Comments on: The Method to My Madness: Start Where You Are and Learn As You Go http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html Helping You Be a Better Home Economist Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:33:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Christinahttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143389 Christina Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:24:29 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143389 Love your posts on this cooking ahead. I try to do this every night before I head to bed. I make one dish for the next night since I'm at work all day. But once I get a stand-up freezer I plan to cook on weekends non-stop. My freezer is packed with assorted meats, frozen vegs and waffles. We had farmhouse chicken last night and it was a hit. Now do you make your own stuffing or buy stove top? Would like some tips on this because stuffing is hard to find coupons for. Thanks Christina Love your posts on this cooking ahead. I try to do this every night before I head to bed. I make one dish for the next night since I’m at work all day. But once I get a stand-up freezer I plan to cook on weekends non-stop. My freezer is packed with assorted meats, frozen vegs and waffles. We had farmhouse chicken last night and it was a hit. Now do you make your own stuffing or buy stove top? Would like some tips on this because stuffing is hard to find coupons for. Thanks Christina

]]> By: Jenniferhttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143388 Jennifer Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:07:39 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143388 I love this idea and I will be definitely giving this a try. Just one question: Do all the cooked frozen meals taste like your eating leftovers all the time? I love this idea and I will be definitely giving this a try. Just one question: Do all the cooked frozen meals taste like your eating leftovers all the time?

]]> By: Arlenehttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143387 Arlene Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:30:41 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143387 I have a food saver. When I cook to freeze I will line the pan I need with a foodsaver bag that has one end sealed. I then put in the bag what ever food I am freezing. When I seal it the food is conformed to the pan that I will be cooking it in and I can just lift the bag out and freeze the labeled bag. When I am ready to use the food I let it thaw enough to release it from the bag and then put the frozen food in the container I first used and cook it. I finish thawing it in the fridge and then cook. No need to freeze the baking dish. I have a food saver. When I cook to freeze I will line the pan I need with a foodsaver bag that has one end sealed. I then put in the bag what ever food I am freezing. When I seal it the food is conformed to the pan that I will be cooking it in and I can just lift the bag out and freeze the labeled bag. When I am ready to use the food I let it thaw enough to release it from the bag and then put the frozen food in the container I first used and cook it. I finish thawing it in the fridge and then cook. No need to freeze the baking dish.

]]> By: Angiehttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143386 Angie Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:56:25 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143386 I just wanted to say I did OAMC for the first time this last week. My dad just gave us a deep freezer and I had bought some chicken breast and ground chuck for dirt cheap in October and thought I would just pull it out and make a meal every night. But almost everything else I have tried to save $ has worked so I thought hey lets give it a shot whats the worst that could happen. It was a ton of work but now my freezer is full of meals for the whole month and this month I spent $150 to do it. Here's what I made.... pumpkin muffins pumpkin cupcakes banana muffins breakfast burritos taquitos 5 pork roast 5 pork chops 4 mexican cornbread 4 shepards pie 4 chicken tortellini I have the ingredients to make chicken caciatori but I ran out of room so that will have to wait a week or two. I have been writing down where all our $ goes and I am so glad that I have adapted this frugal lifestyle because it was 1 year ago in October that I stumbled upon couponing and I have never before then had name brand stuff in our house. We were always the ones that had to stretch our shampoo or deoderant. I can still remember my husband using my deoderant because he ran out and we had no $. Well those days are so long gone thanks to frugal living.... I just wanted to say I did OAMC for the first time this last week. My dad just gave us a deep freezer and I had bought some chicken breast and ground chuck for dirt cheap in October and thought I would just pull it out and make a meal every night. But almost everything else I have tried to save $ has worked so I thought hey lets give it a shot whats the worst that could happen. It was a ton of work but now my freezer is full of meals for the whole month and this month I spent $150 to do it. Here’s what I made….
pumpkin muffins
pumpkin cupcakes
banana muffins
breakfast burritos
taquitos
5 pork roast
5 pork chops
4 mexican cornbread
4 shepards pie
4 chicken tortellini
I have the ingredients to make chicken caciatori but I ran out of room so that will have to wait a week or two. I have been writing down where all our $ goes and I am so glad that I have adapted this frugal lifestyle because it was 1 year ago in October that I stumbled upon couponing and I have never before then had name brand stuff in our house. We were always the ones that had to stretch our shampoo or deoderant. I can still remember my husband using my deoderant because he ran out and we had no $. Well those days are so long gone thanks to frugal living….

