Easy as 1, 2, 3

I've had a few people ask me how I do my menu planning, so today I thought I'd share my process here with you. I've been doing my grocery shopping this way for a few years, and I find that it really works for me--most of the time. The one problem I've encountered is when something I make doesn't turn out as expected--like say when a pork tenderloin that was supposed to be done after 30 minutes is still completely raw--I'm often at a loss for what to fix instead. When this happens, I just look at Drew with pouty lips and sad eyes and say, "I tried Drew, I really tried". Then magically fifteen minutes later a Panera sandwich will appear before me. It's amazing.

Ok, back to the topic at hand. 

Mellon's Weekly Menu Planning Step One: Choose Your Recipes

 I could be really involved with this and choose things that are on sale or that I can use the leftovers for something later in the week. But, I'm not. I just flip through my handy book of favorite recipes and pick which ones I want to make.

Mmmm Chicken Burrito Casserole. That's a good one. We'll have that on Tuesday.

Mellon's Weekly Menu Planning Step Two: Record

Since, I have the short term memory of a piece of sock lint, I find it helpful to write down my menu choices in my day planner. I try to plan the more complicated dishes for the days when I don't have the kids all day. Thus,Tuesdays and Thursdays are known as casserole days in the Mellon house. Beanie Weenies also. Or if it's been a really trying day--bowls of cereal with milk. 

Did you notice the 'Oven 9-1' on Tuesday there? Since I blamed the raw pork on a broken oven, Drew scheduled a repair visit. Fun.

Also please note that I don't cook on the weekends. Ever.  Weekends are for TGIFridays and Chick-fil-A. And mooching off of family members.

One final thing--if I make something big--like Chili--I'll put the leftovers in the freezer. Then, I'll flip forward a a couple of weeks in my calender and write "Chili--frozen" on one of the days. That way I remember to use it. Clever, yes?

Mellon's Weekly Menu Planning Step Three: Shopping List Creation

As I choose each recipe, I write down any needed  ingredients on my shopping list--that way I'm sure to have everything required. Unless I forget and leave a filled bag in the grocery cart. It's been known to happen. Several times.

And that's it. Pretty simple, right?

Mellon Scissorhands

Kim over at Mama Tried It had this really cool idea to host a blog hop where women bloggers share tips and tricks that they've picked up over the years with the thought that other ladies might find that information useful. Kind of like a Show and Share for grown ups. Neat, huh?

Well, you all know how well I handle my child's show and share, so of course I wanted to try to redeem myself with this one. Given that it's now 6:45pm on the day of the hop, I certainly haven't earned any points in the on-the-ball category. My kids were very needy today, so in between their demands that I work puzzles, find lost toys, and go on a bear hunt, I thought about what I might have to offer in the tip department.

This is what I came up with:

No, I'm not going to tell you how to make it because all that would involve is giving you the phone number to my local pizza joint. I'm going to tell you a quick way to cut it into manageable toddler-sized pieces. After having spent many dinners with a knife and fork smearing cheese and sauce all over the place to prepare the food for tiny fingers, I at last had a brain blast that would make Jimmy Neutron proud. Perhaps you already know this tip, but since I've had a number of parents thank me profusely for the idea when they've seen it in action, I thought there might be a chance that it could help some of you as well.

Using kitchen shears, cut several slits up the pizza that are parallel to the crust. Go as far to the edge of the pizza as you can without it falling apart on you.

It should look like this when you're done.
Now, cut lines perpendicular to your slits. As you cut, pieces will fall off, so do this over a plate.
And in 15 seconds flat, you get this:
Magic!

If you have tips to share, head on over to Mama Tried It to find out how to join the hop.