Meal Planning for Beginners | The Secret Slob

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  • Опубликовано: 27 дек 2024

Комментарии • 132

  • @denisehooper2035
    @denisehooper2035 5 лет назад +51

    I have a "left over shelf" in the fridge. It has to be used up before grocery shopping. It also contains little amounts of produce, meat, veggies that need to be used up.
    In the freezer I keep a large freezer container for veg, broth, veggies and meat that are leftover. When it's almost full it becomes soup!

    • @bettier
      @bettier 5 лет назад +5

      I love the idea of creating a "soup for later" bin in the freezer idea!So simple and so good!

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад +8

      Love this idea! Cleaned my fridge today for zone 2 cleaning and I put all of the leftovers on one shelf thanks to you!

    • @roxannelovesvenussmokecity
      @roxannelovesvenussmokecity 5 лет назад +2

      What a fantastic idea!!!!!!!

    • @alison__16
      @alison__16 4 года назад +1

      This is a great idea. I'm going to start doing it too.

  • @TheCherryHomemaker
    @TheCherryHomemaker 5 лет назад +41

    I have four kids so dinner time in my house is crazy so i have found then when I do my meal plan I jot down for each recipe dice onions, potatoes for mash, sliced carrots and so forth i then take an hour after I shop to do all these steps and throw it in the freezer it means come dinner each night for the week I don’t need to do any prep and there are no knives, peelers, chopping boards to wash each night and it means that while I’m making dinner I can have kids in the bath , be making lunches , clear my Hotspot,prep for the next day all that sort of thing I was completely blown away the first week that I did this that by just taking that 1 hour to pre prepare it actually saved me hours throughout the week and for the first time in 12 years I wasn’t dreading the evening routine.

    • @ambeegaming76
      @ambeegaming76 5 лет назад +1

      I'd like to figure out how to prep fast takes me 4 hours to chop a pound of carrots xD

    • @thatswhatisaid8908
      @thatswhatisaid8908 Месяц назад

      Wow. I am impressed. It's just myself ATM, but I doubt I could do it all in an hour. But I guess I need to be more organised.

  • @connormalloy1593
    @connormalloy1593 5 лет назад +41

    See The Minimal Mom's meal planning video...life changer. Your channel got me started on FlyLady. So thank you Steph!

    • @libbyyork5091
      @libbyyork5091 5 лет назад +4

      I recommend The Minimal Mom's channel too and also Minimom.

    • @Heathmah
      @Heathmah 5 лет назад +2

      I was going to recommend Minimal Mom's menu plan system as well - seems like it would be a really good fit. Here is the link to her menu plan video ruclips.net/video/31ZfV3IzqJs/видео.html

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад +4

      I will check it out! She is awesome :) :)

    • @RececcaClaire
      @RececcaClaire 5 лет назад +1

      Minimal mom’s meal plan method changed my life too!

  • @patmulh4245
    @patmulh4245 5 лет назад +18

    I am bad at writing it down, but will certainly work on that now. I listen to a lot of RUclips...sometimes put a headseat on while working around the house, or if out play it thru the car Bluetooth. Have learned so much from so many on here and I am 72...Learn new things every day!!!

    • @monaengebretson3059
      @monaengebretson3059 4 года назад

      Me too! I will be 70 in February and have learned so much by watching these videos!

  • @heatherstephsmum1399
    @heatherstephsmum1399 5 лет назад +3

    I like your idea of just planning a certain number of meals and not assigning a day to them. Gives a bit more freedom of choice. Thanks Steph! 💖

    • @eileencarroll6418
      @eileencarroll6418 5 лет назад +1

      I loved the video of you and Diane meeting and having so much fun. Two charming and cheerful ladies taking Copenhagen on the FLY!

    • @heatherstephsmum1399
      @heatherstephsmum1399 5 лет назад +1

      Eileen Carroll it was such a fun meeting! I’m glad you enjoyed it too! 😊

  • @hbnpiano
    @hbnpiano 5 лет назад +5

    Love this! Here are my tips: during your evening routine take out meat for tomorrow, take out Crock-Pot if using so you see it in the morning and remember to use it, make a master list of everything you normally buy at the grocery store (I have one for Costco, need to make one for two other stores I shop at) then you can check it before you go for breakfast/lunch/snack/bulk items/etc. I cook only three times per week! Might not work for everyone, but I love it. Monday, Wednesday and Friday I cook/prepare double. Saturday we do something easy (baked oatmeal/pancakes/eggs and hashbrowns/leftovers/hot dogs). I make a big pan of soup or chili every few weeks and freeze the extra for Sunday's.

