As I come to the close of our 3 Moms, 3 Kitchens, 31 Days experiment of documenting and sharing our cooking adventure along the month of March, I have learned many things.
First, if I actually have any intent of feeding, cleaning, schooling and doing anything else during the day for my family, except for writing blog posts, I can not commit to document all things food. There’s just too much of it. 🙂 You wouldn’t believe how many pictures, recipes and unedited posts that I started, but could not finish. As much as a muli-tasker like me hates to admit it, there are just so many hours in the day.
Most importantly, I confirmed that being acutely aware of every single penny being spent on food makes such a HUGE difference. When I wrote my post about lowering the grocery budget by tracking expenses, I was convinced. Now even more so. This is so important to get a handle on where the money is being spent. For some, there may comes a time when this will no longer be crucial. Typically, I do not itemize every product because I know my budget, I stick to it and it’s become second nature. But this comes after fifteen years of grocery shopping on a budget. 🙂
As my month comes to a close, and with the hosting of our annual Easter Eggstravaganza, it’s time for a necessary Bulk Baking/ Freezer Cooking Day or two. I’m so glad my friends plan it every month.
(Side note about my Easter…Can I just share that a special guest is joining us this Sunday. Do you remember our precious homeless friend? Amazing things are happening in her life and she will be part of our family this Easter. I am so excited.)
While I don’t have a perfect plan of attack yet (which is always a little scary), my Freezer Day agenda definitely includes getting 15 pounds of make ahead mashed potatoes done. These are always a hit and go SO fast!
As you can see on the picture above, I’ve already started with some Easy Lasagnas. People tend to think of lasagna as a “special, takes lots of time” meal. You can easily throw together 3-4 of these for the freezer in minutes especially when you have your meat made up ahead of time.
Using much of the marked down meat that I purchased this week for pennies on the dollar, I already cooked two roasts in the crock pot, and then baggied some of the meat. While doing that, I also made soup for last night (with my free couponed frozen veggies, of course). I need to figure out what seasoning to do with the rest of my meat for my freezer cooking day.
I am going to implement the 4 Meals in 4 Minutes technique just to get it done and in the freezer. (This link takes you to my vlog demonstrating it if you missed it).
I bought everything for Easy Homemade Granola. This is where I admit I bought it two weeks ago and still haven’t made it. Again, I just need to follow Nike’s advice and DO IT! I have about six pounds of over ripe bananas and will be baking banana muffins and bread with those. The rest of my plan is still evolving…by the end of today. 🙂
Toni, Kate and I thank you for following along all month. We are definitely going to check in here each month with our 3 Moms posts. It’s great accountability.
So who wants to join in on some Bulk Baking or Freezer Cooking?
Last week the kids and I were out of town and my hubby bought ten pounds of ground beef that was on sale and then fried and seasoned it and put it in the freezer! Does that count? *wink*
Thanks for your work at letting us get a look at how you do food this month. It’s been a motivation to try the freezer meals, a few coupons and asking about marked-down fruit and meat!
I wish I could do this but I don’t. I just cook every day but I love it.
That is AWESOME that your friend is joining you for Easter! Very special indeed! Kelly
I’ve been doing this lately…I don’t go crazy with it but it’s nice to have some things on hand and ready to go, especially with soccer season coming up!
Jen, I just re-read the mashed potato blog post – do you use the 3oz or 8oz package of cream cheese for 10 potatoes? I’m tired of paying $3.50 for Bob Evans! Thanks to your hints along the way, I’ve managed to hit HT late in the afternoon and pick up some nicely reduced meat specials! Since I easily qualify for the Thursday discount, I’d better go today and make it really worth while!
Yea, Martha – glad to hear it. Honestly, the amount of cream cheese is really up to you. It is the regular size but this is a recipe that you can totally play with if you are wanting it be lower fat/healthier. I always taste test to my hearts content and add as I want. 🙂
I can’t do the one day cooking marathon. I’ve tried it a few times and just collapse at the end of the day (I have MS). But I admire those of you that do! I love seeing how you handle it all. I do a little a day, nearly every day and freeze is single-servings as our kids have grown and moved out 🙁
That’s what I love about freezer cooking (OAMC), you can make it fit any lifestyle. Loving your 31 days!