Meal Planning as Tip of the week!

Something I don't do, in the traditional sense!

I am not really much of a meal planner, per se. I don't have a family, so I'm not tied to the set meal times and other factors that affect many people.

However, I do have a kind of system, and it works for me.

1) Don't eat what you don't like - I hate salad. If I buy loose greens, it's usually baby arugula and it's for sandwiches. If you buy what you don't like, it's either going to go off in the fridge or sit there in the cupboard until botulism joins listeria on the watch list. Stock your fridge with what you like, and you won't have wastage!

2) Use coupons - plan your food choices around what's on sale. It also ensures variety in your diet, so you don't get bored with your food choices.

3) Organic is not necessarily the best choice - be intelligent and practical as well as eco-conscious. I personally prefer organic produce, however I will not spend $6.99 on a small container of blueberries. That's just crazy thought!

4) Seasonal shopping is your friend - eat what's on nature's tap. If you don't, you're paying more and getting less. And you're hurting our planet if you purchase strawberries in January shipped in from California!

5) Plan intelligently - that means learning what serving sizes are and being pro-active about food prep. Pre-dice chicken for curries and casseroles. Buy frozen mixed vegetables and canned vegetables when you can, because it will totally cut time off the prep and cooking of meals. I am less likely to pick-up takeout if I know I don't have to chop or mince or dice.

Pragmatic cooking is good cooking!