| So many times people ask, "I just don't know | | | | entrees with sides, it would take roughly one |
| what to cook anymore." This is not unusual | | | | hour of your time each week. Perhaps you |
| for it is common for all of us to prepare the | | | | already are a planner and have on your |
| same meals over and over; it's just easier, | | | | schedule when to workout at the gym, take the |
| isn't it? In fact, many times the reason for | | | | kids to their activities etc. Making the |
| preparing repetitive meals is because that's | | | | time on your calendar to plan meals will |
| all your family and friends will eat. | | | | reward you with less stress and healthier |
| However, if we keep feeding people the same | | | | meal choices. Knowing ahead of time what you |
| flavors and foods over and over, our taste | | | | will be eating can take that last minute |
| buds never get to experience other delightful | | | | "What's for dinner?" pressure off. Think |
| flavors in the culinary world. We eventually | | | | about the times you sit around waiting for |
| end up in what I call the "Recipe Rut." | | | | something. This may be a good time to peruse |
| | | | a new cookbook or magazine. As a personal |
| Recipe Rut usually starts when you first | | | | chef, I have to spend time planning many |
| begin homemaking. That is, you've bought | | | | weekly menus for clients. This practice has |
| your first house or rented your first | | | | made it much easier to get me through my |
| apartment. You now have your very own | | | | weekly meal planning as well. |
| kitchen to play in and so you go and | | | | |
| experiment with recipes to please those you | | | | Another way to help you get out of eating the |
| love. Over time you collect a few favorite | | | | same things is to be sure you have a |
| recipes that are memorized and therefore do | | | | well-stocked pantry. An organized pantry and |
| not require any serious planning. Then, of | | | | a shopping list shortens the time it takes at |
| course, the job becomes more demanding, we | | | | the grocery store so you can be on your way |
| take on more responsibilities and we just | | | | to a world of interesting meals. As you |
| don't have time to be creative in the kitchen | | | | become more in tune with various ingredients, |
| anymore. Food becomes simplified and | | | | having them on hand can make putting dinner |
| repetitive out of necessity and the pleasure | | | | together a snap as you will do your |
| of eating is reduced to those recipes that we | | | | "shopping" in your pantry and not at the |
| were able to keep in our memory banks. | | | | grocery store! |
| | | | |
| Now don't think that cooking your favorite | | | | Every pantry should include basic items so |
| foods is a bad thing. It isn't. This is how | | | | that you don't have to buy them each time. A |
| food traditions are created and fabulous | | | | typical list of pantry items will vary |
| recipes are tweaked and passed along to | | | | depending upon your style of cooking. |
| future generations. Why, without cooking the | | | | However, there are many basic spices, oils |
| same thing twice, we really can't decide if | | | | and condiments that all pantries should |
| it's a keeper. So we really should have a | | | | include. These pantry lists abound on |
| recipe repertoire of family favorite dishes. | | | | various cooking sites and magazines. There |
| However, if you've decided that you're | | | | are even magazines that provide shopping |
| sliding into the Recipe Rut, you may want to | | | | lists for the recipes that month. That |
| spend just a little of your free time | | | | should make it real simple, right? |
| learning something new; even if it's just one | | | | |
| new recipe. | | | | Planning you meals will be the biggest hurdle |
| | | | to get over. But once you start doing it, |
| There is a plethora of resources for new and | | | | you will begin to find it interesting and |
| exciting recipes either on the internet, in | | | | motivating to come up with new recipe ideas. |
| magazines or in your local bookstore. But | | | | There are tools out there that can help you. |
| finding new and interesting recipes isn't | | | | PC Software programs that help you manage |
| always the most difficult part of getting out | | | | your recipes and shopping lists as well as |
| of Recipe Rut. The real challenge is being | | | | internet sites with planning tools. To learn |
| organized and planning meals ahead of time so | | | | more, search for "meal planning" on the |
| that creating new and exciting dishes isn't | | | | internet and you will find there is an |
| such a chore. | | | | abundance of tools that can help you get |
| | | | organized and out of your Recipe Rut. |
| To put together a weekly meal, that is, 5 | | | | |