The Plan

There's been lots of talk around the blogosphere regarding weekly meal plans, and I figured that since, hey, I write a food column and like to help people eat healthy, easy to prepare family meals, I would weigh in too.

I don’t make a weekly meal plan.

Well, ok, I’ve already copped to the fact that I indulge in a partly-sentimental, partly-OCD meal log, but that is an after-the-fact record, and only helps me plan future meals by reminding me that we have already eaten lentil soup eight times this month, and maybe I should try something different.

But as for a week-to-week meal plan, no, not so much. Not that I think they are a bad idea – I don’t; I think they are a great idea, and I’m sure my stress levels would go down as readily as my organizational prowess would go up should I ever fashion one, but it’s just not me.

My inability to plan so well stems from 1) my inability to plan so well, and 2) awareness that, in order to keep my enthusiasm for cooking at a high enough level that I will actually cook, I must allow for a certain amount of spontaneity and room for whims and mind-changes.

I pretty much need to decide what we’re eating on a daily basis, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think about our meals for the week beforehand. As much as I’d love to be able to do so, I am no longer on mat leave, and can’t just shop daily for the things I’ll need to craft whatever dinner masterpiece I feel like. I used to, and I think that is the best way to shop, but it’s just not practical when I’m at work every day.

These days, I shop for groceries about once a week, and I do try to ensure that the ingredients for at least 5 mains make it into the cart. Sometimes I know what these will be before I get to the market, sometimes I don’t. I let the ingredients inspire me, so if I get to shop at my very favourite place, I’ll see what looks best, what’s on sale or what my husband starts to coo over. If I’m going to my standard grocery store(s), I’ll see what’s fresh and interesting (I only buy organic/natural meat, so unless I’m at the market, I’ll make a separate stop at the healthy butcher for meat.).

I also am a regular peruser of magazines and recipe books, so I often head to the market with an idea of a dish or two that I want to try. The thing is, besides my regular slow-cooker Monday (because nobody wants to cook on Monday), I never know which day any of these dishes will make an appearance until, at most, the night before. Depends on my mood, my time frame, my energy level, my (or Chris’) schedule, and my cravings.

Lunches are almost always leftovers, though I do keep veggie turkey slices, organic chicken nuggets, quinoa, couscous and cheese on hand at all times to put together something a la carte if need be. Snacks are almost always fruit, veggies, homemade healthy muffins, cheese cubes, yogurt and crackers. One junky snack is allowed per day, whether that means that the girls share a pudding cup or have a cookie or brownie (again, homemade) or these days, a mini chocolate Easter egg. Breakfasts are fruit, yogurt, oatmeal or whatever my brood feels like eating. I pretty much always make pancakes on Sunday morning, with enough left over to freeze and pop in the toaster during the week.

So that’s about it for me. Did I leave anything out? Oh yes, Friday nights, I don’t cook. How’s that for a plan?

Comments

[Beck]

If I lived in a city, with access to interesting and changing food markets, I wouldn't make a menu plan either. For me, we have to go two towns over once a week for groceries, so I NEED to plan.

It sounds like your system works really well for your family!

[kgirl]

Beck - good point. I have a regional advantage over many.

[Joyce]

I think that not having a specific menu works for you because you are very comfortable cooking and you know that if you have certain ingredients, you can make SOMETHING. I'm not as confident in the kitchen, so when I don't have a plan, no matter what is in my kitchen, I feel a little lost. Also, my shopping gets a bit random and I end up with a rotting head cabbage a couple of weeks later.

[kgirl]

Joyce - many vegetables come to a lingering, mushy demise in my crisper. One of the detrements of spontaneous shopping is that an eggplant can be all shiny and inspiring at the store, but just seem like a load of work I don't want to do a day or two later.

[No Mother Earth]

I wish the St Lawrence Market were closer. I do find it inspirational for food choices.