This easy to use meal planning app is perfect for beginners or a seasoned chef. Check out this step-by-step tutorial on how use this app for easy meal planning.
How do I start meal planning for my family?
If you are anything like me you have tried to meal plan but every time you start, it doesn’t last long. Is it just me?! I have a feeling I’m not alone.
I have finally found what works for me, and I think it will be a game changer for you too! This amazing new tool I have found is an app and website called Plan to Eat.
I typically just use the app, but I do find it easier to use my computer when I want to print out my shopping list or if I want to add a lot of new recipes.
How do I save time and money?
While it is true, meal planning will take some up front investing of your time, the reward is far worth it. Let’s say you spend 1 hour every Saturday (or whatever day you choose) planning your meals for the next week. That’s only a little over 8 minutes per day. If you wait and try to plan your meal the day of, I can almost guarantee it will take more than 8 mins. Not to mention you might have to make a trip to the grocery store to pick up any ingredients you don’t have.
With meal planning not only will you save yourself more time over the course of the week, but you will save money by buying the ingredients you will need and not getting something that might go to waste. Meals can be planned out strategically to make the most of your ingredients.
For example, when I want to make chicken Alfredo, I use heavy whipping cream. Unfortunately, I don’t need the whole container. If I planned ahead, I will make another recipe that also calls for heavy whipping cream. This applies to many different situations, but you can see how this will save you money.
How do I plan my meals for the week?
- Start by downloading the Plan to Eat app in your app store.
- Create a free account. No credit card is needed until your 14 day free trial is over.
- Start adding recipes to your recipe box using recipes online or from your own kitchen.
- Add meals from your recipe box to your meal planning calendar.
- Grab your pre-made grocery list created by plan to eat.
- Head to the store!
Check out my step-by-step tutorial on how to use Plan to Eat
Using a meal planning app to organize your recipes
They have an “add recipe” button you can add to your bookmarks bar that makes this a breeze.
Add this button to your bookmarks bar on your computer by going to the top right corner, clicking on the question mark, then click on “Get the recipe clipper.” After clicking, you will follow the instructions and simply drag and drop the bottom labeled, ” Add to PTE,” to your bookmarks bar.
You can add a recipe from ANY website. Head on over to a website with a favorite recipe and click the “Add to PTE” button. It will automatically pull all of the recipe information for you, even a photo to include! Click the save button to add to your Plant to Eat recipe box.
You can also add any recipe that you personally have. Something like that perfect cornbread recipe passed down from your grandma.
Once you add the majority of the recipes you like to use, the initial hard part is done. Now you have all your go to recipes in one place with you at all times.
Ever been at the store and realized you wanted to make a certain dessert but can’t remember the ingredients? Check your app.
At a party and everyone wants your new dip recipe? Share it with your app.
Sitting in bed and want to plan your meals? Use your app.
How to make a weekly meal plan?
Now, each week, you will just add the recipes from your “recipe box” to your calendar.
You can add breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks. Personally I just use it for dinner because we eat leftovers for lunch and I never cook a big breakfast except on occasion.
In addition, I do like to add notes on days that we might be eating leftovers, or going out to eat that night. It keeps me from questioning what we are eating and makes preparing for meals so much easier.
To add a recipe to your meal plan using the computer it is as simple as dragging and dropping onto the day you plan to make it. However, if you are using the app, you will go to the recipe you want to make, click on the three dots in the corner, and select add to planner.
How do I make a meal planning shopping list?
Once you make your meal plan, THE APP makes your grocery list for you!!! It is the most convenient aspect of this app in my opinion. It will add everything from all your recipes to your list.
Of course, you’ll probably have many of the things in your cabinets, pantry or refrigerator, but it’s as simple as checking all the items you already have and clicking delete, and they are removed from your list with only the things you need remaining. You can also add any other items that are not recipe specific but you want to have them on your list.
As if that isn’t good enough, it also groups all of your list items by location in the store! All dairy is grouped together, all produce, all canned goods, all meat, etc. This alone will save you so much time at the grocery store!
Another wonderful thing about plan to eat is you get 14 days to try it out for free! You don’t even have to put in any payment information. So if you decide it’s not for you, you don’t have anything to cancel. Let’s be honest though, you’ll probably love it! If you decide you want to try it out go ahead and use my link and if you decide to sign up you will save 20% off your first year!
Oh, and if you join you will have access to all of my recipes I already have added into my “recipe box!” Come back and let me know what you think of the meal planning app, Plan to Eat! I’d love to know how it works for you!
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Planning makes life so much easier!
You might also enjoy checking out my FREE realistic cleaning schedule checklist printable!
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