot. The last few weeks I've spent less on groceries. I also scheduled an eat out day for the week and I've actually forgotten about it because it's so easy to make a great quick meal at home that my kids love. I have shared this system with my friends it's great.
OMgoodness!!! 😮😮 This has been the BEST and easiest way to meal plan I have EVER seen!! Our fridge stays empty and clean b/c there aren’t left overs. And we had so much food in the pantry that I literally haven’t had to buy groceries in 3 weeks!! I LOVE YOU!! 🤣🤣
Woah. I have been so stubborn about the way I meal plan, even though I knew it wasn’t quite working. You are the first person I’ve ever come across that I like your way better than mine. This is amazing.
Love how you talk about everything coming into the house is inventory we have to manage... so true! About 3-4 years ago I came up with my own system which is very similar to yours. I wrote the categories in order of how the grocery store is laid out and put every item we buy in alphabetical order under each section. I even have an area at the top for Returns, Appts., Cash, Gas, other stores, and Bills to Pay because I tend to do a whirlwind day of everything at once as my stores are a half hour away (saves gas and works with my crazy work schedule!) I made a bunch of copies of my list and keep one one the fridge so all we have to do is circle what we need for the week. I really need to up my game and do the meal planning part like you have, too. That's awesome!
Such great suggestions! I love hearing how others manage dinner time. The absolute best thing I have done was to implement menu planning in 2014 and I have stuck to it since. We use Google calendar and Google Keep (note taking/list making app). I have a separate calendar for the menu that is shared with my husband so he never has to ask me what it is for dinner. I use the Google keep app to keep lists for the different stores I shop at and those too are shared with the husband and he always knows to check the lists when he is out and we can both pick up groceries. I usually plan 2-6 weeks of meals ahead of time to take the thinking out of it and we have almost zero food waste. I also keep a link to any recipes I use from online in the calendar menu for easy access. So easy!
I also love the idea of having a permanent list and highlighting the items you need. Why didn't I think of that?
In a transparent sheet you can also use it over & over again.
I tried this method for about a year and then we moved and I kind of lost track of it... I’m so glad I’m rewatching this. It such an effective and uncomplicated method. I love it! Thank you
All my life I have had a magnet shopping list, and told the household if we run out of something put it on the list, secondly, I plan meals before I go and get what those meals need and cook them up that particular week. Some leftovers do go to waste but very minimal because I usually cook just enough for everyone to have a nice serving. (I do NOT like leftovers, like not as I will not eat them but because I know what happens, you wind up throwing away food $$$) Yours is similar. Sucks to throw out food, growing up in my house, that didnt happen very often, course we had to eat very cheap meals to feed the whole family. Kudos to you for helping folks out.
I, too, am a mom of four and I meal plan for the month in a very similar way. What I don't do very well is shop my pantry and freezer before I meal plan. Lightbulb moment when you said you need to keep inventory of all your food. I will definitely be adding a "Use Up" column to my weekly menu :)
You said it best! That everything that comes into the home, you have to manage & it's "inventory". You've worded it precisely...you have just helped me understand the madness lol.
oh my goodness.. what you were saying about every single thing in the house being 'inventory I have to manage' has really resonated with me! Love your videos
I've heard you say in multiple videos that everything that is in your house you have to manage. I really like the way you say that and changed my thinking of things. I said it to my husband last week and he laughed at me like I was joking but I was completely serious lol. He hadn't thought of it like that either.
This is genius! It couldn’t of came at a better time. I am very overwhelmed 😢 I work 12 hour shifts and am absolutely exhausted when I get home and do not wanna cook especially when I have no idea what to make ! I will definitely be giving this a try !
Thank You! I appreciate that you are real and authentic. I do think we could be friends. 2018 was my year to realize I had too much stuff and was trying my best to make changes... but now watching lots of your video's my closet is now more manageable, laundry system more efficient, kitchen is getting less cluttered and it is starting to be more fun to cook. THANK YOU for sharing your experiences!!!
THIS. IS. SO. AWESOME!!! Thank YOU and GOOD WORK!!!! :)
We're doing this now and it's working perfectly. We always had trouble with a calendar planner because sometimes we couldn't do what was planned for that day. This way we just picked from the planned meals and we know what's in the house. We cross off items as we use them, and when I go to highlight the next meal plan sheet I already know what I have in the house. We did pantry, produce, dairy, freezer, protein, non food, and breads as categories. I like the breakfast column too because the kids pick a couple of things for the week and there's no arguments or wasted food. I'll likely switch out less desirable meals here and there, but it was so easy to shop this way. Got exactly what we needed. Perfect meal plan idea. Between this video, and the one on kids wardrobe, you've made our lives easier. Thank you!
