Navigating the OAMM Monthly Menu
Over the last few months I have seen quite a few new visitors to the site. WELCOME! There seems to be a common thread of questions as well. As I would get questions I started to look around the site and realized that there were a few things that weren’t really explained well. I suppose as the site has grown I just assumed the information was there. It wasn’t.
So this is a run down of how you, the readers, make sense of the the monthly menus and what you can expect here at Once A Month Mom.
The Timing
Each month there is a new menu that is posted. The menus ALWAYS come out on the 1st of the month, no matter the day of the week. In most cases, they are posted by 8:00 am on that day. Now, this is a free service so I do reserve the right to be late or to postpone but I will typically let you know if something will be causing a delay. I have never missed a 1st of the month deadline and hopefully it will stay that way.
Previous months menus are also available for you to view. You can go to the menus tab or you can search by a particular month. We began in February 2009.
The Menu Post
The menu post includes a podcast, printable menu for cooking with a partner, links to the original recipes, a grocery list, step-by-step instructions for cooking with a partner on your cooking day, and printable labels for your meals. Here are some key things to note about the menu post:
Podcast
This tells you about that months menu, what choices were made, why those choices were made and some strategies for approaching that months’ menu. You should listen to these when you have the chance. They are not very long.
Menu
I have listed out the recipes that are included in our monthly menu complete with links to the authors original recipe. For the most part, I do not create my own recipes. I like to cook, but I leave the development of great recipes to others. Each month I search the internet for great recipes that we can turn into bulk freezer meals. I strive to choose menu items that are “different” and don’t just stick with the regular old casserole (not that there is anything wrong with casseroles). I provide the original links so that those authors receive credit and because there are often great pictures.
For your cooking day you will need to go to the “printable (insert current month) menu”, which is a Google Document (if you don’t have an account already you can sign up for one for free, but it is not necessary for viewing the documents). If you want to alter this in any way you need to “save it as a new copy” before printing. Please note that there are tabs at the bottom of this document with each of the recipes. You need to print the entire document.
Grocery List
This is a list of all of the items that you will need to complete the menu you desire to cook. The Grocery Lists are divided by sections of the grocery store to hopefully make it easier for you to shop.
Instructions
Prior to May 2011, the instructions were written for 2 people working together on a cooking day. If you are cooking alone you may need to make some variations to suit your day. After May 2011, instructions are written for one person cooking alone. However, instructions can easily be altered to add in additional people to your cooking day.
Labels
These are for you to print out on Avery 8163 or equivalent. I currently have them posted as a .pdf document. If you are cooking alone it is too many labels, I know. However, when I posted the Google Doc, where the labels are created, and readers tried to print, the labels did not print correctly. I will look into a plausible solution for this problem.
The Strategy
The menu each month is built on predicted grocery sales and seasonal produce. The thought being that our overall cost of cooking will be lower if we base our menu on items we expect to find on sale. Occasionally, the predictions are a bit off, but we are trying. I also put out the menu on the 1st of the month so that we can spend the rest of the month shopping the grocer sales. You most certainly can shop for your grocery items all in one day but you are more likely to save the most money if you shop throughout the month. When I am still missing items several days before my cooking day I use this shopping strategy.
The Shopping
Shopping with coupons will indeed get you the most savings. I also keep a running list of “lowest prices” for my area so I know when something is really a good deal (and am certain I can’t get it at Aldi for cheaper). This is a good thing for you to do as you go forward as well.
The Savings
I have found that we typically spend between $100-$200 on the groceries for 4 servings. The average cost per meal for a family of 4 (NOT per serving) ends up being between $2.50-$4.50! That is some amazing savings if you ask me. True, the first month you do it your grocery bill will be higher but you will soon be turning that into savings each month. Especially because freezer cooking usually means less last minute shopping and eating out.
The Time Factor
Many people get intimidated by the thought of cooking 8-12 hours on one day. Especially if they don’t like cooking in the first place. There are a few points to be made here. If you don’t like cooking you should note that if you made all of these meals throughout the month you would be spending around 30 hours of preparation time. That means that you are actually saving time by cooking all in one day. Can you use an extra 22 hours a month?
Having a partner really does help pass the time and make things run more smoothly. If you don’t have a partner start telling your friends and family members what you are doing. I promise someone will indicate that they are interested. I had no less than 6 people ask about cooking with me when I got started. Especially when they realized the hard work of organizing the day was done for them.
Additional Resources/Posts
There are also other posts and resources on this site that will help you navigate and answer your questions. Here are a few that might interest you:
- Preparing For A Successful OAMC Day
- Adapting The Menu for YOUR Family
- Making the Menu Healthier
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Shopping For Your Cooking Day
- Final Shopping Trip For Your OAMC Day
- Choosing The Right Containers
Oh my gosh, you are amazing! My hero! I am totally gonna try this- thanks so much for all your hard work and for this fantastic FREE site! You are motivating this less than enthusiastic cook to get her rear in gear! I’m in OHio too!
