Do you plan what you cook?
By red_amethyst
@red_amethyst (3518)
Philippines
November 23, 2011 3:29pm CST
Are you the one cooking at your home? Do you plan for the food that you will cook for the week or you just go to a day to day basis? Do you try to cook different food each day for the whole week?
As for me, I am the one cooking at home. And I do it on a day to day basis if I wasn't able to do a grocery shopping. Since, there is a nearby wet market here in our place, I would just buy the food that I will cook for lunch and dinner in the morning, together with the food that I will cook for breakfast the next day. Since, I wake up early in the morning and most stores are not open yet, so it's better for me to have the things that I need for our breakfast.
Thanks for responding and happy mylotting!
4 people like this
25 responses
@janevi (888)
• Philippines
24 Nov 11
I usually do the meal planning weekly. It is a big hep in budgetting and at the same time not repeating the same menu within the week.
Cooking is leisure for me. I make it a point that i enjoy while cooking so I have to plan what i have to cook. I save time thinking what to buy and what to cook.
I do the meal planning for a month but on a weekly basis. I only repeat the same menu twice a month. It's fun. I can express my creativity in cooking delightful food like cakes and pastries, and experiment on new menus.
Last week I experimented on pesto pasta with with nuts and with added some modifications. It was a hit at meal time. Most who have eaten said it was their first time to taste it with that simple toppings of sauteed mushroom and tuna.
You can actually economize when you plan you meal like time, money, wastage.So i make it a habit to plan our meals at home.
1 person likes this
@red_amethyst (3518)
• Philippines
26 Nov 11
Hello janevi,
Thank you for your wonderful response. I am inspired to cook more and try different menu. I am the one cooking at home also but I usually repeat my menu once a week as I don't know many food. I would just search the internet for new recipe. I do hope I can be as creative as you. Have fun with your cooking! 
@lexx87 (1707)
• Mexico
24 Nov 11
im always planning to cook, or i always want my salad and my pasta with my meat the basics to eat in general food , but I always try to plan days ago my food or the food for the week. I really love to plan my food for whole week , and check my money or what i have to buy for whole week .
1 person likes this
@red_amethyst (3518)
• Philippines
26 Nov 11
Hello lexx,
Looks like you really want to plan ahead of time. It's a smart move so you can budget your money within the week. And you don't have to run to the store if you need something. Thanks for your response and have fun mylotting.
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
23 Nov 11
We also plan our meals on a daily basis, especially for our breakfast. Actually, a day before. Almost all of us have to leave the house early either for work or school so as not to be pressed for time, we give instructions to our housekeeper what meal to prepare the night before. We do this also in order for us to stay within budget. We do our grocery weekly so planning our meals is quite important.
1 person likes this
@red_amethyst (3518)
• Philippines
26 Nov 11
Hello beamer, it's right that we have to plan for the breakfast the next day so we won't rush especially if we need to buy something. Just like me wherein I need to wake up early to prepare our breakfast so it would be a hassle if I have to go out. Budgeting is another factor to consider. Thank your for your response and have fun mylotting.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
23 Nov 11
I don't plan anymore. I did when my daughter was a kid and I had a family.. but now that I live with my daughter and her hubby i don't plan anything. Mostly we just get what we want to fix something different.. like one might want a frozen pizza and I might want a can of soup... I cook about twice a month and my daughter cooks about once a week and the rest of the time we eat whatever we feel like eating. My son in law is a bit fussy, so rather than trying to please everyone I let everyone fend for themselves.
1 person likes this
@red_amethyst (3518)
• Philippines
26 Nov 11
Hello PointlessQuestions, I think its okay that you no longer plan for the food that you eat as your daughter is big enough already and your son in law is with you also. So they can take care of themselves and you can take care of yourself. Take care and have fun mylotting red_amethyst
@Rosa26 (2618)
• United States
23 Nov 11
No I don't plan the cook I just go on Fridays to shop with husband and buy all what we will need for don't make a plan for each day.
As a matter of fact it irritates me a lot when husband ask me what are you going to do for dinner or lunch, and I don't have any idea so I get mut.
But I think is a good idea to have a weekely plan of cooking so I can feel more comfortable about what to answer to husband.
1 person likes this
@red_amethyst (3518)
• Philippines
26 Nov 11
I know how you feel Rosa, my son and husband would often ask me what would be the food for lunch. Sometimes, my son would ask me what are we going to eat for tomorrow and it irritates me and I feel pressured because I don't feel like thinking the food for tomorrow. Thanks for the response!
