Being more organized helps a lot. As I said in the beginning when we are harried we resort to planning the menu for the week and mostly try to stick to it. Of course, there is always a time when we might skip certain items because it was not available or something else came up! But most of the time, I plan to stick to my menu. It gives me great relief to know that I have an idea about what to cook.
Many of you have always asked me how I manage to do so many things in such a short time. Though I cannot claim I am able to do all of them myself, as I rely so much on my family to help me manage the tasks. One of the important things that always helped me is, having a planned menu. We arrive at this by sitting together and discussing what we want to do for the week. This hardly takes more than 15 mins for all three of us.
Daddy always tells us to note down everybody's favorite or must-do-a-week dishes and pin them up in the kitchen. He says that will help during those times when we don't' know what to cook. And when my hubby's sister's family visits, we always plan the menu for the entire time they are visiting and pin it up! In fact, we even ask them what they would want. They don't mostly make some of the dishes that I do, so we reserve them for the occasion. A menu planner is a great way to handle guests visiting!
These days it's even more helpful as I ask Konda what she wants for lunch. I have created a Sample Menu planner and also shared what I had planned for this week. I will be updating it with our weekly plan. This only has what I make for adults. I am planning to update a list with the kiddos' lunch in the Spice your Life blog!
The first in the series of Kid's Lunch Box, check out Tadka dal that I made for the twins' lunch box.
You can click the Sample Menu Planner
View My Menu Planner
Do check it out and let me know your thoughts. And do try it and see the difference!
If any of you want this Menu planner, drop me a mail!
Uma says
I made many such menus but never followed them! You look like well organized, Kudos srivalli! I have to learn a lot from you! Thanks for the sample menu!
Sunshinemom says
I follow this every week and it works great for me! Been doing this for many years now. I make my menu planners on Saturdays and usually get the things on Sundays. I generally know what my breakfast is going to be though it changes sometimes at the last minute!
Madhuram says
I also do it Valli. Usually we go grocery shopping here on Saturday or Sunday. So I plan the week's menu on Sunday evening. That's definitely a sanity saver.
Maya says
Very well organised Srivalli. I usually work up my brains only before guests visit and think ahead as its really helpful. Your idea is very good.
Pragyan says
I usually have this exact same details in a text file when I am expecting guests to stay with us. It helps me plan the cooking as well during their stay when I am toooooooooo tired to think straight!!
Rajani says
oh man i know what you mean@! ive been planning to do a weekly menu thing for awhile now. going to do so now... so dont you have any leftovers>?
Nidhi says
I am trying to be better. I spend too much time in the kitchen and also in deciding what to cook cause I get bored too quickly. I know I have to get back to work soon and then I will definitely have to plan ahead or we will end up eating junk which is not good. I would like to use your tool. Send me a copy, I am too lazy to make one myself. Thanks a lot for this post.
Srivalli says
Thanks everybody, its wonderful to know how many ppl already use such methods!..
Nidhi, your copy is on the way!
Rajani, most of the time, we cook enough for 3 adults...mostly, sometimes there is something always left out...but we never prefer leftovers, so that's the hard part :)..
Happy cook says
I sometimes try to make a plan, especially it is easier when one goes for shopping, but in the end i am never ablt to stick to them.
If i ask Shyama wht she want to have for unch i know her aswer would be french fires, or pasta 😉
Kirthii says
Hi Srivalli,
This is amazing. Nice way of being organized. Could you please send me a copy of it. I would like to use it. Also, I have been trying lot of your recipes and as mentioned earlier is turning out ot be beautiful. If I can convey more than thank you, do let me know.
Will update you as I start using the planner
Simran says
I plan to be planned too, but it never works out. Such is the temptation to cook or eat something else 🙂
Madhuram says
Check this out immediately Valli!
Madhuram says
Valli I think most of your recipes are there in that place. I have also left a comment but it's in moderation.
Smitha says
I wish i was so organised! I do have a planer on my fridge but never quite managed to follow it. Besides, cannot help cravings! I feel like eating something out of the blue in the middle of the week! I wonder if there are any tips to manage such cravings
anu says
Hello..
Looks not like a menu planner...but a Restaurant planner. You must be a very big cook yaaar... Lots of patience ...Your husband and kids must be very lucky to have you in your life.
Pallavi says
This is so great! I hope I can be this organized eventually.
Miri says
I make a menu too every Sunday - makes it much easier to manage the week especially juggling work and home. Of course we deviate a bit depending on our mood.
Your menu planner sounds like it will be really helpful - especially for young brides!
dhanasakthi says
Thanks for your planner to improvise our menus, though we follow an adhoc menu plan.
We have mandatorily Sambar on Tuesdays and Fridays, a Fried Rice variety on any one week day Puliyodharai/Lemon rice/Tomato rice/Veg Biriyani) and one of these Puli Kuzhambu/Mor kuzhambu/ Vatthal Kuzhambu/ Urundai Kuzhambu/ Vendhaya Kuzhambu/ Rasam with Paruppu Kuzhambu)for other 3 weekdays.
Poriyals are based on the sunday inventory & the Kuzhambu made on that day.
Ofcourse, Sunday, is for special breakfast varieties and non-veg lunch items.
RAKS KITCHEN says
Yes thats true that planning before make sit all very easy! That too if we have some elders to halp us in anythinng,even a small help means a lot,though i dont plan for a week,i will surely think the before day for the next day:)
Asha says
Sri, sorry about that. I fixed that link, test it. It took 3 attempts to do that girl. My font and links are all acting weird these days, don't know what's wrong!!
Anyway, great to see you at FH. I don't plan everyday menus, use whatever I have in the fridge but for RCI event I do plan BIG!:)
notyet100 says
planner looks good,..;-)nd so is the menu,..
Suganya says
Do you have a 'fountain of energy' in your backyard? Where, where do you get all this energy?
subha says
Hi, you are so amazingly organized! can i get a copy sent to my email- for my days have become disastrous with a toddler in tow- want to try and see if I can stay more sane by being a bit organized. TIA,Subha
Minu says
this is a wonderful tool. i have done it for a single meal when i invite people for dinner. yours is very professional. would very much like a copy of this.
Pavithra says
Menu Planner looks awesome , Srivalli. Can you please email one to me?
Pavithra says
This comment is for your reference. my email id is [email protected]
Anu radha says
Hey can you send access to my email [email protected]
Thanks