Chewy Granola Bars — these are SO good, especially for being so healthful!
One of the women stopped at our booth at the conference this past weekend and asked me to please bring back my freezer cooking session posts and non-gluten-free recipes.
Truth be told, I’ve been freezer cooking rather haphazardly the past few weeks and I really want to get back to being more intentional and organized with this — especially since our freezer is rather bare right now. So thanks to the motivation of this woman at the conference, I’m bringing back the freezer cooking session posts after putting them on the back burner for a while. Expect to see one later this week, hopefully. 🙂
Breakfasts
Cereal
Strawberry Pineapple Smoothies
Creamy Rice with toppings
Scrambled eggs, fruit salad
Healthy Homemade Poptarts, hard-boiled eggs, fruit
Carrot juice, Oatmeal
Breakfast with friends at couples’ campout (I’m thinking of bringing this Honey Bun Cake.)Lunches
Leftovers
PB&J, carrot sticks, apples, granola bars
Snack-y lunch
Chips, refried beans, veggies, fruit
Hard-boiled eggs, toast, fruit
Salmon, veggies, fruit, corn chips
LeftoversSnacks
Fruit/veggies
Chewy Granola Bars
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Healthy Homemade Poptarts
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Dinners
Macaroni & Cheese
Dinner out at Chili’s with Kid’s Eat Free coupon
Barbecued Meatballs, sweet potatoes, steamed broccoli, fruit salad, Easy Whole Wheat Bread
Parmesan Chicken, steamed veggies, fruit salad, Blueberry Biscuits
Steak, au gratin potatoes, fruit salad, steamed veggies
Dinner at couples’ campout (I’m bringing fruit salad.)
Dinner with extended familyFreezer Cooking/Make Ahead Projects
Chewy Granola Bars
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Healthy Homemade Poptarts
Meatloaf
Honey Bun Cake
What’s on your menu this week? Share details and/or your link to your menu plan in the comments.
Nikki says
I’m so glad you’re bringing back freezer cooking posts!! 🙂
Nadia says
I love your gluten-free recipes, too, so please continue to share some of the ones you make for your gf child! I find so much inspiration in your menus. 🙂
Meredith says
Yes, keep the freezer cooking and menus coming. I’m a neat freak so the cleaning assignments don’t apply to me and we’ve been eating out of the freezer. It’s getting bare and I need motivation.
Meredith says
I’m excited for your freezer cooking posts. I’m not that great with cooking meals to freeze, but I loved making cookie dough and having it ready to pull out when I need it.
Kristina says
I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate you posting your gluten-free recipes. Not all of your recipes are gluten-free, which shows how you alter your menu according to the needs of your entire family, gluten- and non-gluten-eaters alike. Keep up the good work.
Grazia @ South Main Avenue says
We are trying out a few new recipes this week. One being yogurt. I love that you share your menu. Here is our menu: http://smainavenue.blogspot.com/2012/03/menu-plan-for-week-of-march-25-2012.html
Kelley says
I love your menus! Thank you for sharing them and allowing us to share ours 🙂
http://www.thegrantlife.com/2012/04/menu-monday_23.html
Jenn says
I’ve loved your gluten free meals so please don’t stop those either:-)
Jennifer says
I am so happy for you that you are back to a “typical” menu plan. I have to admit really missing the Gluten Free ones, however. Two out of four in our house must be GF. Out of the GF menus I’ve seen, your menu plans were the most kid-friendly for our family. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas were I can explores other GF menu plan sites? Hopefully, ones that post breakfast, lunch, and dinners as well and are palatable for kids. (My children have sensory issues due to autism.) Thanks a bunch!!
Liz @ Wonder Woman I'm Not says
Looking forward to the freezer cooking sessions. Thanks for the link-up
http://www.wonderwomanimnot.com/2012/04/weekly-menu_22.html
lori says
I made your pumpkin chip muffins yesterday. Delicious recipe! I kept about half for us to eat this week and froze the other half. I am anxious to see how well they freeze. It seemed like a lot of sugar and oil, though. Have you ever tried substituting anything to make that recipe a little healthier?
