Fredericksburg Parent

8 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • April 2021 WRITTEN BY DEBRA CAFFREY practical pantry practical pantry Meal Meal Planning Planning I hear it all the time: Fellow parents and household managers who know meal planning is a smart and economical habit and wish they did it, but they just … don't. I think a mixture of trepidation and a feeling of being overwhelmed paralyzes people into avoid- ing something new, even when they know it would be beneficial. I'm certainly guilty of this as well but trust me when I say there is absolutely nothing to fear about meal planning. Whether or not we enjoy cooking, have a big or small family, or work full time, there is one inevi- table and inescapable fact we all have in common: we all need to eat and feed our family every day! This undoubtedly can be an overwhelming reality, but that's the very reason why meal planning is such a crucial habit to cultivate. It is the absolute number one way a household can save money, save time long-term, stay organized and eat healthy. Here are some common misconceptions most folks have about meal planning, and why they shouldn't be excuses to hold you back. DEBUNKED DEBUNKED This is the big one. First and foremost, it's worth noting that no one running a home and family is lounging around all day with- out an agenda and a million things on the to-do list. Everyone has to prioritize how they spend their time but planning meals should be a priority. Secondly, not having a solid meal plan for the week or month is actually wast- ing more of your time because you're most likely running to the grocery store much more often and probably picking up a good amount of takeout. When it comes to meal planning, it's a matter of changing one's perspective about time and seeing it as an investment. If you put in the work upfront, you will be sav- ing and consolidating time in the long run. I meal plan for two weeks/twice a month. A lot of times during that menu "cycle," I rearrange things because life happens. Think of meal planning as food "insurance." You have everything in place to make that roasted chicken, wild rice and green bean casserole on Tuesday night. But if you've had a horrible day or aren't feeling well, it is OK to save that meal for another time and stick with grilled cheese! As long as you don't waste what you've planned for and already purchased, it's perfectly alright to reschedule your plan and play with the timing. A little spontaneity is fun when it comes to food, but that has to be balanced out with having a blueprint for the rest of the week. You can work flexible or take-out nights into your meal planning, so long as it's not the majority of the time. "I don't have the time" "It's too inflexible" myths

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