Everything is set up for two people, so I forced my mom to do it with me. She has freezer space and I don't. She likes to keep busy and I don't. I like to eat and she doesn't. It worked out pretty fairly, I think.
On Thursday, I spent three hours at the grocery store. Three hours! But all that time buying bulk items and calculating costs ended up saving us about 50% off the bill, so it was worth it. Maybe.
On Friday, it took two hours to cut up all the veggies we would need for our "Big Cooking Day." All I can say is, thank goodness for Monsoon's help. Sure, he made a big mess (of course I didn't, I'm not messy), but he also made the experience -which should have been violently boring - enjoyable. In the time it took me to peel 3 pounds of carrots, Monsoon shaved two of them down to nubs:
Here is a comparison of a whole carrot with a nub of a carrot:
See how helpful he was? The 10 pounds of onions may have been getting to me, but I laughed til I cried. Oh yeah, and our entire house still smells of onion. Saturday was the big day, starting at 9 a.m. It was an 8 hour cooking frenzy, but we did it. Each of us now have 16 dinners in the freezer, labeled and ready to eat (okay, thaw, heat, then eat).
Would I do it again? Absolutely. If you try it, though, here's a big tip: tell your sister to keep her own kids that day, and while you're at it, have her take yours as well. Three screaming children
We actually tried the first dinner last night. It was OAMM's Mom's spaghetti sauce, and let me just say, I may never go back to store-bought again. Husband and I ate an entire jar, and licked our plates. It was that good. I wish I had thawed another jar so we could eat it again tonight.
11 comments:
Here's my best Once a Month Mom cooking tip:
Bags of frozen, diced onions. You won't regret it.
I think that is a brilliant idea! I can see how it would save tons of time and money, not to mention frustration.
Wow! What an interesting idea!
Popped in from Yaya's to say hi!
Your puppy quote cracked me up!
Wow! Good for you lady :)
Aw...Monsoon was your big helper! Love when my boys "help" me in the kitchen! :)
They will try thing they never would though, you know, if they "helped" make it!
So glad to hear about your experience. Glad you are liking at least the first recipe. :) Too fun. I am also highly amused that Emily from Mommin' It Up made such an enlightening suggestion. I am filing that one away myself!
I don't have nearly the freezer space sadly, but I did supper swapping for a year or so with some friends which does something sorta similar and it ROCKED. It beats the bacon sandwiches and smoothies my husband fed the wee ones for dinner tonight.... I need to get some pre-prepped into the freezer!
Wow! I'm not sure if I would do this, since I am blessed enough to only have to work at home. But I think some 'made-ahead' meals would come in handy for those times I don't have much time to cook. Something to think about!
Hey, Popping in from SISTS. I've done this too! It's fantastic! I hadn't heard of that website you used so I'm excited to check it out. Love your blog.
You are brave, girl! I don't know whether it's easier to do it once a month or not. Definitely sounds cheaper though, and saving money is always nice. I will have to check out Once a Month Mom after reading your post (never heard of her before.)
Happy SITS Day! Sorry I am checking in a little late. Don't want to be tardy to the party lol.
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