For example, making supper. It gets to be 4:30 pm and the family is beginning to get hungry. You should start making dinner, but you are in the middle of a project. Bummer. Quit the project, start looking through the fridge and kitchen cupboards to see what is there. Spaghetti? That would be great, except there is no spaghetti sauce. There are some carrots in the fridge. What about a nice roast? Too late for that. What about spaghetti noodles and carrots? There's got to be something to make with spaghetti noodles and carrots.
By this time it's quarter to five and you have no idea what to make. You're starting to get hungry yourself, and snack on some saltine crackers. Now everyone is hungry and begging you for saltine crackers. There is no time to make anything. Forget it, they can all have crackers and peanut butter. Or jelly. Or cheese. Throw the carrots in there, and it should be healthy enough.
Have you ever been in this place? It could have all been prevented with a plan.
My new book (yep, a little shameless self-promotion here!) can solve all of your meal problems. It's got a complete list of meals- breakfast, lunch, and dinner- plus ideas for healthy snacks and some ideas for potlucks and other I-forgot-about-that events. My plan includes a weekly grocery list so you'll never be stuck without spaghetti sauce, and even tells you when to start cooking, so the food is done before people get hungry. No saltines here!
Imagine this: you, rolling out pizza dough. There's no hurry because everything is under control. You've got some nice music turned on. Get out some ranch and barbeque sauce to spread on the dough. This is going to be a killer supper! In a good way. Sprinkle on some cheese, bacon (that was on sale!), green peppers and toss it in the oven. Set the timer for 20 minutes. It's early enough that nobody is clawing at you for food.
Ten minutes later the house begins to fill with a delicious aroma of baking bread, melting cheese and bacon. So warm and good. Kids wander in the kitchen, following their noses. You set out some plates and fill the cups with water. One kid wants to help, so you have him set out napkins. Finally, the timer dings and you call everyone in to eat. "Man it smells good!" "I can't wait" and "I want the biggest piece" are heard from excited diners. You bless the food, cut a few slices and dig in. So delish.
Does the pizza scenario sound good? It probably sounds great if you have experienced the saltines-and-peanut-butter meal. Do yourself (and everyone else) a favor and buy my book,
Pizza Night; a Simple Meal Plan, available on Amazon.
I know this plan works because I use it myself. It sure makes life easier!