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
30 Nov 11
I don't think my mom plan her meals one week in advance.. haha 
That's way too far ahead. At most she would only plan one day ahead, if not she would be deciding on the day itself.. haha 
Cooking is not easy because of the same ingredients, yet she has to come up with different cooking methods, which is a hassle, when it's only a simply meal at home.. hehe 
We dun mind simple food as long as there's something to eat.. haha
That's way too far ahead. At most she would only plan one day ahead, if not she would be deciding on the day itself.. haha Cooking is not easy because of the same ingredients, yet she has to come up with different cooking methods, which is a hassle, when it's only a simply meal at home.. hehe We dun mind simple food as long as there's something to eat.. haha
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
27 Nov 11
When I was a working mother of 2 I kind of did. I'd just list what I was "out" of and then just go to the grocery every week and buy what was on sale. Then Id organize meals once home with what I'd bought. Worked very well.
Now, just me and husband...we only go about once a month and get things! Often it is cheaper to just eat out! One meal lasts us all day with a snack at night!
But I say...making a list and buying only what is on that list for budget reasons...is really stupid. WHy buy chicken this week at $3 a pound when hamburger is only $1 a pound, but since chicken is on your list, and hamburger isn't, you aren't supposed to buy it! That's why I say...just go buy what's on sale and then plan your meals based on that once you get home. Easier too!
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
4 Dec 11
Re-read my comment. I never said people that make a market list are stupid. I said, not buying some thing because it is not on your market list is stupid. Restaurant owners, chefs etc...they have reason to buy things not on sale...but we aren't talking about them. We are talking about regular people. Regular moms who have a budget, know that you can't buy just what's on your list...you buy what is on sale. We regular moms can't afford to buy whatever we want.
I said to buy just what is on your list intending to save is stupid. What is on your list might not be on sale this week and we all know that regular price is more expensive than "on sale" price.
If you go to the produce isle..buy what's on sale and when you get home, as you are washing it and putting it away, you will not on ly remember what you have, but you will mentally start planning the menu for what to make with which fresh stuff and for which night.
Again... I NEVER said people that make a market list are stupid. I only said if you are intending to save..it is stupid to buy only what is on your list.
If you are talking about making lists....I think that people that make lists are smart...why try to remember all that if you don't have to? Write it down. I myself am a "list person". I have lists for everything...even things to do as I sit here at my computer. Make a list of some things that you might forget cause you don't buy them often. Put things you have coupons for on your list. I think lists are the perfect way to get things done in lift...especially when you have so much to do.
@pepai123456 (879)
• Philippines
27 Nov 11
that is not what we meant sweetie =) about the "making a market list" I don't think its stupid. If its stupid then restaurant owners, chefs, culinary students, regular moms are stupid then? hmm I don't think so...
Imagine if you don't have a market list and you will just grab any random "fresh produce" you see and don't know what you will do with it, and after buying it you will stock it in the fridge, and after a few weeks seen it rooting in the fridge eh? Isn't that wasting money...
Off course you will not hesitate to buy the hamburger because its ready to eat or ready to fry(if your talking about the fresh patties) and its cheap, but how about the random "fresh stuff" you picked? what will you do with it if you haven't planned ahead on what to cook with it.
I'm not trying to be mean but saying that people who make "market list" is a bit stupid, for our part it is a bit offensive.Im also not saying that we shouldn't buy what we see is cheaper than whats in out list. Go on buy it.
you have your ways and we have our own ways. soo ... no need to say its "REALLY STUPID"
have a great day =)
@pepai123456 (879)
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
I understand what you meant about some items on the list are out of stock,but i guess the country that we live in also imparts a great change on how we buy stuff on the produce isle.We don't experience seasonal change so the vegetables are usually the same year round(don't worry there are a lot of weird vegetable and fruit so we don't get bored hehe).
I also mentioned Regular moms because they will really make market list(some) as well as chefs and restaurant owners.And i think our mothers are the very influence why chefs and restaurant owners make list as well(because mom will never forget what to buy if she has one).
I think i over reacted about the "stupid thingy" because we make list and its very stressful sometimes and Im sorry for the over reaction.
we buy those stuff that are on sale they are great and they can sometimes replace the one that is on the list (last week my mother bought 4 cup noodles for just P9.00 each normally it would be P20.00 each).