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад +1

      So many good ideas here! I am going to tackle batch cooking/freezer meals next, so thank you for the tips!! :)

  • @kerstinshadbolt1003
    @kerstinshadbolt1003 5 лет назад +9

    Perhaps I am your oldest follower, but I think the Flylady principles are even more important as you get older and physically increasingly limited. I am following your decluttering and cleaning videos and finding them very helpful - 15 minutes at the time. The time concept is huge for me!
    Meal planning - when I cook a family favourite, I cook the full quantity for meals to be enjoyed in weeks to come. Thank you for your cheery videos!

    • @Jean-rl9zu
      @Jean-rl9zu 2 года назад

      Hi! I agree with you 100%! I'm 67 and having a check list to guide me definitely makes me more productive! Take care!❤

  • @happyplace1209
    @happyplace1209 5 лет назад +16

    Thank you for this video! Meal planning is and always has been my weakness. When I know what’s for dinner every night and I have the needed ingredients it gives me great peace!

  • @Catsfancy
    @Catsfancy 5 лет назад +4

    Hi Steph! Great video! Yes, I have already been meal planning and you are correct about not trying a bunch of new recipes in one week, it's too hard! I have one tip that helps me, my "go to" recipes are in different cookbooks, so when making a list of common meals I will also jot down which cookbook and what page, helps me find things quickly.

    • @patsavinda1703
      @patsavinda1703 5 лет назад +2

      Cathy Zuehlke a friend gave me a really nice blank cookbook.it flips open and stand for easy viewing. I have been adding my families favorites so i have them all in one place. I have gotten away from this and going to start using it again!

  • @daisym1672
    @daisym1672 5 лет назад +6

    I choose each day of the week a different type of meal-Mondays are hard so it is a crockpot meal usually a roast, Tuesday Tacos or enchiladas, Wednesday is a sandwich or salad night or breakfast for supper, Thursday is a chicken supper, Friday is a pork supper, Saturday is a free for all we usually grill in the summer & make a hearty soup & bread in the winter & Sunday is church & family day and we all get together and eat out.

  • @sarahw5559
    @sarahw5559 5 лет назад +4

    I just had an idea that I'm excited to try out! I have been meal planning for ages, but I still sometimes get stuck when it's time to make dinner. It's just so much to think about all at once!
    So... I decided to organize my fridge by MEAL rather than by type of food. I can put all the ingredients for a dinner in a little bin, and then just pull it out when I'm ready to cook it. My freezer has space for 4 dinner bins, a leftovers space, and a breakfasts/lunches/snacks space. I'm excited to see how this goes!

  • @shipperz88
    @shipperz88 4 года назад

    This is literally the most helpful meal planning video I've watched. Simple, realistic, doesn't require too many materials, absolutely perfect. I love that you mentioned how you don't assign each recipe to a particular day, it makes it way more flexible and therefore sustainable. Thank you for making this!!

  • @tammygonzalez4992
    @tammygonzalez4992 5 лет назад +1

    Something else I do is after seeing what we have left in the fridge and freezer and thinking of how to incorporate that (so as not to waste food as you were saying), was to look at the local grocery fliers for deals. Sometimes those things on sale give me ideas for what to make. I also ask members of the family if there is anything they've been craving or wanting. I'm sometimes surprised at the answers. And realize they might mention something we haven't had in a while. And yes, always check your calendar! ;) You are doing so fantastic!! I'm sharing your videos with my adult daughter. You are the perfect motivation for her!

  • @sarav7066
    @sarav7066 5 лет назад +2

    I am a working mom. I plan two two night meals during the week and leave the other two days for family favorites like breakfast dinner, taco night, or Trader Joe’s chicken. I really helps to make meals that last for two nights to help me on the nights I am too busy to cook.

