My First Day of Making Freezer Meals

Most people know that I am super in love with Pinterest right now (if you haven't checked it out, you should!). There were a few links on there with once-a-month-cooking and it inspired me. I wasn't up for an entire month's worth of cooking, but I thought I'd pick a few complimentary recipes and try it out. I'm not completely foreign to the make-ahead-meals concept as I participated in "Your Supper Solutions" in Red Deer a few times, but I've never done it from home and with all my own research, shopping, etc.

 

Researching for meal ideas and shopping was a bit time consuming, but I was kind of in slow mo mode too. After about 4 hours of prepping and cooking the above depicts my results:

-3 containers of Rachel's Casserole,*

-3 containers of Alphine Meatballs with Rice,*

-2 containers of Pizza Spaghetti Casserole,*

-1 large ziplock container of Sausage Pasta Sauce,

-1 large ziplock container of Sausage Stirfry Mix,

-1 meal sized container of Taco Beef mixing,

as well as 1 meals worth of Taco Beef mixing which I made into Taco Salad that night.

*Recipes were found on other websites, links at end of blog entry.

I'll list the recipes I used first with basic directions, and then I'll list my methods of madness from that day (tips, etc).

A) Taco Beef Mixing (I made 2 batches):

• 1 package of Extra Lean Ground Beef
• 1 package of Taco Seasoning
• 3/4 cup of water
• 1 small container of tomato paste
• 1 cup of salsa (I used Tostitos Mild)

Directions:

• Brown hamburger.
• Pour seasoning package over mixture and add water.
• Continue cooking until water evaporates.
• Add tomato paste & salsa.
• Store in freezable ziplock bag. Probably only need a medium size for one batch.

Future uses:

• add to lettuce, shredded cheese, fresh veggies (cucumber, green & red peppers, red onion) and cheesy doritos for a taco salad.
• use with taco shells & fixings for tacos.
• make the 'dorito bake casserole': which uses pillsbury cresent dough for the base, Beef Taco Mix, sour cream layer and then cheese and crushed cheesy doritos on top. Bake at 350F until browned.
• make 'tortilla bake casserole': alternate tortillas (I prefer cheese ones) and Beef Taco Mix. Have one sour cream layer in the middle and cheese on top. Could also have refried bean layer if desired. Bake at 350F until browned.

 B) Alphine Meatballs (Equalled three lasagna sized containers plus left over rice):

• 1 Box Premade frozen meatballs (I bought the blue menu italian meatballs from No Frills/Superstore)
• 4 Cups Rice
• 1/2 Cup of Parmesan
• 1 small pkg of Swiss Cheese (270g), grated
• 1 1/2 Cups Milk
• 2 cans Condensed Mushroom Soup
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp all spice
• 3 tsp chopped garlic or 3 cloves

Directions:

• Cook rice.
• Put a layer of meatballs on the bottom of your dish.
• In a seperate bowl, mix rice with all ingredients except meatballs.
• Pour rice mixture over meatball layer.
• Future Use: Bake at 350F for 30-45 minutes when thawed.

C) Turkey Sausage Pasta Sauce (made one large ziplock bag):

• 1 pkg of Turkey Sausage (bought mine at walmart)
• Fresh Veggies (Green Peppers, Red Peppers, Yellow Onions, Broccol, Carrots Medallions, Fresh Mushrooms)
• 1 Large Can of Spaghetti Sauce or Tomato Sauce

Directions:

• Bake turkey sausages at 350F for 30-45 minutes. Make sure they are no longer pink inside. Slice into bite sized pieces. Let cool to room temperature.
• Chop fresh veggies as needed into large pieces. I ended up with about 4 cups of fresh veggies.
• Put all ingredients into large freezable ziplock container.
• Future Use: Cook in slow cooker until desired tenderness. Serve over freshly cooked pasta. For leftovers, keep pasta seperate from pasta sauce.

 D) Turkey Sausage Stirfry (made one batch):

• 1 package of Turkey Sausages (I bought mine at walmart)
• Fresh Broccoli
• Carrot Medallions
• Yellow Onions, sliced
• Green & Red Peppers, sliced
• Fresh Mushrooms, sliced
• Sauce: ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, soya sauce. Mix together to taste. Use only about a tsp of soya sauce and a lot of ketchup to start.

Directions:

• Bake sausages in oven at 350F for 30-45 minutes. Make sure they are no longer pink inside. Slice into bite sized pieces. Let cool to room temperature.
• You can either keep veggies raw to fry later or fry them now depending how ready you want this meal to be.
• If veggies are cooked, you can store with the sauce. I chose to wait until I use this mix to freshly make sauce and rice.
• Future Use: serve warmed on rice with sauce.