Wow, I'm so glad to hear this!!! Way to go!!! And thank YOU!!! 💕
This video has now changed my life. Legit!! I have come up with a rotating two week plan and using your sheet I only bought groceries once in the two weeks. I don’t know why I could never give myself permission to just make meals that I get really good at cooking /are silly easy. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I am so grateful to have found you and your sweet family. Thank you
I have been trying to find a way around meal planning and meal prep for ages now, and while all the videos out there are helpful and look really nice, they also make me feel overwhelmed. There's so much to buy, prepare, so much to think of and it all makes me feel like I'd rather order china takeout, because this will just take too much time and effort and I can't do it.
Your video, on the other hand, makes me feel like this is something that could be done very easily, and it could also be something that I surprisingly might even find enjoyable :)
When you said you rotate 30 meals, my first thought was "wow, that must be boring" as we are used to the videos showing us variety and too many options. But then I realized I am actually rotating like 10 meals, including the takeout options :D
What I am trying to say here, is THANK YOU for this, thank you for making your videos, I have found a LOT of helpful advice and I will try this system too.
I realize this is an older video but seeing your shopping/meal list laid out, it's exactly what was floating around in my mind but I couldn't visualize it. Thank you! I hate writing out a list from scratch each time when it's the same thiings, and I always forget at least one staple
Love your thought on inventory. I’ve really changed how I manage my house this past year and it’s helped cut down on stress. I shop once a week and have a budget and it’s made life so much easier bc I have some guidelines instead of getting overwhelmed by all the options.
I loved that too. I think it will shower me with guilt (in a positive way) everytime I bring more rubbish into my home and realise it's now inventory for me to manage.
The amount of time we spend planning, cooking, cleaning, STRESSING over food is ridiculous. This is such a great idea! I’ve gotten so overwhelmed in the past month that so much has went to waste and we’ve ate too many corn dogs lol! About to declutter kitchen and start writing down ideas for simple meals that we love. I’m excited!
Really like this system. I made a Dutch version of it, combined with a few Greek recipes (as my husband is Greek). Just started it but the first time already saved a lot of time on making a list! Surprising how many times we buy the same things anyway all the time.
YAY!! I'm so glad to hear this!!!! :)
You speak me! We think alike and you keep everything so doable and easy! Thank you! Your paper clutter video has been life changing!
I don’t know who you think you are, but I’m telling you right now that I live by myself. However, my girlfriend has been coming over more frequently now, and this system is amazing. Thank you 🙏
I've used this method for years and I LOVE it!
Dawn, you are amazing! I'm binge watching your videos and learning so many great ideas from you. I LOVE that you keep a list of standard items, grouped by aisle, and your tried-and-true, go-to meals on your grocery list. Brilliant. And sugested having a separate ingredient list for each of those meals, those of us who need it :)
I write out intended meals and a few snack ideas for each week.
I'm just cooking for myself, usually, so I plan 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners for each week, to alternate between, every other day. I make enough for 3 days of each, and then on Fridays use up any leftovers, to clear out the fridge. If I make a standard recipe intended for 4 people, that will serve 1 person for 3+ days.
I shop on Friday, and then on Sat. try to cook the Sat - Mon - Weds breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and store these in the fridge (usually leaving them in their pots, pans, or covered casserole dishes stashed in the fridge.)
Then on Sunday, I make the Sun - Tues - Thurs breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
That's a lot of cooking on Saturday and Sunday, so I try to have "no cook"/"no prep" meals as often as possible for breakfast and lunch, such as breakfasts of cereal w/banana, followed either by bagels and cream cheese Sat - M - W. On Sun - T - Th, it's cereal & fruit, plus toast with peanut butter.
For lunch, it's usually two types of sandwiches, fruit, veg, and chips to alternate between.
That way, I only have to cook a dinner on Sat. and another on Sun., to have 6 dinners through til Thurs. Then on Friday, I either have leftovers, or a frozen pizza :)
Finally, to make meals faster,
- I look for 4-ingredient recipes. Half the week, it's usually baked chicken thighs, with some sort of 4-ingredient sauce poured over. I alternate that with a fish, beef, pork, or vegetarian dinner, of few ingredients.
- I avoid recipes that require cutting up the food in advance, to save time. I'd rather serve myself a whole, single serving of meat, plus an easy starch, veg and/or salad. I can then cut the meat at the table, instead of spending time dicing it before or after cooking. It's faster to bake whole pieces of chicken, and then pour a homemade stir-fry sauce over it for the last 30 minutes in the oven, than to dice up everything before stir-frying it. Making a stir-fry takes me forever, because of all the prep work.