  • @eileencarroll6418
    @eileencarroll6418 5 лет назад +8

    Hi Steph. Loved seeing your mom on Diane's video.
    Meals: I am lucky to be able to order groceries online, delivered to my kitchen. I pick out what I think I might want to make taking advantage of sales, then I go back and fine tune, deleting and adding to stock my pantry. I pick proteins for 7 meals then I pick 4 servings (per person) x 7 days of vegetables plus 2 servings x 7 days fruits. I freeze proteins that I won't be using the same or next day. The way I decide what to make on what day is by first looking at the freshness of the vegetables and then deciding what protein I want to eat with them. For example, I like to eat at least one serving of a green every day, so I usually eat the spring mix first, then spinach, then romaine, then arugula, then kale or chard, then cabbage. I make sure to take the plastic off of mushroom trays so they don't get slimy and they are still good if they dry out a little. I usually get broccoli, asparagus and a variety of seasonal vegetables every week. I always stay stocked with eggs, carrots, onions potatoes and tomatoes due to their good shelf-life. And I always keep frozen peas and frozen brussel sprouts on hand for the end of the week when I am running out of fresh.
    In the summer, i get a lot of.last minute company. I try to reserve protein in the freezer just for entertaining. Chicken fingers (non-breaded) can be thawed fast and marinated for a variety of cuisines. As a special entertaining side, I stock my pantry with sliced black olives, quartered artichoke hearts and pasta that I can put together with frozen pesto sauce and fresh tomatoes. In the summer I usually eat a lot of zucchini and because it lasts well, I usually have some on hand. Halving the zucchini and brushing with olive oil is an easy last minute side I can grill with the meat. Onions and apples can also be halved and grilled at the same time. And if you have a little ice cream in the freezer, who needs apple pie? Nectarines, peaches and apricots can also be halved, de-stoned, oiled, grilled and served with ice cream. Yum.
    Whole cabbage is great to have on hand because you can make slaw cheap for a crowd in a pinch. Just thin-slice the cabbage, maybe grate some carrot and mix with mayo and a dash of apple-cider-vinegar, salt and pepper. Need to fancy it up? Throw in some dried cranberries or raisins or thin-sliced fennel or add Asian or indian spices or sauces---just not too much of too many different things.
    The most "fly lady" thing that I've done is to keep a ready-to-launch basket with all my outdoor place settings, table cloths, grilling tools, wine bottle opener, trash bag, salt/pepper, acrylic wine glasses, battery operated candles, etc. I grill at least once or twice a week and being ready to launch helps me be spontaneous with friends, family and neighbors.
    I have found this approach to help me maximize use of fresh produce with minimal waste AND be more social.
    I also love getting ideas from you and the other commenters. You have built a lovely community of followers.
    ❤😎❤🍉❤🍇❤🍗❤🌭❤🥂❤🍺❤🍏❤

    • @kathleenwerner5663
      @kathleenwerner5663 5 лет назад +2

      Eileen Carroll Thank you for sharing! So helpful!

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад +2

      Thanks for the ideas! I also order my groceries online when I am being organized, it helps so much. I love your outdoor launch basket! So smart!

  • @Tara-id3rk
    @Tara-id3rk 5 лет назад +7

    I also make larger batches of a couple meals each week so we can have leftovers twice during the week. Or more, depending on what was cooked! We love easy leftovers in our house since we have two toddlers and long work days.

  • @patkern185
    @patkern185 5 лет назад +3

    I think what you're doing is smart. Here are a couple of tips that may help. 1) Buy a roll of freezer paper (like Butchers use), & tape. Remove meat from grocery store packaging and tightly wrap it in freezer paper, mark what it is and the date (all frozen food looks alike..lol) This will prevent freezer burn..trust me.
    2) Before freezing ground meat or poultry, flatten it (so it thaws faster) before freezing it.
    3) Rather than just repeat a dish of leftovers, see if there's a way to turn it into a different dish. For instance leftover pot roast or stew can be turned into soup.
    Love your videos! You're so much fun and you started me on the Fly lady cleaning. Thank you!

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад +1

      Thanks Pat! I am going to try the butcher paper idea!

  • @SJ-cd4gx
    @SJ-cd4gx 5 лет назад +2

    Thank you for sharing this video this is n area that I feel overwhelmed with, the idea of just writing what is currently in the house make perfect sense. This will work for me. My husband always reminding me about clearing the freezer. You make this so clear starting step 1 thanks from UK so appreciate your channel! Xx

  • @Frenchie1116
    @Frenchie1116 5 лет назад +5

    When I was growing up my mom was super busy and had a 5 weeks plan she would use all year around. Basically she would rotate, week 1, week 2 etc. Some of the days had 2 meals on that she would picked from, usually meals we wouldn't eat as often. That ensures variety and it super easy when you plan groceries. Write down what you need on a list and pick a few veggies you'll cook on the side. Takes a few mins every week this way.

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад

      Wow, sounds like a lot to get started but once it is going, probably made life way easier for your busy mom! Love the idea, thanks!

    • @joygoncalves4917
      @joygoncalves4917 Год назад

      LOVE

  • @genevieveco1259
    @genevieveco1259 5 лет назад +17

    I’m slack at meal planning 😬 but I know it works well when I do it. Thanks for the motivation to get back at it

  • @abbietaylor6334
    @abbietaylor6334 5 лет назад +14

    My best friend keeps a white board and marker on her deep freeze (my sister-in-law does this on her fridge instead so it's more handy), that serves the same purpose as your master list, but instead for that deep freezer where items tends to get lost/forgotten.
    On the whiteboard is a working, fluid inventory of the contents of the deep freezer, so she consults it when meal planning. She tries to put a star next to items that need to be used up. She just erases what she uses up and then adds to it on grocery day. Hope this helps!