Kelly says
@lori I have made the pumpkin choco chip muffins many times and replaced the oil with 1/2 cup coconut oil and 1 cup applesauce and they turned out terrific. This week I also tried a grain free pumpkin choco chip muffin recipe from Deliciously Organic blog that uses coconut flour. My kids have been eating them up like crazy, just the same as the original.
As far as how well they freeze, you will be amazed. I actually like mine better after they have been taken out of the freezer and thawed. 🙂
Kelly says
The Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins are a staple around here. They rarely make it to the freezer! My healthier substitutions: I use King Arthur White-Wheat Flour, 1/2 coconut oil and 1/2 applesauce, 1 c of sugar instead of 2. Sometimes I don’t even use a whole pkg of chocolate chips – just whatever I have on hand, although I think the mini chips work the best since I usually make a combination of mini and regular sized muffins.
lori says
Thanks Kelly! I didn’t want to make substitutions yesterday since it was my first time trying the recipe (and also I was out of applesauce). Next time I make them I will try your modifications. I did only use about half a bag of chocolate chips since that’s all what I had on hand. (Can you tell it’s time for me to go to the grocery store? LOL) Nobody missed the chocolate chips; there were plenty.
Kelly says
The Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins are a staple around here. They rarely make it to the freezer (but are just as delicious when they do)! My healthier substitutions: I use King Arthur White-Wheat Flour, 1/2 coconut oil and 1/2 applesauce, 1 c of sugar instead of 2. Sometimes I don’t even use a whole pkg of chocolate chips – just whatever I have on hand, although I think the mini chips work the best since I usually make a combination of mini and regular sized muffins.
Jennifer Van Dahm @ When Pigs Fly says
~Our What’s Cookin’ Recipe section offers over 300 free, kid tested and family approved meals, with no refined sugars or refined flour in the recipes~
Here are our favorites from this week:
Fried Chicken with Lemon-Caper Sauce
Steak & Mushroon Penne with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce
Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan
Cheeseburger Pizza
http://www.jennifervandahm.com/search/label/All%20Recipes
Tabitha says
Me too! I love your freezer cooking posts. It’s really taught me how to freezer cook and streamline the process to make it that much easier!
We are trying a few vegetarian lunch recipes this week. We are huge fans of meat in our family: especially my hubby but I found a couple on Pintrest that looked yummy to try.
Heres our menu this week: http://simplymykitchen.com/on-the-menu-for-the-week-of-april-23/
Laura says
I too LOVE your freezer posts and have MISSED them alot!!!!! Will be so glad to see them again! 🙂
Emily @ Our Frugal Happy Life says
All gluten free: pizza pie (like “quiche”), chicken enchilada dip, garlic cheddar chicken (maybe!), plus leftovers (and a wedding this weekend)…
http://ourfrugalhappylife.blogspot.com/2012/04/menu-plan-422-pizza-pie-chicken.html
Lana says
Hubby and I are eating leftover for the next few days after having college kids home for Sunday dinner (roast chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy) and then a another group of college kids home Monday night (white sausage linguine). Now it is heat and eat for us. Then we are running away to our lakehouse for a few days and I do almost no cooking there as hubby wants me to really rest, yeah!
The couples campout sounds like a blast! Honey Bun Cake is an excellent choice!
Marina says
Please don’t stop posting the gluten free recipes! I appreciate seeing those.
Katie says
I agree!! I really appreciate the gluten free recipes! I made the pumpkin chocolate chip muffins gluten free by substituting the flour with Jules gluten free flour (our favorite GF flour!) and they turned out amazing!!! Never would have known they were GF.
Michelle @ Willing Cook says
I enjoy seeing your freezer cooking posts as well. It’s inspiration for those of us who do mini-freezer cooking sessions.
It was such a treat to meet you at the conference! You’re just as sweet in person as I thought you would be. Thank you for all your words of encouragement and knowledge.
