Olive Knolls MOPS

Part 1 of Freezer Meals
Ok so I heard from many of you that you wanted to get some of the recipes I used to help make meals a little easier with some help from the freezer and a little planning. As I mentioned on Facebook, our MOPS Mentor Mom Patti King does "Once a month" cooking for her family. She also LOVES saving her family money! So she recently shared her passion about what this means to have a meal on the table all together as a family and her part of saving money. So after talking with her I wanted to get started. I went about it a little different due to time and our family and I am so thankful she shared her heart for the importance of doing this.

Before we get started here are some great freezer tips before we get started from
Kids Meal Ideas

Freezer Cooking Tips

Label what your freezer meal is.

Rotate your freezer meals. New goes on the bottom of the stack or back of the freezer and older gets moved up.

Don't place your hot food directly in the freezer. Let it cool slightly, at least 30-45 minutes on the kitchen counter.

If you are adding your meal from the freezer to the oven, you will need to increase the cooking time.

If you are using potatoes combine with a liquid or moist ingredient. Potatoes don't always work well in freezer meals.

If you are including rice or noodles in a freezer meal, leave them out and add before cooking. Or under cook them slightly and make sure they're included in a sauce before freezing.

Include frozen vegetables, bread rolls, loaves of bread or dough for side dishes to your freezer recipes.
Try creating your own homemade frozen dinners by using dishes that are large enough to include side dishes. Place a meat and two side dishes in a freezer container and freeze. You have a healthy homemade frozen dinner for a busy night.

There are so many ways you can go about this and whatever is best for your family is all that matters. If you can't do a bunch of main meals, then make some sides. If you only have time to make some freezer garlic bread then that's ok. It's one less prep you will have to do. You will be thankful on those busy nights/mornings/days with any help! So here you go.

Take what you want and get creative with your own family favorite recipes.

So here's how I started.

1. Gather up all your recipes that you want to make for the freezer. You can do a search for "freezer meal recipes" and try some new ones too. Also grab a recipe that you can just put in the crockpot while you are busy preparing the other freezer meals. This way when dinner time comes you wont be burnt out and you have a warm meal ready for the family. The Crockpot is a LIFE SAVER! That's a whole other blog post.

2. Go grocery shopping for all of your ingredients. Winco typically has the cheapest groceries so that's where I go. Except I get a big bag of broccoli, Romain lettuce, bag of fresh spinach and a couple of other items from costco because it's actually cheaper. I usually don't do grocery shopping and meal prep on the same day. I'm usually too burnt out from the adventure of grocery shopping with two kids. One idea that helps too is get a good friend and have days where she watches your kids for 2 hours and you watch hers one day for 2 hours. One of my best girlfriends, Kristi and I used to do this all the time. I would watch her kids for a couple of hours on mondays and she would watch mine on fridays. It was a great to have that time to go grocery shopping or clean my house in peace.

3. Now you are ready to cook! Do it to your schedule and again what works best for you and your family. Here's what I did.

So let's start with Breakfast:

First up- Freezer French Toast Sticks

my kids favorite, for those busy mornings!

Plus you know what your kids are actually eating.

Freezer French Toast Sticks

(This recipe is from Kid Meal Ideas)

2 eggs lightly beaten
4 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Bread, sliced

Heat griddle. Meanwhile, add eggs, cinnamon and milk in flat dish. Beat together. Dip both sides of bread and place on griddle. Cook until each side is browned. Cut each slice into three rectangles. Allow to cool and place on a cookie sheet, flash freeze. Then place in freezer bag. When ready to eat warm in microwave and dip in syrup.

*** So here are some tips. I purchase the Texas Toast bread at the .99 store on Olive drive (not the dollar tree). I also made this recipe 3 times to get all that I wanted in my freezer. So you could easily buy a dozen eggs, a couple of loaves a bread and REALLY stock up the freezer. The picture to the right is right after the "flash freeze", before I added them to the containers.

***Flash Freeze: the process of spacing items out on a tray, freezing them until they are firm and then storing them in more space-efficient freezer bags*****

While I'm at the .99 Store I also purchase a bunch of disposable containers! I used the loaf pans for these. They come 3 for a $1.00. Put as many as you want in there, wrap in foil, write "Freezer French Toast" on top, add an extra directions for your hubby or kids. Like "take out as many you want. Heat in the over or microwave (I like the oven because it keeps the consistency, a little crunch), add powder sugar. Enjoy! Remember Mom loves you!