    • @marieg2815
      @marieg2815 5 лет назад +3

      I do the same. I also put the number of items, like chicken breasts: 1 2 3 4, then when I take one out I erase the 4 so I know there're 3 and so on. Works well, unless "someone else" takes it out, they can't seem to grasp the concept, lol.

  • @EvelineUK
    @EvelineUK 5 лет назад +4

    I keep a running list of what I have in the freezer and start planning from there. I try and make sure that I don't constantly have the same type of meat or veggie based meals in a row, and I try to not have rice or pasta or whatever two nights in a row. I write my meal plan on a whiteboard, in case something comes up or we'd prefer to swap things round that week. I have a two week whiteboard, so if we think 'ooh, I really fancy.... for next week' we can write it down. I also try and cook something new at least once a month, and if it's a success it goes on the rotation list. And the shopping list is right there on the fridge too, so if anything runs out it goes on there straight away.

  • @Jean-rl9zu
    @Jean-rl9zu 2 года назад

    Your suggestions make so much sense! I'm going to try it!❤

  • @tanyawilson702
    @tanyawilson702 5 лет назад

    I have been buying ground beef in bulk and cooking the whole thing and then portioning it (2 cups cooked = 1 lb raw) into freezer bags and freezing until needed. It has really helped me on those night I am really not feeling it. Also, the Instant Pot has been a life saver too. Main entree is most of the time done before the sides with it. LOVE the instant pot. Also, slow cooker is great (haven't used as much since got the instant pot but still a great kitchen tool). Love your videos btw thanks so much for making and posting them. You are really motivating me to do what I can with the time I have and celebrating anything I am able to get done and to not beat myself up if I have an off day. Thanks!

    • @jocypher921
      @jocypher921 5 лет назад +1

      When I was working more, I would cook ground beef ahead, portion it and freeze it. Great help.

  • @conniebaum8043
    @conniebaum8043 5 лет назад +18

    I really enjoy watching your channel, Sweetie. You are cheery and it's fun to watch you learn. I admire that about you. It was fun to see your mum when she visited FlyLady Diane in Denmark. Pity we aren't close enough to neighbor! *I'm in SE Nebraska. grin. giggle. Good luck with your meal planning! Please consider yourself hugged. xo

  • @libbyyork5091
    @libbyyork5091 5 лет назад +1

    Thank you for these tips. Like you, I'd like to get better at having more of a plan. So far, I have found that at the very least I need to have the following items in my kitchen each week: a couple of chicken breast packets in the fridge, fish and frozen veggies in the freezer, and rice, couscous, pasta, and sauce jars/packets in the pantry. Then, (at the very least) I know I can make a protein, starch, and veggie on the fly. And I have flexibility of which days to cook those meals. I think more in advance when I know I want to do a slow cooker meal. Definitely still room for improvement!

  • @PahlaB
    @PahlaB 5 лет назад +3

    Really great tips! I've been working on meal planning, too - it's a game changer!

  • @Tara-id3rk
    @Tara-id3rk 5 лет назад +1

    I’m also a big fan of not planning each night’s menu in advance (like Mon, Tue, Wed). I have a magnetic dry-erase board on the side of my refrigerator with “on the menu this week” where I write the list of options for the week. And I erase the meal when I gather the ingredients for it. It’s hard to hold yourself to a schedule when you might not get home until late and need a quick meal, depends on who may or may not be eating that night, or your pre-planned meal just doesn’t sound good.

  • @pamelahauer9938
    @pamelahauer9938 5 лет назад +3

    Hi Steph ❤ Would you consider maybe making a video series of how you make some of your staple meals? If you have listed 30 meals you can make, I bet there are a bunch of us like myself who are not cooks. My Mom didn't like to cook and didn't like having us in the kitchen. And you make things very easy to understand. That would really bless me! 😁😘😍

    • @hanneknutsen886
      @hanneknutsen886 5 лет назад +1

      Fist of all I totally agree that would be great.
      Second I'd like to suggest The Happy Pear channel on youtube. They make a lot of easy quick healthy meals ❤

    • @pamelahauer9938
      @pamelahauer9938 5 лет назад +1

      @@hanneknutsen886 Thank you! 😁

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад +2

      I would love to do that! I am love cooking, I am a total amateur, but it is so fun. My mom is a great cook, I am very very lucky for that!

    • @pamelahauer9938
      @pamelahauer9938 5 лет назад

      @@TheSecretSlob Awesome! I look forward to it whenever you can squeeze it in. ❤

  • @caryj6562
    @caryj6562 5 лет назад +2

    I do weekly meal planning and it works pretty well. I'd love to try monthly planning, and just do one big shop a month, but we don't have the space to store it! My main thing is to batch cook - make large amounts of things like bolognese, curries, pasta sauces, etc so I'm feeding the freezer with leftovers for future meals. And keeping lists on the freezers of what's in each one to make it easier!

