Meal Planning

I have always been a planner, ask my husband. I love to sit and plan things down to the last detail. However, sometimes my meal planning doesn't always keep us in the monthly budget. It seems that I have a hankering for steak at the end of the month or want to eat something I don't have the ingredients for. We also have the added cost of feeding another person, Noah, who sometimes eats enough for three!! I am now trying to feed four people with healthy meals, three times a day. It is challenging and fun to see if I can do it.

I decided this month to try a new strategy. I usually plan out meals for a week or two and shop once a week. Sometimes I end up having to go to the store more than that because I forget something, I think this comes naturally from my mom!! I have planned out all the meals for April, trying to space things out with the leftovers, which are none sometimes, with other side dishes. What usually gets me is breakfast and lunch. I usually cook breakfast about two mornings a week, so I went ahead and planned out what we are going to eat on those mornings. I picked a few desserts and breads to bake for the month, so I won't be running to get chocolate chips every weekend!

We will see how this goes. I have enjoyed the laundry detergent that I made and am still using the first five gallon bucket that I made. I started it in January. I will keep you updated on how long it last. I have now saved $20 in laundry detergent after my start up cost of buying the bucket and ingredients to make the soap. With the economy the way it is and trying to be a good steward of the money God has entrusted to my husband and I, I am working out the best and most useful way to spend it. The way that will give Him the most glory, feed my family, keep them healthy, be able to provide for others when needed, and be thankful for what we have.