I’ve been watching from a distance for years, as other moms around me experiment with freezer meals. And promote the benefits. And stock their freezers for a month of meals at a time.
I’m impressed.
One time about seven years ago, I ordered a set of frozen meals on Groupon from one of those “Make Ahead Meals” shops that were popping up everywhere. The closest store was supposed to ship us a box of meals, but two of the stores coincidentally were exactly equidistant from my home. So I got two boxes.
And I got to keep them both! It was right before our move to California and Dan was traveling a bunch, so I loved having those meals. Even with double of everything, we happily used nearly all of them in the three or four weeks before our move and the last few I was able to give to a dear friend on move-out day.
Those meals really got me thinking about finding freezer meal recipes for my family. But after we moved, Dan never traveled and it just did not come to mind.
And until recently, I have not felt like I have the tools I need to actually make and execute freezer meals that will work for my family. My husband is pretty picky about his food and cooks quite a few of our meals from fresh ingredients – so I will admit I have not been very driven.
Then his work schedule changed. And now traveling is the word of the week pretty often. So now here I am trying to cook three meals a day for my family of eight for a week at a time by myself. And I find myself wanting something easy but tasty. Instead of easy and the same every day. So really tasty freezer meals are the perfect solution. And conveniently, my friend Sharla has come up with the perfect freezer meal solution to my lack of knowledge and recipes!
I can plan to make up a few on the weekend (and focus on the ones that will get thrown in the crockpot) and save myself a lot of weariness and extra trips to the grocery store on the weeks when he is across the country – especially since we will be starting our school year back up soon and life is going to get crazy!
So here are my ten reasons to start using freezer meals. I’m hoping you can relate.
Reason #10. I’ve got kids. The kids can be crazy. Pulling something out of the freezer and throwing it into the insta-pot at noon is amazing.
Reason #9. We are headed back-to-homeschool three weeks from today. Need I say more?
Reason #8. My husband travels two weeks a month. And the kids can be crazy. Did I mention that one already?
Reason #7. My kids are in sports. Sports practice is in the evening. Cooking supper is in the evening. These two things do not co-exist well. And yet, we must eat. Daily. Over and over again this happens.
Chicken Crock Pot Freezer Meals for Slow Cooking
Reason #6. If all you have to do is take a Ziplock bag out of the freezer and put it into the crockpot, even my seven-year-old twins can “make dinner.” I’m so looking forward to that! And I’m guessing they will be thrilled.
Reason #5. Once a week or even once a month, I can make all the meals and clean up all the mess. So much less mess this way throughout the week! And if I pick all slow-cooker recipes, all I ever have to wash is my slow cooker. I can use those liner bags! Woot.
Reason #4. I’m tired of not knowing the answer when someone asks “What’s for dinner?” at seven pm. Yikes.
Reason #3. Even if my husband plans to cook all week, there will always be something in the freezer “in a pinch” instead of a last minute trip to the store when he calls to say he won’t be home in time and I do not know how to cook whatever’s on the plan.
Reason #2. We will eat out less if meals are always available to throw in the oven or on the grill from the freezer. #truestory
Reason #1. Chopping, dicing, and seasoning all at once will save me time. And I need more time in my life!
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