  • @shellipagel3488
    @shellipagel3488 5 лет назад +1

    I started doing practically all the same things you mentioned in this video a few months ago and so far, it is going great. I also make it a game to only spend $100.00 or less each week at the grocery store so that my budget for the month will not exceed $400.00 (not counting when we go out for the occasional pizza or Taco Bell night). Only shopping for the week has saved me so much money and we are less wasteful. I have also enjoyed cooking much more and have been purchasing much less of those frozen ready-made meals that really add to your monthly grocery bill. One tip! Bring your list and recipes with you on a clip board - that way you can double check what the items on your list were for and can make any adjustments if the store is out of the things you needed.

    • @eileencarroll6418
      @eileencarroll6418 5 лет назад +1

      Well done! You are inspiring!

    • @shellipagel3488
      @shellipagel3488 5 лет назад

      @@eileencarroll6418 thank you, you're so sweet 😀

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад +1

      Love the idea to bring your list to the store! Even bringing the list of food I have already would save me a lot!

  • @leannewith3
    @leannewith3 5 лет назад +2

    I do a meal plan for a month. We repeat a few like tacos. I put specific things on specific days(especially to suit our activities) but happily switch for another day if something changes or I really don’t feel like it. I love not having to think of what to have everyday.

  • @lisaholderby3031
    @lisaholderby3031 5 лет назад +4

    I’m with you...I like to make a list of meals and then see what we are in the mood for that day. 😋 However, as my kids have gotten older, they do like to see it posted on my chalkboard everyday!

  • @debbieray7563
    @debbieray7563 5 лет назад +2

    I LOVE your meal planning tips! I am gonna write down what I know how to make and make a list of what I have!

  • @weijourn1970
    @weijourn1970 5 лет назад +1

    If you put a mark beside the dishes you have cooked you can see how often it's made and maybe think about why some dishes aren't getting made. You could also try making meal lists for what is in season.

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад

      Both really good ideas! I will definitely start the check marks right away, that is an easy one to add an probably very helpful! Thanks!

  • @kirstw2763
    @kirstw2763 5 лет назад

    I’ve just started meal planning too. There is only me and my husband but I’m vegan and he is a meat eater. It’s working well saving money and only buying what’s really needed plus nothing being wasted no more out of date food. By the way love your channel it’s nice to see normality and someone who I can relate to. Keep up the good work x

  • @sonyajackson3527
    @sonyajackson3527 5 лет назад

    If you find the meat on sale double your recipes and freeze one. I do this with hamburger steaks, enchiladas, and so many more items. I first got started by using the Once a Month Cook Book when my children were little. It saves time and give you items to reheat on days when things go crazy. It saved my sanity when the children were small and life was chaotic.:)

  • @blossomwithgrace
    @blossomwithgrace 4 года назад

    I am obsessed with your kitchen 😍

  • @EmilyA8376
    @EmilyA8376 5 лет назад

    Ok I love this! I’ve watched two of your videos, and I’m thinking, “can I actually relate to a ‘RUclipsr’?!” 🤣 I have 3 kiddos ages 3-6 who are all weird eaters, so I have struggled the last couple of years with meal planning. I used to make it so complicated...now it has to be simplified. The biggest helpers to me are, like you said, knowing what we HAVE...prepping fresh fruits and veggies ahead of time (I get hubby to help with this...chopping, etc.)...having a couple of nights for leftovers/fridge clean-out dinner...and giving myself grace! Sometimes I do snack dinners (esp when hubby works night shift) and cut up various meats and cheeses, veggies, fruits, dips, and throw in some popcorn or pretzels/crackers, and my kids seriously think it’s the best EVER. 🤣

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад

      Oh man, we totally do the snack dinner! I call it 'The Bistro Platter' - so fancy lol! I am going to start some freezer cooking soon. Especially now that I am expecting, the energy to cook at 5 pm just isn't what it normally is :)

    • @AWanderingEye
      @AWanderingEye 5 лет назад +1

      When my kiddo was in that stage I just had jars of ingredients then assembled (like a pizza) when we were going to eat. So I had a jars of cooked potatoes, cooked pasta, cooked rice, plus veggies and sauces she would eat. I got her involved in assembling her dinner plate and that helped too. New foods started with a "no thank you" bite. That way at least the new item was tasted. Eventually she has become a cook and loves all veggies.

