I guess I posted my message on the wrong board so I am moving it over here. Sorry for the mistake.

Here is my original post:

I have gathered that most of the group are SAHM's, but unfortunately, I am not that lucky. I have such a hard time with preparing healthy meals every night because when I get home at 6:00 pm and then take them to their various activities, it is very difficult to prepare a meal with the right food groups.

I have heard of people that make their meals ahead of time and freeze them. I have no idea what to try to prepare that would still taste good after being frozen and reheated. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas?

I would love your input.

By Mommyathome on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 04:14 pm:

Hi Katherine Welcome to momsview!
I have no suggestions on freezing meals, but am anxious to hear what others will say.
Also, don't be offended if your post got deleted or moved. That's been happening to lots of us lately. It's getting pretty strict around here.
But, welcome to the board! Great picture in your profile....I love big family pictures. And, I notice that we belong to the same church. Very cool!

By Emily7 on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 04:38 pm:

Katherine
I hope you didn't take offense to my suggestion of moving this over here. I thought that you would get more posts on the gereral board.
Emily

By Momaroze on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 04:51 pm:

Well, tomato based pasta sauce freezes very well. Once unfrozen you can quickly cook up some vegs, or add cooked hamburger. Cook up some rigatoni, tri colored pasta's, spaghetti, bows, shells, maybe add some shredded or cubed cheese. We love tomato pasta sauce, pasta shells, steamed chopped broccoli (sp) and chunks of cheddar cheese slightly melted all in one pot. You can make or buy your own garlic bread. Chilli is another good meal you can quickly make out of the sauce, add spices and beans, hamburger if you like, or just make chilli and freeze. I really could use a few suggestions myself LOL. I usually find though, homemade frozen pasta sauce makes a great base. I'm a lazy cook, don't like it much so this works well for me. Not very original though! Just wanted to add my 2 cents.

By Lauram on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 05:49 pm:

Oh! I forgot about chili! I do that too!

By Mommyathome on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 06:03 pm:

Emily....I just e-mailed you!

By Emily7 on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 06:36 pm:

I got it & responded. Thanks.

By Paulas on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 08:17 pm:

Hi Katherin!

When I work I TRY (and I don't always get it done) to do once a month cooking. I spend a Saturday or Sunday making tons of meals and then freeze them. I do up all the hamburger dishes first and then all the chicken dishes. Those two meats make up most of our foods. I save things like roasts for the weekends and sometimes my make ahead meal will be a chicken in the crock pot. If you don't have one of those, get one! It's often my best friend. Here is a list of some of the meals I make.
Hamburger dishes:
lasagna (make extra sauce and freeze it for spaghetti)
meatballs (I also make the sauce and freeze it)
macarroni and cheese with meat

Chicken:
chicken parm. fingers
chicken casserole
pesto pizza

Other:
pizza

I sometimes buy the foil dishes for freeezing things like lasagna. Other times I freeze in casserole dishes and transfer to freezer bags once frozen.

Hope this helps

By Truestori on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 01:09 pm:

I love the book called Saving Dinner, it has many recipes and the whole shopping list is in the book for you. It makes cooking much easier in my house!
Crockpots are a very good idea. Put everything in the crockpot the night before, and as you head out the door remove from fridge and turn it on!

I love ravioli's and spaghetti..both very simple to cook.
You can cook your hamburger ahead of time and freeze it.
Frozen hamburgers and chicken burgers ready for the grill are pretty simple. (cut and prepare your toppings the night before)
The recipe board here has some awesome dishes also.