Ah, the eternal question that haunts every household come 5 PM: 'What's for dinner?' It's a query that can send even the most seasoned home cook into a tailspin. After all, juggling work, family, and the unexpected curveballs life throws at us, the last thing we want is to be stuck in a culinary Groundhog Day, cycling through the same handful of recipes. But fear not, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, because a clever mum has shared a 'genius' meal planning hack that promises to take the stress out of your weeknight dinners.


The Dilemma of Dinner Decision-Making

Before we dive into the solution, let's acknowledge the problem. Deciding on dinner can be a downright daunting task. You might find yourself flipping through old Coles magazines or scrolling through countless screenshots on your phone, only to end up cooking the same spaghetti bolognese you've made a hundred times before. It's a common scenario that leads to culinary boredom and a lack of variety in our diets.


The 'Genius' Meal Planning Hack

But one savvy mum has devised a simple yet effective system that could revolutionize the way you approach meal planning. Her method? A categorised meal idea book. Shared on the Slow Cooking Australia Facebook group, this mum's trick involves compiling all possible dinner ideas into one easy-to-navigate book. When planning for the week, she selects five meals from different categories to ensure her family enjoys a diverse array of foods.


Creating Your Own Meal Idea Book

Inspired by this mum's approach, why not start your own meal idea book? Here's how you can do it:

1. Gather Your Recipes: Start by collecting all your favourite recipes. These could be family heirlooms, magazine clippings, or digital finds.

2. Categorise: Organise your recipes into categories such as Seafood, Pasta, Turkey, Beef, Chicken, and others. This will make it easier to ensure variety throughout the week.


3. Handwrite or Type: Depending on your preference, you can either handwrite your recipes into a notebook or type them up and print them out. The key is to have them all in one place.

4. Weekly Planning: Each week, select one recipe from each category to create a balanced menu. This will save you time and prevent decision fatigue.

5. Be Flexible: Remember, the meal idea book is a guide, not a strict rulebook. Feel free to swap out meals based on what's in season or on special at the supermarket.


Community Praise and Further Inspiration

The response to this mum's meal planning hack has been overwhelmingly positive, with fellow cooking enthusiasts praising her for sharing her list. Comments like 'Yummm, love these ideas, thanks for sharing,' and 'Nice work! Going to try and pull together all my family’s favourite recipes,' highlight the community's appreciation for this simple yet effective strategy.

But what if you're still stuck for ideas? Here's where technology can lend a hand. A Melbourne dad recently shared how he used ChatGPT to plan his weekly meals. By inputting the ingredients he had on hand, along with pantry staples and desired proteins, he was able to generate a week's worth of dinner suggestions. This AI-assisted approach is another tool in your meal planning arsenal, especially when you're looking to incorporate unfamiliar produce or want to shake things up a bit.


The Takeaway

Meal planning doesn't have to be a chore. With a little bit of organisation and creativity, you can transform your weeknight dinners from stressful to stress-free. Whether you opt for a handwritten meal idea book or embrace the latest in AI technology, the goal is to make dinner time a joy rather than a burden.
So, dear readers, what are your go-to strategies for meal planning? Have you tried creating a meal idea book, or do you have a different system that works for you? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below – we'd love to hear how you keep your dinner table lively and your meal prep as easy as pie!