Dealing the Meal Cards

Here's another fun little tool that helps with menu planning...I might have shared it before but it's worth re-mentioning. I call it Dealing the Meal Cards...

1. First buy a package of 4 x 6 index cards...50 should do ...although at first you may not use all of them. White will do...but if you can find the colored ones they are nice too and can add another level to the cards.

2. On each card ....write a menu plan...I try to have a main dish, side dish, and vegetable at least. So on one card I might write: Spaghetti, Salad, Greenbeans, and Rolls. IF there is a certain recipe for one of the dishes I jot down the location: For example Amish Cookbook, page 68. Here's how the colored cards can bring a new level...put all the chicken based menus on one color, all the ground beef based ones on another color and so on.

3. Once you have made up as many cards as possible...you are ready to Deal Your Menus. Each week shuffle the cards and deal out the number of menus you need. Or if you are not that adventurous...look through the cards and pick out the ones you want for the week.

4. Use the cards to make up your shopping list for the week...or if you are in a big hurry...just tuck them in your purse and take them to the store with you!

Hope you enjoy this menu planning idea...it makes the chore a little more adventurous!