Freezer Meals?

[bepandnick]

Is anyone planning on prepping meals for when baby comes? I'm having mixed feelings given it will be hot af here and I'm not sure I'm going to want the oven on. I was thinking about freezing a bunch of stuff for the grill with marinades so they'd be easy to throw on the grill with potatoes or veggies.

I'm probably over thinking this, but DH can only take 1 week off with us because he's in a new job. The good thing is that he's usually home by 5 every night so I won't have to wrangle the toddler and the newborn and figure out dinner at the same time.

[Crisco Salad]

We have been making a ton of stuff in the crockpot lately (pulled pork, buffalo chicken, shredded chicken, etc.) and always have a ton of extra so we freeze that.

I also plan to make a few batches of soup and my favorite chicken taquitos.

[amyface813]

I was going to suggest crockpot meals instead of oven ones. We need to buy a deep freeze to do this. Our little freezer is always packed so we can't really stuff very many extra meals in there... if anyone finds a good deal on a smaller deep freeze in a big box store let me know?

[MissSally]

I've thought about it a lot. But I haven't even begun to actually prepare anything. +1 with it being crazy hot though. I was looking on Pinterest at some freezer crockpot meals, so I may do a few of those. I see a lot of takeout in our future though. Or those fabulous pre-made things from Costco. I love the salads and wraps and such. Mm. I'm hungry...

[morwen]

We've been doing shredded chicken tacos so I think we'll put some chicken in the feeezer for that (toss in crockpot)

Not sure what else since soups and stews don't appeal to me as much in the summer.

DS was a winter baby and I loved having freezer meals with him

[simon]

We ended up getting a ton of meals from family and friends last time around. I doubt we will get as much with baby #2 though. I probably won't make freezer meals since it'll be super hot here too. Lots of takeout in our future.

[JoBub]

I will brown ground beef and freeze it, to make spaghetti nights easier. Same with taco meat. Also Italian beef or BBQ pulled chicken in the crock pot, because the recipe makes a ton so there's always extra to freeze.

But when it comes to anything more complex than that, I'd rather just buy frozen meals at the store. We do skillet meals or frozen lasagna.

[toadandbuggie]

Apr 13, 2017 10:54:24 GMT -5 amyface813 said:

I was going to suggest crockpot meals instead of oven ones. We need to buy a deep freeze to do this. Our little freezer is always packed so we can't really stuff very many extra meals in there... if anyone finds a good deal on a smaller deep freeze in a big box store let me know?

This is me. I have no room in my freezer as it is. I've been wanting a deep chest freezer for forever.

[toadandbuggie]

I'm planning on doing hello fresh or blue apron starting when I'm massively pregnant. The heat will definitely suck so I also see a lot of stuff easy to grill. I'm not vegetarian but I don't eat much meat so I'm already a little stressed about what to make because I tend to make vegetarian style meals that require effort I will not want to forth.

[khopec]

Apr 14, 2017 5:38:15 GMT -5 toadandbuggie said:

I'm planning on doing hello fresh or blue apron starting when I'm massively pregnant. The heat will definitely suck so I also see a lot of stuff easy to grill. I'm not vegetarian but I don't eat much meat so I'm already a little stressed about what to make because I tend to make vegetarian style meals that require effort I will not want to forth.

I recommend HelloFresh over Blue Apron, but my favorite so far is HomeChef it is $10 less, has a bigger selection and you can add in fruit and smoothies. 

If you are interested I can PM you code to try HelloFresh for free, unless you already have that deal.

[toadandbuggie]

Apr 14, 2017 15:46:28 GMT -5 khopec said:

Apr 14, 2017 5:38:15 GMT -5 toadandbuggie said:

I'm planning on doing hello fresh or blue apron starting when I'm massively pregnant. The heat will definitely suck so I also see a lot of stuff easy to grill. I'm not vegetarian but I don't eat much meat so I'm already a little stressed about what to make because I tend to make vegetarian style meals that require effort I will not want to forth.

