Meal Planning and Freezer tips

Meal planning has become such a huge idea lately. It is a great way to save money at the grocery store especially when we all know how easy it is to wander around picking up random items and then getting home and having nothing to make with everything that you just bought. It also saves so much money by buying only what you really need, and cuts down on those middle of the week "we have no food" take out orders.  Making freezer meals doesn't have to be time consuming, tedious, and take all day. There's a lot of days where we simply dont have hours to prepare and assemble 6 months worth of dinners. Baby steps, people!

That being said, I am gonna get on my soapbox and talk about how it is much easier to assemble and prepare for the week on Sunday. As soon as Monday rolls around, and its back to school and work, its like all hell breaks loose and we go into "get me to Friday mode!"

1. Before I would stuff everything into the fridge and forget about it until it starts to stink, now I take the time and chop, dice, and slice everything ill need for dinner during the week. Even if you dont know what you are going to do with it seperating big bags of meat or chicken into manageable smaller bags, will save you from having the "I can for the life of me remember when I bought this" conversation.

2. Big gallon sized Zip Loc bags are your friend, and they're cheap! I usually pick up a few at the Dollar Store, its much easier to store than giant Tupper Wear containers.

3. MAKE A LIST. Pick your reciepes, right them down and stick it on the fridge. It will help you be more accountable when you think you're too lazy to cook dinner.

4. Write the date on the outside of the freezer bags. You will forget when you made them. I promise.

5. Prepare a freezer meal while your making dinner. It is so easy to take out what you need for that nights dinner, and stick the rest back in the fridge and forget about it. Grab a bag and create something for later on. These "extra" meals come in handy on weeks when you've run out of ideas or money!

6. Freeze fruit before it goes bad. If you know you wont eat it before it starts to turn, throw it in a baggie and toss it in the freezer. Add it to some yogurt for a quick breakfast smoothie in the morning when your pressed for time.


Feel free to comment and add your tips! I'll be adding to the list as I remember more!