This month, welcome Sara Bir. Sara Bir is the author of two cookbooks, Tasting Ohio and the IACP award-winning The Fruit Forager’s Companion. She also moderates and replies to your comments here on Simply Recipes. Follow her @sausagetarian.

When I have an idea of what I’m making for dinner ahead of time, I feel more centered. Usually, I jot ideas down the week before, sometimes taking inventory of foods we’ve had kicking around a while that need a final destination. (Pile of winter squash, I’m looking at you!)

And inevitably, the meal plan changes the week of execution. Our moods change and we switch up the order, or a meal gets bumped because of unforeseen events and I get a late start. But you know what? It’s okay. We cook the food eventually. We sit down to some form of dinner every night. That’s success in my book.

It’s all worth it, because I know we’re covered. We hope our meal plans give you a little peace of mind, too.