Thursday, February 18, 2010

No Seriously. I'm An Excellent Menu Planner

So today I decided to go to Costco without a plan.  Because if there's anywhere you want to impulse spend, it's Costco.  But we needed fruit...  and popcorn...  and milk...  So obviously it couldn't be put off even one more day, because when you're out of popcorn how do you live, right?

Anyway in a half hearted and futile stab at sort of trying to kind of menu plan while I was there, I decided that I was going to just walk down the frozen food aisle and make a menu.  Not actually buy the prepared stuff, but just get ideas and then go buy the stuff to make it.

I don't even know.  Don't ask.

something about nutrition.  or saving money.  obviously, time is not a major factor these days.

maybe I was delirious.

 I decided I would just write down the first main dish I walked past in each category (italian, fish, mexican, etc...)  and that would be my menu for the week.  My motto is;  if you're going to be disorganized, at least do it with a complicated system.

So it came out:
Tempura Shrimp
Taquitoes
Eggplant Lasagna
Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets
and
Mandarin Orange Chicken

And then I realized that while I wouldn't mind eating that stuff, (with the possible exception of dinosaur shaped anything)  it sorta made me tired to think about cooking it. 

All this time I thought I was uncreative... and it turns out I'm just lazy.

Spaghetti and tacos it is.

19 comments:

Dave said...

you should try spaghetti tacos.

They are quite the hit on iCarly.

of course, then your two meals planned gets cut to one meal planned...

but, i guess you could make enough for leftovers

Hildie said...

That orange chicken from Costco is even easier than spaghetti! Don't pass it up!

The mad woman behind the blog said...

Just trying to think in Costco is nearly impossible so yes, you were off your rocker!
One plus when we go: my daughter will try EVERY sample.
Downside: she won't eat it if I make the same damn thing at home. I'm thinking of making trips to Costco AS my meal plan. Maybe pick up a Calvin Klein reject while I'm at it.

See Mom Smile said...

Glad to know I am not the only lazy one. And I am a terrible shopper. I come home from Costco having spent $200 and still not have a thinkg for dinner! Love your blog :)

Vern said...

I have to say I am a huge fan of your new motto. It speaks to my stregths.

jjstringham said...

The dinosaur shaped nuggets aren't very good. I've tried them. Luckily my kids didn't seem to mind them though.

I <3 Costco, but I <3 my money even more. . . . so I don't go very often.

Jillybean said...

A few weeks ago I was super busy with work and didn't have time to cook, so I sent my husband to Costco with instructions to buy anything frozen that he could fix for the family by himself.
He brought home lasagna, taquitos, chimichangas, potstickers and some chicken and pasta stir fry thing, and yes, he fixed every one of them!
This week I'm not as busy, but I just don't feel like cooking. We've had nachos twice so far.

Nat said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

we had hamburger helper--LOVE whoever came up with this stuff. takes all the brainwork out of thinking about dinner!

Tammy said...

You won't want to miss our next Mom's Group on March 11th Randi! The title is "What's for dinner!" We're going to share our best meal ideas and hear from some experienced and successful meal planners. I'm excited! By the way-if you like chinese food you gotta try the popcorn chicken (freezer section at Costco) and the jar of orange sauce-from Panda Express (also at Costco). Super yummy fast meal.

Heather said...

That's one eclectic meal plan! Hooray for Costco.

CB said...

Hey I actually think your plan is genious - Whatever works and gets you through the dinner hour!!

Amy said...

I am starting to really love Costco. I don't have a membership so my mom and I go together split some of the larger items between the two of us. My little brother does what he calls the "Sample Meal". He will go to Costco for lunch and try each and every sample in the place and, on a good day, he is full by the time he leaves.

Melissa said...

I really don't see anything wrong with frozen meals. If my kids will eat it, I'm good :)

rocslinger said...

My daughter has decided to be a pesca vegetarian (fish but no beef or chicken), my wife hates fish. Talk about a menu planning nightmare. My daughter lives on pasta. I know not the healthiest diet but hey what do you do?

For Christmas we bought a ham. My daughter didn't eat any but the stuffed animals she brought to the table with her looked curiosly a little more stuffed. She's thirteen.

Yvonne said...

One of the nice things about meal planning for two--you make one or two meals and then it's leftovers. Yeah, it's boring, but heating up is so much easier ; )

And I love spaghetti or tacos ; )

Emmy said...

Yes popcorn is one of the major food groups.

And there is no way I could go to Costco without a list, way way too dangerous for me.

kristi r said...

aw. I miss Costco . . .

beckers said...

Costco is a dangerous, but fun place. We can't seem to escape for more than $200 every time we go!! Needless to say, we don't go very often!