Cooking/Freezing/Repeat

Good afternoon Folks!

Last week I had mentioned the Freezer Meals, well I am back! The planning, preparing and freezing feels like it has taken over my life!  It has been so much work that I can honestly say that I am burnt out!  I did however convince the hubby to buy a new freezer..so I must push thru the exhaustion and keep cooking/freezing.  My goal is to have 30 breakfast, 30 lunches and 30 dinner meals.  So far, I have met my breakfast goal, have about 8 dinners but still need so much more.  Truthfully it feels a bit daunting, but one day at a time...

I have been asked by many why? It all started this summer, while both of our kiddos were out of the house..I took a hiatus from cooking.  We ate cereal, soup and sandwiches for most of the summer. It was fabulous!  Fast forward, both of our kiddos are back home, we are all running in different directions.  Cereal and soup just doesn't cut it with 2 teenagers.

It is important to me as a mom to spend one meal a day with my family.  Dinner is a time for us to come together and discuss our day, plan for the upcoming days but most importantly it is when I as a mom get to take in everything that my lovies are doing.  I love listening to them chat.  I would rather listen to them than spend an hour cooking.  I remembered that I used to prepare freezer meals years ago and decided to get back to it.  I can feel good knowing that I am able to prepare meals that are home cooked with as much care as possible while still spending much needed time with them.  Soon they will both be out of the house and it will be back to soup and sandwiches.

These breakfast bowls were really fairly easy to make.  Here is the direct link for the recipe.
http://happymoneysaver.com/breakfast-bowl-recipe/

I used 15 large eggs, 5 pounds of potato's and 1 pound of sausage along with a cup of shredded Cheese to create 12 bowls.

The family helped to make the waffles.  Here is the recipe that we used:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/233920/tender-and-easy-buttermilk-waffles/

I did double the recipe, we made a few more..but you know we had to sample..just had to make sure that our daughter (the Waffle Princess) approved.  *wink* 

 Are you tired yet?  Me too!

Thursday evening, I boiled an entire bag of boneless, skinless chicken.  With it, I was able to make 2 Enchilada Casseroles.

Here is the delicious recipe that I used:
http://happymoneysaver.com/make-ahead-chicken-enchilada-casserole/

I saved half of the shredded chicken to whip up this delicious concoction....can I just say..FABULOUS!  Let me properly introduce you to Baked Chicken Pesto Alfredo.

I used Two Boxes of Penne Pasta, about a pound of chicken, a bushel of fresh spinach and my own Italian Bread Crumbs and Pesto Sauce..yuppers..I went all out!  Being that we live 12 miles from a grocery store, a gal has to be able to think fast!

Here is my Italian Bread Crumb Recipe:
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Parsley
1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1/4 tsp Oregano
1/4 tsp Basil

Toast 2 slices of Texas Toast-( had some on hand since I was also making French Toast to freeze), add all of the spices and toast to a chopper and give it a good spin,  VIOLA!  Instant Italian bread crumbs that you can feel good about.  Since I was doubling the recipe, I doubled this recipe too.

If you would like to purchase a mini chopper, here is a direct link.
 Mini Chopper


Here is the direct link to the Chicken Recipe:
http://happymoneysaver.com/baked-chicken-pesto-alfredo-freezer-meal/

Back to searching for new recipes, shopping and preparing.  

NEW Soaps & Gift Sets

Good morning and Happy Wednesday!  How have you all been?  I am running at full SPEED!  Not only am I whipping up NEW products but I am also working in the kitchen....yes the KitChen.. cooking that is.  I had this idea to create Freezer Meals and have started the process...lots of cooking is going on but I think it will be worth it in the end, especially during the first few weeks of school.  It is always an adjustment.    

Freezer Meals put on the back burner..check check! On to the NEW product!  I had an idea to whip up soap using the loaf method.  As I was going thru the cupboards in my Craft Studio, I stumbled upon a bag of dried herbs..hmm..I knew that I was onto something.  The first loaf that I made was Fresh Mint Herbal Buttermilk..have you ever smelled Fresh Mint?  I tell ya, it is delightful!  I poured the soap in layers, the first layer has glycerin soap, dried Chamomile, Lavender, Spearmint, Rosemary and Juniper.  As soon as it set, I poured the buttermilk soap along with a sprinkling of more of the dried herbs.   I continued on until I reached the top of the loaf.  As the soap was setting, (it takes a couple of days) I went to work on whipping up lotion, sugar scrub, European Spa Bath Salts and bubble bath.  Viola!  A new Gift Set!

The soap fresh out of the mold and hand cut, doesn't it look scrumptious?

The NEW Gift Set all packaged up and ready to go home with someone.

Since I made a few of each product, I thought a Spa Bath Set would be perfect.  European Bath Salts and the Champagne Bubble Bath..what's not to love?

I was on a Roll!  I also whipped up a separate batch with my Rosemary Mint and Goats Milk Soap..ooh laaa laaaa!

The New Gift Sets have not made their way online but I am happy to say that they are here in the shop, the Rosemary Goats Milk Soap has almost sold out!  We have one bar left and one Gift Set.

I have another NEW Loaf that is setting up as we speak, can't wait to share it with you all!  Catch ya all later!