sparkling husband primitive rarely plans

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=236x81642

Oh my.

Stinky The Clown  (1000+ posts)        Sun Nov-07-10 08:04 AM
THE SPARKLING HUSBAND PRIMITIVE, #05 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009
Original message

How far ahead do you plan youir everyday meals?

My mother used to plan meals a week in advance and shop once a week to get what was needed to make those meals.

Sparkly and I rarely plan ahead for meals. We shop several times a week and buy what looks good and plan ways to cook it when we get home. There are times I'll go to the grocery store and walk around to get inspiration based on what strikes me as appealing that day.

What do you do?

Callalily  (1000+ posts)      Sun Nov-07-10 08:24 AM
Response to Original message
 
1. I too used to plan a week in advance, but no more.

When I'm at the grocer's I check out what's on special and mentally make a list of menus and buy accordingly. So needless to say, my pantry is well stocked.

Or . . . like many here, I am constantly trying new recipes, so I'll cook just about anything on a whim!

yellerpup  (1000+ posts)        Sun Nov-07-10 08:43 AM
Response to Original message

2. I buy fish, chicken, and loin pork chops at Costco (supplemented with shrimp, veal, and lamb), break them down into two-serving packages when I get home and stow them in the freezer. I shop locally for vegetables several times a week and let those be the inspiration for how a meal goes together. By averaging the cost of proteins I can get individual servings to around 95 cents per person per meal. If I find apples I buy some for eating out of hand and make applesauce to compliment the pork chops, for instance. We also have at least 2 all vegetarian meals per week, and I also buy beans by the case and make most of the bread we eat. But like you, I look mostly to the vegetable aisle or farmer's market for the ingredients to make each meal truly special.

Warpy  (1000+ posts)        Sun Nov-07-10 08:52 AM
THE DEFROCKED WARPED PRIMITIVE, #09 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009
Response to Original message

3. It depends on what I'm eating 

I can get at least 2 meals out of a chicken breast. I eat a pot of potato soup for days on end. Other than that, I get what looks good to me and "plan" the night before, doing veggie prep at night so I can cook on autopilot the next day.

Tesha  (1000+ posts)      Sun Nov-07-10 11:39 AM
Response to Original message
 
4. Plan? Well... not really, but
 
We have goodies in the freezer and a well stocked larder. That's sort of planned, isn't it?

Denninmi  (241 posts)      Sun Nov-07-10 11:52 AM
Response to Original message
 
5. Planning in advance? And I laughed, and laughed, and laughed (at myself, not you, Mr. Stinky).

I wish I had the luxury of time to do that. In my household, it's usually grab something out of the freezer and see what you can make out of it in 30 minutes or less.

The empressof all   (1000+ posts)        Sun Nov-07-10 12:21 PM
THE IMPERIOUS PRIMITIVE, WHO DOESN'T LIKE US
Response to Original message

6. When I was cooking for my family I planned a few days in advance

I'd usually shop two or three times a week and prepare at least one big meal that included opportunities for left overs. You know things like a roast chicken, pork roast or Sunday gravy.

Now that I'm eating Vegan I tend to rotate through what ever is quick and easy. It's easier to open up a jar of those frickenly good huge beans from Trader Joes and serve them over brown rice with some spinach. I'm not making Tabbouleh or Farro that often though I wish I were motivated to do it. So it just comes down to if it's easier to throw some sweet potatoes in the oven or make a risotto and what I feel up to doing that day. I rely more on my pantry now that I'm not cooking meat...

tigereye  (1000+ posts)        Sun Nov-07-10 12:22 PM
Response to Original message
 
7.  a few days? 
 
If I want to make kotopita that week or want my husband to make chicken curry, I get certain ingredients a few days ahead and hope that we get it together to make them quickly!

Phentex  (1000+ posts)        Sun Nov-07-10 01:23 PM
Response to Original message
 
8. About a week...

Tuesday is pasta night since it's my later day at work. On Sundays I usually think about the week ahead and figure out who's got what going on and then think about meals. I don't get too specific with each night but I'll have a good idea for what we're having for the week.

Coyote_Bandit  (1000+ posts)        Sun Nov-07-10 01:56 PM
Response to Original message
 
9. I'm working on a rotating menu plan

Probably about a 6-week plan. Probably won't start actually using it until after the first of the year. I'm designing it to incorporate seasonal and experimental dishes to take advantage of fresh produce and grocer discounts. Still, I expect it to be modified and will probably end up with several versions.

