One week done! Seeing my freezer fill up on this challenge makes me happy! I’m trying to not touch anything I’ve put in there yet so I can get into a good little stockpile of freezer items and slowly rotate more in as I take something out.

I took advantage of a couple of meat sales to stock up the freezer. Chicken legs were buy one get on free so I was able to tuck those into the freezer. Although I didn’t this time I could have easily repacked them into gallon sized freezer bags with an marinade- oil and spices/bbq/pesto.

I did however buy some of our favorite ground sausage on sale. To prep it for the freezer I carefully cut it out of the package and then sliced it (12 patties per lb). I put parchment paper between layers and freeze! Simple, cheaper, and healthier than frozen patties). When I want to cook it I simply heat a pan and cook straight from the freezer.

Fill Your Freezer day five already! If you’re new- the month of February I take the time to cook and freeze our favorite meals, snacks, sauces, and other components to make meals.

Today is one of the kids’ favorite breakfasts- baked oatmeal. I’ve seen it a lot of recipes floating around pinterest lately but we have been making it for years.

Thank goodness today is grocery day! Eating more fresh, whole foods has meant we go through what seems like more food! Maybe that’s true but I can only buy so much produce if I want it to fit in my fridge. [Buying more whole foods has been a better on our grocery budget too rather than trying to buy allergy replacements like dairy free cheese or specially gluten free crackers].

It’s also exciting to see the kids trying and some liking new foods – recently lentils, cabbage and kiwis. Not everyone liked all the new things, but enough did to put it into food rotation! Grocery day is like an adventure for them to see “what’s new.”

Happy February! If you missed my last post or new around here I host a “Fill Your Freezer February” Challenge. I focus on making and freezing meals, snacks, and items that I know my family actually enjoy eating!

Starting Where I Am

My refrigerator freezer currently only contains some frozen cherries, homemade jam, corn, couple pounds of beef, and a whole chicken. And I shared the state of my chest freezer in this post. .. Ahem, I plan on actually cleaning it out today!

Although my freezers are pretty empty (thank you pregnancy prepped freezer meals!) I am starting with some basics, but things I know we will eat regularly and a bunch of!