Freezer Cooking

So after spending countless nights discussing while pregnant that I would be a "stay at home" mom, I've decided to go back to work. It sounds crazy and I know millions would die to stay at home but I'm only going back part time and this job opportunity has fallen into my lap 4 times in two years and I couldn't sleep any more feeling like it was a sign. The job doesn't start until July but until then I have been working for a company on call to kind of get my feet wet going back to work after 6 months of being off work! The problem with on call here and there is I never know what to expect and its making dinner turn into last minute fast food pick ups and Bryan and I really hate fast food compared to a home cooked meal, so I decided to finally give the whole "Freezer Cooking Craze" a try. It sounds easy enough to just prepare a bunch of meals at once and then the day of just throw it in the crock pot and maybe it is that easy....

just maybe not the first time.....


So the 3 things I learned from my first go is the first time you do it you are going to spend a lot of money to get started unless your "Top Chef Status" and have about a billion different spices and cooking ingredients on hand. The second is no matter how organized you are, you are going to forget something and the last is expect some trial and error.

This doesn't mean the concept isn't still pretty fabulous! I took 6 recipes (5 from onceamonth.com and 1 of my own favorites and made them all twice to get started) This totaled 12 dinners but seriously some of these recipes are enough for 6 people and even as much as Bryan eats we cant eat all of that in one night so I would dare to say each bag averages 2 dinners in them based on left overs in our case.

I tried to write everything down and every ingredient that I needed. I went to big lots and a new bargain store in town to find/buy some things at better prices than going to Walmart since I was going to need a lot of things that we don't carry in our pantry normally. I'd say I saved around $20 by doing that! It took me about two hours to make all 12 but I also stopped ALOT to attend to baby and stopped for 30 minutes to feed and bathe him I d say I could definitely do it again in an hour especially now that I kind of know the recipes. Also keep in mind I chose very easy ones that required no cooking or extensive prep.

I also forgot to buy ginger so for 4 of the bags I will have to add it when I dump it into the crockpot but hey next time Ill know better!

All in all I spent a lot this time around but I think each meal averaged around $5-6, next time not having to buy a lot of ingredients they will probably average around $4-5 which is a lot cheaper than take out and a lot yummier!

Here they are in all their glory

Honey Teriyaki Chicken, Lemon Pepper Chicken, Beef &Broccoli, Apricot Manderin Pork Roast, Bbq Chicken and Brown Sugar and Maple Pork Chops!

They all look and smell delish! and most of these recipes were gluten, dairy free or paleo. This was not on purpose necessarily  just picked things that looked quick and delish! This website is seriously amazing though they have everything!