I typically cook for just myself. I hate eating leftovers for more than a second meal. I tend to forget things that are prepared and then frozen for later use - which means they are often past their useful life when re-discovered in the freezer. I hate buying something and then using only a portion of it before it has to be thrown out. I'm not terribly fond of shopping or making shopping lists or menu planning.

A rotation menu for me is a way to be better organized and less wasteful while incorporating a wider range of foods in my diet.

eleny  (1000+ posts)        Sun Nov-07-10 03:33 PM
Response to Original message
 
10. I buy what's on sale and then figure out different ways to put it all together

I have standby stuff like frozen bags of mixed sweet peppers & onions, other frozen mixed veggies, some bags of microwavable brown rice plus Italian, Asian and Mexican sauces to use in different ways. You know, condiments of all kinds.

I've always admired people who can make a list, stick to it and fix fabulous meals week after week. Around here, it's a mixed bag.

cbayer   (1000+ posts)      Sun Nov-07-10 05:03 PM
THE BAYER ASPIRIN PRIMITIVE
Response to Original message

11. At least two weeks.

We can get groceries only about twice a month. It's become a fun game to try and use everything in the right order so nothing goes bad or has to be tossed.

NMDemDist2  (1000+ posts)        Sun Nov-07-10 05:17 PM
Response to Original message
 
12. i go to town on Mondays and Thursdays and shop then so I tend to plan 2-3 days ahead, and since Mr. K is on back shift, I send 80% of his daily calories in his 'lunch' so i cook the night before or in the AM so i have it chilled and ready to send in the lunch box

if i go back to work for the summer, that will change.....but since it's all fresh food these days, i am actually giving away my freezer this week so i have a bit more room in the laundry room for brooms and such. don't think i'll miss it.

and Mr. K has mentioned my getting a new refrigerator for Xmas, since i keep smacking my head on the freezer door handle, i want a bottom freezer unit again and like the looks of those new french doors on the top and bottom freezers

grasswire  (1000+ posts)      Sun Nov-07-10 06:51 PM
THE FARMERETTE PRIMITIVE FROM UP OVER THERE IN WISCONSIN
Response to Original message

13. I used to do a weekly plan. 

Did it for years. Now I tend to shop every day for fresh stuff, and decide while in the store what will be for supper. I don't particularly like it this way; I spend time wandering the proteins looking for inspiration instead of thumbing through cookbooks. But I walk to the store these days, and so shopping for a week is not possible. Shopping daily is quite European -- that's my rationale.

Now, that is silly; ".....is quite European."

Non-European franksolich shops for groceries every day, and doesn't feel any less American for doing it.

Every day, non-European franksolich shops for groceries.

Never misses a beat; every single day.

Of course, this is simply because non-European franksolich cooks for just one anyway, and it's a good excuse to go to town.

As for "planning," franksolich goes by the "random chance plan."

Tonight (Sunday night) for example, franksolich shut his eyes, opened the cupboard door, and grabbed a box.

A box of pancake mix; no go, as no syrup here.

A box of twirly pasta; no go, as no meltable cheese here.

A box of oxtail soup; no go, as no crackers here..

On the fourth random-chance selection, a box of lemon poppyseed bread mix.

That's what non-European franksolich had for supper Sunday; lemon poppyseed bread.

[Ballygrl]

We just wing it. Our Target recently added a grocery section and I love it, they have a lot of choices that the regular grocery store doesn't have.

[Randy]

We're usually 2-3 days ahead around here. Of course there's always changes along the way due to missing this or that, to tired, not enough time. Which of course is why we're 2-3 ahead. 

[JohnnyReb]

DUmmie meal......every meal.

appetizers....CHEETOES
main course.....Vienna sausages
side dish......pork and beans
desert.....little Debbie cakes.
drink....alcoholic content 20+%
after dinner smoke.....hollowed out blunt with filler of choice.

[Karin]

If I find apples I buy some for eating out of hand

  Yellerpup is a gasbag.  One of those types who talk just to hear their own voice.  A very annoying type.

Who is Warpy kidding, doing "veggie-prep" the night before?  She is cooking for herself alone; she doesn't have a big bustling family to get super-organized for.  She's not feeding a legion, she's feeding her one and only lonely self.  Make a frozen dinner and cry yourself to sleep. 

[jukin]

Shopping daily is quite European

The left is constatly saying something along these lines.  Some obscure way to self elevate their meaningless statue in society. To me it indicates a severe inferiority complex.

