Dreading Dinnertime Tonight? Here's the Secret to Organizing It!

So, raise your hand if you have no idea what you're having for dinner tonight.

I'm imagining I see a lot of hands.

Do you know how much time you're wasting by not knowing?

And I don't mean time that could be spent driving from point A to point B, or running an errand for someone else in the family.

I mean time that could be spent on YOU!

Here's the secret - planning out your meals takes all of 15 minutes, and saves you at least 2 hours a week. 2 hours you could use for something for you.

And you family never needs to know.

Here's how....

It's not pretty, but it works!

1. once a week sit down with 3 blank pieces of paper. Small is fine - like 1/4 of a regular sheet. I use scrap paper.
2. on small paper #1, write down vertically the following - beef, chicken, fish, veggie, fish, veggie, clean out fridge. If those 7 headings don't work for you - pick some that do.
3. browse your fridge/cabinets and see what food you have on hand.
4. using your mind, your recipe book, articles you've clipped, family favorites, whatever - fill in the blanks for each heading with a meal idea. Include side dishes.
5. make sure you work off what food you have already.
6. anything you need to buy, jot down on small paper #2. This is your shopping list. Or, if you have a computer generated/smart phone type of list, use that.
7. on small sheet #3, list the days of the week.
8. fill in menu ideas for each day. Consult your family calendar to make sure you work around sports practices, etc.
9. recycle small sheet #1. Post small sheet #3 inside on of your kitchen cabinet doors.
10. voila - you now know what you are having for dinner each day for a week. Advantages? one trip to the store, you can thaw out anything needed ahead of time, no impulse buys at the store since you are working off a list, no time spent deciding what to have.

And it's as simple as that!

But if you need a nudge - have you heard about the 6 O'Clock Scramble? It's a menu planning service that makes sure all your meals are healthy, balanced and great tasting. Less then $7.00 a month - and started by a stay at home mom! Click here to find out more about it.

Want some more ideas like this? Check out my book! http://www.organizingwithevelyn.com

Now go use some of that newly found free time on yourself!

 be organized.....evelyn