Monthly Menu Planning: January

My meal planning starts with a basic inventory of my pantry, freezer, and refrigerated items. Next, I create a list of possible dinners for an entire month to feed my family of six. Thinking about coming up with a month of planned meals may seem like it will overwhelm me, but it is easy to come up with 30 meals (some are meals that we eat two or more times a month) that my family will enjoy. I love the array of ideas at my fingertips, and deciding ahead of time what to make for dinner is a gift!

What do we already have in our pantry and freezer?
What is the weather outlook for the week and month?
What vegetables are in season?
What events will our family attend (seasonal, family dinners, etc.)?

One of the most important reasons we meal plan is to make sure we are making healthy food choices by cooking from scratch. A dinner plan using nutritious ingredients at home allows us to spend less money, which is excellent for our tummies, thighs, and wallets.

• Aim to include a high protein source in every main meal with just a little healthy fat for satiation. 

• Include healthy fats, but try to avoid frying everything in oil.
• Use different cooking methods like steam, bake, boil, grill, or slow cook. You could also try things raw!
• Buy ingredients you can use for a wide variety of recipes.

Sticking to the calendar is always the goal, but things come up, and having a plan makes life much easier. If we get home late, I might swap nights for something that doesn't require much prep. Of course, I always rely on my Southern Living cookbooks and Pinterest to try new recipes. How many of you meal plan? Would you like to learn how to meal plan? I would love to start a monthly meal-planning club!

Download January Monthly Menu