Hellobee Boards

Following! I was the same as you and didn't do any freezing last time. We relied on take out WAY too much!

Length of freezing probably depends on your freezer type. Deep freeze or regular? I've started stockpiling some recipes I'll share when I get home!

I just started freezing meals just because I hate cooking. We also have a deep freezer, but honestly not sure how long things hold up. So far I've made potato soup and chili (triple batch of each). I also have some sausage gravy and regular gravy in there for quick meals. I freeze my other sauces so they don't go to waste. That's not a meal but I'm all about not opening a jar of sauce then forgetting about it and having to toss it, when I could just freeze it. I also buy meat in bulk so there is always something on hand, even if it's browning meat for tacos.

I've read that most things keep for about 4 months. So, I would wait closer to your due date!

I love freezer meals. I usually aim for 3 months in my regular freezer, and 6 months in the chest freezer - we open the chest freezer a lot less, so things seem to last longer.

Even when my 3 or 6 month "deadline" passes, it doesn't mean the food is bad. It just starts to get a little funky or get some freezer burn or just generally not taste as good.

One suggestion - I made a bunch of meals for postpartum and I also made a few kinds of muffins. The muffins were so great for easy nursing snacks! Next time I would probably add some breakfast burritos to the list.

ETA - I know some moms do a big cooking session once every month or so and make a bunch of freezer meals. For me, it works better to just make two of something I'm already making. If I'm making lasagna I'll make one to eat and one for the freezer. If I make soup I make a double batch and put one in the freezer.

I froze meals when I was in my third trimester and they lasted until the end of the "fourth trimester." Basically I cooked our favorite meals and either made double and/or froze the leftovers. SO many recipes can be frozen, so I would either freeze them after they've already been cooked (like soups) or prepared them and froze them uncooked (for casseroles). One of my favorite things to freeze is "taco" meat (seasoned beef), into individual portion sizes, because it's great for a quick meal (taco salad, tacos, inside quesadillas, stuffed peppers, zucchini boats, etc.)

I'm excited to freeze meals again and I'm already making my list of what i want to make!

@cmomma17: you might be able to find one for under $100, if you're going to go this route, it's a great investment!

I recently found Rachel Ray's Week in a Day cookbook, but it's meat heavy. The premise is 5 meals, that you make ahead.

Indian food freezes well, wink wink! I made curry two weekends ago and froze the portions in those quart containers. We had one for dinner last night with naan that I had also frozen.

I am not really sure how well beans freeze/defrost.

@cmomma17: That looks simple enough! I have never frozen rice before, I am eager to try that.

@cmomma17: That's awesome! I'm actually making my list of freezer meals this morning Your food sounds way more indulgent than my list, LOL!

@cmomma17: Oh i did frozen rice last time and it turned out great! If you dump it in a bowl and place a damp paper towel over it, it makes a big difference.

I've got breakfast burritos+sandwiches, then main meals of: thai curry, meatballs, a couple of soups, honey lime chicken, chicken parm bake, taco meat, calzones, curry....and then maybe tamale pies and chicken taquitos? We have a french door refrigerator so i'll start making stuff and see how much room we have left in the freezer. It's not a big freezer