Menu Planning | Ranting, Laughing, Crying

My 2010 New Years Resolution was to start menu planning at least 2 weeks at a time. HA! RIGHT..... menu planning...... I'll get right on that train. So, yes, I have spent a ridiculous amount of time reading blogs like simplemom.net on how to properly and successfully menu plan. To be honest, I was hooked, ready, motivated.... and I got as far as writing 2 days worth of menus in a notebook. Huh, why am I not following through? Maybe it is because my boring blue notebook isn't screaming "fun menu planning", so alas, I gave in and purchased a fun and sassy notebook, knowing that this is all I would need to be successful. Let's just say, I got to 3 days worth of magic menus before throwing my pen down and reverting to staring into the abyss of my pantry searching for the perfect thing to make for dinner. 

Fast-forward to this evening, April 12, 2011, and still no menu plan, UGH. I call my best friend and plead with her "WHAT THE FRENCH TOAST am I gonna' make for  dinner?" She laughs and says I don't know. Ah, back to square one. I reluctantly find a plethora of ingredients and craft a dinner anyone one would be proud of, but only after wasting 4 hours of my life contemplating what to make. There must be a better way....


That is when my prayers are answered {insert angels singing here} I was perusing online recipes when I stumbled upon Allrecipes.com menu planner! OMG it only took me HOW LONG to find the ultimate menu planning tool on the planet! WOOHOO! As someone who already stores personal recipes online, this has got to be the easiest transition EVER. 


So yes, I have spent the last 2 hours entering recipes into my new profile. But, it is SO WORTH IT! All I have to do is click on: new menu, select my recipes I want to make for the week, and voile!! my menu is planned perfectly and my grocery list is ready for me to take to the store! How can it get easier than that? Oh and the other top selling point? $22.95 for a 2 year subscription. Sign me up baby!


I really think I hit the jackpot on this one, and I pray that starting next week, my hours pondering meals will be zilch!