Thank you again!
I have been using this method for almost a year now. It is the only meal plan I have ever been able to stick with! Thank you for sharing it, Dawn!
Heather, where did you find the list download? I have yet to see it.
@@klmdmedia there was a link in the description box below the video 👍
Oh wow! I've been planning, cooking and grocery shopping like this for about a year now, and I always assumed I was a loser for not being able to do it the "normal" way. Thanks so much for this video, I now know I'm not a freak! LOL
This is the number one thing that I needed help with. I'm disabled and can't cook like I used to. I struggle with cheap healthy meals I can manage to cook
So although this video was on meal planning, when you prefaced the topic with the talk on inventory, and household inventory, for me it just clicked! YES!!!.
It made total sense to me, and then I started watching your other videos, and honestly the last week has been a huge shift to reduce our household inventory so I can manage better. We have 4 kids, crazy life. And this is just making sense. Thanks Dawn!!!
This helped me soooo much!!
I put a sheet of paper on the fridge divided in half vertically. Left side divided into four sections. Produce, meat, frozen, dairy.. Right side top section nonfood one-fourth size. Rest of the column everything else. (Takes longer to describe than to draw.) I write items in as I use them up. On another smaller piece of paper the days of the week, three lines per day. I write six meals. I don't cook on Monday my husband travels for work and he goes to his Mom's on the way home for dinner.
Works great! If I don't cook a meal on the assigned day I just save it for the next week.
Kathy B.
This sounds like a GREAT system!!!
James Briggs I like your idea. Will try to make it on a spreadsheet. Thank you.
Got my list all tipped up in my computer, but only print out once and have it laminated.
Its a fantastic system also to separate each store in your colone. Great Job.
I like this idea, it saves paper. :)
This video is the reason women should run the world.....no more waste, no more hunger, no more homelessness.....no one can plan out things efficiently and effectively like women can! Especially moms! And by the way, I love your energy and enthusiasm.....you are so cute!
I had done this and was to the point where I was going to use our pantry to store appliances and table cloths etc instead of in bins in the basement. Our upright freezer was almost empty and I could manage what was in the fridge freezer. We have a rotating menu like yours (Monday-meatloaf, Indian or meatless, Tuesday-Taco Tuesday, Wednesday Italian, Thursday-Leftovers, Friday-Fish, Saturday- a longer prep meal, Sunday-Open). Each night could shift either way or off a few days depending on how many baseball games my kids had that week or how late I worked. BUT...the pandemic hit and supplies got low. We anticipated shortages so as the country began talking shutting down, we stocked up. So much so that my husband bought a NEW freezer. And then with no takeout and cooking ALL THE TIME, we ended up using our CSA to the fullest, ordered bushels of tomatoes and went overboard picking apples and took in any produce the neighbors offered and (get this) PLUGGED IN OUR OLD FREEZER! So we have (2) upright freezers and a one on our fridge. Now you are probably thinking we are crazy but with all the food prep I've done, using our same meal planning nights, and the Instant Pot, ANY meal from start to finish is done is about 20 minutes on any given night. We literally go grocery shopping once a month to Costco and it isn't a huge $900 bill. I also make meals ahead so one my family loves is chicken and dumplings, in the IP, done in 20 minutes, start to finish, including making the stock. Veggies cut up, bagged and in the freezer, chicken, either frozen breasts or already cooked, homemade dumplings made and frozen. Pizza bagels (all homemade), cookie dough (homemade)...I could go on and on. And the greatest part is that my kids can cook most of these items and they are "junk" free.
I've been enjoying your channel and I love your suggestions! I love that you made the point that everything that comes into the home needs to be "managed", so we must weigh our need of that item carefully, including groceries. Hope the meal planning printable is up soon and can't wait for your FAQ video tomorrow!
Thank you Tina!!!! :)
I found this video because I was looking for weight loss meal planning, but holy cow, your system is so easy and amazing and I have been stressing myself out doing weekly menus, checking Pinterest, polling the family, trying to make each week new. I've already made up my sheet and selected a bunch of rotating meals. I can't thank you enough for sharing!
YAY! That's so awesome to hear!!!
Uuuugh this is SOOOO GOOD!!!! I just graduated culinary school and know how each detail is so important in being successful in a commercial kitchen! You’ve done the exact same thing for a home kitchen! I can do this in a commercial kitchen but you have put this into the perfect system for us ❤ I will utilize so many of your tips!
