Ever find yourself staring blankly into the fridge, wondering what to cook for dinner? I can’t be the only one! Lately, I’ve been daydreaming about creating this vibrant visual meal planning board that could transform my chaotic cooking decisions into something fun and inspiring. I mean, wouldn’t it be amazing to have a colorful collage of tasty meals right in front of me? Picture this: a big corkboard filled with my favorite recipes, luscious photos of meals I love, and maybe even a few cute doodles. I can already feel the excitement bubbling up at the thought of planning meals that not only nourish my body but also brighten my kitchen! What if every Sunday, I could spend just a little bit of time choosing yummy dishes instead of scrolling aimlessly through my phone? Sounds like a plan to me!
Items You’ll Need
- Magnetic Whiteboard
- Dry Erase Markers
- Magnetic Clips
- Sticky Notes
- Meal Planning Templates
- Markers for Sticky Notes
- Bulletin Board or Corkboard
- Pushpins
- Erasing Cloth or Sponge
- Laminated Meal Planning Sheets
- Recipe Card Box
- Digital Meal Planning App
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather Your Equipment
First, I gather all my supplies: the magnetic whiteboard, dry erase markers, magnetic clips, sticky notes, meal planning templates, markers for sticky notes, bulletin board or corkboard, pushpins, erasing cloth or sponge, laminated meal planning sheets, recipe card box, and my digital meal planning app.
Step 2: Choose a Workspace
Next, I find a good spot in my kitchen or dining area to set up my visual meal planning board. I want it to be somewhere convenient where I can easily check it daily.
Step 3: Set Up the Magnetic Whiteboard
I mount the magnetic whiteboard on the wall and ensure it's visible. This will be where most of my meal planning will take place.
Step 4: Create the Base Layout
Using the dry erase markers, I draw sections on the whiteboard for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. I make sure to leave space for notes and grocery lists.
Step 5: Add Meal Planning Templates
I grab the meal planning templates and attach them to the board with magnetic clips. These will help me plan my meals for the week.
Step 6: Use Sticky Notes for Flexibility
I write different meal ideas on sticky notes and stick them on the whiteboard. This way, I can easily move them around and mix and match meals as I please.
Step 7: Incorporate a Bulletin/Corkboard
I also set up a bulletin board next to the whiteboard to pin up recipes, shopping lists, and any additional notes that might come in handy.
Step 8: Fill the Recipe Card Box
I organize my favorite recipes in the recipe card box and keep it nearby. This makes it easy to pull a recipe when I’m planning.
Step 9: Utilize the Digital Meal Planning App
I open my digital meal planning app and sync it with my physical setup. I will use it to track grocery inventory and meal ideas on the go.
Step 10: Make it Aesthetically Pleasing
Using the markers for sticky notes, I color code different meal types and add drawings or doodles to make the board visually appealing.
Step 11: Incorporate Family Involvement
I involve my family by asking for their input on meal ideas. We write down meals they want on sticky notes together for a fun family experience.
Step 12: Define Erasing and Updating Routine
I establish a routine where I’ll erase and update the board every Sunday evening, preparing for the upcoming week. This helps keep it relevant and organized.