How I Plan My Menus with Build a Menu

We all know we should be planning our menus ahead, but actually doing it is quite another thing.

I recently found out about Build a Menu, and it is awesome!  It accommodates any diet type, like gluten free, Trim Healthy Mama, or even just “normal people”. 🙂

(Interested in trying it?  You can try it free for 2 weeks by going through this link!)

I thought I'd show you exactly how it works so you can make an informed decision.

1. Choose your store.

I love that it includes Aldi and Walmart!
I personally just choose “any grocery store” since I buy my food from a variety of places, including the farmer's market.

2.  Choose your recipes. You don't have to plan out 3 meals a day if you don't want to, but it's nice that everything is included if that's what you want to do.

There are so many dietary options from which to choose, and you are not limited to just one type.  You can mix and match as much as you want.
I love the choices, though!  (Dine on a Dime, Trim Healthy Mama, Gluten free, etc.)

You can open up the recipes and look at them to see if it is something your family would like.  You can also see approximately how much each recipe will cost to make, so you can skip the ones that don't fit your budget.  And if you're doing Trim Healthy Mama, it will tell you what type of meal it is (S, E, etc.) Then you mark the checkbox next to the ones you want to use and they are automatically added to your menu and the ingredients are added to your shopping list.

Another cool thing is that if you want to have something more than once, you can select how many times you want to have it, and the ingredients will be adjusted on your shopping list accordingly. (For example, it will tell you exactly how many ounces of beans you need to purchase.)

I also love the fact that the recipes are changed out every week so that there are not an overwhelming number of choices.  I am very easily overwhelmed, and when there's too much to look at I usually end up saying “forget it”.  You can, however, see all the menus you've created in the past, and if you want to add a favorite recipe to your menu for the week, you can do so even if it's not on the current week's list of recipes.

*New!  Now you can upload your own recipes too!*

3. After you select your recipes, you click “Build My Menu” and you'll be able to add your recipes to a calendar on the days you'd like to have them.  You can plan up to a month at a time; though you don't have to do that much.

You can also skip planning it out on the calendar and just go straight to printing your list of recipes and your shopping list.

(That's how I prefer to do it because I like to have the freedom to choose whichever meal I'm most in the mood for or whichever would work best with our schedule for the day.)

Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you – as you're checking off the recipes you want to use, the program is tallying up your grocery total for the week!  That's perfect for those of us trying to stay on a strict budget.

Here is what your shopping list will look like:

I love how it's divided up into sections of the store, and how it even lists staples so I can make sure I have enough of those things.

Now, I must say as a “real foodie”, there are certain ingredients that I skip, like canned soups, broths, etc.  But I've become pretty adept at substituting the “real food” versions of those things without any trouble.

So instead of buying broth at the store, I would just make sure I had enough homemade broth in the freezer or that I have enough yogurt to substitute for cream of ____ soup.   (Side note: yogurt works great for that in most cases – just add a little seasoning to it, and you've got a creamy/tasty substance with no need to go through the complicated steps of making homemade cream of ____ soup.)

That's pretty much it!

You can sign up for your subscription using the button below.

(But if you happen to not love it, there's a money-back guarantee, so it's totally risk free to give it a go.)

Note: I have included affiliate links within this post.  I will receive a portion of each purchase made through these links.  You pay nothing extra, but the commission helps keep Imperfect Homemaker up and running. (And it might put a couple groceries on our family table too – thanks!)

What it Means to Be a Yes Mom

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Savings.com.

Being a “yes mom” doesn't mean letting your kids do whatever they want.  They need to understand that life doesn't revolve around them.  You don't need to feel guilty for not catering to your child's every whim.  That doesn't create happy children; that creates spoiled children.

But at the same time your children need to know that they are important to you — more important than what you want to get done in a day.  Sometimes we say no to our children just because it's more convenient to us.  Help me cook dinner?  No way.  I'll be done a whole lot faster if you just let me do it.  Read a book to you?  Not right now; I've got work to do.

Being a “yes mom” doesn't have to be complicated.

It's not about doing fancy crafts you found on Pinterest (though if you're up to it that's totally awesome.)

It's not about spending lots of money on whatever the latest gadget is that they want.

It's about letting them know by your actions that they are important.

Actions like going outside with them even when you'd rather get some housework done.

Like playing a goofy game they made up.  And then playing it again.  And again. And genuinely having fun, not because you really want to play the game but because you get to spend time with your kids.

