Crockpot/Freezer Meals

Warning: this process can become addicting!

Andrew and I have always gone in spurts with our evening meals. There’s a few weeks where we would be good about cooking a variety of good healthy meals, but then there would be times where we were both too tired and didn’t feel like making anything so we would just throw together  a quick hamburger helper meal (which we later discovered aren’t the most healthiest meals). Over the past year, I’ve always had the idea of preparing freezer meals that could be placed in the crockpot or oven, and having a freezer full. With our upright deep freeze located in our pantry, it would make things SO easy. (no going up and down stairs each time to get something out of the freezer) Well….one thing after another kept happening and I just never got around to doing it because I was never home. 

Finally, in November, I had a day off from work, so I decided to take the plunge. I searched all over Pinterest and the internet to find some good recipes.  I came across LOTS!! Since I had no idea how long it would take me, I decided on a few and then prepared my grocery list. I spent $81 and about 4 hours and ended up with 14 meals (plus leftovers for lunches).  I made an “inventory” list of what/how many items I had in the freezer and then I also hung a white board calendar in our pantry so I could plan out the next two weeks worth of meals. Let me tell you, after 1 WEEK of crockpot meals, (setting in the fridge the night before, throwing it in the crockpot the morning of, EASY clean up) I was HOOKED! I wondered why I hadn’t started the process earlier! DOH!  I then found several more recipes and did a couple more days of meal prepping (one included a day spent with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law making well over 100 hamballs, ravioli lasagna, breakfast burritos, and garlic chicken). 

This has been a LIFESAVER! And I wanted to share my thoughts, in HOPES that someone else will catch on and make their lives easier as well.

#1 – SAVES MONEY

This is a big one for us!! I have gone grocery shopping a total of 3 times since November 10^th. (other than the normal necessities: milk, lunch meat, etc) Our monthly budget amount for groceries has dropped significantly. Granted, at this time we are only cooking for 2, but still, I feel like planning several meals in advance and buying ONLY what’s on your grocery list for making the meals, helps cut down “random” spending A LOT! Instead of spending $75 - $100 each week, we spent about $250 TOTAL for 65+ evening meals (then add lunch leftovers too)!

We also became members at the local Sams Club. With making so many meals at once, being able to buy in bulk has cut down on costs as well.

***EXTRA $$$ to put towards becoming debt free!! YEEHAW!!***

#2 – SAVES TIME

Planning meals in advance obviously saves time because each night Andrew and I don’t sit on the couch…”what’s for supper?” “I don’t know; what do you want?” “I don’t know; what do we have?” LOL Instead, we usually have 3 weeks worth of meals planned out in advance and written on the white board. Each night before bed (or at supper time) we look at what’s on the calendar for the next night, pull it out of the freezer and place it in the fridge to thaw overnight. If it’s a Crockpot meal, the next morning we throw it in the Crockpot, set the timer, and head to work. By the time we are home, supper is ready and we have some time to relax before sitting down at the table to eat. If it needs to be baked in the over, I typically turn the oven on to preheat when I get home from work and then once Andrew’s home, we throw it in the oven (depending on how long it needs to bake), and that’s it! There are some nights where if it’s just a meat, I’ll make a veggie to go with, or a salad and some bread, but normally there is little to no time spent on preparing supper each evening.

Not to mention, CLEAN UP. I use crockpot liners and tin foil pans for ALL my meals. After supper, all we have to clean (or throw in the dishwasher), is the plates, glasses, and utensils that we used. No more arguing as to whose turn it is to clean up after supper! LOL

I should also mention that since you don’t have to go grocery shopping as often, that’s extra time that can be spent at home or doing something else J

#3 – HEALTHIER

Some recipes that I found were VERY healthy for you, however, those recipes don’t necessarily sound delicious to me. My meaning of “healthier” is the fact that Andrew and I are actually sitting down and eating an actual meal, which most of the time include items from several food groups. It used to be that we would just grab a frozen pizza, or go out to eat, or do some chicken nuggets or a boxed meal. We would also tend to eat the same things over and over again! This adds a lot of variety and we don’t get tired of eating the same things each week.

We also automatically have leftovers to take for lunch the next day. Instead of having a PB&J each day at work, we are eating more balanced meals at lunch time as well.

#4 – REDUCES STRESS

You know those days that everything seems to be going wrong at work, your house is a mess and you have a screaming headache on top of it? (not to mention if you have kids too) The last thing you want to do is spend time searching your pantry for ingredients for dinner. (Hmm, what can I make with cream of mushroom soup and pickles?) If you’ve put your prepped freezer meal in the Crockpot that morning, there’s no need to stress over a meal.

Again, these are just a FEW of the things I have noticed after taking the plunge. I’m sure others could come up with other positives. I am SOOOO happy that I started this “journey”. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go back! It has made such a difference!

If you have any questions, feel free to get in contact with me! I would love to help you get started!!