So, I know its been quite a while since I have dabbled in the blogging area with my food blogging............
But I have been very intrigued and now taken by a certain thought.
The thought that Less time in the kitchen means... More time with my sons. So, Thus I was very inspired when i came across a post by Money Saving Mom Posted back in November on their facebook page. Well Of course I went to read the blog.........
Which linked up to....
Who Needs A Cape???
Which Again... took a it more reading and time.....
WOW just wow is What I was thinking at the time..... Spend 4 hrs to make and prepare for approximately 40 meals in just 4 hrs. Freeze and then just pull out what you want the night before throw in the crock pot the next morning AND....... TADA!!!! Nice hot home cooked meal! How awesome would that be? Just add vegetable and/or a carb/starch and you are good to go, Those two do NOT take too much time! So... I did it! I took time jotted down the items to the master shopping list and headed out to the store... Just Me and my four guys. Ok that was a lot harder than you would of imagined. 1- 32 yr old, 2- 23 month olds and.... 1 30 day old.... It was Fun needless to say. Took two trips to two different stores in two different cities..... because IMO there was not exactly enough listed on the master shopping list for what was needed when i took it and went shopping.
SO, I split up the meals into 2 days worth of my doing this, being with the kids and husband...... and our normal schedule....I had a heck of a time getting more than 2 hrs to do it, I had to do it after the kids were asleep which put me at doing it and stopping at about 1 am each night LOL. Just a lil long for me. YES it did take me 4 hrs.... but, that was also with me VERY UNPREPARED!
I will Not tell a lie there.
Def Print out the recipes, Def pre prep the veggies and items that can be chopped cut separated crushed and/or opened. this i actually think will have to save time.. Oh yeah and gather all your items in ONE area... and work from there.... I did not do these things and it took me the 4 full hrs. I actually tired my best to break the time on that =)
Now my plans for the future blogs..........
given time (which will take away from family but Im going to truly attempt this.... ) I will break down the calories, carbs, sodium, and TRUE servings.... I will break down MY Texas cost of the meals, and of the total spent.
I did save receipts but i will have to sit down and calculate everything out to a T. I really am uber picky on these things. and I am VERY determined! I will give it 1-4 stars. ;) I will try and state if it was or was NOT really truly kid friendly. My boys will try just about anything. including meats but if they don't like it is straight onto the floor, and they are actually for almost 2 yr olds very open to taste! I will tell you if there should be something added for flavor, what i added for sides and stuff. and what i did or didn't do with the left overs ;)
we have tried several of these meals so far. Each one i will blog about and let you know...
Just a few that we have tried so far:
Applesauce bbq pork
Mongolian Beef
Ranch chicken tacos (I just added ranch dressing to this recipe)
Hearty beef stew
Beef/chicken fajitas
Balsamic glazed chicken
Teriyaki chicken
So if you can bare with me. I will try to catch up on the blogging about the meals and if all works out will get the cost and stuff done asap..... that seems to be what will be holding me up the longest..... that will take a bit of time........
Tomorrow we will be having green chili pork stew.......... Hubby is beyond excited!!
But let me add this, It really truly has been so nice to come in the kitchen throw on a side and sit down with my boys playing and coloring at the table when that is going on... vs having to really stand there and keep and eye on things with the kids in another room or doing their own thing. I am super mom (ok maybe i just try to be HAHA) but I do what I can and now it seems I can do more. We HAVE eaten out less..... and that too has been very enjoyable!!!
Well, I'm off of this one and on to the other now!
Peace and Lettuce =)
Jessica
