Freezer Meals

Freezer Meals

Before the twins were born, my mother offered me a large, stand-up deep freezer. "You're going to need this," she said. "Really?" I replied. I couldn't imagine needing to fill that huge freezer with food for my family. But, after the twins were born, reality set in. They were one day going to be teenagers...with friends. "That's a lot of tacos!" my mom reminded me. Of course, she was right. I've used the freezer so much. Your home might not be like mine. And by that I mean full. But, no matter what your household situation, one child, 8 children, working mom, staying at home mom, having prepared meals in your freezer can lighten the nightly worry of "what's for dinner?"

Today my dear friend and neighbor, Beth, and I prepared freezer meals for the next few weeks. This is the second time we have had a "batch cooking day." Today, we completed 8 recipes that we quadrupled to allow each person to take home/keep 16 main dishes. Some of the recipes are my mom's recipes and some are ones that I found on the internet.


Bean Burritos
Chicken and Wild Rice
Baked Ziti
Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups
Slow Cooker Beef and Mushroom
Slow Cooker Corn, Salsa, Black Bean Chicken
Kale and White Bean Soup with Sausage

Below is the shopping list quadrupled (highlighted items were purchased at Sam's club):

Canned/Dry Goods

4 (14 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed 

8 (14 oz) cans corn, drained
1 cup dried minced onion
 

4 (16 oz) can whole cranberry sauce
 

4 cup barbecue sauce 

4 Can (10.75 oz) cream of mushroom soup 

4 Can (4 oz) mushrooms ( with liquid ) 

2  cup apple juice

4 ounces onion soup mix 

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 

24 cups lower-salt chicken broth 

(4) 32 oz jar of spaghetti sauce 

(4) 1 lb. 3 oz. can cannellini or white kidney beans, rinsed and drained, or 2 cups cooked dried beans 

64 ounces Ziti

4 (1 oz) package taco seasoning

4 cup salsa 

4 jar (26 to 30 ounces) spaghetti sauce (about 3 cups) 

4 teaspoon dried oregano

24 oz. Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice Original Long Grain (cooked) 1 tsp. salt

4 cup mushroom soup

4 cup (8 oz. container) sliced water chestnuts

4 (2 oz) jar diced pimentos (drained)

8 cans refried beans) 

2 jar salsa of your choice 

2 package taco seasoning mix (or homemade taco seasoning) 

36 lasagna noodles, cooked 

Meat

22 lb chicken breasts 

12 pounds stew meat ( cubed )

4 lb. sweet Italian sausage 

2 lb. lean ground beef

Frozen

40 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and completely drained 

Dairy

60 oz fat free ricotta cheese 

4 egg 

4 cup mayonnaise

8 cup Extra Sharp shredded cheese 

4 containers (15 ounces) Ricotta cheese (or 60 oz total)

10 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided 

4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 

Produce

10 yellow onion

12 medium carrot, cut into small dice 

12 rib celery, cut into small dice 

4 lb. kale, rinsed, stems removed, leaves torn into bite-size pieces (8 cups firmly packed) 

4 Tbs. fresh lemon juice 

2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest (optional) 

8 cloves garlic, minced

4 medium green pepper  

Bread

48 medium flour tortillas 

Grab a friend and get cooking!

 
 
 
 
 

Blessings Upon Blessings - The Birth Story of Lindley and Mills

My two precious babes are 9 weeks old now. Unfortunately I did not follow my own doula advice to all new moms to write out your birth story soon after delivery. Maybe it's because I was still in shock of having two babies, so tired from learning how to feed them, or so overwhelmed at the prospect of caring for my family in the weeks, months and years ahead. But, here I am - sitting in my living room, the house strangely quiet. The babies are sleeping and my husband took the "big boys" out in the snow. Its a sweet moment of solitude that I know will end soon as I keep checking the monitor awaiting a call for mama's milk. With this short time, I wanted to get my birth story compiled as to never forget the blessings that arrive on December 4, 2013.

