Last week, when I posted some suggestions for getting your weekly menu put together, I neglected to mention another option: the make-it-yourself dinner prep places.
I don't know if they are nationwide yet, but I know there are several chains who specialize in offering a monthly menu that you can make an appointment to prepare and then take home and throw in your freezer.
My local chain is called "Dinner My Way" - the way it worked is that I went online, chose the items from their menu, and then booked a time (the same time as several of my girlfriends). We met up at the appointed time, and within an hour, we had each assembled six menu items. Each item serves six, and the place enables you to split your entrees in two, so I came home with 12 dinners to put in my freezer. Love it!
The cost wasn't prohibitive either - my bill for six menu items came to 129 dollars - an average of 10 dollars per dinner, since I came away with 12 future dinners.
My main complaint is that almost all the menu items included some form of meat - we're not big meat eaters around here, so the thought of eating pork chops one night, chicken the next, prawns the next, beef the next - it will probably take us a while to get through all the items I prepared, since I"ll be staggering these dinners into our normal menus.
I'll post this week's menu later today - I'm just now swilling a cup of decaf and trying to make a plan for the day.
To read my adventures when I went horseback riding this weekend, check over at Three Kid Circus. Good workout, that. My arms and stomach muscles, as well as my inner legs are still sore.
I don't think we have anything like that around here but thanks!!!!
I read your horseback riding adventures. Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh....
HUGS!
Posted by: Jen | 10/24/2006 at 08:30 AM
I go to one called Dream Dinners and love it. It makes dinner easy and quick and I saved $300 on our grocery/dining out bill in the past month!
Posted by: Kim | 10/24/2006 at 12:53 PM
Very interesting idea but I am a little confused on the actually dinner plan. Are the items fully cooked? Or is just assembled with everything you will need to make the meal?
Posted by: Sarah | 10/26/2006 at 02:34 PM