[1]Photograph Credit: iStockphoto
Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.
Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.
Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.
To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter [2]. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂
- Day 1: Select a [3] Planning Tool [3]
- Day 2: Add Your Priorities [4]
- Day 3: Print and Display Your Menu Planner [5] – with free printable
- Day 4: Record Membership Expiration Dates [6]
- Day 5: Mark Due Dates for Monthly Bills [7]
- Day 6: Insert Credit Report Schedule [8]
- Day 7: Schedule Your Annual Home Maintenance [9]
- Day 8: Set Your School and Work Activities [10]
- Day 9: Highlight Contract and Subscription Expiration Dates [11]
- Day 10: Download a Savings Tracker [12]
- Day 11: Note Daily Deals Expiration Dates [13]
- Day 12: Setup Bill Pay [14]
- Day 13: Secure Doctor Appointments [15]
- Day 14: Purchase Batteries [16]
- Day 15: Include Holidays [17]
- Day 16: Jot down Library Return Dates [18]
Day 17: Track Your Family’s Favorite Meals
During busy seasons, my creative inspiration in the kitchen lacks momentum. As my mind processes other issues, I want my time in the kitchen as efficient as possible. In creating menus and feeding my family, I work to keep variety, healthy choices, and multiple colors on the table at each meal.
From year to year, our family’s taste changes, so what I planned last year may not work this year. Keeping up with who likes peas, but not broccoli vs. the one who likes rice over pasta could consume my time. But in using time wisely, I track my family’s favorite meals by observing, marking, and asking.
Observing my Family
When my family’s plates return to the kitchen filled with food, then I can assume that they did not care for this meal. Sometimes the results are due to changing an existing recipe, trying something new, or failing to make the meal correctly. Whatever the reason, I won’t repeat, on purpose, that exact meal again.
On the other hand, if I notice that a meal results in mostly empty plates, I investigate further to determine if that meal is a keeper.
Marking my Menu Planner
If I find that our family enjoyed this meal and would like to have it again, then I mark it on my menu planner. By placing an (*) next to the meal, I can track my family’s favorite meals. When I need inspiration, I can review our prior menu planners [5] for (*) and ideas.
Asking my Family
Periodically, I ask my family for their favorite meals. Though my children do not agree, I get a variety of options. At the end of the session, I have a list of at least 20 meals that the majority of our family really likes.
The following meals are included in my family’s current Top 20 favorite dinner meals’ list:
Crock Pot Dinners:
1. Chili, pigs in a blanket, corn bread, and vegetables/fruits
2. Pork chops [19] served on toasted hamburger buns with vegetables/fruit
3. Roast beef, rice, gravy, and vegetables/fruit
Stove Top Dinners:
4. Broccoli and cheese soup [20] with sour dough bread
5. French toast, sausage, and fruit
6. Hamburgers and homemade French fries
7. Mexican dip [21], tortilla chips, and vegetables/fruit
Oven Dinners:
8. Baked chicken (dipped in egg and then in crushed French fried onions), chicken or cornbread stuffing (made and then baked for 20 minutes for a little crunch), and vegetables/fruit
9. Mini meatloaves (baked in a mini muffin pan topped with shredded cheese), mashed potatoes, and vegetables/fruit
10. Papa Murphy [22]’s Chicago-style stuffed pizza
Keeping this list updated, I can adjust my stockpile. Knowing what meals my family likes, I can watch the sales and stock up [23] when these items are at rock bottom prices [24]. In doing so, I feed my family, buy what we will eat, and save at the store.
In planning for success in 2013, track your family’s favorite meals by observing, marking, and asking. With a list of go-to meals, you can adjust your menu plan, watch the sales, and feed your family.
Your top 20 list will provide creative inspiration as you plan your meals, save money by stocking up at rock bottom prices, and feed your family. Continue planning for success while using time wisely. Happy tracking!
Question: What are your family’s favorite meals?