At one day shy of 38 weeks, my two babes had clearly taken over my body. To say I was huge was an understatment. I had worked hard to gain weight eating lots of protein to hopefully grow healthy twins that made it to full term. Following the wisdom of Dr. Barbara Luke in her book, I gained a 55 pounds.

Although I knew it would be harder once the twins were here, I was ready to meet them. My back hurt so bad, I couldn't pick up my toddler, and I was already losing sleep. So, with an induction looming, I bit the bullet and drank castor oil (mixed with peanut butter and ice cream). To be honest, I couldn't even taste the castor oil and had little faith that it would actually make a difference in starting my labor. 

But, to my surprise, I was wrong. After a few hours of taking the castor oil, a huge spaghetti dinner, and lots of laps around my block, labor kicked in and I knew there was no turing back. Thankfully, Imani stopped by the house to see if I needed any help that day. She watched Henry and Callaway while I took a walk, helped me prepare dinner and actually ended up spending the night in case labor progressed. I'm so glad she showed up that afternoon! After dinner I tried to take a shower, relax, and even sleep. But, the contractions continued to come and by 9pm, I knew that this was real labor and we would meet our babies soon. I continued to labor at home in my room, mostly sitting on an exercise ball leaning over onto my bed, and holding my husband's hand as he laid in bed trying to get some sleep. By midnight our doula arrived at the house and continued to encourage me in the work I was doing. With contractions coming closer together and feeling more intense, we decided to start preparing to move to the hospital. 

 

We arrived at the hospital around 1:30am, got checked in, and settled in our room. The doctor came by around 2am to check me and the babies. We were encouraged to find that I was 7cm dilated. Contractions continued to come very regularly and I worked through sitting on the exercise ball, on hands and knees or just leaning over onto the bed. I was tired though. So very tired. I was ready for labor to be over but I knew that I still had hard work ahead of me. I needed a short break though so we opted for some time in the tub. The water was warm and gave me a chance to relax. 

Once I got out of the tub, I requested to be checked because I was feeling more pressure with each contraction and hoped it would be time to meet my babies. Although I had progressed, I was only at 8cm. Baby A (Lindley) was in great position, though, and very low. The doctor suggested breaking Lindley's water bag with the hopes of moving labor along. I was getting so very tired and agreed. The doctor broke my water and within minutes I knew it was time to push. I was already in the bed but turned around on my knees and held onto the back of the bed. With each contraction, I pushed. Within 15 minutes, I could feel my sweet baby girl coming into this world. She was born at 5:15am. The doctor handed her to me and I was overjoyed! I only held her for a few minutes before contractions started again and I needed to hand her over to the nurse. 

 

I imagined that quickly after Lindley was born, Mills would make his way. However, once Lindley was born, labor slowed down a bit. Mills was doing just fine but still high in station. I needed to "labor him down." I wanted to meet him so bad. I wanted labor to end. I wanted to fall into the bed and just give up. But, my faithful husband and encouraging doula continued to tell me that I could do it, that I was so close and I would meet Mills soon. I had to believe them but it was hard. I could hear Lindley crying and cooing in the background. Jeremiah would run over to see her and then run over to hold my hand during contractions. It felt like eternity for Mills to labor down and decide he was ready to come. He did though and I'm so glad. I continued to labor in the bed on hands and knees but began to get so tired and weak that I needed to change positions. I laid on my back to catch my breath but knew pushing was near. The pressure so intense, the pain and exhaustion seemed to overtake me. But, I also know that with those feelings, the end is near. My baby boy is close. The doctor broke his bag of water and with four pushes, he was here. Mills was born at 6:11am. 

Like all births, it was exhilierating and exhausting. I could not have asked for a more perfect welcome into the world for Lindley and Mills. I was covered in love and support by my husband, my doula, my doula community, my friends, and the hospital staff at VCU. 

Lindley Corrine Winters 5:15am, 6lbs 4 oz

Mills Bryan Winters 6:11am, 6lbs 14oz