meal planning ladies, how closely do you...

[shevacc]

follow your own meal plan?

I looked back at Monday's meal planning thread and so far we followed the plan Sunday and Monday, had Wednesday's meal Tuesday except with tuna instead of tilapia, then had chicken ravioli on Wednesday instead of spinach ravioli and chicken on the side. We've decided to leave tonight for my BIL's house for the weekend so we'll eat on the road.

We rarely follow my meal plan more than 50% of the time, though we generally use up all the perishables I buy (a lot of our meat is frozen). Sometimes our plans change or there's extra leftovers. With a plan, nights often get shifted, or entirely different entrees end up being cooked, especially for DH's cooking nights. BUT if there's no meal plan, everything falls apart and we end up starving and grumpy, not able to think of a single thing to make.

For the last few weeks I've been wondering by Friday if everyone else cooked what they said they would. Are we the only ones? Do others do this too? It strikes me as funny that I can't live without a plan, but having one I so often ignore it.

[kandrze1]

I do okay most weeks. Towards the weekend I might change things if we decide to go for dinner or something comes up. I just make the meal I planned on making the following week.

[shevacc]

May 16, 2013 13:59:01 GMT -5 @chelsmonster said:

Haha, I have good intentions, but most weeks I decide I don't want to cook on a few days and we end up getting take out. I know, it's bad and completely defeats the purpose lol.

We're far enough away from restaurants that we're not so likely to do takeout, but have been known to have buffalo chicken poppers and ice cream for dinner

[katfco]

If I remembered to buy everything I need, I stick to it pretty closely. I usually have the ingredients for one go-to meal on hand. Other than that, I only deviate by changing what day I make a meal.

[muppetinma]

I'm trying to get better about meal planning, but our schedules change with little notice. I try to plan 3-4 meals a week and leave the rest up in the air. We might go out, order in, or feel like frozen pizza instead. That way, I don't have to feel bad about not following it 100%.

[rileym2010]

I cook all the meals from my meal plan 98% of the time, but it is rarely in the original order.

[rileym2010]

Accidentally posted too early. A lot of meals get bumped to the next week if we eat out, etc

[pinkpeony6210]

I follow it pretty closely. However, there are times when we order pizza instead, or I make an easier meal.