]]> By: Phebehttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143385 Phebe Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:46:18 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143385 Oh my, you make me laugh, Crystal!! Mostly because I am the exact same way!! Somehow, I always get a reputation for being a great cook. I think that's because when people see the way I cook (a dash of that, a scoop of this), they think I must have some sort of amazing skill. If they ask for a recipe, I usually have to admit that I made the dish up, or mostly made it up. They are in awe! What they don't see are the countless "yuck dishes" that my family has sat down to! With a smile, I might add... :)Thanks for being honest! Sometimes I feel so "behind" some super women online, but then I realize that I DID make meals for the freezer, tried pureeing my own pumpkin, switched to coconut oil, etc. It just doesn't seem as impressive when I'm not reading about it on someone else's blog! :) You are a blast because you seem so "real"--very encouraging for us moms who have a long way to go!! :) --phebe Oh my, you make me laugh, Crystal!! Mostly because I am the exact same way!! Somehow, I always get a reputation for being a great cook. I think that’s because when people see the way I cook (a dash of that, a scoop of this), they think I must have some sort of amazing skill. If they ask for a recipe, I usually have to admit that I made the dish up, or mostly made it up. They are in awe! What they don’t see are the countless “yuck dishes” that my family has sat down to! With a smile, I might add… :)

Thanks for being honest! Sometimes I feel so “behind” some super women online, but then I realize that I DID make meals for the freezer, tried pureeing my own pumpkin, switched to coconut oil, etc. It just doesn’t seem as impressive when I’m not reading about it on someone else’s blog! :) You are a blast because you seem so “real”–very encouraging for us moms who have a long way to go!! :) –phebe

]]> By: Elizabethhttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143384 Elizabeth Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:10:20 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143384 A deep freeze is a very worthwhile investment. Without mine I wouldn't be able to freeze all our produce from the summer or buy meat "off the hoof" from local farmers. They aren't expensive at scratch and dent or off of Craig's list and are INVALUABLE for convenience/thrifty living. A deep freeze is a very worthwhile investment. Without mine I wouldn’t be able to freeze all our produce from the summer or buy meat “off the hoof” from local farmers. They aren’t expensive at scratch and dent or off of Craig’s list and are INVALUABLE for convenience/thrifty living.

]]> By: Tifani Wellshttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143383 Tifani Wells Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:37:28 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143383 One thing that can be suggested to those who are not ready for a full out "baking day" is to have them make lots of things in double for a while. When making dinner just make two of the casserole you are making and then freeze the other. Do this for a few days and you will have a nice way to get started having meals in the freezer! One thing that can be suggested to those who are not ready for a full out “baking day” is to have them make lots of things in double for a while. When making dinner just make two of the casserole you are making and then freeze the other. Do this for a few days and you will have a nice way to get started having meals in the freezer!

]]> By: shawnhttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143382 shawn Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:27:40 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143382 I have been freezer cooking for quite a while. You sound like you're doing great as is - but you might like a cookbook that I use. (I am NOT affiliated in any way!) It's called Fix, Freeze, Feast. The recipes focus on healthfulness, and they won't even use canned cream-of soups, they make it from scratch. The method is based on purchasing 'tray packs' from warehouse stores, but I never do. I get it in smaller quantities on sale, then just cut back the recipe accordingly. In addition to meat based recipes, there are breakfast burritos that my family loves, vegetarian, granola, sauces, etc., all suitable for freezing. I have been freezer cooking for quite a while. You sound like you’re doing great as is – but you might like a cookbook that I use. (I am NOT affiliated in any way!) It’s called Fix, Freeze, Feast. The recipes focus on healthfulness, and they won’t even use canned cream-of soups, they make it from scratch. The method is based on purchasing ‘tray packs’ from warehouse stores, but I never do. I get it in smaller quantities on sale, then just cut back the recipe accordingly. In addition to meat based recipes, there are breakfast burritos that my family loves, vegetarian, granola, sauces, etc., all suitable for freezing.

]]> By: love ithttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143381 love it Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:24:50 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143381 Ok, i love all of these posts and never thought about doing this. I just have one question... some of the posts talk about cooking the meal after you pull it out of the freezer and others talk about reheating it.So my question is which one is better? Are u saying that you make up the tator tot casserole, for example, then freeze it and in a week or so, take it out and pop it in the oven to bake? Or are u assembling, baking, freezing and then reheating? Ok, i love all of these posts and never thought about doing this. I just have one question… some of the posts talk about cooking the meal after you pull it out of the freezer and others talk about reheating it.

So my question is which one is better? Are u saying that you make up the tator tot casserole, for example, then freeze it and in a week or so, take it out and pop it in the oven to bake? Or are u assembling, baking, freezing and then reheating?

