my binder

I mentioned my binder in yesterday's post.  I used to have a drawer that housed all of my recipes. But I needed an easier way to get at them.  I bought a 2" binder and some sleeve protectors.

 Of course, it is pink.  I love me some girly pink!

When I find a recipe I want to try, I print it then add it to the pocket on the left.  The sleeve protectors are reserved for recipes that I have tried and like.  Every month when I do my monthly menu, I pull this baby out.  All in one spot I have what I want to try and what I know we like.  I can easily flip through the recipes and right down what we are going to have on the calendar. Then I can easily add it to my grocery list.  When I am ready to cook the meal, I bring the binder back out.  The sleeve protector's keep the recipes nice and clean.

My storage spot is by the microwave, only takes up 2 inches.

So next time you head to the store, pick up a binder and some sheet protectors. It will make you feel so much more organized!

my monthly menu

Last August, I started a monthly menu. I was trying to be more organized and make limited trips to the grocery store.  I sat down with an empty calendar and my recipes and started planning.  The last year of doing this has been awesome for our family. I rarely have to wonder what's for dinner which is absolutely awesome. I make one big shopping run towards the end of the month/beginning of the month.  I can make adjustments as needed AND we are saving money because I can buy in bulk.

So here is how I do it....

1. Print out (or write in your planner) a calendar.  (www.calendarsthatwork.com)

2. Look at your current calendar and put any times that you all will be out of town or have an out of the house dinner commitment.  Mark all of these on your calendar.

3.  Pull out your recipes. I keep mine in a binder by the microwave.

4.  Start plugging in the meals you want to make.

      (I know that on certain days we have extra curricular activities that run late, those are my    

         typical crockpot days.)

5. Once you have your calendar filled it's time to make your grocery list.

6. I look at the recipe and write down everything I will need.  I do this for each one. I make tick marks when I need one pound of meat or chicken. Then I add it all up at the end.

7.  Once you have your grocery list, go to your pantry and fridge and see what you have.  You probably have most of your spices.  I mark off what I have on hand.  

8.  Take your grocery list that you now have. I look at it and see what can be bought at the bulk store and what I can just get at my grocery store.  Like if I need 6 packages of spaghetti noodles, I know that they are cheaper for a box of 6 at Sam's then buying 6 individual packages at the regular grocery store.

***All of the steps above might take 30-45 minutes. 

9. Then I add the menu to my calendar that is in my phone/laptop.  This is great because I can always look to see what's for dinner.

10. If I don't use a meal that month, I just put it at the first of the next month.

Then on one day, I go to the bulk store (Sam's in my case) then head over to Walmart or Target. I get everything that I need. Then each week if I need fresh foods or bread I go early in the week.  I write on the calendar what I will need that's fresh for that week (see the Sundays below).  Hope this helps some of you!  It definitely was a time saver for me as well as taking away the stress of wondering every day "what's for dinner?"

apple cutter, er potato cutter

Someone suggested using an apple cutter to cut a potato.  I thought to myself "this is a great idea."   Soon I would find out that this is easier said than done.

I got my potato and my apple slicer.  Now is where you need that 3rd hand.  An apple has a flat bottom, so it stands for you while you slice. Potatoes, no flat bottom. It was super hard to get the potato still so that you could apply pressure on the cutter.  Once you do, you can push hard and slice the potato. Be careful not to slice your finger in the process.  

You do get nice uniform fries once you get through the cutting process. The middle fry is a bit wonky so you will need to cut it in half.  

Overall, it is easier just to cut them with a knife.