E) Pizza Spaghetti Bake (made 3 lasagna sized containers):

• 1 package of ground meat (I used chicken to have a variety of meats in my recipes)
• Veggies (I used red peppers, green peppers, yellow onions)
• 1 Can of Mushrooms
• 1/2 Package of Spaghettini (or pasta of your choice)
• 1 Large Can of Pasta Sauce, or Tomato Sauce (ALT: maybe even pizza sauce)
• 24 pizza pepperoni slices
• 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese, grated
• 1 Cup Mont Jack Cheese, grated

Directions:

• Brown ground meat.
• Dice veggies. Fry along with mushrooms.
• Boil spaghettinni to desired tenderness. Drain.
• Mix all three of above together along with pasta sauce and let cool to room temperature.[Next time I am going to try it with pizza sauce. When I do, I will refrain from mixing it in, but rather do it as a layer of my casserole]
• Once cool, layer in bottom of dish.
• Sprinkle grated cheese on top.
• Place pepperoni on top of cheese.
• Future Use: Bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes if thawed, 40 - 50 minutes if frozen.

F) Rachel's Casserole (made 3 lasagna cointainers):

• 1/2 Box of Pasta (I used Scooby Doo Spirals, she recommends egg noodles)
• 1 package of ground meat
• 2 tbsp flour
• Tomato Sauce or Pasta Sauce
• 1/2 Cup of Black Olives, Sliced
• 1/2 Cup of Green Peppers, Chopped
• 1/2 Cup of Green Onions, Chopped (I forgot to buy these)
• 1 Cup of Sour Cream
• 2 Cups of Cottage Cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Directions:

• Cook pasta.
• Brown burger. Once cooked, add tomato sauce and flour and simmer for 10 minutes.
• In a seperate bowl, mix sour cream, cottage cheese, veggies and salt and pepper.
• Once pasta and burger is cool, put it in the bottom of the dish. Pour veggie mixture over pasta. Pour beef mixture over veggie mixture.
• Future Use: Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.

Methods of Madness/Tips
First Things...

• I wanted everything in disposable, freezable things. For things I was going to bake, I wanted freezable & bakeable so I bought tinfoil lasagna sized containers with lids (if they had larger ones with lids I likely would have bought those) as well as Large Ziplock Freezer bags. Both these things I got at No Frills for a decent price, but I noticed the dollar stores carry them too so you may want to shop around for the best price.
• I chose recipes with similar ingredients so that I could multi-task chopping of veggies, re-use pans, etc.
• I did one big shop of all the ingredients (well two because I went to No Frills & Walmart).
• I pre-planned my recipe attack.
• Have lots of bowls and counterspace so that you can keep things seperated but do multi-tasking work, and you'll have to allow everything to cool before completing your freezer process.
• I pulled everything out that I would need that day & set it in one area on my counter.
• I added lots of veggies to my meals to bulk up the recipe size and get my daily dose of veggies in.

Pre-plan (learned from my days in the kitchen of KFC):

• I set up my rice cooker with the rice for Alphine Meatballs, once cooked I put in a big bowl to cool &/or be ready for mixing whenever I had a break in the other meals' prep,
• I put all the turkey sausages in the oven to bake while I used the stove top for other things.
• I started with the Beef Taco mix so that I could fry it up while chopping my veggies for the other recipes.
• I chopped all my veggies at the same time and seperated them into bowls or ziplocks for each recipe, then fried or kept fresh as each recipe needed.
• When frying veggies such broccoli & carrots, I precook them in the microwave to get them tender, then fry them for crispiness.
• Once meat was ready for taco mix, I put it in a bowl to cool while I started browning meat for spaghetti bake. I also put pasta on to bowl and started frying veggies.
• Once spaghetti bake layer one was mixed & cooling, I started browning my meat for rachel's casserole and cooking the pasta. I also started frying the veggies for my stir fry.
• Then I mixed the cottage cheese stuff.
• When I had in between moments I cut up the turkey sausage, assembled the turkey pasta sauce, assembled anything that was cool enough and mixed up the rice mixture for the alphine meatballs.
• I saved all the cheese grating for last.
• We also had a taco salad for supper about 3 hours into my assembly so I had a bit of a break for everything to cool and before I grated cheese.