Our food allergy menu is up for this week…
http://willingcook.com/life-with-food-allergies-cooking/
Crystal says
It was so great to meet you — I just wish we would have had more time to talk!
Michelle @ Willing Cook says
Yes, I would have like to have had more time to talk as well. Less about blogging and food, and more about life 🙂 Okay, well maybe the food part is fair game! Have a blessed Tuesday!
Angie D says
Wow. I need to get to this week’s plan before it is Thursday! I suppose the 7 lbs of broccoli I processed for the freezer last night and the additional 6 lbs I’ll do tomorrow count for freezer cooking this week? Go Aldi! I also put a double batch of your protein bars (subbing honey for banana) in the freezer and somehow they are not there anymore. =-/
Brandi says
I made the pumpkin chocolate chip muffins a couple weeks back and we are still eating them. My girls LOVE them! Thanks for the recipe! They are definitely in our rotation for freezer cooking. It saves a ton of time and effort in the mornings, just zap them and enjoy. My SO is loving all the goodies we have stocked away in the freezer, thanks for the inspiration!
stacey @ www.gettingthroughtheday.com says
I’m getting back to more freezer cooking this week too. My freezer stash is getting too low! 🙂 Here’s our menu for the week
http://gettingthroughtheday.com/cooking/menu-plan-monday-423.html
and here is some freezer cooking I did yesterday with the results.
http://gettingthroughtheday.com/cooking/freezer-cooking-as-you-go.html
Kaylee says
So excited for more freezer cookIng posts. I too have let it fall by the way side with the busyness of life. Thanks for motivating me to finally try homemade granola bars after weeks of saying I am goIng to.
Here is what we are having this week:
http://www.couponingncooking.com/2012/04/menu-plan-monday-423.html
Kim says
So thankful that the freezer cooking sessions are coming back!!! I was just thinking about them last night and this morning. I miss them 🙁
Grace Short says
I’m waiting to see what will be in my bountiful basket come Saturday, but for now I’m going for easy stuff (pasta, tacos, stuffed peppers, and meatloaf) since summer season has started in my and my husbands business!
Danielle says
Wow, those granola bars look and sound delicious! Definitely have to try those. I, too, can’t wait for your freezer cooking session posts–I’ve missed them 🙂
Here’s our menu: http://cozycakescottage.com/2012/04/23/our-menu-week-of-april-22-2012-2/
Amanda F says
I love seeing what others are making, it gives me ideas and inspiration to try out new dishes. Here is what we are having this week: http://thefrugalgreenishmama.com/2012/04/weekly-meal-plan-42312-42912.html
Cassie says
I am going to try those granola bars!!
We are having a super duper yummy light baked spaghetti, pulled pork, ranger dinners and more. Recipes/menu are here http://www.lcvalleymom.com/2012/04/this-weeks-menu_19.html
Sarah says
What’s a ranger dinner? My husband is an army ranger, and the name grabs my curiosity 🙂
Cassie says
You get some heavy duty foil and put it chicken breast and an assortment of whatever veggies in it, we put chopped up potato, baby carrot, frozen corn, frozen green beans, but you can use whatever you have on hand. Then we top with a little slice of butter and whatever seasoning/sauce you may want. we use mccormick grill seasoning. Then you fold it all up put it on the grill for 30 min. Super yummy, healthy, and easy! Plus cleanup is a breeze!
Jen says
My family always called these Hobos growing up. My mom would put in a hamburger patty, sliced potatoes, carrots, sometimes onion and celery, and season with salt and pepper. She would also put the foil packets on a cookie sheet and make them in the oven during winter. Yum… great memories!
Mama Jenn says
I just wanted to say- I downloaded your freezer cooking book, and your freezer recipes are AMAZING. I look forward to checking back and seeing more be available!
Crystal says
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed them!
Chelsea says
Here’s our menu plan for this week:
http://www.stayathomemademom.blogspot.com/2012/04/menu-plan-monday.html
I was so excited to find such great deals on bell peppers this week. We get to make some special recipes like kabobs and fajitas we don’t get to have on a regular basis.
