Supercharge nutrition and save money by freezer cooking breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
Many busy families, couples and individuals have learned the benefits of freezer cooking and use approximately one weekend a month to prepare dinners that can be quickly and conveniently enjoyed over the following weeks. However, with a little preparation, snacks, breakfast, and lunch can also benefit from a freezer dinner approach. Freezer cooking allows you to supercharge the nutritional content of all your meals while saving money.
Everyone has heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. However, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 20% of Americans (30% of teens) don’t eat any breakfast at all. Of those having breakfast, 25% are eating outside the home, often paying significantly for the privilege. Many teens and adults who don’t want to eat breakfast would be happy to drink a healthy and delicious smoothie. To have most of the ingredients ready in the freezer, buy a bunch of ripe bananas and a bag of frozen, no sugar added strawberries. Even better, during strawberry season, you can buy and freeze a quantity of fresh, local strawberries. For each smoothie, combine in a plastic bag, 1 banana with 6-8 strawberries. When you’re ready for breakfast or a healthy smack, put a cup of lowfat vanilla yogurt, a cup of milk, 3 ice cubes, and the frozen banana and strawberry in a blender and combine until smooth. This is also a great pick-up after working out.
When grabbing breakfast on the run, you might choose a muffin figuring that it is healthier than a doughnut. However, many muffins have as much sugar as a cake. An easy alternative for a busy mom is to make several batches of healthier muffins that you know your family likes and freeze them in individual bags. Either take them out of the freezer the night before or defrost them in the microwave in the morning. By choosing an oil such as canola without trans-fat, adding bran or wheat flour, and fruit, you can make a great tasting muffin that will provide your family a great start to the day. Another easy freezer cooking breakfast is to make a double batch of pancakes or waffles when making them on the week-end. Freeze the extras in a plastic bag with a layer of waxed paper between them. The pancakes or waffles can be reheated in a toaster oven or a microwave.
When making freezer dinners, put individual sized portions in small plastic containers for lunch. Even taking one of these frozen meals to work once or twice a week can provide a great break from sandwiches or a hamburger. Your co-workers will be jealous when they smell the delicious Irish stew that you are enjoying for lunch. Using freezer cooking for breakfast, lunch and snacks can save money while improving your diet.
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