I recommend HelloFresh over Blue Apron, but my favorite so far is HomeChef it is $10 less, has a bigger selection and you can add in fruit and smoothies. 

If you are interested I can PM you code to try HelloFresh for free, unless you already have that deal.

Thanks for the heads up! I will check out home chef. That sounds like it's up my alley. Is the code good through June/July?

[xxjen015]

I might have to check out HomeChef. That sounds good! We also much prefer Hello Fresh to Blue Apron

[MissSally]

Apr 14, 2017 15:46:28 GMT -5 khopec said:

Apr 14, 2017 5:38:15 GMT -5 toadandbuggie said:

I'm planning on doing hello fresh or blue apron starting when I'm massively pregnant. The heat will definitely suck so I also see a lot of stuff easy to grill. I'm not vegetarian but I don't eat much meat so I'm already a little stressed about what to make because I tend to make vegetarian style meals that require effort I will not want to forth.

I recommend HelloFresh over Blue Apron, but my favorite so far is HomeChef it is $10 less, has a bigger selection and you can add in fruit and smoothies. 

If you are interested I can PM you code to try HelloFresh for free, unless you already have that deal.

I've never heard of HomeChef, but it sounds glorious! I'll take the code if you'd care to send it!!

[xxjen015]

If anyone else is interested in trying HelloFresh, I've also got some codes! 3 or 4. I'd be happy to share

[murran13]

xxjen015 and khopec what did you prefer about the other two over blue apron? Ive only used blue apron before.

[xxjen015]

murran13, lately I prefer the recipes over the ones available from Blue Apron. All of their ingredients for each meal come in a separate, labeled box (except for the meat, all of those are still separate). If you want to change their menu, there aren't restrictions as to which meals you can choose. I don't know if you can flip back and forth between the plans, but they do have the option to get 3, 4, or 5 (I think 5 is an option) meals a week. They also have added in breakfast options that sound really good. We'll be trying one of those next week. I feel like their directions are more details, as well.

[khopec]

murran13, exactly what xxjen015, said plus the variety of options are better and HomeChef you can add fruit and/or smoothie as well.

Also Blue Apron is a little catfish heavy for me, DNW catfish.

[khopec]

Apr 14, 2017 15:51:56 GMT -5 toadandbuggie said:

Apr 14, 2017 15:46:28 GMT -5 khopec said:

I recommend HelloFresh over Blue Apron, but my favorite so far is HomeChef it is $10 less, has a bigger selection and you can add in fruit and smoothies. 

If you are interested I can PM you code to try HelloFresh for free, unless you already have that deal.

Thanks for the heads up! I will check out home chef. That sounds like it's up my alley. Is the code good through June/July?

Unfortunately it says it expires in 30 days.  I may have more when EDD gets closer. They randomly send them in packages.  I will try to remember if I get any in June to send you a code.

[khopec]

Apr 15, 2017 13:09:38 GMT -5 MissSally said:

Apr 14, 2017 15:46:28 GMT -5 khopec said:

I recommend HelloFresh over Blue Apron, but my favorite so far is HomeChef it is $10 less, has a bigger selection and you can add in fruit and smoothies. 

If you are interested I can PM you code to try HelloFresh for free, unless you already have that deal.

I've never heard of HomeChef, but it sounds glorious! I'll take the code if you'd care to send it!!

You've got PM  

[khopec]

For anyone interested in trying HomeChef go here for $30 off: homechef.com/HAPPYCHEF30

[hham10]

This is my third baby in 3 years and I have yet to prepare any meals prior to their arrivals. You all are go getters. Wish I could get myself motivated enough!

[coconuthead]

I don't think I am ambitious enough to make meals ahead but will probably plan to stock up on easy to throw together ingredients and healthy snacks to avoid cooking. Dinner is going to be on DH for awhile! I have to prep a bunch of cat meals though so my kitties will not go hungry.