Actions like letting your 6-year-old plant and water his “plant” even though he's probably going to need a bath.

And then letting him use the camera because he really wants to take a picture of his hard work.

It's about letting the kids sit up on the stool and watch me make dinner even though it drives me nuts to have people all up in my space while I'm trying to work.

Do you truly believe that your kids are important?  That they are human beings who just happen to live in tiny bodies right now?

How can you show them that they are important?

I'd love for you to use the hashtag #YesMomDay to share your “yes mom” moments on social media!

Tools for Homemaking Productivity

I struggle with keeping things clean and orderly.  My brain is constantly bursting with ideas, and I tend to be a little “ADDish”, flitting from one thing to the next and making a bunch of messes as I go.

(I named this blog Imperfect Homemaker for a reason!)

Anything to help my days be a little more productive is a big plus!

Here are some of the tools I use on a daily basis to help me have a little more accomplishment to show at the end of the day:

1. Clothes. 

That would be as opposed to PJ's or loungewear.  You'll get more done when you wear real clothes, I promise.  When you wear PJ's or loungewear all day, you just feel like…well…lounging.  Not good for productivity.  (If you need some clothes at a good price, you should check out Thredup.  It's like an online thrift store, which is great for this busy mom who doesn't have time to drag her kids to a real thrift store.  Plus, you get a free $10 credit to spend when you sign up through my referral link here.)

2. Shoes.

Not just any shoes.  Sneakers. (I actually grew up calling them tennis shoes.  What do you call them?  Oh, wait.  I'm getting distracted again.  Back to the point.)

If you put shoes on your feet, it helps you walk faster and get things done more quickly.  Plus you don't ever have to stop and clean crumbs out of your toes or nurse a throbbing foot because you stepped on a lego.

Your shoes should be ultra-comfortable so that you can wear them all day long.  I have these, and they have been one of the best purchases I've ever made.  These are the most comfortable shoes for all-day wear I've ever owned.

3. Music

Listening to fast-paced music helps keep me going.  And it's nice to have Christ-honoring music to think about as I work too.  Old Christian Radio plays a lot of faster-paced music, and many of the songs on the CD that my husband and I recorded are fast-paced as well.

4. Rags and cleaners

Keeping rags and a bottle of cleaner in multiple places throughout the house makes my job a lot easier.  Whenever someone spills something or makes a potty-training mess on the bathroom floor, I have what I need right at hand to clean it up immediately.  I use my homemade non-toxic disinfectant as an all-purpose cleaner.  It works so well for just about everything.

5. Air fresheners

There is something about things smelling clean that makes me want to keep things clean.

I'm sure this makes me a healthy living heretic, but I absolutely LOVE the smell of Downy Unstopables.  When I'm walking through the laundry room I just want to stay there because it smells so good!  (Does anyone know of a natural way to make the laundry smell that good?  I hate using the chemicals on my clothes, and I try not to do it terribly often, but it just smells oh-so-good!  And no, adding lavender drops to the wash is not a valid suggestion.  It's fine, but just not the blow-me-away awesome smell that the Downy is.  If you're awesome with essential oils and you have a recipe that you think will blow me away, I'd love for you to share!)

6. A Menu Plan

There is something about knowing at the beginning of the day what I am having for dinner that makes the entire day go more smoothly.

Sometimes I drop the ball and end up scrambling at dinner time.  Not fun.  But even more often than that, I get in a rut with meals.  We end up having the same things over and over because I am just too tired to try to think of interesting meals.

I just discovered the coolest menu planning program.  Really, really cool.

It's called Build a Menu.  You choose the store where you normally shop, and then you're given recipe options for all different eating styles (for example: Clean Eating, Gluten Free, Budget Friendly, even Trim Healthy Mama!)

If you want to see exactly how it looks in action, take a look at this post.

The thing that makes Build a Menu so cool is that you get to decide what you want to make.  Many menu planners give you a pre-made menu, but then it ends up being nothing that you or your family would like.  With this you simply look through the recipes (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts are all included!) and mark the checkboxes beside the ones you want to have that week.  Boom!  Your menu and shopping list are done, and it's exactly what you want to eat!

Which of these tools do you need to start using?  What would you add to this list that helps you be more productive at home?

Make Mother’s Day Easy with eBay

Disclosure: This post was written for Splash Creative Media on behalf of eBay.  All opinions are 100% my own.

