What we are trying to eat

So, what am I hoping to feed my family?

I'm trying to get more fruits & vegetables. I'm trying to get organic, preferably pasture-fed meat (beef, pork, eggs, chicken, etc). I'm trying to get our food locally (from in Iowa, preferably the east-central part of the state where we live).

I want to start putting up more of our own food - tomatoes, beans, fruit, jams & jellies are all fairly easy to do. I need to work out a better location for storage of the home-canned goods if I'm going to put up more :)

We have already cut back our dining out to one or two meals a week (one dinner, one breakfast or lunch, typically). DS & MG are not particularly pleased with this - they'd rather eat out every night, especially if they could eat the same thing every time (DS wants pepperoni pizza, MS wants mac & cheese or chicken fingers).

I've debated once a month cooking or other batch cooking, but I then have to remember to get dinner out in time to thaw.

I've tried menu planning more than a day or two in advance, but I haven't been very successful in keeping that up, either.

At least I'm starting this in the summer, when local produce is more available :)