I'll be the first to admit that I'm horrible about meal planning. Thirty minutes before dinner, I find myself in a panic defrosting meat I forgot to thaw, or rushing out to pick up an ingredient that slipped my mind. You know what I think would help those of us who are challenged by meal planning? Having the week planned out, written down, and right before your eyes, and in a way that looks good, too!. That's where these chalkboards come in. Check out the inspiration and tell me this wouldn't help you to stay on top of the meal planning at your house!:
1. My particular favorite is the first example shown above, from WhipperBerry. It's a chalkboard surface painted onto the side of a china cabinet. I love how it only slightly contrasts with the black finish on the cabinet. Its presence is subtle; it's there, but not in-your-face.
2. The same can be said for the second example, from Coupon Connections. This chalkboard is actually painted on the inside of an upper cabinet door, so it's readily accessible without taking over your kitchen's decor.
3. For something a little less permanent, there is always the option of a free-standing chalkboard propped up in a handy location of the house, like this one from Southern Hospitality.
4. Etsy shop In Order 2 Organize takes the meal planning organization and groups it together with other household organizing; like mail, keys, and schedules.
5. And finally, Live It, Love It, Blog It provides plenty of room for planning with an entire chalkboard wall where you can write the dinner (and lunch!) menu and ingredients you need to pick up at the store.
Related: How To Make a Chalkboard Menu Board
(Images: as linked above)
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Hmmm. I dont think I would use any of these ideas because you cant schlep a chalkboard to the grocery store! LOL! I just go through a favorite cookbook or cooking magazine, pick 5 meals and write down what I need on a little notepad. I take the notepad to the grocery store and buy food twice a week. I even blogged about it here: http://talesofaretromodernhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/08/meal-planning-made-easy.html
Thanks doll,
The Glamorous Housewife
These look great. Though I wouldn't use a chalkboard - I hate chalkdust. But I like the idea to have the weekly menu on display.
I use our fridge-door as a whiteboard for this. I bought a dry-erase pen and I write on the fridge what I intend to cook.
We use Dry Erase stickers (I don't remember the manufacturer at the moment) on the fridge door with a "what's in the freezer/veg drawer" kind of thing, and we either do a "tomorrow's menu" idea or wing it.
We've only really used one recipe, but then we've only been cooking for each other for 7 months.
How funny, my boyfriend and I are having a spat over this, as we speak! LOL! Love the chalkboard idea although I wouldn't put it on the side of that stunning first shelf, and as @GH pointed out, what do you do at the store if your list is in a chalkboard? I suppose you could photograph it with your iPhone or camera. Certainly less wasteful than paper.
Don't get me wrong though I love the chalkboards. Maybe have the persos at home text the list?
I've always loved the idea of chalkboards but like Lucanka the idea of chalk dust does not appeal to me. I have a whiteboard on my frig. What's nice is I go through my freezer and pantry and I make my menu based on what i already have. Of course, I always have family staples (having a 4 and 1 year old) like mac'n'cheese, hot dogs, chicken, pasta, spinach and cucumbers, just to name a few. I think doing this has saved me money because I'm using what I already have and not calling in for a pizza.