https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 07:45:53 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-752759 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:39:34 +0000 LuLu Mom 752759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm commenting on the muffins too, my cousin brought me a batch to eat and a batch to freeze when LO was born, she had twins a few months before and said they were lifesavers when breastfeeding...and she was right! they were a nice snack when you are starving in the middle of the night. </p> <p>Some additional items I made were enchilidas, tator tot casserole (DH"s favorite), tuna casserole, chili, chicken noodle soup, golash, sloppy joes, meatloaf, meatballs, and sauces that I could easily thaw and throw over pasta! I also made a pizza casserole that Dh was obsessed with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-752558 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:27:07 +0000 looch 752558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: FoodSaver brand is fantastic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-752478 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:58:49 +0000 Boheme 752478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dagret: Mmmm, quiche! I've frozen several of them since they're pretty much my fav food and you can eat them for any meal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-752474 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:58:02 +0000 Boheme 752474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dang, you are prepared! My freezer meal plan pretty much consists of thinking "Oh, I'm making enchiladas tonight. Those freeze pretty well. I think I'll make two batches and freeze one." Over the month of May I'm going to get more intentional about planning meals that freeze well, and doubling the recipe each time to freeze half. I may have to borrow some of your ideas! They're great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-752381 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:29:37 +0000 Mrs D 752381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I dont but if this works out well I may have to look into investing in one! Do you have one you recommend? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-751911 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:59:22 +0000 looch 751911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have a vacuum sealer? You can freeze until solid, then put the meals in a vac sealed bag. You won't get any freezer burn that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-751686 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:54:06 +0000 dagret 751686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: haha I hear you on that one. I thought I'd go all fancy and then went about 6 months without one a all so I just grabbed the calendar when I was at staples one day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-751330 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:30:58 +0000 Mrs D 751330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Emsmems: I just picked up three new cookbooks (seriously I have an issue with cookbooks) the everything freezer one you mentioned, a TOH freezer cooking one and fix, freeze, feast! Should give me enough recipes to find some good ones!!! :)</p> <p>@dagret: I know I need to just go easy to get it done - thats definitely where I'll end up...just still holding out hope for this adorable menu board I have created in my mind! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749423 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:27:19 +0000 dagret 749423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: my menu board is a dry erase week calendar that is stuck to my fridge. It's from the Martha Stewart line at staples. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749422 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:26:55 +0000 aprk 749422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We made chili, frozen pizzas, turkey burgers and ravioli that all held up really well in the freezer. We kept a white board on the fridge to remind us what we had left. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749414 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:18:17 +0000 Mrs D 749414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Emsmems: Thanks so much for the recommendations! I'll be checking those both out ASAP.</p> <p>@dagret: Ya - I actually just made a planner up so I can keep my life organized and one of the templates I printed was to keep a log of what I have in the freezer!</p> <p>I am trying to get a menu board started (DH is one of those weird-os who wont eat the same meat twice in a day or even consecutive days) but just keep dragging my feet! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749404 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:09:52 +0000 Emsmems 749404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My favorite freezer recipe book is "The Best Make-Ahead Recipe". It's made by the America's Test Kitchen people so every recipe is tested to make sure that it will be good reheated. </p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1933615141/ref=ya_aw_oh_pii" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1933615141/ref=ya_aw_oh_pii</a></p> <p>Some of the dishes are kinda fancy/over the top so the other one I have is "The Everything Freezer Meals Cookbook" which has a lot of good basics, like hamburgers, meatballs, marinades to freeze with chicken, etc. I have made 12 meals so far that have all been good and plan to make more soon!</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1440506124/ref=ya_aw_oh_pii" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1440506124/ref=ya_aw_oh_pii</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749397 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:07:26 +0000 dagret 749397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh,I forgot a tip: I kept a list of the meals in the notes app on my iPad - so that way I don't forget what I have frozen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749386 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:01:37 +0000 hellobeeboston 749386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: umm, can you come help me organize my life?? You are so on top of it! Wow! I'm super impressed... </p> <p>Sounds good! I only made about 3 frozen items for us and that didn't last us that long. My mom state with us the first week and cooked every night though, and some great neighbors brought us food.</p> <p>I also made muffins right before I had the baby and those were fantastic for late night snacks when I was ravenous due to BFing - so I would recommend something like that, that's easy to eat while nursing/feeding! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749242 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:12:16 +0000 Mrs D 749242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: I do have family nearby but I pretty much only think my mom will come bearing food (she is great like that and did this for my sister when she had my nephew 2 years ago). Otherwise I dont think I can count on the rest of the fam for much food! