Everybody does it!

I know I do it and my mother does it! In fact, I think most people do it when they are planning big events like birthday parties, year end functions, just about any event where you will have 10 or more people in attendance. Restaurants do it or they go out of business!

I am so excited. This Sunday is the first Menu Planning Workshop! Everything is coming together nicely. The venue is a little larger than I remembered it but still, it’s going to be a great morning.

Search through the internet and you find that just about every diet known, gives you a ‘quick start’ meal plan or a ‘7 day’ meal plan. If you are a calorie counter, you need to plan your calorie intake for the day. If you are on weigh less or weight watchers, you need to plan your exchanges.

In Sunday’s workshop I will be sharing with everyone how easy it is to do this.

When I started planning this workshop, I asked this question on a few Facebook groups. Why do people not meal or menu plan and the number one response was that it was difficult to meal plan if you have fussy eaters. While I can’t tell you how to cure fussy eaters, I do have some great tips that will work well in reducing this problem.

Menu planning has made a difference to my budget and to my waistline. My kids are often excited when they see something listed on the weekly menu and they look forward to that night.

I recently wrote that I had not done a big shop in 6 weeks. It is now 7 weeks and I have only been able to do this because of menu planning.

Menu plan must also be flexible and I will be sharing ideas on how to make this work for you as well as being able to incorporate specials that come up, either at the vegetable stores, or from your butcher.

If you are the kind of person who would like to cook in bulk and freeze, then menu planning is going to be your new best friend.

If you love cooking, menu planning is a great way to incorporate learning new recipes and introducing them to your family.

For working moms, menu planning is the best way to plan your time and decide on slow cooker recipes so that dinner is ready when you get home. Or, if you prefer, plan something that will only take a few minutes to put together.

For stay at home moms, menu planning will help you get ready for dinner because you will be able to use your in- between times to do some food prep. When it is time for dinner you can throw this fantastic meal together in minutes (no one needs to know it took the whole day)!

I have always liked the idea of meal and menu planning but 6 months ago it became a passion for me and one I can’t wait to share with everyone!

Looking forward to Sunday morning and I have some great tools that are part of the workshop.

The workshop will be held in the Club House at Elphin Lodge, 222 Modderfontein Road, Lyndhurst. (opposite the National Health Laboratories)