Again Im sorry for being so defensive
have a great day =3!
@dodo19 (47120)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
10 Dec 11
My husband and I don't usually plan my meals in advance for the week. We usually just plan our meals as we go along. We probably should plan our meals for the week. It would make things easier for us, but it's a little difficult for us to do us, for one reason or another.
@Anne18 (11029)
•
26 Nov 11
Sometimes I plan for a whole week, am trying hard to od that at the moment and put the menu up in the kitchen. I do get fed up trying to choose meals to cook so I am now letting everyone choose a meal that they would like and then cooking it, the children think this is fun and are now choosing a pudding each as well. Does make my life slightly easier as I only have to choose three meals to cook.
Other times I have just decided in the morning or the day before what to cook. I do enjoy cooking for others but I rarely eat what I cook for the family.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
24 Nov 11
this day we are celebrating thanksgiving here.Happy Thanksgiving all my friends and family. Im truely thankful for Gods gift of my beautiful loving daughter here that got up at 3AM when my son went to work so she would have all ready by 10 am when he got home. Turkey, stuffing, mashed taters, gravy, casserole, pies, rolls and hard telling what im forgetting, but its all perfect yummy! 
@nezavisima (7408)
• Bulgaria
23 Nov 11
I do not plan what to cook.
I decide today that example and closure.
then the next day to think about what to eat.
it is very difficult with this cooking something new every day different and sometimes longer we remain preliminary.
interesting discussion.
nice day!
@red_amethyst (3518)
• Philippines
26 Nov 11
Hello nezavisima,
I really think its quite difficult to cook something new each day for a week that's why sometimes I would look for recipes over the internet. It is helpful sometimes because I get ideas. Thank you for sharing.
Take care and have fun mylotting red_amethyst
@pepai123456 (879)
• Philippines
27 Nov 11
My mom would make a market list to avoid buying things that isn't needed, and she will buy things that will go together, like this meat will go with this vegetable and spices or this fish will be grilled so i need this and that, so she will not waste too much money on buying things that will just rot in the fridge.
As a Hotel and Restaurant management student we are taught to make and plan a menu day ahead, Make a market list, Budgeting and Cost control, Decide who will be the Head Cook,Assistant cook, Prep cook, Utility(dishwasher), and clean the whole mess after everything is done.Its too hard to apply in simple house kitchen =)...
@thewonderboy (7501)
• India
4 Dec 11
We do not have any planning on what we cook. We just buy some vegetables from market on each week and prepare some food. I usually cooks food well and my father and mother likes to have those. So I used to make any dishes with what we have.
What about you guys ?
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
24 Nov 11
I do all of the cooking and home and I do create a weekly menu. I usually do it on Wednesday after I receive the sales circulars and I try to create a meal plan from the products that are on sale. We recently began a vegetarian lifestyle so it is a little more challenging because of the short shelf life of produce.
@shanemae (1025)
• Philippines
24 Nov 11
when we didn't have yet any hose helper i do the cooking but now that we have one then i do not do the cooking.
i plan sometimes what i would cook say for example in a week.
i do that to save energy and money.
it's tiring when you go to market everyday although it has some advantages like goods are fresh when bought prior to cooking.
but it's impractical if the market is a vehicle away from home.
so i do plan sometimes but sometimes i don't specially when i feel like eating this dish. so i go to the market and buy the stuffs i need for the dish.
i plan sometimes what i would cook say for example in a week.
i do that to save energy and money.
it's tiring when you go to market everyday although it has some advantages like goods are fresh when bought prior to cooking.
but it's impractical if the market is a vehicle away from home.
so i do plan sometimes but sometimes i don't specially when i feel like eating this dish. so i go to the market and buy the stuffs i need for the dish. @Nero66u (32)
• Finland
24 Nov 11
I usually plan cooking with my husband. We eat one warm meal(dinner) around 4:00-5:00 PM when both have come from work. During busy weeks I cook on Sunday and we eat same food to the Friday and my husband cooks Saturday and I cook again Sunday to next week's menu food. :)
@bashabasha (400)
• Philippines
24 Nov 11
yes sometimes. when I'm assign in the kitchen. I usually make a list and list all the preparation a day before I start to cook. I'm not a good cook thats why i make a plan to make it right. hehe. I love cooking but I'm still learning for that.
