Ah, dinner.
Adam and I like to cook. And we like to plan our meals out at least a week in advance (that way we can grocery shop efficiently). But you know what we don't like? We really don't like the actual "choosing what to make" part. About every Saturday we start thinking about what we want in the coming week and neither of us wants to think too hard and we'll kind of bat it around for a couple hours (maybe pull out some of our cookbooks maybe not) until one of us just wants to be done with the conversation so they'll just write down the first thing that comes to mind and we're done. Which lends itself to eating a lot of the same thing since the first thing that comes to mind is whatever you just had recently.
This is a problem that needed fixing. Luckily I have a pretty brilliant husband when it comes to the whole "solving of the problems" thing.
We sat down today and typed up every meal we can think of that we like to eat. Then we printed them, cut them and stuck all the strips of paper in a jar.
Then we drew. This is what we'll be eating this week.
What I LOVE about this is it takes away all the stress of choosing. If there's something we want to make that week we can put that on the calendar. If we find a new recipe we like we can add it to the jar. If we draw a meal we don't want to make we can put it back and draw again. But for all those other in between situations where we just don't care we now have a solution. We now look forward to the whole "planning of the meals" thing (who'd have guessed?)!
And if you need a dinner idea for tonight, might I suggest Betty Crocker's Spring Ravioli with Pesto Cream? It's become a recent favorite. (all those vegetables! simple to make! an excuse to use our micro-planer!) (michelle, that was for you) (nat, the colorful picture of food was for you-- who cares how it tastes when the colors are so bright and exciting) (but for the record, it tastes really good) (Rachel S, remember how parenthesis are your favorite punctuation? these are for you) (over and out) (les)
I LOVE drawing from Jars! Great idea. That's what Nick and I do! Keeps life exciting and surprising :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great solution! We should try that, as we often encounter the same problem.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a fabulous grater. After literally years of pining, I received a Microplane for Christmas this year. Grating has never been better!
Wow, that is amazing. Here I am with a pen and paper in front of me trying to come up with a meal list for the next week, and here you are with a fabulous idea! I am totally going to do this tonight. thank you thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, I have the same problem on Sunday nights when I know I have to go grocery shopping and I had better get to it. I will have to try that!
ReplyDeleteThis is really a good idea! I hate to come up with a meal plan for the week and that way it takes out the hardest part menu planning!
ReplyDeleteYOU ARE GENIUS!!! HAHA....I was just writing out my meals for the week and I was having a very difficult time deciding what to make this week.....I also like to do the week thing so I don't spend too much money! This is a perfect idea and I am DEFINITELY going to use it!! Thanks a bunch!!
ReplyDeleteHa! I appreciate the shout out! I wish I had a microplaner...
ReplyDeleteyou are so funny. you are so creative. you are what every woman should be. and you're really good at shout outs.
ReplyDeleteten-four good buddy.
Great idea. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best idea. I dread putting together a dinner plan. This will solve all of my problems. Well maybe not all but it's a start. :)
ReplyDeleteYour dinners looks so super yummy!! You guys are a good team! Thats what me and bry like to call ourselves. we make lots of dinners together! Such a fun idea to just pick out of a jar!! You and adam are GENIUS!!
ReplyDeleteI love that idea! I'm for sure going to try it. Thanks!
ReplyDelete