That's it I think! Everything went well and I'm anxious to try the new dishes. I'm also looking forward to doing a few more meals. Send me any ideas you have! On my list:
Ham & Asparagus Strata
Meatloaf (my recipe using Knorr Veggie Mix)
Premade Sloppy Joe Mixture
Premade Shepard's Pie Mixture
Perogy Lasagna
Lazy Potsticker Casserole (my new idea, using potsticker pork recipe and pasta)
Pigs in a Blanket
Bisquits

*Rachel's Casserole:
http://www.oneshetwoshe.com/2010/01/rachels-casserole.html
*Alphine Meatballs:
http://busycooks.about.com/od/precookedmeatballrecipes/r/alpinemeatballs.-8tU.htm
*Pizza Spaghetti Casserole
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pizza-spaghetti-casserole-10000001589396/

A Choice

When I discussed with Tyler the idea of maybe going back to work, he said "If your reason is only financial then I would rather you stayed home." His comment made me feel good, that he really does value the choice to stay home with Dexter.

This influenced my choice, which is that if I'm looking to work for fulfillment purposes, then I would like to find the time to search for work involving my writing. Something that has come out of my experience with Wentworth is that others, virtual strangers, have complimented my writing skills. This leads me to believe, hopefully not wrongly, that I do have a talent that could be explored. I have always dreamed of writing a book, being published &/or writing for a magazine. I'm not sure how realistic or lucrative this could be, but my plan for 2012 is to explore my options. I'm very excited!

Secondly, for a very long time I've had some interest in money & investing. We have worked with Primerica, as investors, for about 7 years now and for the last 6 months or so I've been considering getting involved as a representative. I enjoy being educated on what my money is doing and also educating others on the best and better alternatives out there versus the traditional banks and routes. My experience with Primerica so far, leads me to believe that they are an ethical business who has their customers best interest as a priority rather than just their bottom line. This weekend and next week I'll be discussing with Jasmine (my representative) the exact qualifications I need and hopefully getting started. I believe she told me that there is a test I need to take in order to become a rep. I'm excited to get started with this too. I'll be happy to be more participatory in our own investments (Tyler & I each have RRSPs and Dexter has RESP, we also had term life insurance through them) and I'm hoping I'll be able to share my education with family and friend's. I'm not sure how lucrative it will be (as money is a very touchy subject with people) but my end goal is to simply help people have the best set of investments and insurance for their needs.

A Fork in the Road

Amongst the many changes that that come with losing Wentworth, is that the next year of my life has suddenly become open ended. I say a year, because if it's advisable and possible to get pregnant again, my due date is likely at least a year away. Timeline: I have to wait until January 30th to get information back from my doctor and that will be my 6 weeks post partum check-up. From there we may be able to start trying immediately or wait anywhere from the 3-6 months post partum mark depending on medical recommendations. There is also no guarantee how long conceiving will take, and gestation is generally 9 months.

So...originally I had planned to be at home with Dexter and Baby Boy #2 (I say it like that because we wouldn't have chosen the name Wentworth without this unique circumstance) for at least a year. Now, I don't know if I should continue to stay home with Dexter or pursue working outside the home or even from the home. I don't really have a problem staying busy at home between my Mommy Group, being a mom and being a wife. But the question is, am I emotionally & intellectually fulfilled by staying home? And is it financially feasible for me to stay at home right now?

Cons of going back to work:

-If Tyler is working then Dexter would be in a day home or day care. However, if Dexter gets sick then I would likely have to take time off of work to be home with him. Unless of course, I had some sort of back-up childcare like a possible other Mommy who was willing to take him when he's sick. SO, I'd have to find a job where they were willing to work with that. Not necessarily an easy task.

-Other than temping work, I haven't had a "job" since December 2007. That's a long time! It would be a huge adjustment to me to have to get up each morning, get myself and Dexter ready and be at work. It would also be a huge adjustment for me to be responsible to someone else with my time and energy. Not to mention the adjustment of learning rules, regulations, responsibilities, etc. I'm not sure if I'm up for that.

-It would really take a bite out of my Mommy Mingle social life, which I thoroughly enjoy. The majority of the playdates are during the weekday so we would no longer be able to attend those. I could always host weekend playdates myself, but I would definitely feel as though I am missing out as I wouldn't see my regular friends as much.

-The structure and socializing of child care for Dexter should mostly be positive. Though kids in day care tend to be sick more often from more exposure and I also run the risk of other people's morals influencing my child more than my own. Boo on that. It's also a possibility that Dexter could pick up the other kids' bad habits.

