cooking/meal planning
THE PLAN:
I have been planning my meals this way for at least two years and it really does make it so much easier. I try to cook 5 meals a week and this is an easy way to manage it.
1. Compile recipes: It helps to have a good stash of recipes…ones that you feel comfortable making and ideally that everyone will eat. I rely on my Pinterest board and a couple handy recipe books.
2. Plan meals once a week: On Sundays I sit down and plan our meals for the week. I look at our calendar to see how many nights we will be home, which is typically 5, and plan for that plus one night of leftovers. The extra night is left for eating out or cereal 🙂
3. Write a menu & shopping list: As I plan our menu I assign a meal to each night. This helps because then it is easy to plan when to use leftover salad or to see which night might be busy, hence needing a quick/crockpot meal. And as I write the menu I assess our pantry and make my shopping list.
*Tip: I try to multitask as mush as I can. For example, chopping veggies for all the recipes at once.
I tend to only chose recipes that have 10 ingredients or less and/or can be prepped in less than 20 minutes.
To see my favorites check out my “Recipes” board.
THE PLAN:
I calculated that with this plan I only choose outfits 40 times instead of 200!
1. Buy 5 hangers with clamps/child: The clamps will help wrangle individual pieces like socks.
2. Check the weather for the week: This helps quickly assess which days require an extra layer, rain coat or that school spirit shirt.
3. Lay out clothes on Sundays: We sit down each Sunday and choose 5 outfits for the week. The boys help me pick complete outfits and we hang everything on a hanger. Then the hangers go on a command hook inside their closet door.
See my original post with more photos, here.
THE PLAN:
I am not a morning person and probably never will be so I am all for things that make the routine more bearable. I have also made a resolution to wash my hair less so this helps with that too!
1. Living Proof shampoo/conditioner: I love these hair products! Since I started using them I am able to go 1 or 2 days between washing. I like the Restore and PHD lines the best.
2. Living Proof Restore repair cream: I use the Restore cream to smooth out dry and split ends. I have really fine hair and this cream is light enough that I can rub it on my dry hair without it weighing it down.
3. DryBar Detox dry shampoo: on the days I don’t wash my hair I spritz this dry shampoo on the roots around my face. It immediately soaks up any oil. I have tried others in the past and hated the smell but this one is really fresh and light.
4. Bare Minerals powder: I am by NO means a make up aficionado but I have found that a good powder really does make a difference. I love this one by Bare Minerals because it leaves a smooth finish and my other make up goes on so much better over it. And the brush was worth the splurge for the even coverage.
5. Benefit Brow Kit: I feel like powder, a sweep of blush, and mascara are the basics for running out the door. I have also recently been converted to the joys of a brow kit. Filling in my brows and giving just that subtle definition makes me feel much more “done”.
6. Go-to jewelry: I love a statement necklace or fun pair of earrings for a night out but realistically I am usually just grabbing something so it at least looks like I tried! It helps to have a go-to pair of earrings, a fun ring, and neutral bracelets that match everything!
I am constantly tweaking things and finding new ways to make things more manageable around here. I would love to hear your tips and tricks on how you make your life a little less hectic. Share in the comments below or over on my Facebook page!
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Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
I've been thinking I need to implement a clothes choice system for my girls – lately it takes forever to get them dressed in the mornings and it drives me crazy!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
This system really has worked wonders for us. They still get a say in what they wear but we only haggle once a week and it's done on Sunday afternoon instead of the early dark mornings!
Claire Brody says
uggghghgh i want nice beauty stuff. Love how on top of 2016 you are!!!