  • @happydayjules
    @happydayjules 5 лет назад

    So excited to meal plan with you. I have two kids and work full time, so planning ahead of time is essential! 😎

  • @thatswhatisaid8908
    @thatswhatisaid8908 Месяц назад

    I've heard this called reverse meal-planning. Using what you already have to plan the menu. I think it takes practise, and as we are coming into summer, i intend to do that. Great idea to limit new recipes to 1 per week though. The easier we make it, the better chance of success!

  • @christinek9011
    @christinek9011 5 лет назад +2

    I decide on 5-6 meals for the week as I'm planning my grocery shopping. I check them off as I make them. I often schedule a leftovers night and set it up buffet style. I have handy stand-by meals always on hand. Aside from favorites, I love allrecipes.com for new dishes or searching recipes by ingredient search (helps use up what I have). My struggle right now is kids are big (teens and up) and sometimes text me at last minute that they will or won't be home for dinner.

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад +1

      I have a whole new respect for my mother who would learn I was bringing 2 friends home for dinner with 30 minutes notice! What on earth was I thinking lol. Love the internet for recipes, especially the comments since you can see what adjustments people have made!

  • @Einfachso-fastwiefrueher
    @Einfachso-fastwiefrueher 4 года назад

    I enjoy the channel "Do it on a dime" as Kathryn (?) has lots of good ideas how to prep food and I already implemented some things and got creative myself. For me it is just my boyfriend and me and cooking isn't real fun. So I am cooking a bigger amount and put "the leftovers" in portions in ikea /toppits bags that go flat into the freezer. As soon as they are frozen you can put them up and labels at the top can help you to know what is in there. We also canned some prepared Currywurst with sauce and some sauce bolognese. For the last thing I only need to do some spaghettis. Kathryn also has some nice prepared meals for the instapot but I am a German and have my Thermomix, so I am out of this topic. ;) But I like your preparation and saw this before and I guess this time I will get into that planning as thinking about what to do on a daily basis is disturbing to me.

  • @rose-mariedekoning8471
    @rose-mariedekoning8471 5 лет назад

    A great tip to do if you want to experiment with different dishes, is to have all kinds of spices available. Just small containers are great to get started. Usually the spices and herbs are the majority of the items in recipes.
    As for freezer cooking, I already do that. I start with the meat in the freezer (currently just 1 serving of hamburgers and 4 chicken breasts; ground beef is usually there too). Then I build my menu around that.

  • @patmulh4245
    @patmulh4245 5 лет назад

    Love Love Love your videos. Funny that this is your today's video....I was watching while I peeled 7 lbs of carrots...lol. My grandson wanted tacos for dinner tonight...I made enough for two meals..if I need to can freeze leftover for another night. When I make spaghetti meat sauce, I make 5 portions...freeze 4. When I make meatloaf, I make 5 and freeze 4...made carrots for roasting...shredded carrots for salads...carrots for snacking and carrots for stir fry. I spend a great deal of my time in the kitchen..lol. Carrots are all in the fridge, labeled. Hamburgers patted out for dinner tomorrow night. On average I run my dishwasher 3 times a day! Found a wonderful, simple recipe on RUclips for Alfredo Sauce...Also found a woman that made making Greek Yogurt so simple...I am waiting for the drip thing to come from Amazon. If I could move my stove out, I would do that. I have the Paula Deen 8.5 Air Fryer, The Cuisinart, Air Fryer Oven, which does everything and two instant pots. I put a cutting board over my electric stove and took the knobs off. I keep one induction cooking burner on my stovetop...Whew! Husband out of town for 4 days...Grand Daughter out of town for 3 weeks. When I cook something for dinner that I think Mya, and Amy would like...I take dinner to the. They loved the Chicken Alfredo! Til next time...did not mean to make this so long.

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад +1

      Wow Pat! Sounds like you got a lot done! I have never really done the 'big batch' cooking thing but it is a great idea and I think I will add it in here as I learn! Thank you :)

  • @LaurieChistine
    @LaurieChistine 5 лет назад +3

    I recently cleaned my fridge and re-arranged it so the left overs are on the top shelf (which is eye level in our fridge) so it gets seen so it will more likely get eaten.

  • @maryschutte8368
    @maryschutte8368 5 лет назад

    HA! I bought vodka to make homemade antibacterial spray and later realized I now have on hand all the ingredients I need to make Penne a la Vodka! I keep chest freezer items in grocery store reusable bags sorted by meat, seafood, vegetables, etc. along with an inventory of what's in the freezer on top of the freezer in a cellophane sleeve. We can buy on sale and store in recipe-size units. When I take something out to use, I just mark it off. Every five weeks when I zone clean the freezer, I re-write the inventory. I'm looking forward to learning many new tips on this topic with you! Thank you.