I made (with one loaf of bread) 5 containers of Freezer French Toast (approximately 15 french toast sticks in each). Each container costs less than .50 cents! My kids LOVE them!!! Plus it saves me time and I know what's in my kids food. I always use sugar free syrup for them as well.

So Next up Pancake Mix

Why have I never done this before...? I usually go to Winco and purchase their whole wheat pancake mix in their bulk bin. But this is SO easy and SO cheap! This makes a lot! I always have a large glass canister full of it on my counter. And yes I am also known for using pancakes as a disguise to get my kiddos to eat vegetables that they normally wouldn't try. Many times I will add any of the following to the pancake mix to give the kiddos some extra healthiness. They never complain!

Oatmeal
Pureed Pumpkin (Did you know that pumpkin is FULL of vitamins, minerals, fiber & antioxidants?)
Carrots (grated)
Zucchini (grated)
When Taylor was still eating baby food. I would pour a container of that in with the pancake mix too. They always had good combos like pear and apple.
ANYTHING!

I was also able to make 3 gifts too with it. I always save my pasta sauce and salsa jars. So I filled a couple of jars up grabbed some fabric that I already had cut in squares in my fabric box, covered them and they are ready to go!

Homemade Pancake Mix:

INGREDIENTS:

4 Cups all purpose flour
2 Cups whole wheat flour
2/3 cups sugar
2 Tablespoons baking powder
1 Tablespoon baking soda
I also added Cinnamon and ground Flaxseed. I LOVE the cinnamon in there. When you make the pancakes for the kids it makes your house smell WONDERFUL!

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:

1 Egg
3/4 Cup of Whole Milk (I used 2%)
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl combine the first 5 ingredients. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.

TO PREPARE PANCAKES:

In a small bowl, whisk egg, milk and vanilla. Whisk in 1 cup pancake mix. Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a lightly greased pan. Set to low. Turn when bubbles form on top of pancakes. Cook until second side is golden brown.

ENJOY!

So I hope this gets you started... I also made:

Green Chile Burritos (which I will post the recipe later)

Grill Cheese Sandwiches

1.) Toast the bread on one side with butter on it (again I used the "Teaxas Toast" from the .99 cent store, just like at the restaurants).

2.) Then place on a cookie sheet. Add the cheese (any kind you want).

3.) Flash Freeze to set.

4.) Then assemble each in foil. Add all the foil wrapped sandwiches to a large ziplock baggie. Label and add to your freezer.

5.) When you are ready to eat just toss your foil wrapped sandwich into the oven to heat ( I would un wrap and add to a cookie sheet too so it gets a little crunchy and yummy) and you don't even have to dirty your kitchen!

French Bread Pizzas

1.) Take your loaf of Pyrenees French Bread ( I also purchase this at the .99 cent Store off of Olive Drive- near the frwy on ramp). This will make 6 French bread Pizzas!

2.) Get your Pepperonis (The pepperonis I also found at the .99 cent store)

Get your favorite cheese.

3.) I mix one jar of pizza sauce with 1 jar of pasta sauce (whichever is the cheapest)

4.) Cut the bread in thirds and then in half.

5.) Add the sauce, I like to then top with a little cheese so the top doesn't slide off. I just used a little shredded cheese from a bag. Then add the pepperonis, and then the mozzarella cheese that I shredded.

6.) Flash Freeze (again so it all holds together) and then wrap individually in foil. Place in a ziplock baggie and label.

7.) When you need a quick lunch of want to have "Pizza & game/movie night" with your family. Grab them from the freezer, place on a cookie sheet and heat in the oven. Add a salad and you are all set! Your kitchen is still clean and it gives you more time to ENJOY your FAMILY!

I ran out of pepperonis (I made 2 loaves- 12) but I had some hamburger meat in the fridge that I already cooked so I just through that on instead. (That's another time saver. When you purchase hamburger meat or have a recipe that calls for it. Cook a bunch and then place in ziplock baggies in the freezer. When you are ready all you have to do is season and use!) Of course you could make this with ALL your favorite toppings: Cooked chicken, bbq sauce, grilled red onions would be so YUMMY!

Just use what you have!!

