Emergency meals

I mentioned here the other day that I was extremely sick a few years ago with chronic hives and random swelling. I also spent that entire winter in a constant state of upper-respiratory distress. I was SICK. Being so sick, I rarely had the energy or desire to cook. This posed a serious problem because we had to eat. Dinner too often wound up consisting of Ruf's running out after work to get take-out. Expensive and unhealthy when done frequently.

Once I was all better, I got smart. It's just the 2 of us, so most recipes make way more than we can eat. So, I started freezing our meals. Soups, casseroles, various entrees were divided up and put into freezer-safe containers. This has proven to be such a lifesaver in so many ways! Whether it's a too-busy day or I'm sick or tired, there is always something in the freezer that I can pull out at a moment's notice. Now, if I'm ever hit that hard again with illness, we're prepared in the food department.

As for storage, I prefer square or rectangular containers as they fit more economically in the freezer. I put a layer of saran wrap over the top of the food to keep any air away from it. If I use a ziplock, I buy only the brand-name freezer versions, as I truly think they are the best quality. I just flatten the food out and suck the air out with a straw. The ziplocks stack nicely this way.

For more frugal ideas, visit Biblical Womanhood.