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад

      Penne a la Vodka for the win! The freezer has been a dark place where things disappear for me for a long time, I am looking forward to wasting less!

  • @mariecochlan6326
    @mariecochlan6326 5 лет назад +1

    Oh great! Thank you so much. I'm at this point too.

  • @karenlowes7802
    @karenlowes7802 5 лет назад

    The day before grocery shopping clean out your fridge, making note of what you have and what you need.

  • @pamelahauer9938
    @pamelahauer9938 5 лет назад +1

    Love it! Great idea to tackle meal planning. 😁 It was really interesting to see your fridge on the right side of the frame. I'm so used to seeing it on the left side of the frame! Not sure if the image has been flipped this whole time or if this time the image was flipped. 😉

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад

      it was flipped before and now it is normal. I have set up my camera so the image is better quality :) LOL I wondered if people would notice :)

  • @PHDinMeTV
    @PHDinMeTV 5 лет назад +1

    Here for it! Thanks Steph 🌸

  • @aprilh5186
    @aprilh5186 5 лет назад

    I have a rotating meal plan. Basically I took our regular everyday meals and distributed them over a 4 week period. So week 1 is tacos, soup/sandwiches, chicken, and roast. This way I have variety because I can make whatever soup or chicken dish sounds good that week but I don't have to start from scratch. Week 2 has different meals and so on. Our absolute favorites like burgers are on the Week 2 and 4 rotation. Hope this makes sense. I am loving it!

    • @jennylhenry78
      @jennylhenry78 5 лет назад

      Would you mind sharing all your dinners and the weeks?!

    • @aprilh5186
      @aprilh5186 5 лет назад +1

      @@jennylhenry78 Sure! It's basic but sometimes that's what's needed to get the job done.
      Week 1: Beef tacos, soup/sandwiches, chicken, roast
      Week 2: Chicken tacos, a casserole, hamburgers, Italian Beef
      Week 3: Beef tacos, pizza, chicken, soup/sandwiches
      Week 4: Bean tostadas, pasta dish, hamburgers, new recipe to try
      Soup/Sandwiches can be either/or depending on the season of year and sandwiches are things like BBQ pork, Buffalo chicken, BLT'S, meatball subs, etc., not cold meat sandwiches.
      Also, I only plan 4 meals because we usually do takeout for one, leftovers for another, and then have extended family over for dinner 1 night that always changes.
      Enjoy!

    • @jennylhenry78
      @jennylhenry78 5 лет назад

      @@aprilh5186 I've never thought of doing a rotating dinner menu. Definitely trying this so I can cut down on planning time. Thanks again!

  • @Loubur52
    @Loubur52 5 лет назад +1

    Thank you for your video. I will try it to make a list of what I have home.

  • @lvlc5
    @lvlc5 5 лет назад +1

    I like the minimal mom approach... i tweak it to out needs but is goes around keeping it simple and the common meals we do al the time as you do. Check it out...

  • @lorettab687
    @lorettab687 5 лет назад

    I shop for a week at a time. So, I meal plan at the supermarket. I don't leave until I have at least five meats and sides in my trolley. I write each possible meal on the whiteboard on our fridge. We eat whatever is left over on the weekends.

  • @tsdlrr
    @tsdlrr 5 лет назад +2

    I am always trying to reinvent the wheel when I start meal planning! This is great!!! Thank you so much!

  • @sheilak4493
    @sheilak4493 5 лет назад

    Great suggestions!!! I can really relate ... thanks for your channel

  • @nicolehage918
    @nicolehage918 5 лет назад

    I noticed sometimes plans change during a week, and fresh produce turns bad, before eating it. So I make a combination of fresh fruits and vegetables and frozen / canned ones. The fresh ones I will use first, so it all will be used up.
    I often don’t plan specific meals, but I do have a standard inventory / grocery list. I restock on those. These versatile staple foods (Both fresh and frozen/canned) will allow me to make many familiair recipies.

  • @Karenkmc1
    @Karenkmc1 5 лет назад

    Such GREAT Ideas 🧡🎃🧡

  • @bc101ful
    @bc101ful 4 года назад

    Steph, where do you shop? Only one store? Once a week?

  • @chrisoulalakkas7935
    @chrisoulalakkas7935 5 лет назад +1

    Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep the faith. It will all be worth it in the end.

  • @jacquelinejefferson1876
    @jacquelinejefferson1876 5 лет назад +1

    Hello Steff, I can never see a link below, puzzled. Thank you. Jackie (NE England) xx

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад +1

      Hi Jackie, I added it to the description - but here it is docs.google.com/document/d/1-7ay3tvwMjGeIbj8mNw2rilDbNRk6fazi9ODEA_oJRw/edit?usp=sharing

  • @WorkingTowardsImprovement
    @WorkingTowardsImprovement 5 лет назад +1

    I have found that what my family and I eat really isn’t that healthy. I would like to incorporate healthy foods. How do you go about meal planning for this when it’s not what we are use to eating?

