meal-planning {and world peace}

As the mother of 27 children,

meal-planning is essential.

(Ignore my inability to count)

(I'm a little cloudy these days)

(A lot cloudy these days)

I've learned that eating at home is

cheaper than eating out.

Yes, it has taken me close to 25 years

to figure that out.

I used to ride the short bus.

So all this newly-found enlightenment

has taught me to write lists.

Oh, girls...do I write lists.

And, 

I go on wild tangents where I take 

grocery shopping-life by the horns

and show it who's boss.

I can work a shopping cart,

piling that sucker high and wide

with a million kids dangling off of it,

like nobody's business.

And I maintain a perky disposition all the while.

Actually, that last part isn't true.

Not true, whatsoever.

But most of the time, truth be told,

my planning and shopping is completely

whimsical.

I'm forever a free spirit.

However,

lack of planning has kicked me in the booty

more times than I care to count

and I'm done with it.

Done, I say!

So after learning from others' menu-planning

ideas, 

I have decided they know nothing

about what works for me.

Don't even try to get me to nail down

now what I will make three weeks

from this Thursday.

Forgetaboutit.

I'm a free spirit, I told ya.

So I came up with my own plan.

Here's how it goes:

I divided my meal categories into 

four categories:

(Breakfast isn't included because

to me, that's a no-brainer.  There's always

eggs/bread/cereal to eat.

No planning necessary)

(Unless I make breakfast for dinner,

which I've recently put a ban on.

But I can't talk about it, lest I get upset all over again)

Here are my categories:

1.  Easy

This would include things like:

tacos

sandwiches

sloppy joes

You get the idea.

I currently have 11 meals in this category.

Score!

2.  Big

This would be for a couple meals 

a week, like:

cajun chicken pasta

spaghetti and meatballs

fried chicken strips

They're heartier than the Easy meals,

and a more labor-intensive.

But I'm woman enough to handle it.

3.  Once-In-A-While

Let me explain this one in a little more detail.

These are hard-core meals.

Meals that will only be made randomly,

all based on my mood and degree of

generosity I feel towards my family on that given day.

Things such as:

chicken tetrazini 

(which K-Man does not like but everyone

else does...so that's why it's on this list)

salisbury steak

chicken-fried steak fingers

lasagna

4.  Quick Weekend Meals

Here's the deal on this category.

I all too often forget about meals for

the weekend.

I don't know why everyone can't

just be happy with a little spinach salad

and fruit.

But, no.

These people won't settle for that.

But I refuse to spend my entire weekend

in the kitchen.

(Who am I kidding?)

(I am nothing more than a non-paid

cook in a greasy diner).

May I take your order, please?

Here are some of your choices:

quiche

baked potatoes

fried egg sandwiches

ham salad

(that really does sound like a diner

menu, doesn't it? 

Except for the quiche, I suppose)

Anyhow,

all that to say, I now have my extensive

list of meals.

And I am pretty sure I remembered

to buy everything I need for all of them.

And now world peace can finally begin.

Because Lori only has to go 

grocery shopping once a month now.

In theory.

(Hilarious)

My work here is done.

You are welcome.

My tip jar is on the counter.

Feel free to utilize it.