Let the Freezing Begin

I have a new plan to load my freezer with meals that can be taken out by anyone at anytime. I agree with an author I recently read, in that I like cooking, just not all the time. I try to avoid buying too much processed food, but that means I have to think of something to make, meal after meal, day after day. I'm ready for a change. My plan is to start making double or triple recipes whenever possible and putting the extras in the freezer for another meal during the month. I also will be spending a day with my mom making lots of extra meals to freeze ahead.

___

Today I made 44 waffles to freeze, Eggo-style (but with some healthy adjustments--whole wheat flour substituted for some white and some applesauce substituted for some oil). Some of the waffles were pumpkin ones, but there are very few of those left. Basia had one for a snack, then told me that she doesn't like pumpkin waffles, but could she please have two more--does that remind anyone of Uncle Gary and "those sorry biscuits"? Now whenever someone doesn't feel like cereal, he or she can pop a waffle into the toaster for a yummy breakfast. I plan on doing the same thing with little egg English muffin meals at some point and maybe with some healthy muffins and breakfast burritos, too.

___

Since I was in the kitchen anyway, I made a few loaves of bread and some mini whole wheat pizza crusts. I put the pizza crusts in the freezer, so when I want to make the kids pizza for a meal, I just have to thaw them, add some toppings, and cook for a few minutes.

___

I found some good books at my library about freezer cooking, and I am excited to fill my freezer with ready-to-go meals that were made by me instead of a factory somewhere. I'm also looking forward to the money I'm told I'll be saving. I'm most excited, though, to have dinner options on those days when I am just too tired or stressed to feel like cooking anything at all.

Meanwhile . . . Jon was working in the yard and garden, and the kids got to harvest some cucumbers. I hear tell that we are going to have homemade pickles soon.