Freezer Meals~ How to

All Moms are busy: working, stay at home, or anywhere in between I think we all sometimes struggle to get a home-made dinner on the table. After eating out twice last week for dinner, I decided I needed to replenish my freezer and crock pot meals. I started yesterday getting some freezer meals set aside. I made a HUGE batch of meat sauce and a pot of Chili. I set a bowl of each aside for my Hubby and froze the rest. It is also helpful to make double-batches of the meals you are already making for dinner so you don't have to spend all day cooking.

*What You Need*

• good-quality freezer bags
• measuring cup, a sharpie (not a fine-tip as it may puncture the bag... found that out the hard way)
• baking sheet to stack the bags flat for freezing
• and of course food =)

 Once you are ready to use the meal you may choose to either thaw overnight in the fridge or place in the sink under cold running water. Heat in a pot (or microwave) and enjoy. =)

Meat Sauce =)

Chili



Make sure to label each bag with what is inside and the date. Once frozen, everything starts to look the same. If you are prepping food for the crock-pot it is helpful to add any instructions and cook time.




Since I use Meat sauce in many recipes, I decided to measure the amount placed in each bag.

I found is is better to use a measuring cup to fill the bags, because it makes much less mess than a ladle.



Lay flat and place in freezer or deep-freeze... I left it over-night.

This is how thin my Chili froze. It's a full meal and barely uses any space =)



Front view of frozen Chili =)

Toy of the Month :)

It's the week after Christmas and out of allll the toys Emmett received he has been focusing on his new Melissa and Doug Puzzle set. This set is perfect for my little Puzzle master... The chunky pieces are too easy for him, while the 3+ puzzles are still too tough. I found this set at Ross for $14.99 and there are five double-sided boards. Love it!!!

Puzzle Set keeping little man entertained so Mommy can do some cleaning =)

Turkey Noodle Soup

Growing up, I always dreaded the week after Thanksgiving... Why? We would eat nothing but ham or turkey sandwiches... no thanks. I became determined to make something out of the left-overs- something more than a sandwich. Since necessity is the mother of invention, I  invented some Turkey Noodle Soup.

The great thing about this recipe is that it is extremely adaptable.. you can use whatever you happen to have in your kitchen.

                          

 

Here's What you do:
~In a large stock pot place your turkey carcass (hate that word) in plenty of water- cover and boil. I also add plenty of garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper (add to taste). This takes time, how much time depends on how large your turkey was and how much water. You will know when it is done when your water starts to look like broth and smell amazing... Mine took about an hour. The next step is VERY important: Make sure you double strain your stock- you don't want anything crazy in your broth.
~Next, place the strained broth back into your stock pot (I rinse mine out to save dishes) and while waiting to return to a boil, cut your veggies. I used what I happened to have in my fridge which was celery, and carrots, I also added a can of corn towards the end (we love corn). When the veggies begin to soften add your egg noodles (or rice) and add some shredded turkey. Once the noodles are done, so is the soup. I serve with dinner rolls, and enjoy =)