4 Weeks to an Organized You! {How Does Your Kitchen Function?} + A Little R & R Wednesdays - a linky party #39

 
I don't know about you, but when I don't have a meal plan we end up eating the same kinds of meals every single week.

Our home functions a little differently than others. Because of my  husband's shifts, I have to plan meals specific to the shift he works each week. When he's 1st shift, I can be very creative. When he's 2nd shift, he doesn't eat at home. When he's 3rd shift, I have to do simple, easy meals that don't require much preparation because our kitchen is separate from the living room where the kids are (and not large enough for 3 of us to be in it at one time).

So I have found that careful menu planning prevents kitchen crisis and boring meals.

Here are some ideas to help us organize our kitchens better:


Meal Lists - In my Home Organization Binder I have a lists of meals separated by type. Example: Soups, Salads, Italian, Mexican, Croatian, Chicken, Pork, etc. This helps me easily plan weekly menus for my family, and helps me keep things interesting.

3 Month Menu Plans - This is an awesome idea I tried and loved. You can read my post on it here. I am doing things a little differently now, but I may go back to this in the near future. It helps keep streamline everything - including shopping!






 
 
Kitchen Inventory - Before I make any menu plans, I first take inventory of my pantry, fridge and freezer. This helps me to use up what I already have, so that nothing goes bad and so I don't end up purchasing what I already have.

Pre-made shopping list - There are things we always buy every month: milk, cheese, yogurt, apples, bananas...you get the idea. So, I printed out a shopping list with categories, and then pre-filled them with things I always buy. This helps to save on time...and I never forget to buy these essentials.
new recipe night

Freezer meals - I love doing freezer meals! It is so easy. Pinterest is my inspiration. You can see my Pinterest board here for all the ideas for freezer meals you'll ever need!  I currently have nearly a month's worth of meals in the freezer. I managed to put together 10 meals (that will feed us for 2-3 days each) in under 3 hours. It is amazing!

And I leave you with two more tips before we link up our posts:





You can find my pin here



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 And now for the party!!!!
Here are the "rules"

1. Link up as many posts as you'd like (even giveaways!)
2. Link up old posts you wish would have received more attention!
3. Link back here by posting my button in your post or sidebar - or with a link
4. Visit the post just before yours

The party runs through next Tuesday evening!
So have FUN!

Click here to receive a weekly reminder about this party!




Additional Reading:

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