I had big plans this week. I was totally psyched to do some grocery shopping with a real budget again. And it so happened to coincide with Kroger’s Mega Sale. Things were working out perfectly, right?
Wrong.
So what happened? Puke happened. Lots of it, with multiple kids.
Oh well. That’s the story of a mom’s life right? Don’t make plans.
I’m incredibly thankful to have the opportunity to be here for and with them when their tummies hurt, so I’m not really complaining.
But when this happens right after we’re done eating just about everything out of our pantry and freezer, I do start to feel a little panic.
Money Saving Mom and Lifeasmom are doing a freezer cooking link-up now. Perfect timing.
My plan for next week (the exact day will depend on when I can actually get to the store) is to take care of my freezer basics.
I plan to cook up a bunch of ground beef, both crumbled, in patties, and meatballs. There are tons of ways to use it to make quick suppers.
I also need to cook up some boneless-skinless chicken breasts. These are so great to have on hand for nights when we need to eat healthy but would much rather grab fast food. You can’t really justify a burger when it only takes 15 minutes to boil whole wheat pasta and nuke some veggies to go along with your pre-grilled chicken breasts.
I’m also going to cook up more rice. During the pantry challenge and cabinet decluttering, I made some brown rice. Hubby has really enjoyed having the individual bags frozen for his lunches.
Hey! Found your blog not long ago, and I love it! You so remind me of myself and my lifelong struggle with "slobbishness". Looking forward to reading more and continuing to be inspired!
Just wanted you to know thatI have read from the start of your blog. I just finished (today was a relaxing day. too cold to do anything but watch movies and play on the computer and wait for the washer and dryer to quit. I even made lunch for tomorrow. Before church i just have to put in the crockpot intil we get home(usually we go out to eat but I tired of it.
isn't that how life is. you make a great plan and life fakes you out. from one recovering slob to another i am glad i found your blog.
Oh no! Flu is hitting my house and I first. What am I going to do?
Hi J, I'm glad you found my blog too!
Anon, I'm so sorry you're sick. Hope you feel better soon.
Oh wow, why have I NEVER thought to freeze cooked rice before?? Brilliant! Seems like it would defrost in the microwave really quickly too.
We make what my kids call “sweety rice” on the weekend for breakfast sometime – it is super easy. Just brown basmati rice, a little salt, 1 T of walnut oil, and water cooked in the microwave in a large bowl with the lid on for 45 min. or whatever the package directions say. No stirring or anything, always perfectly cooked, nothing gummy and no burnt-on mess like I sometimes get when I stove-top cook my rice. Walnut oil is a little pricey but it is so worth it since the rice only uses 1 T of it and it makes the entire house smell so delicious. Just a little drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of raw sugar crystals for crunch to top the rice. My kids LOVE this breakfast and will eat 2 or 3 bowls full, so yay for all that fiber and no slaving away at the stove on a Saturday morning. 🙂
I sometimes think we should make rice for a side dish with dinner too, but since it takes 45 min. while the rest of the meal might only take me 20 min. to prepare, I rarely make rice for a side. But if it were only a matter of minutes to thaw the cooked rice…? Or even better, pull it out of the freezer before I leave for work in the morning so it’s thawed by dinner time? (HA! As if I will ever remember to do that.) 🙂 Either way – GENIUS! Thanks for the simple yet brilliant idea.