For many years, I've functioned well with a loose meal planning system. I needed my days to be extremely flexible and it's worked well for the most part. This past year or so I've felt the need to take my meal planning to a new level but getting things more planned out and a bit more rigid, but still with the flexibility I need. Today I'm discussing the new rotating seasonal meal plan I've been talking about. Listen in! Listen to the Podcast: Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer. I am excited to say that my first of 4 meal plans, my summer plan is almost done. Today I'm going to give you a run down of how this is working and what I've been learning about meal planning along the way. As the manager of my home, the kitchen is such a large area of responsibility that can either run like a well oiled machine or feel like complete and utter chaos. The past 6 months has seen more chaos than I'd like. So I'm going back to the drawing board and asking "What does my meal planning need in this new busy season?" I've come up with my plan: Rotating seasonal meal plans. My goals are a few: 1) To make more food from scratch in order to save money 2) Increase the health of my families food so that we all have vitality and energy to tackle the things that God has called us to and 3) Free up brain space and put more of my meal planning on autopilot for smoother routines. The most important thing to me for finally getting to this more advanced level of meal planning, is having family favorite recipes down. If you are in a stage of need to meal plan for the first time, I suggest you come up with a loose plan that allows you to try out new recipes and hone those recipes that your family loves. Don't just drift through life and meal planning, come up with a plan to figure out those recipes and save them. Decide on a meal plan and then stick to it. Honestly a huge part of meal planning is literally just having the discipline to stick to it. With that said, start with the simplest version of meal planning that you can and build from there (the MVP idea). Stick with it and develop it as you go so that it makes sense for your family! Links and Resources: Our Sponsor:Go to HelloFresh.com/homemaking16 and use code homemaking16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping! Our Sponsor: For 50% off your first Care/of order, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter code home50. Check out our bookstore opening through 7/21 at FindingJoyBookstore.com And join our meal planning bootcamp at FindingJoyShop.com