My sister-in-law is an eBay fiend.

Every time you compliment her on something she's wearing she says, “Thanks!  I got it on eBay.”

I occasionally shop on eBay myself, although I sell a lot more than I shop.

The thing I love about selling on eBay is that I can get rid of my junk and put a little money into my PayPal account at the same time.  Then when I do have something for which I want to shop, I don't feel like I actually have to pay for it since the money was just sitting there in my PayPal account anyway.

This Mother's Day I'd love to re-do the bedding in the master bedroom.  We've had the same bedding since we got married almost 8 years ago, and while I'm not necessarily tired of it, it does need to be updated just because it is getting a little ragged.

Both sets of sheets are ripped and the comforter is stained.

I love getting those bed in a bag sets because my shopping time is limited, and I'd rather just buy everything all in one shot and be done with it.  Plus, I feel like it also ends up being cheaper than buying everything individually.

For instance, just a quick look on eBay shows that there are plenty of complete sets for $50-$70ish including shipping.

I love the fact that I can find what I'm looking for at comparable or cheaper prices than just getting something from Walmart or Target (which I don't really have the time to do anyway as a busy mom.)

And if I want, I can even lounge in bed and shop since there is a new and improved eBay app for all types of smart phones.  It's totally free and can be found in whatever app store you use.

The bigger pictures and wider variety of search refinement options make it a cinch to shop from your phone.

I may just go ahead and get myself that new bedding set for Mother's Day!

Do you enjoy shopping on eBay too?  How about joining the #ebayMobile Twitter party on May 7 from 12-1 PST?  RSVP here to be eligible to win of the $25 eBay gift cards or the $100 gift card grand prize!  (I'm planning on going for sure!)

What would you shop for with an eBay gift card?

Summer Fun at Dollar Tree

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own.

I was just in Dollar Tree on a “date” with my littlest man, letting him pick out a prize for himself and something to bring home to his siblings. I was excited to see all the great options they have for summer toys this year, so when I had the opportunity to partner with Dollar Tree on a sponsored campaign to tell you all about the Dollar Tree Summer Fun products, I was more than happy to do so!

All the Dollar Tree Summer Fun products are…you guessed it…just $1 each. We already bought a sand bucket and shovel, and there are lots of other beach and pool toys available like sand molds, hula-hoops, swim goggles, swim rings, beach balls, noodles — you know, all that fun stuff that kids love to play with during the summer! And I noticed that some of the beach tools are available in multi-packs, making them an even better deal!

In addition to the summer fun toys, there are lots of other summer fun products like colorful flip-flops, summer tableware, and party supplies that will provide you with everything you need for a fun-filled summer at one low price. Selection will vary by store, so be sure to stop in to your local Dollar Tree soon to see what goodies you can find! But hurry, supplies are limited!

For a sneak peek at all the Dollar Tree Summer Fun products, take a look at their website.

Want a chance at a $500 Dollar Tree Gift Card? The Summer Fun Flip-Flop Frenzy Craft Contest is going on now. Submit a photo of an original flip-flopcraft at DollarTree.com and you’ll be entered to win! And while you’re there, you’ll want to sign up for Dollar Tree’s weekly emails so you can stay in the loop about future contests and new products. Plus, you can join the free Value Seekers Club for exclusive crafts, recipes, and tip ideas every month!

Follow Dollar Tree:

Facebook   |   Twitter   |   Pinterest

Gro-ables Update

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gro-ables. All opinions are 100% mine.

I shared with you here how I was looking forward to having fresh veggies soon with the help of Gro-ables.

A fresh salad sounds awesome right about now!

Gro-ables are guaranteed to grow when used as directed.  All you have to do is put the entire pod directly in the ground and water it.  (If you have a hard time remembering to do that, you can use the Sprout It app to get reminders!)

But, do Gro-ables withstand curious children?

Sadly, they do not.

That, my friends is an upside-down seed pod in the middle of the grass.  This may be Miracle-Gro, but it does give the disclaimer that it's only guaranteed to grow when used correctly.  That is definitely not the correct way to use Gro-ables.

What's a girl to do?  I'm determined to get something to grow this year!

I went to the store to grab some more Gro-ables, and I'm really hoping they won't be found by the kids this time!  Re-planting the was so easy; it just took a few seconds to open them up and stick the whole pod down into the dirt.

Where can I hide them?

I really want those fresh veggies!

Learn more about Gro-ables in the video below!