    • @hanneknutsen886
      @hanneknutsen886 5 лет назад +2

      My best suggestion is to think of how you can make the foods you know, like and have all the time a little bit healthier. Typical things is to use leaner meat or change them for legumes, and add more vegetables, either into the dish or on the side.
      I agree with The secret slob that it's not a good idea to cook too many new things each week, but trying one new healthy meal every week, or every month is good.
      This is the most sustainable way to change the diet, because you still eat food you know and like, while over time you get aditional healthy recipes into the rotation.
      Also, don't make all the meals healthy. If you really love a greasy burger, have that sometimes, maybe once or twice a month.
      The goal should be to eat healthy about 80 percent of the time.
      Good luck ❤

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад +2

      I am not a dietician, but I really think that for the most part, home-cooking is going to be healthier than last-minute eating out. We eat a green salad with every single meal, so just adding a big salad to every meal you cook adds a ton of healthy veggies right there :)

  • @annar8232
    @annar8232 5 лет назад +5

    Never even thought to put a running list of what we have food wise into my control journal 🤯 I’m gonna try it and hope I don’t forget to mark things off as we use it lol I keep a running list of things we need on my phone so that’s already a habit but I need to keep better track of pantry/fridge/freezer inventory!!!
    Edit: I would also LOVE to see a future video of your actual meal plans and grocery haul!

    • @julsmorgan78
      @julsmorgan78 5 лет назад +4

      Anna R I ended up using an app “our groceries” and did an extra list called pantry... the thing I like is you can actually change the number of an item in the list if tinned tomato’s are on sale and I have one I just up it to three etc as I put them in the trolley... or just NOT buy them if I already have 8 🤦‍♀️. I like you can move the item from the shopping list to the pantry right there in the shop! My pantry is WAY less full of random items now lol

    • @susanyaggi6533
      @susanyaggi6533 5 лет назад

      julsmorgan78 I’m downloading and gonna try this out! Tfs

  • @barbann9708
    @barbann9708 5 лет назад +8

    Hello Steph I've missed you. I dont know why but you haven't been popping up. I will have to keep hitting the thumbs up and maybe that will help.Im already a subscriber. I saw your Mom with Diane,they looked like they were having loads of fun.

    • @lorig.7127
      @lorig.7127 5 лет назад +1

      Click on the bell. You will receive notifications when she posts a new video.

    • @barbann9708
      @barbann9708 5 лет назад

      Lori G. Thanks Lori. I will try that
      I really missed Steph"s videos she helps keep me motivated.

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад

      Hi Barb, I haven't been posting as much this summer. My kids and the nice weather are keeping me busy :) Thank you for your ongoing support! Hugs!

  • @emilasmith4279
    @emilasmith4279 5 лет назад +1

    Sounds great! Hugs!

  • @samanthareid332
    @samanthareid332 5 лет назад +1

    Recipe generators are great for those items that are just sitting around and you got no clue what to do with it =)- I may have a few gremlins in the pantry

  • @marybrown3125
    @marybrown3125 5 лет назад

    I really liked your list of meals girl! Although I had a chuckle at bangers & mash.. and what are “buns”?

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад

      Haha, we love bangers and mash :) Bun is a hot and cold noodle salad that I make. I based the recipe off of the Vietnamese dish called 'bun' and it stuck, so that is what we call it. I put the recipe on my instagram a couple weeks ago if you want to check it out :)

  • @madziam7893
    @madziam7893 5 лет назад

    Thank you so much.

  • @Fatima-fq9gr
    @Fatima-fq9gr 5 лет назад

    Formal Slob 👌

  • @kristinbell5110
    @kristinbell5110 5 лет назад +3

    I’m going to give this a go. ☺️ Thanks!

  • @NutNayOQ
    @NutNayOQ 5 лет назад +1

    Try spoonacular .com you can input your own recipes.

  • @roxannelovesvenussmokecity
    @roxannelovesvenussmokecity 5 лет назад

    ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

  • @renatatb7791
    @renatatb7791 5 лет назад +4

    Hi Steph
    Sorry about my english (I'm from Brazil).
    I have a suggestion: Could you put photos of your dishes on your Instagram? I'd like to see.
    Thank you
    Renata.

    • @TheSecretSlob
      @TheSecretSlob  5 лет назад +1

      I can! I will start tomorrow! Thanks Renata :)

  • @torideffee3192
    @torideffee3192 5 лет назад

    We call it fridge soup