]]> By: Kaciehttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143380 Kacie Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:02:36 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143380 Here's what I sometimes do:I line a baking pan with heavy-duty foil. I put whatever I'm going to freeze in it (say, a meatloaf) and put it in the freezer for a few hours while it firms up. I do cover it with foil and sometimes an extra wrap to keep out air.A few hours later, I take it out of the pan and wrap it tightly in foil/freezer wrap and put it inside a ziplock.The item retains the shape of the pan, but I no longer need to keep my pan in the freezer.When it's time to bake the item, I unwrap it and plop it in my original pan. It perfectly fits, of course! Here’s what I sometimes do:

I line a baking pan with heavy-duty foil. I put whatever I’m going to freeze in it (say, a meatloaf) and put it in the freezer for a few hours while it firms up. I do cover it with foil and sometimes an extra wrap to keep out air.

A few hours later, I take it out of the pan and wrap it tightly in foil/freezer wrap and put it inside a ziplock.

The item retains the shape of the pan, but I no longer need to keep my pan in the freezer.

When it’s time to bake the item, I unwrap it and plop it in my original pan. It perfectly fits, of course!

]]> By: Laurahttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143379 Laura Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:54:28 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143379 I wrote a post a while back about how I freeze things very, very cost effectively. It works great! <a href="http://www.tenthingsfarm.blogspot.com/2008/12/save-money-wrapping-frozen-foods.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.tenthingsfarm.blogspot.com/2008/12/save-money-wrapping-frozen-foods.html</a> I wrote a post a while back about how I freeze things very, very cost effectively. It works great!
http://www.tenthingsfarm.blogspot.com/2008/12/save-money-wrapping-frozen-foods.html

]]> By: Patricia M Evanshttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143378 Patricia M Evans Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:25:41 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143378 Thank you for sharing your cooking day with us! You made me laugh -- thanks for being so humble and honest! I can't wait to try some of your items. Thanks again! Thank you for sharing your cooking day with us! You made me laugh — thanks for being so humble and honest! I can’t wait to try some of your items.
Thanks again!

]]> By: Laura @ Frugal Newlywedshttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143377 Laura @ Frugal Newlyweds Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:18:54 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143377 I am so glad to read your post. Last week was my first time freezer cooking and I was so nervous that it was going to turn out awful. This week we had the first of the meals that I froze and it turned out great. I am so glad that I tried freezing meals, and I definitely learned so much more from actually freezing meals than from all of the times I had read about it. I am so glad to read your post. Last week was my first time freezer cooking and I was so nervous that it was going to turn out awful. This week we had the first of the meals that I froze and it turned out great. I am so glad that I tried freezing meals, and I definitely learned so much more from actually freezing meals than from all of the times I had read about it.

]]> By: Marciahttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143376 Marcia Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:16:08 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143376 I've been doing OAMC for a few years now. A few months ago I finally bit the bullet and bought some nice Pyrex freezer to oven dishes with lids. They stack perfectly... no more enchiladas oozing out the sides when I stack unfrozen meals in the freezer! One tip... I cover the food in plastic wrap to keep the air off of it before I put the lid on. I’ve been doing OAMC for a few years now. A few months ago I finally bit the bullet and bought some nice Pyrex freezer to oven dishes with lids. They stack perfectly… no more enchiladas oozing out the sides when I stack unfrozen meals in the freezer! One tip… I cover the food in plastic wrap to keep the air off of it before I put the lid on.

]]> By: Maryhttp://moneysavingmom.com/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-143375 Mary Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:43:52 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/11/the-method-to-my-madness-start-where-you-are-and-learn-as-you-go.html#comment-143375 Had to laugh at your description of your family not wanting to eat your cooking when you were younger. I've lived through that myself! I've taken the ring off several cheesecakes only to have them flow off the plate they are on. And the lemon meringue that my dad sucked through a straw, that was nasty! But my successes have far outweighed my failures, so I keep trying! Like the no-fat pumpkin cheesecake that was devoured a few Thanksgivings ago - I didn't tell anyone til it was gone that it was low-cal and fat free. Or the crab-stuffed mushrooms that I just improvised on (and it made about 500 mushrooms, next time I'll make a smaller batch!) that everyone loved one Christmas. Part of the fun of cooking is finding out what you can change and what you can't, and still have people want to eat it! Had to laugh at your description of your family not wanting to eat your cooking when you were younger. I’ve lived through that myself! I’ve taken the ring off several cheesecakes only to have them flow off the plate they are on. And the lemon meringue that my dad sucked through a straw, that was nasty! But my successes have far outweighed my failures, so I keep trying! Like the no-fat pumpkin cheesecake that was devoured a few Thanksgivings ago – I didn’t tell anyone til it was gone that it was low-cal and fat free. Or the crab-stuffed mushrooms that I just improvised on (and it made about 500 mushrooms, next time I’ll make a smaller batch!) that everyone loved one Christmas. Part of the fun of cooking is finding out what you can change and what you can’t, and still have people want to eat it!

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