| Menu planning starts a family on the road toward | | | | You will not have to hear that nagging phrase |
| optimal health. Planning healthful delicious meals for | | | | from the family asking "what's for dinner?". No |
| a family might seem like a time consuming task. | | | | more standing in front of the freezer, estimating |
| However the benefits of planning nutritious meals | | | | the defrosting time for chicken. |
| for the family far outweigh the time required to | | | | The family and you will know in advance what the |
| get it right. | | | | menu for the evening will be. Any family member |
| Creating a weekly menu plan is important for | | | | old enough to eat can start the prepararation for |
| providing the daily essential nutrients that the | | | | the meal before you arrive home. |
| family needs to stay healthy. Menu planning can | | | | All the ingredients for the meal are available. The |
| actually add hours to your week rather than | | | | menu for the week is posted on the refrigerator. |
| reducing the time you have available. In addition, | | | | All that is left to do is to start the meal. |
| menu planning will save you money. | | | | You won't have to stop by the grocery store on |
| Menu planning will give you more time as you | | | | your way home from work. There will be no |
| become a more efficient shopper. With a list of | | | | reason to run to the neighbors for a cup of |
| items needed for the entire weekly firmly in your | | | | yogurt or an extra tomato for the salad you are |
| hand. You can be in and out of the grocery store | | | | making. |
| in less time. You will not be a victim to impulse | | | | Once you plan your menus for the week, the |
| shopping. | | | | next thing you'll notice is that the whole kitchen is |
| A small investment of time creating a simple | | | | organized and you can prepare a meal in minutes. |
| menu plan will provide long term health benefits | | | | The family members will pitch in to help get this |
| for the family. When you step into those mega | | | | healthy menu planning program on the road. When |
| grocery stores, you will have a plan to navigate | | | | the family helps plan the weekly menus, they will |
| away from the frozen pizzas and get to the good | | | | look forward to having their favorite dishes. |
| stuff. | | | | Menu planning help you include the most nutritious |
| The good stuff is hidden in the back of the store | | | | foods into the weekly meals. Everyone in the |
| in the fruit and vegetable area of the super | | | | family will start to feel better. The kids will have |
| markets. Having a menu plan tells you exactly | | | | more energy and will be less likely to have those |
| where to go and what aisles to avoid. | | | | annoying mood swings. |
| Once you get home with your stash of goodies, | | | | The adults will also start to enjoy meal time with |
| like fruits, vegetables and other nutrient rich | | | | the family. Eating nutritious foods will have a |
| foods, you will feel the need to get all those other | | | | positive impact on the entire family. |
| foods out of the refrigerator and into the | | | | With a little planning getting a nutritious meal on |
| garbage. | | | | the table becomes easier and more efficient over |
| The rotten tomatoes that were never added to | | | | time. |
| the salad are history. The squishy vegetables that | | | | A few minor adjustments to the family's diet by |
| are can be thrown out. Next week the good stuff | | | | eliminating the fast food junkets and replacing |
| will be eaten. There will be no more waste in the | | | | them with a home cooked healthy meal will result |
| kitchen. | | | | in some healthy rewards. |
| When you pre-plan your grocery shopping, you | | | | A menu plan can provide the family some quality |
| only purchase what you need. | | | | time together. With just a little planning, meal time |
| Organized meal plans will actually keep you sane. | | | | can become an enjoyable and healthy experience. |