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749206 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:34:20 +0000 pregnantbee 749206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow. You're so prepared. One thing I'd keep in mind: If you're planning to BF, your LO may end up being allergic to dairy. I'd be sure several of the meals don't have dairy or soy in them just in case. Otherwise, can you come to my house and do this for us? ;) LO is 10 months and I'm still not back into a true cooking rotation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749193 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:21:09 +0000 HLK208 749193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whoa! I think you are set! Do you have family near by? A lot of our family brought about 1-2 weeks worth of meals for us. I also froze fruits and spinach for green smoothies. I did lasagna, enchiladas, spaghetti and meat sauce, garlic chicken, homemade pizza, then I bought 90 second heat up rice, steamers - veggies, and a lot of frozen Trader Joe's meals. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749144 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:03:02 +0000 Mrs D 749144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Superhero: Ooohh how did you do the calzones in the freezer without the dough getting soggy? DH loves those so that would be great to add to my list!</p> <p>@Emsmems: I'd love some book recommendations. I have a small cookbook obsession so I am always looking to add!</p> <p>@tlcbaby: thanks for the link - I'll take a look! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749123 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:13:17 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 749123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>pureed soups are nice because you can drink them out of a travel mug while you nurse. It can be hard to find time to eat, I swear they always want to eat when you do!</p> <p>I did big batches of calzones, burritos, and spanikopita for quick lunches. And muffins for breakfast. </p> <p>This was obviously before I went mostly paleo... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749051 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:59:24 +0000 tlcbaby 749051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dagret: Well I plan to eat lunch, I just meant I don't usually prepare a meal for lunch. I just grab a bunch of snacky stuff or leftovers. :)</p> <p>@Mrs D: I am using this ebook and making some Paleo modifications - <a href="http://www.mamaandbabylove.com/freezer-cookbook/" rel="nofollow">http://www.mamaandbabylove.com/freezer-cookbook/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749014 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:49:00 +0000 Emsmems 749014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have kids but it sounds like you have really thought it over and planned it out. </p> <p>I have a couple good freezer recipe books if you want recommendations on ones to buy. Biggest thing they say is anything with noodles (casseroles, soups, etc) to only cook them barely al dente before mixing them in and freezing them! That really helps them not be mush when you reheat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749006 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:36:58 +0000 Mrs D 749006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tlcbaby: Would LOVE to know which freezer meals you select and how they turn out. I am struggling a bit with finding good recipes for them. I have pinned a ton but wish I had some real reviews on them first! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749002 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:24:17 +0000 dagret 749002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tlcbaby: trust me, you will be hungrier than you've ever been in your life if you are breastfeeding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-749001 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:23:26 +0000 dagret 749001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Tgat sounds pretty comprehensive! As long as you wrap things carefully (and dont lose power again), you should be good.</p> <p>i made some quiches ahead of time - they are a good breakfast or light dinner w a salad. And some meatballs which were nice bc I could make sandwiches or spaghetti with them. </p> <p>I made one batch of muffins and wish I had made more- I was starving in those early days and it was nice to grab a muffin and zap it for a snack. </p> <p>I double-wrapped everything in aluminum foil and then put them in freezer bags and so far nothing's been freezer burnt. I haven't used all of my meals yet and L is 3 months old. They have been *really* nice in the past few weeks when I started back to work. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-748996 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:19:13 +0000 tlcbaby 748996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Your plan is much more planned out than mine :)<br /> I am due June 1 and I am just planning to make three freezer meals per week from now until the baby gets here. Each of the meals should make about 6 servings, though. They are all crock pot meals. Not sure exactly how many I'll end up with, but I know anything will help!</p> <p>I mostly snack during the day so I am not planning anything for lunch and for breakfast I might make a few batches of egg muffins and egg casseroles and freeze them in individual servings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prepping-freezer-mealsinput-please#post-748982 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:03:05 +0000 Mrs D 748982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So - I am starting to prepare a schedule for making freezer meals/food for when LO arrives. I am due Aug 29th(ish) so I am planning to do most of my cooking end of June and into July. I'm looking to get feedback on my plan compared to what others have done or plan to do... </p> <p>My plan is based on the following assumptions:<br /> -breakfast is easy so I wont make anything for this meal<br /> -lunch I'm planning to make soups ahead of time and salads I'll make every couple days to keep in the fridge. Along with other easy items like sandwiches and grilled cheeses.<br /> -dinner I'd like to plan to have 3-4 freezer meals a week for the two months (it will be late summer so DH can still BBQ twice a week); month three I'll be prepping some more meals for when I go back to work but I'd also like to get into a habit of making 3 meals fresh a week and supplementing with 2 or 3 freezer meals</p> <p>My plan is as follows:<br /> -Soup: 4 different kinds, I'll plan to make double batches. (New England Clam Chowder, Chicken Corn Chowder, Black Bean, Zucchini<br /> -Casseroles: Mississippi Bean Bake (double batch - to make 4 portions), Lasagna (I'll make 2, freeze halves), Zucchini Crescent Pie (I'll make two, freeze halves), Turkey Enchiladas (4 portions)<br /> -Slow Cooker Recipes: 6 recipes, 2 batches of each recipe</p> <p>Thats gives me 28 dinners between the freezer meals and casseroles - which should be good. It also gives 8-16 frozen containers of soup (if I make double batches or now). Luckily my power just went out so my freezer is empty from having to pitch everything! :( :) I'll also make some cookie dough to freeze and a bundt cake or two to freeze so I have easy treats for anyone who comes by.</p> <p>How does this compare to your plan? How did your freezer cooking turn out? Any tips/input is greatly appreciated!! </p>