I know that I have truly inherrited (sp) some of the most anal organization habits from my mother, but today it really struck me as I was talking to a co-worker.

I was making my grocery list because it is a little slow on Sundays where I work. My co-worker says "Yeah, i should do that too while we have some free time". So then after I finish my grocery list, I started working on a menu/calendar that I have made in Excel and she was like "what are you doing now?" So I tell her how I plan out a monthly menu so I can know exactly how much and what to buy when I go shopping, because I only do serious shopping once a month and small weekly pop-ins for milk and bread, things like that. Well, she started CRACKING UP HYSTERICALLY! I couldn't believe how hard she was laughing!!!!

Does anyone else plan out their meals ahead of time? Or am I really as anal as she told me I am??? LOL

I shop weekly, my shopping needs surround the whole SUNDAY DINNER THANG... we are VERY BIG on the SUNDAY DINNER THANG... it's cultural and falls to me, thankfully cuz I'm that person that would prefer to throw the party rather than attend one. I plan if my man asks for something special but in general look for what looks fresh and good in the supermarket and build from there...

Patty

**guilty**

Yes. When I had my son living with me, I would plan out menus for a month, and buy only things needed for the menu.

I still do that a little bit now. If I am going to cook, I cook a couple of weeks worth of food all on one day, and make a list of the exact items needed.

We must be related to the same gene pool!!

JJT

A lady I work with makes menus for the week ahead. I *wish* I could be that organized. I used to (when he was home) plan out pretty much day to day what I wanted to make for dinner. I made these elaborate meals for him and now I realize he would have been happy with burgers and fries. When he gets home I think I'll simplify things a litte and maybe learn how to food shop once week and plan out some meals.

Well my meals are not elaborate LOL, many of them are easy dinners because I work full time and my fiance CAN NOT COOK. So I pick things I can throw together a day or two ahead of time and just throw in the oven or throw together real quick after I get home from work.

But I'm glad I'm not the only one!!! i knew JJT would probably be in this with me!

It's because we were newly married and I wanted so much to please him with good meals. Allrecipes.com has awesome recipes and I used to try and make something new each night. I'd made creamy tomato soup from scratch after work. God forbid I'd serve it from a can. Yes, I was NUTS. :) As time went on I came to my senses. This past year I didn't do too much cooking due to his going off the deep end (so to speak) and now that he's been locked up this past month I never cook for myself. I miss it though..... I have to learn to cook just for me.

I used AllRecipes.com today when I was making my menu! LOL
They have great Quick & Easy recipes :)

Cooking for one has got to be a pain, at least when my fiance was still in I had my son and frequent visits from my neighbor to help with eating regular sized meals.

okay I forgot to mention the reason I shop weekly is also because I need the fresh ingredients. I only cook from scratch BUT even though I work, I don't have kids under foot so yanno and ultimately, cooking relaxes me and I love the way it makes other people happy. Lastly, in the end it's more economical than prepared foods. Ever need a recipe? Look me up, I'm into it. Gotta run, Sunday dinner is onnnnnnnnnnnnn

Patty

When my children were young I tried planning a weeks menus in advance and shopping for those meals. But, then if one of the children came home from school and ate somthing from my "plan" it made me crazy. So I went back to my hit and miss ways. But, I do have to admit that occasionally I would spend a Saturday cooking and freezing a variety of things. Casseroles, Lasagna, Enchaladas, Soups, etc.

I make menus and shop on a weekly basis.

NAW.. I cook by the seat of my pants. My menu planning starts when I head toward the kitchen to fix something to eat then look to see what I've got. I usually pick out what meat I'm fixing first and plan around that.

I buy a lot of bulk foods - we have a great Amish bulk food store not too far away. That way I can cook how ever much I need for ME. So I've usually got a pretty good stock on hand.

I don't cook, I don't shop, my roomy does. He doesn't plan any menu in advance, he goes shopping everyday. He loves it, and everybody ( the butcher, the grocer, the baker, the cheesemaker etc...) knows him in our neighborhood.

Phil

He loves it, and everybody ( the butcher, the grocer, the baker, the cheesemaker etc...) knows him in our neighborhood.

Phil I think this was one of the things I loved about living in Europe the most. I shopped a lot at the local markets when I lived in Germany - especially in the warm months at the open air markets!

I am one of those people who makes whatever is in the kitchen!! When and if I cook...it's from whatever I can find laying around. Usually it's microwavable food and things I can throw together in less than 15 mins. Then again...I don't have kids and it's only me...so who needs to cook!!! My grandma does the cooking in the house...and I eat whatever's around when I get home from work. When I do go shopping...I buy what my heart desires at that moment...usually I don't want to eat it when it comes time to make it!! Hopefully when I get my own place and have to cook...I will learn to be organized! But right now...rice and beans or tv dinners work for me!! Hugs:p
-Jackie

I dont think its nuts to plan in advance. I dont think i could do a whole month... but on a weekly (or) every-two weeks basis is a good idea. Not only does it save time for you on figuring out what to make, you can budget accordingly and buy only what you need. I do it on a informal basis and think it makes a lot of sense.

I have tried making out menus. But I never want what I have scheduled for that day.

So now I plan whats for dinner as I walk into the kitchen and open the refrigerator.

ONE