Do you meal plan? I asked about menu-planning on my personal Facebook, and that question garnered more helpful comments than any Facebook post in the past. I got some awesome tips, advice, and suggestions. And it made me feel like menu-planning is possible and not the most difficult thing in the world. As much as I hate to admit it, I don’t cook dinner every night and I almost never send Joe to work with a packed lunch (helloooo, Chipotle). When I do cook dinner, I struggle to find the ingredients needed because I have no plan and our vegetables are usually rotten, and I’d call Joe on his way home from work to pick up a few things, which means we sometimes didn’t eat until 8:30 or 9, etc. etc. etc.

Joe and I were talking a few nights ago and decided I’d try to pack him lunch (failed at that this morning, but tomorrow is another day, right?), make a meal plan for the week, and go shopping only once a week. For starters, I’m only planning dinner Monday-Friday. And to make it easier, I decided to use Huckle & Goose (I’ve mainly used Huckle & Goose for the weekend plans in the past, but took a deeper look at the weekly dinner recipes….YUM) for the main dishes! (They are so so so affordable…and every recipe I’ve ever tried is scrumptious and family-approved). I looked at the past few weeks’ worth of plans and based on what we already had in the pantry + fridge, I decided on the following menu:

Monday – roasted butternut squash bucatini; winter greens salad
Tuesday – simple marinated chicken; kale caesar salad
Wednesday – celery root and red lentil soup; roasted cauliflower; freshly baked bread
Thursday – winter quesadillas; guacamole
Friday – tuscan sausage and kale soup; caesar salad

Then I made a big ol’ shopping list and sent Joe to the store at 9 last night while I watched the Grammys and snuggled my babies on the couch. Although menu planning seems daunting and like so much more work, ultimately, it will mean more efficiency in the kitchen, less time spent wondering what to make, and we’ll save money. So excited to report back after a few days/weeks of this adult-like kitchen behavior.

(Photos by Sweet Root Village from when I styled a kitchen for the Huckle & Goose launch)