One of the things I started to use about two years ago was to use menu planning services. The first reason was because I wanted to have healthier dinners on the table. But then I realized the many benefits of using these services. I didn’t have to think about what was for dinner, and dinner didn’t come out of a box. I was cooking, and learning to do new things in the kitchen because the recipes were step by step and everything was written out for me. A huge benefit to using a menu plan is that you go to the grocery store with a planned list and you actually save money because you’re not buying random things.

The service I am currently using is called Relish! This is the fourth service that I’ve used, and by far it has the most interesting features. I can adjust the size to serve 2, 4, 6 or 8, which is a big selling feature for me. A lot of menu planners are set at “to serve 4″ because that’s an average size family, but we are not an average sized family.

Build your weekly menu from a list containing the following categories:

• Kid-friendly, Vegetarian, Super Quick and Simple Gourmet.
• All dinners require 30 minutes or less prep time.
• A Relish! subscription is only $7 per month.
• The grocery list makes shopping a snap.
• Nutritional information provided.
• Monthly freezer menus are part of the subscription

When I log into relish I have choices to make! Choices!!! I don’t login to download some menu that I may or may not use. I get to select from a list each week. I can avoid the pork recipes because of Dylan’s allergy and choose the meals that best fit our needs each week.

Need more bonuses? Freezer cooking is part of the service, not an additional subscription. I just made a 5 dinner freezer plan for this month before I logged in here to blog. Have a look at what’s on my freezer menu….

Bacon, Onion and Cheese Stuffed Burgers
Chicken and Cheese Turnovers
Flank Steak With Fresh Rosemary
Sweet and Tangy Meatloaf
Vegetable Lasagna

Nothing overly fancy or difficult to make, just real foods that I am confident my family will enjoy. Don’t get me wrong there are choices that are more “gourmet” and every now and then I’ll select one of those recipes for my menu for the week. But for the most part I stick with the easy and kid friendly recipes.

I login and make my choices, then from what I’ve chosen a printable/savable pdf is made just for me with my menu choices, a shopping list is generated and all the recipes are included. It even includes side dish recommendations and how to make those. Your whole dinner is planned out for you step by step, all you have to do is go to the store and get the supplies, and cook them of course.

Budget is obviously an issue for me. There have been a few selections I avoided and a few that I didn’t make even though I chose them simply because of prices. If something else is less expensive to make, I’m going to make that instead. If I get to the store and there’s something in particular on sale I will get that instead of what’s on my list. It hasn’t been a big problem with the Relish service, most things are in a decent price range.

I’m still not done there are so many features to this service I could be here writing all day. There are desserts and slow cooker recipes in addition to your weekly menu. But, my favorite part of the whole service is …. the price. All these features and tools are only $7 a month. Compared to other menu planning services that is a fantastic price for all that is offered at Relish! I want to thank Parent Bloggers Network for introducing me to the Relish service. I am truly enjoying it.

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