Looking forward to you bringing your freezer cooking back. I have also missed the sessions!
Nearly Natural Nicole says
Here’s my menu plan this week with some new (to me) frugal bean recipes:
http://nearlynaturalnicole.blogspot.com/2012/04/menu-plan-423-429.html
I want to find some time for a freezer cooking session too. I love reading about your freezer cooking!
Kelly says
YAY! I’m excited to see the granola bar recipe. My children have been asking for them and I’ve been refusing to buy them. I’ve been struggling with menu planning lately, maybe your freezer posts will motivate me. Oh, I will be curious to see what you think of those Poptarts. We did not like them. I’d advise using a LOT more filling.
Amanda says
Do you know of any recipes like this that I can substitute the peanut butter with something else… I want to make stuff like this and even no bake cookies but, my son is allergic to peanut butter.
Help!
Amanda F says
Can he use other nut butters? They have some really awesome other options available if his allergy is just to peanuts. Have you tried SunButter or Almond Butters? They substitute really well.
Amanda says
He is supposed to stay away from nuts all together until we do further testing when he is older her is almost 3
Justi Thomas says
Sunbutter is a good option. It’s made from sunflower seeds. It’s the only “butter” allowed at my sons nut-free school
Lana says
I was allergic to peanuts for 18 years. For no bake cookies I used the recipe from southernplate.com which does not have any peanut butter in it and still tastes good. In other things like the granola bars you could try just using a stick of butter or some corn syrup (I know everyone is trying to avoid this) which gives the sticky gooey texture of peanut butter in some things. Here is the link for the no bake cookie recipe–http://www.southernplate.com/2010/06/chocolate-no-bake-cookies-mama-guest-blogs.html
Martha Artyomenko says
Joy in my kitchen has some great granola bar recipes and they are allergic to peanuts, so everything is peanut free.
http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com/
Challice says
Are you off being gluten-free?
Crystal says
Yes — except for one of us, the rest of us have gone back to normal eating again and it’s been so nice! We’ve missed carbs!
Marianne says
Sorry if I missed a post about it but why did you go gluten free and did you see any benefits?
Crystal says
Just one of my children is gluten-free and yes, we’ve seen some great benefits in them by going gluten-free which is why they are continuing on with the diet. They’ve transitioned enough now, though, that the rest of us can go back to normal eating.
Meredith says
What kind of symptoms was your child exhibiting that made you even think of going gluten free? I don’t know anything about it:)
Challice says
Everyone in our household ( except me ;)) needs to be gf for the most part. Now that I am nursing looks like I’ll need to go back to being more strict. 😛 I love wheat!
Sara@Save Money, Live Joyfully says
This is the first time I haven’t planned a menu in months! I’m still getting over a sinus infection and bronchitis, and my 3 year old is getting over the flu. With just a month until my due date, my freezer is horribly bare, and I really need to get it stocked! I’m using this week to catch up on rest, recover, and enjoying the last few weeks before our routine changes. As much as I dislike getting sick, I think God is using it for good to force me to rest! 🙂
That said, I’m looking at those homemade poptarts and thinking I need some. Like now 🙂
Crystal @ Blissful Homemaking says
You sound just like me being sick and behind on meal planning! When I attempted to freezer cook with my daughter all of my foods spoiled. I am going to try it again.
Bridget says
I have Sunday-Tonight’s dinner recipes up on my blog and tomorrow we are having slow cooker bbq chicken and oven roasted potatoes. I’m still working on meals for the rest of the week.
Amanda says
I cooked a ham yesterday, and 7lbs of split chicken breasts today, so that’s what I will be working with this week: http://www.savingmyselfsilly.com/2012/04/menu-plan-423-429.html
I’m not entirely sure on the when of everything, but the cooking part is done! I for one will also be glad to see the freezer cooking posts return as well. I’ve been doing it only haphazardly myself as well, and am trying to get a schedule set where I have a cooking day and a baking day each week.