Freezer Cooking

OK, so I tried doing a day of freezer cooking.  It wasn't too bad, definitely need to plan a good 4 hours of you working in the kitchen, but in the end I believe it was really worth it.  I ended up with:

8 bags of Teriyaki marinade
2 bags of Beef Mixture to add to spaghetti sauce, nachos etc.,
2 bags of Taco Meat
4 bags of shredded chicken
4 bags of chicken stock
2 bags of hamburger patties (ready for grilling)
2 1/2 bags of twice baked potatoes (22 individual)

I started by washing a bag of potatoes and putting them in a 350 degree oven for about 1 hour.  While that was happening, I put some onion, shredded carrots and 2 lbs of hamburger in the skillet and let it do it thing.  This is the beef mixture to add to spaghetti sauce  or nachos or whatever you would like.  Once it was done I put it in a container to cool.

Next put 2 lb. hamburger in that same skillet, add onion, shredded carrots, 2 cups salsa, 2 packets taco seasoning mix and whatever else you like in your taco meat.  Again, let it do it's thing.

Once the meat mixture cools divide it between 2 freezer bags, do the same with your taco meat.

At anytime, put some chicken in a stock pot and cover with water add carrots, celery and any other veggies you would like.  Cook on low for about 1 hour.  When done, discard veggies, take out chicken and shred.  Once the broth cools separate into baggies.

For Teriyaki marinade put these ingredients into a blender: 2 cups of soy sauce, 1.5 cups of sugar, 1 cup of Mirin (rice cooking wine), fresh garlic, salt & pepper.  Use a 1/2 cup of marinade for every pound of meat.  Use on steak, chicken, pork chops, shrimp etc.

Once your potatoes are done in the oven and have cooled enough for you to handle.  Slice right down the middle, scoop out the center and place in a large bowl.  Then add cream cheese, milk, butter, chives, and whatever else you like in your twice baked potatoes, to the bowl.  Mash with a potato masher until all incorporated together.  Then fill potato skins in with the mashed potatoes.  Wrap each one individually with plastic wrap, then put into a gallon freezer bag and you are done.

Teriyaki Chicken:

• Split a large bag of Baby Carrots between the 2 bags
• Cut Red Onion into Large Chunks and split between the 2 bags
• (1) 20oz can pineapple in each bag (undrained)
• (2) Garlic Cloves chopped per bag
• (2) Chicken Breasts in each bag
• 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce in each bag

*Add 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce to mixture. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours. Serve over Rice.

Place everything in the freezer and you are set.  So many more recipes I want to try, but I think this was a pretty good start. 

  

Daily Gratitude Photos March 2012

March 31, 2012
Playing at the Park!

March 30, 2012
Family Walk!

March 29, 2012
The boys were working on their Middle School Social Studies project.  Dragonville.  They have paper mache' eggs that they need to turn into people.  Nick made Ceelo Green Eggsnham and Nate made Troy Polamalu.  They did a great job.  Love it.  Soon we will be working on their homes and businesses for these eggs.  What a great way to learn about government, business, and home ownership.

March 28, 2012
20 years ago today we lost our sweet Tyler.  I am grateful for the 2 1/2 years he was with us and I am grateful for my Mom & Dad who live close enough to the cemetary to take care of his site and always have it looking nice! Also so Grateful for all of my family and friends who are always so supportive and helpful at this time!

March 27, 2012
Recieved this great little prize from my Mentor and friend, Pamela.  It is a solar powered flower that dances on my dashboard.  Her name is Giddy and that is exactly how she makes me feel! :)

March 26, 2012
Beautfiul day to play outside with the daycare kids.  Ahhhh Spring!

March 25, 2012
This Sunday was one of the best Sunday's Ever! Met Dawn at the movie theater to go see The Hunger Games.  She had read the books and insisted that I too read them.  I began last week and was enthralled in the story in no time flat.  After the movie I picked up some groceries, came back home to get ready for a family bike ride.  The kids thought it would be great to have a picnic too, so we made peanut butter sandwiches and grabbed some fruit and tossed them in for an improptu picnic!  After a fabulous bike ride around the lake we came home and the kids enjoyed a huge water fight with the neighbors!  What a great way to end a glorious weekend!

March 24, 2012
The kids are enjoying their weekend, out playing basketball, softball, bike riding....my goodness they are going to get the summer bug and it's only March!  Love that they had a wonderful start to their weekend!

March 23, 2012
This is Kati's first year of softball.  She decided she wanted to give it a try this year and is showing so much enthusiasm for it.  We spent time at the ball park practicing the basics.  Love her excitement

March 22, 2012
Enjoying time with my kids!  How this time will go by so quickly, need to grab each moment and enjoy it!

