Hope everyone had a fantastic New Year's Eve. Wishing you a great 2014 year ahead! Resolution idea: Make freezer meals! So before jumping in to making your first batch of freezer meals, there are some things needed to prepare... both from the store, and mentally.
Step 1- Pick out a day/time and commit to it.
Think about a good time to prepare some meals. I like to make a huge batch once a month. This project is not a "nap time" ordeal (I plan a lot of activities around what I can complete during my daughter's nap time). It takes longer so it's important that my husband is home to watch Cece so I can continue meal preparations.
Think about a good time to prepare some meals. I like to make a huge batch once a month. This project is not a "nap time" ordeal (I plan a lot of activities around what I can complete during my daughter's nap time). It takes longer so it's important that my husband is home to watch Cece so I can continue meal preparations.
Step 2- Clean and clear the freezer
The great thing about freezers, you can keep things for a long time, and the downside is that things need to be cleared out and organized in order to fit your freezer meals in. Here are some before and after shots of my recent clean-out. I have a very skinny freezer and need to maximize space.
<<<<<<< BEFORE<<<<<<<
(yes it's a giant pile of frozen food- there is no judging)
The great thing about freezers, you can keep things for a long time, and the downside is that things need to be cleared out and organized in order to fit your freezer meals in. Here are some before and after shots of my recent clean-out. I have a very skinny freezer and need to maximize space.
<<<<<<< BEFORE<<<<<<<
(yes it's a giant pile of frozen food- there is no judging)
<<<<<<<AFTER<<<<<<<<<
TIP: I purchased some stackable organizers from the Dollar Tree- often used in classrooms, but they work great in the freezer too.
How I organized- The top shelves are cleared out for bake-able freezer meals. the bottom drawer holds all of the crock-pot meals, and in the middle are all of our frozen fruits, veggies, sweet potato fries and hamburger rolls (I am so happy that hamburger rolls can be frozen)
Step 3- Look around the house for some of these things, and if you don't have them, add them to your shopping list...
These 4 things are great for freezing food and keeping it organized in the freezer:
1) Aluminum baking tins
These 4 things are great for freezing food and keeping it organized in the freezer:
1) Aluminum baking tins
2) Aluminum foil
3) Ziplock freezer bags (gallon size)
4) Sharpie Marker for labeling.
Now that you have prepared your freezer, supplies, and schedule, you are prepared for your first freezer meal day! The next post I will explain the process I take in preparing these meals.
NOWWWWWW GO! Clean out that freezer and make it look so pretty and organized.
NOWWWWWW GO! Clean out that freezer and make it look so pretty and organized.