Just a little note 😊 I’m mostly “retired” but did school during the pandemic to stay busy and really learn to cook:)
This video has been so helpful. I'm gonna stick with a limited amount of recipes. I already wrote out everything I need when I grocery shop. I believe grocery shopping is going to be more peaceful because I am now going to stick to things I like and not let the store advertising get to me!! Plus that board on the fridge has been VERY helpful too! Thanks for your kindness!
I don't know how I kept house before I jumped on your bandwagon! You are such a peach! Great ideas, Dawn! Thanks!❤️
This is the most practical video. Length was perfect and was jam packed with useful info.
Please share recipes!
Thank YOU and will do in the near future!!! :)
I love the sheet idea! I started ONLY buying specifically for meals I wanted to make for the week (and one or two freezer meals just in case I was like ugh, I'm too tired) mostly because I just moved and am feeling the financial strain of moving. After I started shopping this way the past few weeks, I was thinking OK, so aside from maybe a few frozen pot pies, chicken soup and canned stew to have just in case there's a huge snow storm or I get sick and don't want to shop...I am never going back to having a "fully stocked pantry" just because it's what I was used to!
Really good! I started making a list of what we buy and it got soooo long. I think it was because I was putting down EVERYTHING. Having the list of what we buy almost every time like half and half and salad greens, avocados, etc would really help. We have a huge stock of meat in our freezer and I have been eating from the pantry since May, but we still have enough canned tomatoes for at least 2 more years (I am not exaggerating). We have always stocked up, but now it is just the two of us and we really need to knock it off! We do put meat that needs to be eaten in the top shelf of the freezer and I do rotate my canned goods. I just recently started writing down things we need to use up on our whiteboard. I usually only cook 3 meals a week. My husband cooks on the weekends.
One of my favorites! I had to learn a similar system years ago after much trial & error. This video should be given to anyone just starting out to help save money & time. 🥰 this is great!
Meal planning is something I am pretty faithful to, but is such a pain point for me because of the time it takes. I’d literally rather do anything else than meal plan.
I am going to put this into practice.
Something along these lines is what I had in mind, but it looks like you really but the flesh on it and brought it to life. Thank you!!
We have a leftover shelf in our fridge and then I also plan one night in my meal plan for leftovers or sandwiches
YES, Love this idea!!!!
I do the same thing and then I plan to have my left overs night the day before I go food shopping so that my family can help clean out the fridge and no food goes to waste. I then take advantage of the emptied out fridge to do my inventory for my next meal planning day. It's actually one of my tips on my meal planning video. I'm so glad that more people take advantage of left overs, that means less waste.
Thank you for sharing this video! I’ve been using this for several weeks now. It takes a little discipline to grab that marker but works so well to plan meals AHEAD of time!
Been inspired by your videos today, though I have a good handle on organizing always looking for new ideas. Was inspired to organize my spices by making blends that I sue all the time such as Taco, Montreal Steak, Italian spice and my own chicken gravy base. My grocery/meal system is quite similar, the only thing I do different is I have a specific shelf for uncooked meats and another for leftovers. Everyone knows to grab from the leftovers for lunches, if that does not clear them out then around night 3 I do not cook, we all pick a left over and finish them. This also makes it easy to morph leftovers such as marinara from spaghetti into pizza bread or roast beef into beef nachos.
I really appreciate how you discuss minimalism. Thanks for all of your great videos.
Thank YOU!!!
I like the idea of foods we buy all the time on a list and highlighting what ran out. I also have a pad on my fridge with a pen. When I use the last of something I write it on the pad. Its the meals I always struggle with planning. I have tons of recipes be we never use them. My hubby always calls on the way home and says he is picking something up on the way. He doesn’t even want to wait a half hour for me to cook. Plus lots of quick and easy recipes don’t include prep time as part of the time to prepare. I have been thinking about making meals ahead that I can heat up or just pull out of the fridge.
I have just found your channel. I couldn't possibly love this video and this system enough! I have watched your wardrobe videos and laundry videos so far also and let me tell you, you are speaking my language! Thank you for sharing all of these wonderful tips.
started meal planning in 1995 of so. When the children were young and educated at home. A note book did the trick back then. I shopped every two weeks. We made an outing out of it had lunch and so forth. I would just write M. T. W. etc on the side and write my prayer, chore, exercise and on the next page my meal plan for two weeks. I really stuck to it. Now we live in the city and it's so easy to eat fast and lazy. I'm finding it harder to stick to my meal plan. Thanks for sharing this
I use a checklist in the Notes app on my iPhone to keep inventory and grocery list. I check/check based on if I have it, and indent it if it’s something to buy (i might have it but need extra, or not have it but don’t need it this week). Then I can just scan down the indented items for what I need. Also makes it easy to update when I run out of something I can just whip out my phone, and before I do a big shop I do a quick inventory check. Right now I have the checklist grouped by category but I’m trying to rearrange it by aisle so it’s more efficient. Some things I buy from a different store too so I’ve been trying to figure out how to factor that in - your system does make that a bit easier!
