First Things First!

Ok, so are you ready to start once a month cooking? If so, there are some things that I recommend you do before you actually start cooking. A little preparation will make cooking day go smoothly.

#1 - Create a personalized shopping list!

Think about how you usually shop, your routine! Go to your store and walk your routine while jotting down the isle #s and the items on each. I shop at the old Wal-Mart and this is my routine.
HBA
Household
Pet
Cleaning
Dry Goods
Dairy
Deli
Meat / Deli
Meat
Frozen
Produce
Breads
Check out
Then create your shopping list based on your routine. Remember that your list will always be a work in progress. I just let go of my old list that still had diapers, pull-ups and baby wipes on it! I know it sounds tedious and a bit OCD but a personal list will help you breeze through the store without forgetting anything!

#2 - Create a Menu Planning Folder
This next step is for those that thrive on organization like I do. You can make this as simple or as elaborate as you wish. My folder is fairly simple: a 3 ring binder, subject divider tabs, insertable pockets, page protectors and notebook paper. Are your organizing juices flowing? My folder is divided into the following sections: Menu / Shopping List, Cooking Plan, This Month's Recipes, Family Favorites, Freezer Inventory, and Pantry Inventory. Most of these sections just have several blank copies so I don't have to print them out every time. The recipe section has any recipes that I printed from the Internet that I plan to use that month and the freezer and pantry inventory sections have a copy of my latest lists. I will talk more about the freezer and pantry lists in a minute. Chances are that nobody else will ever see your folder, let alone use it, so make it functional for you.

#3 - Freezer and Pantry Inventory

Make a list of everything in your freezer and pantry. This will come in handy when you are making your menu and shopping list. I use the printable lists from http://www.organizedhome.com/, but a sheet of paper works too! I make a new list (or revise the old one) every month. One copy of each goes on my fridge, another copy in my folder. As I use something in my freezer or pantry, I mark it off my list that hangs on the fridge. I have a huge deep freeze and this list has helped me to keep the freezer cleaned out. I use to throw stuff in there, it would shuffle to the bottom and I would find it a year later and go, "Oh yeah, I remember buying this pork roast. I wish I had remembered it was in there." and then toss $7 into the trash can! So, make your lists! It will save your family money!

#4 - Family Favorites

Make a list of your families favorite meals and update it as you find new favorites. Have a couple of favorites weekly to keep the family happy. There is a great printable at http://www.organizedhome.com/. Can you tell that I love that site?


Remember, once a month cooking requires some time at the beginning to get organized but the joy of serving a home cooked meal every evening will be well worth it!

Go to the ant, o sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer, or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8