Spring is a time for many family celebrations.  All of these gatherings mean you may need to stock up the pantry.  At the same time, we are all looking for ways to save.  So this seems to be a good time to think about the “plusses” and possible “minuses” of bulk shopping.

Since three is my favorite number let’s see if we can condense bulk shopping into three simple stages; after all, bulk shopping is meant to simplify grocery shopping.          

1) Three questions that may help you to decide if bulk shopping will work for you:

• Do you have the space to store the items?
• Will you use them before they spoil?
• Might some of the items might be on sale again next month?

2) Three bulk shopping problems to consider:

• Storage problems:  The big warehouse retailers specialize in big and bulky packaging.  Do you have the space to take advantage of bulk shopping?
• Menu problems:  Buying lots of a particular item can be a challenge when you haven’t taken into consideration how the items will be used in your regular meal planning efforts.
• Waste problems: Buying items you really don’t need or don’t use often can result in waist and spoilage.

3) Three wise product areas to “bulk up” on if you have the space:

• Paper products: toilet paper; tissue; paper towels
• Personal care products: bath soap; toothpaste
• Cleaning products: detergents; various household cleaning agents

What is your favorite bulk shopping caution or success tip?  Join in the dialogue and share your ideas here.

Is everyday meal planning becoming more of a chore? It’s not quite as easy to put some burgers or chicken on the grill and there seems to be even less time for preparing a meal between car pools and meetings. So here are a few tips to streamline your meal planning efforts to last you throughout the long winter.

Planning
Next Sunday take some time out with the whole family and decide on your top 10 favorite menus. In fact, most people do not eat more than 10 basic meals on a regular basis, so plan your menus around what your family enjoys most. These basic meals are also likely to be some of the simplest meals you prepare.

Make it fun. Hand out a sheet of paper where everyone can write their 10 favorite meals – including the entrée, starch, and vegetable. Older children can help younger ones fill in their choices. Be flexible: there will be some nights where pizza will share the table with potato chips but the meal can still be nutritionally balanced with a green salad.

As everyone chooses their favorite foods, this can be a great time for them to choose their favorite jobs as well: setting the table, clearing the table, doing the dishes, making lunches for the next day, etc. At your family meeting have a list of each person’s weekly activities – this will help everyone know who is available to do what and when – and it will save arguments and frustration later.

Preparation
Try preparing a few basic meals on the weekend to freeze for the busy week ahead. Meatloaf, stew, homemade soups, and casseroles are good freezing options for quick preparation.

Involve your children in meal preparation during the week. It may take you a little bit longer to get the food on the table, but it gives you a great chance to spend time with your child – a natural time to open up and share what is in his mind and heart in addition to the practical benefits of teaching nutritional and cooking basics.

Set a regular dinnertime at least four days a week. Making this a family ritual also serves to simplify mealtime by eliminating many meal “shifts” in the kitchen. It may take a few weeks to create the pattern but with some effort it can work. Eventually everyone in your family will look forward to dinner as a wonderful time to slow down and share their day with one another.