March 21, 2012

March 20, 2012
Everything is greening up and the weather is absolutely beautiful.  Grateful for the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful time of year and take Mr. Rooney for a walk.

March 19, 2012
Yesterday I issued a challenge to my fitness accountability group to post a sticky note in their home that said..."when you see this, do 5 push ups"...It was great, we had women posting pictures of themselves doing push ups!  Love it!  Then my kids came home from school and Kati saw the sticky note, she immediately dropped and did 5 push ups!  Love how she participates!

March 18, 2012
Nate had his last basketball game of the season today.  They did not win, but he played a fabulous game! a few 3 pointers and he hustled like crazy! Love watching him play this game!

March 17, 2012
Today was a bitter sweet day.  We went to the funeral of a dear friend's Mom, who was taken very unexpectedly.  There are 5 of us girls from high school who stay in touch and are very close.  So of course we all made our way to Cairo for this event.  One of the other girls had buried her dad this same day 20 years ago.  A tough time, but so GRATEFUL we have each other whenever we need!  At the same time Nick was attending a Middle School Youth Rally with our church, he had a great time, made super friends, helped with a food drive for the Open Door Mission and strengthened his faith this weekend!  Grateful for the opportunity and the love he has for his Savior, Jesus Christ!

March 16, 2012
Today Kati's elementary school was celebrating a reading program they completed this year, and will our school colors being green and St. Patty's day being Saturday they were encouraged to of course wear green!  Love that Kati has fun and puts herself out there!  Proud of this girl!

March 15, 2012
Kati wanted to go for a walk tonight.  I love walking with her she opens up and talks about so many things.  As we walked around the school we saw the cement planters and decided to do some box jumps to intensify this exercise :)  Love that she wants to be active and do these things with me! Grateful Heart for sure!

March 14, 2012
Tonight was my last night at Aspen...bitter sweet, am extremely Grateful for these wonderful ladies who have come so far in their fitness journey!  Can't wait to hear what great things they accomplish! Went out to Buffalo Wild Wings after class, sweat and all! Love it!

March 13, 2012
Grateful for the Beautiful weather here, cannot believe it is March.  Took all the daycare kiddos out for a walk and some sidwalk chalk this afternoon.

March 12, 2012
Grateful for the opportunity to be the Big Mama of the Fitness Accountability Group in the Smokin' Hot Mama Club Mentoring group!  Love this!  Big smiles

March 11, 2012
Had the opportunity to go to the Youth For Christ banquet with some friends.   Listened to how YFC has helped so many middle school student in the area.  So proud to be a part of a district that allows Youth For Christ to meet in our school, before class time.  What a fabulous mission!

March 10, 2012
A beautiful day and Kati wanted to go for a run.  So we changed and headed down the road...my favorite quote from Kati was "this was much better in my head" hahahaha!  We finished our run at 1.38 miles.  GREAT JOB Kati and finished with a smile :)

March 9, 2012
I love watching Kati with my daycare kiddos.  She is so loving and helpful and enjoys them so much.  They get so excited when they see her and can't wait to play with her!  Brings a smile!  Here she is with Gavin this morning before going off to school!  Boy she is growing up fast!

March 8, 2012
Our wonderful neighber Michelle Shelbourn brought over a surprise for Miss Kati this morning.  I was gave it to her when she came home from school.  I LOVE the excitement and pure happiness on her face.  She loves to bake and is getting into cooking.  She is a fabulous helper and I just LOVE HER!

March 7, 2012
This just cracked me up....gotta love those pre-teens and the crazy things they do.  This is Nick and Payton hanging upside down on the couch playing some game on the ipods.  Can't help but smile!

March 6, 2012
Nick out on the porch enjoying the nice weather, while reading his book!  Proud Mama!  Love it!

March 5, 2012
The tulips are peeking through the ground!  Spring is coming :)

March 4, 2012
Morning breakfast at Perkins with Grandma & Grandpa!  This has become a traditional place to go to whenever we visit.  Memories in the making!! Here Nick is beating Grandpa at Connect 4 on his ipod...

March 3, 2012
Tonight Nick had a gymnastics meet in Grand Island.  YEAH that mean's time at Grandma and Grandpa's!

March 2, 2012
Today was a bit of a rough day for me due to an unfortunate situation that occurred, however...Conner was my only daycare child today so we went for ice cream!  Ice Cream makes everything better...right?

March 1, 2012
So much fun watching Kati work on her gymnastic skills...from doing pushups to practicing her handstands agains the wall!  She's just too cute!