In a past post, I talked about my planner being “my brain.” Well, when it comes to meal planning, these 2 binders are “my brains” too! I used to use a wooden recipe box to store my recipe cards, but I eventually grew out of it. It was a great place to store all of my recipes in one place until I collected too many!!
I wasn’t willing to get rid of good recipes, so it was time to move into another organizational method. Meet my hard working binders….
I use the Main Dish binder every single week when I meal plan!! As I open the binder, you’ll notice some papers in the left hand pocket. I like to store my monthly meal plan (when I make one) in that pocket as well as the recipes that I will be using the current week, so they are easy to reach. I also add recipes to this side that I want to try so that I’ll get a visual reminder to actually TRY the recipes instead of collecting them and having them take up space. (AM I the only one that prints out recipes and forgets about them???)
On the right side I have colored divider tabs separating the various meats that I will be using. The tabs are:
BEEF
CHICKEN
PORK/FISH
SOUPS
SIDE DISHES
I use these pocket photo pages to store the recipe cards. I found these in the photo section at Wal-Mart years ago. They will hold three recipes per side. It’s super easy to see 3 recipes at a time which is helpful when you’re looking for a certain recipe!
Next is my Desserts binder. In the left pocket I store recipes that I use very often, so they’re easy to find. On the right the tabs are labeled:
BREAD
BREAKFAST
BROWNIES/BARS
CAKE
COOKIES
PIE
MISC.
I use these 2 binders plus my Meal Planning binder. Once upon a time I bought some pre-made meal plans from 5 Dinners in 1 hour and I sometimes use these recipes so I store them in the yellow meal planning binder. Here’s a peek at where I store my binders…in the kitchen, right above the toaster and coffee pot!
I hope this helps you get inspired to make your own recipe binders….they’re such a time and space saver! If you have more questions feel free to email me!
Happy Easter!!! I will be taking next week off to enjoy my kids that are home for Spring Break!
Linking up with This is how we roll!!
This has been on my mind for a while. My “printed” recipes remain on top of my printer….so now, I need to move on it and get them organized. I did buy a binder and some dividers with tabs, so now all I have to do….is do it! Ha! Sounds simple enough, right?? We’ll see. =) You have done a very nice job and of course, it is so well organized and neat. Looks wonderful!
You have some GOOD recipes, Mom!!!!
I do my recipes the same way! It is so much easier to find the one you are looking for! I really need to go through them and weed out the ones I don’t use! Have a great week with your kids!
ps your pups are adorable!
Thanks, Pamela!! I’m guilty of having some unused recipes in there too!! I might try them again someday- hahaha!! Happy Easter!!!