I'm not sure if you have ever experienced this, but as a women, mom, wife and grandmother, I never really get a break. I mean... I guess you could count my morning coffee and quiet time, but let's be honest, my time drinking coffee and spending time with Jesus saves lives.
As summer quickly approached, I was trying to mentally prepare myself for a house full of grandbabies, my elderly aunt that I care for, Bible study dinners, church potlucks and the general ministry of our family table and I came to the conclusion that I need to spend some time preparing or I am going to get overwhelmed.
And we all know that being overwhelmed is never a good place to be.
I decided to Pinterest some quick freezer meals and do some prep and boy it is paying off!!
Here is a quick list of my favorite freezer meals:
Mexican Lasagna
Cheeseburger Tatertot Casserole
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
Burritos
Sheet Pan Nachos
Chicken and Veggies
Shredded Chicken - 2 lbs
Ground Seasoned Beef - 2 lbs
Ground Seasoned Beef and Lentils - 2 lbs
Shepherd's Pie
Scheduling is everything. Do yourself a favor and sit for 15 min and make out a shopping list, which nights will you use a freezer meal, which nights do you plan to eat out, and eat with friends. Plan it!!
Here is my weekly list just to give you an idea:
Sunday: Cheese Burger Salads ( use frozen preseasoned ground beef)
Monday: Creamy Chicken Enchiladas, salad and watermelon
Tuesday: Taco Tuesday (might I suggest a local eatery to support our community)
Wednesday: Family Dinner or Bible Study Dinner - Sheet Pan Nachos - always a favorite!
Thursday: Baked Potato Bar - use the rest of the ground beef from Sunday
Friday: Shepherds Pie - Dinner with Friends - always a treat!
Saturday: Beef and Lentil Soft Tacos
I use 8x8 and 9x13 disposable pans with lids and freezer bags from Amazon. Time is money and I'm saving about 7 hours a week in prep and clean up time. Priceless.
I have also (for the summer) decided that juice boxes and squeeze pouches are my friend so I'm not having to search for sippy cups and finding fermented juice inside. I found one the other day from last summer!! So gross!!
Paper plates, bowls, and napkins.... all day long!
We have a perpetual salad bowl.... always have a salad ready to go. Its super simple, just red pepper and cucumbers, but so fresh. We add tomatoes as needed.
Most importantly, schedule some time for yourself. Hire a mothers helper, a companion, or enlist the help from family, the in-laws - you don't need much, but you need to have scheduled time to look forward to.
If we don't invest in ourselves we cannot pour out in to our families... and morning devotions and quiet time with Jesus don't count. That time in mandatory!!
I would love to hear any other tips and tricks for quick prep dinners, multigenerational households, working mama's, and busy growing households.
You are loved mama!! You are seen! You are heard!!
Need a break? Come sit.... bring a puzzle.
See you at the Corner!!
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