Why I Meal Plan & How My Method is Different--Announcing My FREE Meal Planning Course!

© T.B. Cooper

​Why do I meal plan? The correct answer: Because I'm crazy – 100% crazy… But, also 100%-- genius.

No – I'm not implying that Meal Planning is my idea. In fact, no one knows whose idea it really originally was.

No one. Don't let anyone tell you differently and claim it. Just because it is more popular now (or appears to be because of the great Internet and Social Media Web we live in), does not mean someone – now – created it.

My grandmother, who ended up being a widowed mother of six in rural China, during World War II, used to feed and provide for her family by making Ready-to-Eat Meals for the lumberjacks, railroad workers, and many others, near her village.
So, I know, Meal Planning/Portioning/Prepping is nothing new.

But – I'm getting off track. This is about me.
Me.
Me.
Me.

So, me, why do I Meal Plan – really?

Well, if you haven't figured it out yet,
I live a Precariously Balanced Life.
Now, that's not just my cleverly named blog, or a catchy slogan – but really it's a carefully thought out wording to describe how I maintain my sanity – stated as briefly as possible…
Since I tend to be long winded!

I am many things. I wear many hats, many masks of identity… If I do not try my hardest to plan and organize my life – I go crazy – fast!

Not only do I maintain a daily schedule, but I also plan out "my life"
​a year in advance.

Sounds amazing, huh?

Yeah – it looks good on paper, too.

But the execution is still excruciatingly challenging.

Over the years, however, I have managed to perfect some aspects, to which they now are just part of my natural awesomeness…
One (which to me was the most important) – was Budgeting. Two – Is Meal Planning.

I love cooking. And baking. And eating. But I have nine people in my home. That's a small army, since all but one, are over 14. Do you have any idea how long it takes to cook an army (okay, committee) – sized meal, every day, if you don't Meal Plan/Prep? Usually an hour to an hour and a half – or more, and sometimes even longer. Of course, I'm usually doing laundry and other crap during that time, but still…

I know most people do not have time for that.

​I certainly, do not.
Not since I decided to be:

A Farmer – which includes Aquaponics(for fish & veggies), livestock(for fleece, milk, meat, eggs, skins), growing fodder(enough to replace one bale of hay – out of 4/day), Plus everything else like caring for the horses and donkey, fixing pens, growing all kinds of trees, attempting to garden, composting,
etc. etc. etc.

A Teacher – three kids are finally done with school(Yay!) Now they are moving on to their chosen professions: a Chef, A Cosmetologist/Nursing Home Manager, and a Writer. Two kids left to go: another Writer with an interest in Directing, and of course my Kindergarten Grand-baby.

An Author – with three pen names, three Facebook pages, four active blogs +500,000 characters/voices yelling at me,
​24 hours/day.

An Artist – crafting, painting… when I have time!

So I'm pretty damn busy…

Hence, Meal Planning/Prepping. 

I won't bother discussing my beginnings of figuring everything out, other than to say I've obviously done enough research to get (some) tips – but also to say that as I continue this series (yes, it will be a series – this is way too much to cover in one or two articles), you will totally see that my way, is completely different from ANY OTHER METHOD out there.

I'm NOT SAYING MY WAY IS BETTER.
I am ONLY saying, my way works for me & mine.

Okay,
*There are some elements that are the same.
*There are some recipes that I liked, and use (although I've altered them – like I usually do).
*And I will provide you with a calendar and grocery list/menu – as do most of the other Meal Planners out there (usually).

But that's pretty much where the similarities stop.

Yes, my description/instructions may drag on– for–ever… But you'll see the actual method and process, is so breathtakingly simple, plus, it saves loads of time!

How much?

Well, every month, my mother and I spend 2 to 3 days Meal Prepping, for anywhere between 2 to 4 hours. Two of my daughters pitch in for one task each, which, because they're young, usually takes them about an hour or two to complete.

And that's it.

Yup.

When it's time to cook (dinner) I spend >maybe< 30 minutes… but usually it's more like 15 (sometimes even less). Yes, that's 15 minutes "cooking," meaning 15 minutes I am in the kitchen "cooking."

IT DOES NOT MEAN dinner is READY in 15 minutes... no, that's usually in about 45 minutes to an hour later. But time spent fixing stuff in a pot, skillet, oven etc.… where I'm actually physically "cooking," is really only 15 minutes.

Well, doesn't that sound just like everyone else's Meal Plans? Time-wise – sure. But, the meals are different, the options are different… The whole damn thing--is different.

And my family – NEVER EATS the same thing twice in a month. NEVER. 
And we used to, but don't anymore--have a "Fend for Yourself Night."

I "cook" breakfast 4x a week.

Only breakfast on weekends, do I spend an hour or so cooking – because I choose to. I love having Saturday waffles or pancakes, and Sunday brunch casseroles… Even if the casseroles are done & frozen and ready to take out & cook, Saturday night or Sunday morning. The other two breakfasts I cook? Muffins. Homemade – different each time. And when I don't have time to make breakfast? Well, I always make extra, and freeze them – extra pancakes, waffles, French toast, AND muffins.

Some months I find I've prepped so much the previous two or three months prior, that I have very little (this month) to prep.

And lunch--I NEVER cook. And sandwiches are on the menu only once a week.

I budget our meals to the penny, and always have enough for two breakfasts, and two dinners, for when my family (an extra seven mouths) come over for the weekend – once a month. 
​
How? I'm that good. (Huge Sarcastic Smiley Face)LOL

Truthfully? – trial and error, and an unwavering determination to figure it out and succeed, no matter what.

​I've been asked to share this knowledge with some – but I prefer to do this as a "course" of sorts that is available to everyone,
so that folks can refer to it, whenever they need to.

I hope you'll enjoy this "Meal Planning Course." It is FREE. And will remain FREE. I will provide printables, lists, recipes, tips… And I will gladly answer whatever questions you may have. 

**WITH ONE EXCEPTION: I will not be sharing my finances/receipts. This Information is again, FREE, so therefore I am offering My Way of doing this, as a courtesy and as a coaching type of guidance. You, yourself, are responsible for your own financial situation & budget. I will not offer financial advice for your situation, nor will I answer questions about mine. Sorry. I just prefer to not talk about some subjects, publicly. Finances, Religion, and Political Candidates/Issues are on the more sensitive side of that spectrum.... However, I will explain part of how I budget my Meal Planning, which applies to when I make my grocery list, which you'll be able to use in principle for your own plan.

But ANYWAY--I do plan on adding at least three lessons/printables/content each month, until I've taught you all I can.
​I'd like to help you get "good" at this – as quickly as possible, so we'll see what happens...

First up – grab yourself a Clear-view Binder (1 to 3 inches wide – your preference) and some tab dividers thingies
​(I would suggest at least 12--for the 12 months)… Then print out the Cover Sheet and Spine Label (below),
​and meet me back here on Sunday!

mealplanningbindercover_tbcooper.pdf
File Size:	28 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

mealplanningbinderspine_tbcooper.pdf
File Size:	21 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

Also, I've decided to add an option to my "Newsletter" sign-up Section... If you'd like to receive updates to the Meal Planning Section, ONLY, you may simply select that box on the form, and I will send you those updates!
Thanks for stopping by, and feel free to tell your friends or share this...