[IassaFTots]

To me, shopping daily indicates poor planning.  Unless someone just wants to.  That is different. 

I do not have time in my day to stop every evening to purchase items for dinner.  I am a "plan ahead" kind of person.  Usually, 2-3 days in advance, like Randy said.  With room for adjusting, of course.     

[thundley4]

To me, shopping daily indicates poor planning.  Unless someone just wants to.  That is different. 

I do not have time in my day to stop every evening to purchase items for dinner.  I am a "plan ahead" kind of person.  Usually, 2-3 days in advance, like Randy said.  With room for adjusting, of course.     

WE shop twice a week, but meals aren't planned out.

[IassaFTots]

WE shop twice a week, but meals aren't planned out.

I don't plan to the last detail, but I do plan ahead, as it relates to defrosting meat.  Otherwise I eat a lot of spaghetti.   

[BlueStateSaint]

WE shop twice a week, but meals aren't planned out.

My wife and I plan things out and try to go once a week, but it turns into three times in two weeks.

[thundley4]

I don't plan to the last detail, but I do plan ahead, as it relates to defrosting meat.  Otherwise I eat a lot of spaghetti.   

Right about planning the main meat course, but as for the sides, it's whatever we feel like having.

[jukin]

Quite honestly, we shop around the specials of the particular weeks. If they are good specials we buy many and freeze or pantry the extra.

[crockspot]

I think I'll make whole grain waffles tomorrow morning.

[PatriotGame]

http://www.dominos.com/
Log in, select grub, enter credit card info. 30 minutes later, noshing on fresh food.
Travel time: 38 seconds - Lay-Z-Boy to front door back to Lay-Z-Boy.

[franksolich]

To me, shopping daily indicates poor planning.  Unless someone just wants to.  That is different. 

I do not have time in my day to stop every evening to purchase items for dinner.  I am a "plan ahead" kind of person.  Usually, 2-3 days in advance, like Randy said.  With room for adjusting, of course.     

My reason for shopping for groceries every day (although I don't use the purchased food that same day most of the time) is the same reason for purchasing cigarettes one pack at a time.

I'm out here in the Sandhills of Nebraska, where there's more square miles per capita, than capita per square miles, more miles of road per vehicle, than vehicles per mile of road.  And, as usual, the isolation that comes from being deaf.  And of course single.  So I do it simply because it gets me out, forces me to go out.

If I had to plan, I suppose I could plan just as well as anyone else, but generally, it's not necessary to plan, other than planning on having several 20-pound bags of cat-litter and a dozen or so 18-pound bags of Friskie's dry cat food, in case I get snowed in.   

[IassaFTots]

My reason for shopping for groceries every day (although I don't use the purchased food that same day most of the time) is the same reason for purchasing cigarettes one pack at a time.

I'm out here in the Sandhills of Nebraska, where there's more square miles per capita, than capita per square miles, more miles of road per vehicle, than vehicles per mile of road.  And, as usual, the isolation that comes from being deaf.  And of course single.  So I do it simply because it gets me out, forces me to go out.

If I had to plan, I suppose I could plan just as well as anyone else, but generally, it's not necessary to plan, other than planning on having several 20-pound bags of cat-litter and a dozen or so 18-pound bags of Friskie's dry cat food, in case I get snowed in.   

I had you specifically in mind when I said "Unless someone wants to, that is different."  I would do the same if in your position.  I most certainly would. 

[Ballygrl]

We do BJ's shopping once a month, grocery store and now Target shopping at least 2-3 times a month.

[franksolich]

I had you specifically in mind when I said "Unless someone wants to, that is different."  I would do the same if in your position.  I most certainly would. 

Yeah, I figured you meant that, madam.

It's just that more than half the readers we have here now, weren't here the last time this was discussed, and I wanted to give some "back story" on it.

[JLO]

WE shop twice a week, but meals aren't planned out.

We shop every three weeks, when the 5 gallons of milk are getting low.  I shop "semi-on-line" and fax the order in.  Then, my sweetie drives 30 miles and picks it up.  Seeing as he is a 100% disabled VN veteran, he puts it in his electric wheelbarrow and carts it up the ramp the VA paid for.

Grocery shopping is a tiring day.

[Carl]

I am kind of to the other extreme where will make something with the intentions of it lasting me a week.
Will get 3 lbs of spaghetti and just have leftovers until it is gone.

When that is running out make a "plan" for what is next.
I can get away with that since in fairness it is just me to take care of and am the least fussiest eater in the world.