Awesome! Can’t wait to hear your reports on things after you get started. Where in Ohio?
I think I’m going to give this a try for next month. I’m due with my 3rd little one in late January and would love to have meals in my freezer ready to go. I can’t believe all the work you put into this and let other moms use it for free. What a blessing!! I would be cutting my grocery bill in about 1/4 if I can stick to your menus. My husband would be ecstatic and so would I!!
Do you just get the produce at the end of the month as well? Or how long do you find it will keep in the fridge for how long until you’re ready to cook?
Much of the time I get the produce at the end of the month. As for time it will keep it varies by product. I sometimes flash freeze it beforehand if it is on sale early in the month and the food is able to be flash frozen. Search flash freeze on the site for how to do this.
I just happened upon your site and am so intrigued. I have three sons (6, 3 and 1) and a husband who works from home. My time is very limted because of all these factors. The kids don’t allow me much time for obvious reasons, plus since my husband works from home, we spend most of our time in our basement playroom, outside or another location, far from our kitchen. Meal times are a constant problem we struggle with. The OAMM idea sounds like the perfect solution. I’d love to learn more about it. I just saw that you are located in Dayton. I’m in Springboro! Do you ever do any public speaking on the topic? I’m joining a MOM’S group this summer and thought it might be a wonderful topic to discuss. Thank you for providing such wonderful information. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks!
I’m so glad you like what you see. It would definitely be a HUGE help to you and your family. I do speak on the topic now and again, mostly been asked recently. I would love to join you for your moms group sometime and I will try to let you know when I have other area opportunities as well! Yay!
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
Amazing site…I have always when purchasing a good buy on meat or produce, cooked a few meals for a couple of days, but have never attempted it on the scale that you have. Hallelujah, it sounds great!This site is a blessing.
[...] me introduce you to my process. When I cook at home, I use the Batch Cooking Method. I’ll make soup or chili, several types of tofu items, fava beans, and several of our [...]
I am sooooo excited to get started!!! For sales on meat, do you purchase and then freeze it until your big day or do you purchase it with your produce?
I purchase it when it is on sale. Most of them can be frozen, thawed and refrozen IF you follow the instructions for thawing properly. Those are found in the instructions documents. Also, if it is just going to be a marinated recipe I will portion the meat according to the dish. Please feel free to email if you have more questions.
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit [...]
[...] this months menu by listening to the podcast. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit [...]
[...] this months menu by listening to the podcast. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit [...]
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
If you were close enough for me to throw my arms around you and hug you I would! As a new working mom who is trying to save as much as possible in an effort to pay off debt to eventually stay home you have just made my life SO much easier! Thank you for this ministry… because that is exactly what it is… and I love the idea of “tithing” these extra meal out to those who need it. You are a blessing!
Thanks Cassie! And your hug is taken. Please let us know if you have questions and ENJOY!
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
[...] meals as much as our early readers/cooks have. If you are new and not sure how to get started, read here. For frequently asked questions visit here. And there are several other helpful links under the [...]
I found your site today on Pinterest… We are moving at the end of the month, so it will be a few months before I can get started, but I’m loving this site already!! I tried to open the menu for August, and the “yellow tab” wont let me enter anything… Do you know why? I know I need to dig deeper into the site, but do you post the menu for August and expect us to shop throughout August, and cook in September? I’m a bit confused, because I thought the idea was to cook it all at once, but then you talk about the sales…
Thanks for putting this out there, and may God bless you for this ministry into the homes of other moms!!!
This post will answer your question about the yellow box: http://onceamonthmom.com/all-menus-saving-printing-google-document-grocery-lists-recipe-cards-instructions/. The premise is that you would shop throughout August and cook at the end of the month, then eat the meals in September. That will yield the most savings. But you will get good savings from shopping all at once too. The items indicated as on sale are items that are on sale throughout the listed month.
Thanks!!
I am a new reader and I have printed the September 2011 Diet menu, still working up the courage (and the freezer space) to try it out.
However, I am still confused about the # of servings in the menu. I would be cooking for my boyfriend and myself so I put “2″ in the yellow boxes. Mostly I’m concerned that the # of containers required for each recipe, as listed on the recipe cards, didn’t update. It didn’t seem to update on the grocery list either.
Is the number of containers listed good for 1 person or 2?
Hi Heather, the quantity is correct in both the recipe cards and grocery list. We have the formulas set up and the quantities for the containers would be the same for 1 person as 2 people.
Ahh, I wondered about that, thanks so much!