I'm 63 never too late to start I Just found u & am binging Luv u & your fam your ideas your laugh n your dynamic with your husband ! My Only Problem is your voice timber & cadence r So soothing, mesmerizing, & calming I need to replay a lot do to "what did she say?" Your doing a great service for a lot of people I'm sure... Thank You
signed "An Old Dog"
I have never remembered to like or comment, but I LOVE Your videos!! We moved into a 3 bedroom house with no closets or garage and limited indoor space, so making the minimalist move in a serious way these last few months. Luckily the beach is half a block away so lots of outdoor space ;) But just shared this video into a couple mum groups over here in New Zealand because I LOVe this method, saved me so much time these last few weeks, thank you, Dawn!!
Cool! I do something similar but have my list in my phone. We eat a wfpb diet so having prepped ready to use items like batches of cooked beans, rice, potatoes, etc., is my starting point. Then based on what we feel like we can have potato salad, fried rice, burritos, etc. using those with some additions. My list is a short list of standard items I like to have on hand. I just put a dash next to them when I am looking for what needs replenishing. I like that you decide in advance what you're cooking and post it for everyone to see. I'm not quite there yet. If we accumulate leftovers we have a "smorgasbord" dinner where everything gets pulled out and made ready so everyone can try a little of everything and eat it up. Looking forward to your FAQ vid.
LOVE this!!!! :)
I’ve seen others talk about simplifying their meal plan to a 2-3 week turn around. I love this concept. I just gotta now get on it myself and actually do one🤣
I plan one month at a time, that way I don't have to spend time doing it each week. I plan what I'll need to get in the initial grocery haul and in the follow-up haul (about mid-way through the month - for fresh produce and dairy as needed). I always leave room for leftover nights in my calendar, that way we use up what's already been made. I always start the process by taking inventory of what I have, just like you. I only cook maybe 2-3 times a week. I love meal planning
Thank you for a thoughtful, organized, time-saving way to plan meals!!🥰
I meant to say....I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL. You are so smart. I have used three of your awesome ideas in my home and this has drastically helped me!
I'm so, so, so glad to hear this, thank YOU!!!! :)
What a fun, helpful video! Just me & hubby but I love planning lol meal prepping "sides" to keep on hand for busy nights is my best tip! Bbq some chicken and have a fun rice dish in the freezer etc.
I am absolutely flabbergasted at how many of my family members forget that there is fruit and vegetables in the drawers that THEY bought intending to eat. Because it's in the drawer and not on a shelf, they don't 'see' it...But the drawers are clear!!! 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Thank you Minimal Mom! I LOVE this system. I downloaded your spreadsheet, adapted it to my needs, and have just done my first grocery run with it. After putting groceries away, I printed out my list for the next week, and I was able to quickly get a head start on planning meals for that future run. So exciting! I am more of a "fancy" cook (no kids, and my husband and I are big food people), but this system is VERY helpful to me.
I think that in the past I would get hung up on trying to assign certain meals to certain days or weeks, and that just is not practical. It's also nice to have all the info up on the fridge so that hubs can participate. Rather than having it all hidden away in my head or on my laptop.
YAY!!!! I'm so glad to hear ALL of this, especially with you being a fancier cook! That's awesome, thank YOU!!!
Thank you Dawn! I’m 66 and still having a problem planning meals for my hubby and I. I usually buy what’s on sale and end up throwing a lot away because it went bad. I hate that. I modified your charts and can’t wait to use it.
Thank you Minimalist Super Efficient Mom!!! You're brilliant!
I LOVE THIS! I already implemented it and it is so easy! Thank you for sharing this with us! It is a game changer. Just cutting out all the decision making I was making in the grocery store has been such a relief! Also the mental shift- looking at items simply as ingredients for a potential meal versus looking at them as part of a planned meal really makes managing the items throughout the week much more cohesive and less stressful. A little, easy planning goes a LONNNGGG way!! Thanks Dawn!
I'm SO glad to hear this! I know this has worked really well for me, but I never know for sure if others will feel the same way ;) Thank YOU!!! :)