Quick tip - easy grocery shopping

The rule in our house is that when we start running low on something, anything really, it goes on the shopping list. We then buy it when I do the weekly grocery shop.

Kendra is on a special formula that only comes in these tiny cans. It's also very difficult to find as only two stores near us stock it, so we have to be organised about the timing.

At her current rate of eating, we need 6 of these tins every month.

I learned my lesson once when I had to drive to about 4 different places to find her formula!

I'm very strict about not going to the shops except on my designated shopping day (the more I go, the more I spend - is that only me?) so here's how I keep track of when we're running low.

I mark the top of the can with numbers and then I stack the cans with the highest numbers in the front.

When I reach out and finally pull out the can marked 1, I know it needs to go on the shopping list.

Just in case someone else opens the can, I also write last can on the lid so there is absolutely NO confusion about when it needs to go on the list.


How often do you go grocery shopping and do you use a shopping list?

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving to all my US readers! Enjoy your day.

Big project organising - the babies

Whoever thought you just fall pregnant, have a lovely glow and a bump to show off and 9 months later you have babies is sadly mistaken.

that would be me, by the way

Having babies involves serious project management and LOADS of decisions.

• which pram?
  
• which car seats?
• do we want one cot or two?
• who will deliver them?
• at which hospital?
• what about classes to show us what to do?
• what do we buy?
• can you be a minimalist
• how do you sort out the babies' room?
• etc
• etc

The list seriously goes on and on and I've been threatening to do a master to-do list although it felt a bit...I don't know... cold when you think these are BABIES.

Nevertheless, I realised something had to be done because people would ask me things and I'd say "I don't know" or "haven't thought about it yet", which gets old really quickly.

So I caved and used one of my master to-do lists in the Organising Success Pack

And do you know what? It's not as bad as I thought.

There were only 16 items on there.

Which reinforces what I always tell my clients - write it down; it's usually much worse in your head than on paper :)

Do you use master to-do lists? How do you keep tasks on big projects organised in your mind?

This ecourse will take you, step-by-step, from overwhelm to peace and order. There are short lessons and practical steps because I know you already don't have time! You also get a quickstart 60-minute audio to jump-start your progress.

Check it out now

Working your menu plan around your life

Today I thought I'd give you some insight into how I do my menu planning around my weekly appointments.

My first responsibility is always to create a healthy home environment so I like to have a healthy supper prepared and ready to eat by 7pm.

I check the calendar to see when I have appointments in the evenings. I currently have a private platinum client permanently on Mondays, around supper prep time, so Mondays have to be super-quick (like a stir-fry) or freezer food.

If I'm doing teleseminars or group coaching calls, they're usually a little later in the evening, so those don't affect things too much, unless they follow normal coaching calls.

I note down all these appointments, including when we're going out for supper, maybe with friends.

Then I check the freezer to see if there are any ready meals that simply have to be heated. I'll use these on my "busy" days and only then will I have the luxury of "proper" cooking around all my appointments.

And that's how I do it.

How do you decide what to cook?

My menu for the week

Monday
Pasta carbonara

Tuesday
Stir-fried rice and veggies with chicken steaks

Wednesday
Grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and salad

Thursday
Out with friends to an Indian restaurant (Suzanne, I can't wait!)

Friday
Hot dogs and chips

Visit Laura for more menu ideas.

Don't forget to visit on Friday to show off what you declutter this week. The Mr Linky will be up at 12am EST so get ready :)

P.S. Download your free menu planning form and grocery list here :)

Menu plan Monday - 6 October 08

I was having a look through my archives so I thought I'd post links to some of my old posts that could help you in the kitchen.

Easy grocery shopping
Organising your recipes
Tips for organised kitchen counters

And of course, get my menu planning form and grocery list here.

Monday
M - out with the girls :)
D - takeaways (he can't wait to get takeaways since I don't really go for unhealthy food :))

Tuesday
Stirfried veggies and rice with chicken steaks stuffed with spinach (yum!)

Wednesday
Macaroni cheese, salad and garlic rolls

Thursday
Mashed potato, carrots and pineapple chicken

Friday
Wholewheat rolls with meatballs and salad

Saturday
Out with friends

Don't forget to visit on Friday to show off what you declutter this week. The Mr Linky will be up so get ready :)