Pros of going back to work:

-Money obviously. Though numbers would have to be crunch on child care vs. salary to see exactly how much I actually would be bringing in.

-Emotional fulfillment of socializing on a daily basis with other adults. I do get a lot of this from my friends right now, but it may be nice to expand my social circle. However, socializing with other Mom's and their families is a lot more complimentary to our life right now (i.e. it's less stressful to have my kid at someone's house who has kids than a single person's).

-Intellectual/mental fulfillment: I really miss some of the mundane work I did and the resulting ego boost it gave me. I've always enjoyed change and learning new things and contributing to 'society' in a measurable way (mommyhood is so overlooked and underappreciated). For the most part I feel like I have excelled at each job I have held and made many positive relationships within each job so working has usually be a positive experience.

-Structure wise, it has been good for me to have a job. I tend to be more efficient and productive people. The old adage that busy people get things done is true for me.

At the end of the day, it is way too soon for me to make any decisions. I worry that I'll choose something (such as work) just to fill the void that has been created and that might not be a good thing. I want to make the decision being truly behind it, because I don't want to regret it two weeks down the road and then have the backlash that would come with that (burnt bridges, lost deposits or payments, etc).

Pet Peeve

I frequently talk about how Dexter is such a busy & inquisitive child. From observing other kids in my group, his behavior seem normal, but I still sometimes find it exhausting as I'm more of a passive person and so is Tyler. What irritates me is when people feel the need to say things like "just wait soon you'll have two of them" or "how will you handle two?"

First of all, I am not popping out another toddler. Babies, while needy, are very good at staying on one place & not getting into everything. When baby #2 grows to Dexter's age, Dexter will be older and hopefully past the crazy toddler busy-ness though I'm sure onto other adventures.

Secondly, each child is unique with their own personalities and quirks. While we just may get a Dexter carbon copy, it is more likely that he'll have his own temperament and new challenges to go with it.

Thirdly, I am anxious enough about how our lives are changing again and how I'm going to need to learn, grow and adapt again. I don't need other people's negativity to add to that, especially when it's too late to change our minds! Luckily a few of my friend have had second babies and all appear to be not only surviving but enjoying themselves as well. I remember a time when I had no kids and was completely baffled by how I would add a child to the mix. We did it once successfully!

Irritable New Dynamics

Tyrone (my brother-in-law) has a new girlfriend, Bobbie. I met her for the first time this summer and have seen her on a few occasions now. She's nice enough but something about her drives me crazy. I find her immature acting, and quite negatively opinionated. Tyrone calls her down a lot and she allows it, which I'm not cool with. Then this weekend and last weekend I've noticed that she interferes with my parenting which drives me bananas. If I am in the room, it is up to me to tell my child when he can and cannot do. If we are at Mary's house then she is qualified to intervene as well, but Tyrone and Bobbie are not welcome to say "Dexter don't touch that" "Finish your supper" or "You have to ask for that".

For a time, Tyrone was getting to a point where he wasn't so condescending and bossy, where I could tolerate him. Well he is right back to where I can't stand him anymore. We were meant to host a Christmas party today with Kyla, Shelley & families but due to the weather they couldn't make it. I decided to invite Mary, Tyrone & Bobbie over as they were all in Edmonton so supper wouldn't go to waste. I found myself being rude in that I could barely hold a conversation with Bobbie and Tyrone nor make eye contact with them because they were so irritating. For Christmas this year we are set up to share a cabin with them for four days! I'm not sure I'll be able to handle it. They've also invited us for New Year's but there is no way I'll be able to tolerate them so soon after...plus that's not how I want to spend my New Year's!!

Bonus Ultrasound: 32 Weeks

Baby boy is head down but sunny side up (same as Dexter, which causes painful back labour) - hopefully I can get him to flip the other way. He measured about 4 lbs which she said is in the 50% percentile - perfectly average! What I found weird is she said he measured 33 weeks 6 days, by my count I was 32 weeks. She said something about me being in my 33 week? Who knows...anyway, we'll see if it impacts baby's arrival date or not.

Funny Story - FitzGerald

Having the last name "Johnson" always seemed lame to me as its very generic. As a high schooler I dreamed of marrying into a more interesting and regal last name, often giving the example of "FitzGerald". Well tonight I was googling various things trying to find potential boys names, when I came across an interesting fact. Apparently the "fitz" in FitzGerald denotes a child that is illegitimate in the royal family meaning born out of wedlock. So, all this time I've been holding this name in prestige when realistically the opposite is true. So funny!