Mac and Cheese
Pizza Lasagna
Garlic French Bread

1.) Just like you did above with the pizza cut to the serving of your family. In my case I cut them in thirds again.

2.) In a bowl mix butter, garlic salt and parmesan cheese

3.) Spread on bread.

4.) Get your foil pieces ready. A top and bottom of the third slices is enough of a serving for Ryan, myself and the kids. So wrap it up in foil. Place in a ziplock baggie. Label.

5. ) When you have a meal that needs some yummy garlic bread. Grab it out of the freezer and place in the oven (wrapped in foil) or place on a grill if you are grilling up something.

6.) Best part- Cost is less that .35 cents per family serving! So in my case a family of 4, that's .08 cents for each family member!

Garlic Fries (I'll post that info. later)

I really hope this inspires you to do what you can with what's in your fridge, pantry, meal plan etc...for your family!

I know my husband truly was grateful that I took the time to invest in our family by doing some planning and preparation!

So enjoy!

I would LOVE to hear any ideas/comments that you have from your kitchen! You can always email me at:

Bradshaw4@sbcglobal.net

A Good Reminder of God's Word:

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

¹⁰ ^[b]A wife of noble character who can find?
   She is worth far more than rubies. ¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
   and lacks nothing of value. ¹² She brings him good, not harm,
   all the days of her life. ¹³ She selects wool and flax
   and works with eager hands. ¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
   bringing her food from afar. ¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
   she provides food for her family
   and portions for her female servants. ¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. ¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks. ¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
   and her lamp does not go out at night. ¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
   and grasps the spindle with her fingers. ²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
   and extends her hands to the needy. ²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
   for all of them are clothed in scarlet. ²² She makes coverings for her bed;
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple. ²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. ²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
   and supplies the merchants with sashes. ²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come. ²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue. ²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness. ²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her: ²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.” ³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. ³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

All those special cards from your hubby, children, Christmas and so on that you receive throughout the year. What's a creative way you hold on to them so they are not just stuffed in a drawer?

I found a couple ideas and would love to hear any that you have. But here's what I've found so far.

Over at "Simple Mom" she has a ton of great useful ideas. But here she talks about what to do with old cards.

Click HERE to visit her entire blog.

(Photo by Katie Clemons)

For all the cards and letters you want to keep:

1. Scan them and store on your computer.

Christmas letters and typed notes are perfect for scanning and recycling.These letters are often printed at home or from online companies, so the handmade feel isn’t often as significant as a personal note.

If you want to keep them, scan them. Create folders on your computer, such as “2011 Christmas” or “2011,” for all the letters received during that time, or “Schmidt Family” for all the letters received over the years from that specific family.

2. Tuck them in your scrapbook or journal.

I like combining letters with my stories because they offer different perspectives to life events.

I keep a journal from Gadanke, my shop. All I have to do is hole punch postcards and letters (like the one above from my grandma) and put them in my journal. I do the same with photographs and ticket stubs.

3. Keep them so you can give them back to the writer one day.

A couple of years ago, my grandma got a package in the mail. It was filled with about 24 letters and Christmas cards that she had written to her closest college friend over the years!

Getting those letters back was like receiving a time capsule. It was the first time we got to learn about my dad’s first Christmas.

The keys to doing this are:

Be selective about from which people you choose to keep the cards for later. A few dear friends or family members is plenty.
Keep everything in a little box or bag at your desk, so you’ll always file away the items you want to include in this packet one day.
Be selective about the types of cards and letters you keep. You want to give back a collection of that person’s story, so only hang onto the mail that contributes to that.
Print off any emails or keep them in a special folder on your computer to return to that person as well.
You might want to be sneaky sometimes. Email and telephone weren’t luxuries my grandma and her old friend could use. Write letters and notes to your chosen people so they might be inclined to do the same.

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For all you who journal regularly this is a great idea!

Over at "Creating Keepsakes" blog she shares this idea below of using those special cards along with her journaling. See her pictures below:

(Click HERE to visit her entire blog)

doodlebug journaling front Use Cards as Journaling Spots

doodlebug journaling Use Cards as Journaling Spots

doodlebug card Use Cards as Journaling Spots

If there is anything special that you do to save your special cards we would love to hear it! You can post as a comment or email to Bradshaw4@sbcglobal.net