If you go to the grocery store too often, like me, you need this monthly meal plan printable to get your meal planning whipped into shape!
I live next to a Whole Foods Market. Seriously, it's about 500 feet from me as I type this!
Since my daughter was born, I've habitually strolled to the market each morning to get what we need for the day.
What's the harm in going every day, you ask? I'm spending too much money and too much time in the store. It's also a sign that I could be more strategic and organized with meal planning!
Read on for seven reasons to get excited about meal planning. And grab the free printable at the end of the post!
7 reasons YOU SHOULD START MEAL PLANNING NOW
1. SPEND LESS MONEY and TIME ON GROCERIES
Meal planning each month is a great way to save money on groceries.
To maximize your savings, start by creating a grocery list ahead of time based on the meals you have planned to prepare.
The planner will help you avoid unnecessary food purchases and help you stay focused on buying only the food you need to make your planned meals.
A meal planner printable can help streamline your shopping processes and help you zip quickly through the store with an efficient grocery list that only includes the items you need.
Not only can you save time shopping, but it will also save you from wandering around the store for 20 minutes trying to figure out what to cook for dinner!
2. YOU WILL EAT more well-balanced meals
The printable meal planner lets you quickly list the meals you plan to cook or purchase for the week(s) ahead.
Doing so ensures you are stocking your fridge and pantry with nutritious ingredients and not just throwing only the comforting, indulgent foods in your grocery cart.
Meal planning will help you make more balanced meals essential for good nutrition and your best health.
3. SAY GOODBYE TO FEELING LIKE "THERE'S NOTHING IN THE FRIDGE!"
Organizing meals and snacks ahead of time can help you save time, money, and energy throughout the week.
A meal planner printable can be a great resource to help you reduce stress by taking the guesswork out of what to eat each day and proactively planning delicious, healthy meals.
When you already have a plan for what you'll eat, you can avoid the dreaded empty fridge feeling and prevent yourself from splurging on takeout for the third night in a row.
4. YOUR EVENINGS WON'T FEEL as CHAOTIC
A meal planner printable is the key to bringing order to your evenings.
It helps you think ahead and plan meals for the week rather than going to the grocery store last minute and buying ingredients without a plan.
Additionally, a meal planner printable allows you to easily adjust meals throughout the week in case you find yourself in a pinch for time or need to reorganize meals due to unexpected changes.
5. YOu'll become a better cook
Practice makes perfect!
The more you plan to try new recipes, the better a cook you will become.
Trying new recipes and learning what works and what doesn't will give you confidence in the kitchen—not to mention so many new ideas to try.
6. iT WILL BE A CATALYST FOR MORE MEaL AND GROCERY EFFICIENCY
Meal planning will add so much value to your life that it will likely make you want to expand into other related realms of efficiency like:
- online grocery shopping
- grocery order pick up
- freezer meals
- double-batching everything for leftovers
- repeating recipes easily
7. YOu'll have a better relationship with being the meal-maker
When you never know what to cook for your family, it is easy to resent the role of primary meal-maker. It can feel like another stressful job on top of the many other jobs you already do.
Planning with a monthly meal planner will remove much stress and make cooking meals feel like you're on autopilot. It will become less of a chore and more of something you just do every evening.
HOW TO USE THE MONTHLY MEAL PLANNER
Print the meal planner, and set aside 10 minutes every Sunday to plan your meals for the week ahead.
First, plan meals around what you already have in your refrigerator and freezer.
Next, look at your schedule and plan quick and easy meals for the evenings you or your family have activities to do.
The remaining evenings might be a good night to try a new recipe.
The weekly strategy that I have recently implemented is giving each week a framework:
- fresh protein 2x week
- omelettes 2X week
- casserole 1x week
- freezer meal 1x week
- leftovers 1x week
Using this framework makes meal planning even easier and faster. Find a weekly framework that works for you!
How to access the free monthly meal plan printable
Accessing the printable is easy. Just pop your name and email address into the form below to gain access immediately. It's completely free to download and use.
Do not share this printable on your blog/website/social media. This downloadable file is not to be used for profit. This printable can not be claimed as your own. All files belongs to Sisoo. Not to be used in any other form than the original.
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